It's amazing to me that people don't see what Ron Paul is doing.

[Rocco]

In the 1980's, there was a renegade group of republicans who via organization and activity within the party managed to take the party over despite an establishment element who certainly did not want that. These people were the social conservatives, the "values voters", and they were disliked by the republican establishment for a long period before they became the republican establishment. But, eventually, they too became the establishment and now we enjoy guys like Santorum and Huckabee because of it.

As you all know, the republican base is aging and the Ron Paul movement is the most popular choice for the 18-29 vote. We have all wondered why Ron Paul is spending all of his time campaigning on college campuses when that age group doesnt tend to vote as much? And finally, how does this all tie into the delegate strategy? The simple fact is, Dr Paul knew electoral victory was a long shot. That being said, Dr Paul also wanted to lay the groundwork for the future. So he has amassed a ton of young people to his campaign, and his main message to them has been to become delegates. Suddenly, it dawned on me what Ron Paul has been doing. The republican base is far closer to RP's age then mine (19), and Paul has aggressively courted voters of my age to become active and involved in the GOP. He is using the same tactic the social conservatives used in the 1980's; organize to create the new establishment. The difference is that Ron Paul's plan is more based on time I believe, and it may take a while to fully sink in. But we will see incremental improvement up to that point. The whole lesson behind that plan is that this is a MARATHON, not a sprint! RP 2012 is only the first mile of our journey, and Ron Paul's strategy to create a new establishment in the GOP proves it!

 

[angelatc]

The whole lesson behind that plan is that this is a MARATHON, not a sprint! RP 2012 is only the first mile of our journey, and Ron Paul's strategy to create a new establishment in the GOP proves it!

Well that's just peachy keen. But when you tell people you're trying to win the nomination, if instead you're actually not much interested in that at all, some would say you're deceiving your donors.

Most of the people who got involved at Ron's behest in 2008 disappeared as soon as the election ended and the liberty buzz died. No reason to think that won't happen again, especially since this campaign is drawing a lot more liberals than it should.

 

[RonPaulRules]

I agree. Ron knows this is not for him to win in 2012. But it is laying the groundwork for the future.

 

[sailingaway]

Well that's just peachy keen. But when you tell people you're trying to win the nomination, if instead you're actually not much interested in that at all, some would say you're deceiving your donors.

Most of the people who got involved at Ron's behest in 2008 disappeared as soon as the election ended and the liberty buzz died. No reason to think that won't happen again, especially since this campaign is drawing a lot more liberals than it should.

I think he is trying to do both, but at some point may not be able to win the nomination -- should he then throw the work and money his donors donated away? He has ALWAYS said he is running for both. There is no deception at all.

 

[sailingaway]

I agree. Ron knows this is not for him to win in 2012. But it is laying the groundwork for the future.

I wouldn't write him off yet, as of THIS point his delegate count is quite good, from the convention reports we are getting. It is the lack of media coverage and momentum which is necessary for the upcoming primary states that is problematic, and, while hard to foresee how that would change right now, stranger things have happened in this campaign.

 

[playboymommy]

It's not like I'm just trying to win and get elected, I'm trying to change the course of history.

Speaking of running, Ron Paul is running for President, he's a runner as well, my mom sang this in church. It makes me think of Ron Paul and all that he's doing.



Courier valiant, bearing the flame
Messenger noble, sent in His name
Faster and harder, run through the night
Desperate relay, carry the light
Carry the light

Runner when the road is long
Feel like giving in but you're hanging on
Oh runner, when the race is won
You will run into His arms

Obstacle ancient, chilling the way
Enemy wakened, stoking the fray
Still be determined, fearless and true
Lift high the standard, carry it through
Carry it through

Mindful of many waiting to run
Destined to finish what you've begun
Millions before you cheering you on
Godspeed dear runner, carry it home
Carry it home

 

[airborne373]

The Ron Paul Movement is bigger than the presidency in my opinion. This is about a culture shift as the thread originator identified. Changing the culture takes time and is done from within.

And I am in for the rest of my life.

 

[WilliamC]

He talked about this in his latest speech in Illinois, that revolutions are carried out by the young and energetic who have the most to win or lose since it is their future at stake.

I'm waiting for him to start doing stadiums myself...

 

[slamhead]

Well that's just peachy keen. But when you tell people you're trying to win the nomination, if instead you're actually not much interested in that at all, some would say you're deceiving your donors.

Most of the people who got involved at Ron's behest in 2008 disappeared as soon as the election ended and the liberty buzz died. No reason to think that won't happen again, especially since this campaign is drawing a lot more liberals than it should.

I agree. I am 47 years old. I have fought long and hard for RP. If he is not the nominee this time around I see myself becoming very disenfranchised with the whole process. I am of the opinion where it would be more beneficial for us to be able to say "I told you so" when this house of cards collapses. I see that as the only way for people to wake up at this point.

 

[OrbitzXT]

Regardless of what happens, Ron Paul is a true hero to me. I honestly never thought I would think so highly of a politician ever in my life (I'm 27 for what that's worth).

 

[wgadget]

When the house of cards collapses, which it will, we will be in place with both the solutions and the vigor to rebuild.

Ron Paul is a prophet who has been proven right on so many issues.

Stick with the one who speaks the truth, because, as Carol Paul has told us, THE TRUTH WILL WIN, eventually.

 

[AlexAmore]

I've always thought this was a long term strategy. Courting young people coupled with the explosion of the internet/social media explosively gaining more market share as a news/information/politics source not even a decade ago. Look at this from the big picture, I'm talking a time line of a 200 years. With technology and networking never before seen in the political arena all being dominated by Ron Paul republicans and......young liberals. See, that's the problem and where Ron Paul is attacking at it's root.

Young, loud, energetic liberals. He wants to convert them before they're set in their ways, before they gain power. There was an industrial revolution and then a second industrial revolution each time people rose to enormous profound power that is still with us today. Now we're in the information age and poised to DOMINATE it! If we dominated the information age imagine the implications for decades to come.

 

[justatrey]

I think he is trying to do both, but at some point may not be able to win the nomination -- should he then throw the work and money his donors donated away? He has ALWAYS said he is running for both. There is no deception at all.

This. I have no doubt that he always was and still is trying to win the nomination. Just look at the massive effort that went into Iowa, and how close he came to pulling it off.

Then when you account for the possibility that there may have been rampant voter fraud, it's very possible that he should be the current front runner had there been a level playing field. So I have no complaints with how the campaign has been managed so far.

 

[ctiger2]

Don't kid yourself. Ron is trying to WIN this right NOW as well as laying groundwork for future generations. It's not either/or.

 

[Xhin]

I *have* wondered why the campaign has focused its efforts towards consolidating the vote among the young crowd rather than appealing to other voting blocs. On the other hand, as Kony 2012 and virtually any other viral campaign has proven, getting the young crowd to not be apathetic is a great campaign regardless. He's definitely in it to win. The less he focuses on the politics of the game, the less likely the media will take him seriously, and the more likely people will start to question the MSM.

 

[Jamesiv1]

Regardless of what happens, Ron Paul is a true hero to me. I honestly never thought I would think so highly of a politician ever in my life (I'm 27 for what that's worth).

^This

It takes time to change hearts and minds. The 'establishment' has been doing what they do in America since what, about 1791? (creation of the 1st Central Bank) That's a formidable opponent.

Gandhi started organizing peasants, farmers and laborers in 1915. He was assassinated 33 years later. With the internet, etc. the message gets out a lot faster, but it still takes time.

Mahatma Gandhi's life achievement stands unique in political history. He has invented a completely new and humane means for the liberation of an oppressed country, and practiced it with greatest energy and devotion. The moral influence he had on the consciously thinking human being of the entire civilized world will probably be much more lasting than it seems in our time.

- Albert Einstein

If Ron Paul wins the White House, I have serious doubts about how much he can actually accomplish given the state of the union today.

But we can hope.

 

[NoOneButPaul]

In the 1980's, there was a renegade group of republicans who via organization and activity within the party managed to take the party over despite an establishment element who certainly did not want that. These people were the social conservatives, the "values voters", and they were disliked by the republican establishment for a long period before they became the republican establishment. But, eventually, they too became the establishment and now we enjoy guys like Santorum and Huckabee because of it.

As you all know, the republican base is aging and the Ron Paul movement is the most popular choice for the 18-29 vote. We have all wondered why Ron Paul is spending all of his time campaigning on college campuses when that age group doesnt tend to vote as much? And finally, how does this all tie into the delegate strategy? The simple fact is, Dr Paul knew electoral victory was a long shot. That being said, Dr Paul also wanted to lay the groundwork for the future. So he has amassed a ton of young people to his campaign, and his main message to them has been to become delegates. Suddenly, it dawned on me what Ron Paul has been doing. The republican base is far closer to RP's age then mine (19), and Paul has aggressively courted voters of my age to become active and involved in the GOP. He is using the same tactic the social conservatives used in the 1980's; organize to create the new establishment. The difference is that Ron Paul's plan is more based on time I believe, and it may take a while to fully sink in. But we will see incremental improvement up to that point. The whole lesson behind that plan is that this is a MARATHON, not a sprint! RP 2012 is only the first mile of our journey, and Ron Paul's strategy to create a new establishment in the GOP proves it!

YES.

And you know what the Social Conservatives didn't do? Run away from the fight via 3rd party and disappear forever.

Never forget the 3rd party is exactly where the GOP Establishment wants us- irrelevant and powerless.

 

[thoughtomator]

We can take control of the GOP simply by showing up in numbers - participation is abysmally low and we're the only ones motivated to get anything done. Find out all the GOP functions in your area - local, state, federal - show up, and be heard. Take over - use our voting strength in these groups to anoint liberty people as candidates and as party functionaries.

 

[Cleaner44]

The R3VOLUTION is much bigger than one man and one election. Just look at how much it has grown since 4 years ago.

It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
-Samuel Adams

We are winning and we are changing things regardless of how things turn out this Aug and Nov.

Yesterday my teenage daughter needed to cash some checks from babysitting. Normally I could cash them for her using my account. Then yesterday my credit union would not do it, they insisted she open her own account. I was annoyed so I went to the bank were my mortgage is and they did the same thing. In fact the bank was very aggressive in getting her signed up for her own account. I realized it was for one very simple reason... capturing her now is the ideal situation. Whoever can be the first to signup a child is likely to have a customer for a long long time. It is like she is a banking virgin and they all want to be the first and get locked in. It is always easier to keep a customer than find a new one. Getting a customer before 18 and then keeping them for life is the goal.

Ron Paul is right to capture the minds of young people. I wish I had learned that I was a libertarian 10 or 20 years eariler. We are creating a R3VOLUTION!

 

[olsonly]

I'm 43 and he is a hero to me too. A very special man.