Kurt endorses Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket....

[Michael Landon]

and another response after several of us commented....


Thanks for the thoughtful email.
I spoke with Congressman Paul by phone a week ago and we talked about many of the ideas and thoughts you have in your email. We had a discussion about Rand and his choice and I asked the Congressman his advice on our campaign and what his vision for the future was.
Since Dr. Paul has already made it clear that Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate, and I am not going to make it to Tampa, it will benefit my campaign to defeat Amy Klobuchar to make it clear that Minnesota is in play for the Presidential race.
I made the statement to vote your conscience so that you all would. I didn’t win the endorsement with 100% of the vote…I don’t know if any challenger ever has?
I mentioned the progress on the platform and getting delegates sat.
What needs to be clear is that we have to put our footholds in and now run in the general election.
In my opinion, the people who sellouts will be the people who don’t show up to help in the election to keep the footholds then move to take more ground after the election is over and we start preparing for 2014.
Remember in many CDs and at many levels the RP supporters ARE the party now. Again, will we transition from leadership back to the Constitution to leadership in winning elections. If we do not, candidates with money will skip the party endorsement and run to the primary in 2014. It’s really up to us.
Craig’s comments about my message to Romney are spot on. I have many duties as the top of the ticket and I will take a principled approach to performing these duties. Whether you choose to come along, or look for my failings is up to you. I will tell you that if I do not perform it will be the end of the endorsement meaning anything in this state.
I am not asking you to vote for anybody, I am asking you to work hard in Tampa and then come back here and work even harder.
We do not have the single goal of defeating Barack Obama and Joe Biden (and Amy Klobuchar); our mission is advancing the cause of liberty and defeating Obama/Biden/Klobuchar is a means to that end.
This statement was awesome and sums up my thoughts as well.
Craig, as the top of the ticket I am going to help all Republican candidates get elected. I am going to say the things I have wanted to say for 15 years. I am going to encourage ALL candidates to be themselves…but I do think this election will be won debating the economy. Some Republicans may not like what I say, but I am not going to pull any punches…with anybody.

There are great emails coming in. Some with questions, many with support. I appreciate it, but have to get running to get ready for the state fair.
Please forgive me if I don’t get back to you. My cell phone is xxx-xxx-xxxx text me your cell if you want me to try to call. Just realize that it might take me a while.
OR when you get back come and see me at the state fair and work the booth!

Have a great time and work hard. My apologies for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Typing fast.

In Liberty,

Kurt

 

[sailingaway]

I agree. (Shameless suck up to the mod )

Seriously, sailing...you rock!

I'm not trying to control this discussion, I'm just stating my opinion. Others may have other ideas - but thanks.

 

[jkob]

OK, so why did Rand "have" to say it?

I guess the rationale for Rand was that he's trying to position himself to run in 2016 but I'm not defending him or happy about his endorsement to say the least since I don't think it was necessary.

I think it's a little harsh tho to declare someone a traitor to the cause simply because of a political endorsement.

 

[cajuncocoa]

You have made it abundantly clear that you do not like Rand.

Wrong. I don't like what Rand did.

Must you post the same crap 500 more times?

If that's what it takes to get my point across, yes.

 

[sailingaway]

No suprise here. A Republican running for the U.S Senate endorsed the nominee from his own party. Move along now.

He made a specific promise to vote for and support Ron in Tampa when he got the endorsement from Ron Paul delegates at the state convention.

 

[TheGrinch]

Uggh, I wouldn't even bother with this thread, because I don't really like the timing either, but I do actually have something new to add to why they're just about forced to have to make the endorsement.

Republican voters DESPERATELY want to beat Obama. I've gotten in arguments with some who even like and have voted for Ron in the primaries, who are furious that I refuse to vote for Romney (and man, even last cycle my parents and brother were livid with me for writing in Dr. Paul, purely because they wanted to beat Obama that badly).

And make no mistake, they've already used that card in the past, Rand has said as much that they planned to use it against him just the same as they did his dad, if he didn't play ball and endorse the nominee.

Again, I think the timing is pretty crappy here, but maybe they have their reasons... But undertand that they also have their reasons for needing to make this endorsement, and their voting record will indicate exactly why that is.... It is completely possible that they know what the consequences are of them ppainting you as a "fake republican" trying to hijack the party and give the election to Obama, when that couldn't be further from the truth. But truth is often irrelevant to perceptions.

 

[Brett85]

He made a specific promise to vote for and support Ron in Tampa when he got the endorsement from Ron Paul delegates at the state convention.

In his email he says that he's not going to be able to make it to Tampa.

 

[sailingaway]

I never said it was okay for me. But I can certainly SEE what they are doing.

You know, it is possible to see someone's motive or thought process and comprehend or attempt to understand what they are doing without being a fan of it. It may or may not pay off yet. We don't know. But we can't see into the future and when we look in hindsight we'll either be happy or sad about it.

I'll reserve judgment until I see how he votes. What if Bills stays in office and votes like Ron Paul for 10 years? 20 years? Because he played politics. Would it be worth it then? Or would you rather have him keep a promise now and possibly not have that success?

I can say one thing. I strongly believe the campaign is not and hasn't been in it to win it for months. A number of empty and broken promises, and a good amount of our delegates will not even be seated. If I support a candidate and their campaign is not in it to win it (ie, I want it more than they do) I think that might make me second guess my own strategy. I also strongly believe the establishment is still too strong right now. If Ron was nominated, they'd find a way to stick Romney in there anyway.

However, there may come a time where, due to clever politicking, we have enough honest and truthful representatives in office and at all levels of the GOP where this is not the case. Where it wouldn't even be possible for them to strong arm us like they are now.

So I guess the bigger question is, "Do we always fight the uphill battle with the GOP, where they have dirty tactics at every turn, or do we change the GOP and flood it with our own people so we actually do have a shot of keeping our guy nominated when it comes to that (even if it means politicking by saying you support a nominee when you really don't?)"

It's a question we don't have the answer to yet. We could have another Ron Paul in 20 years, but what does it matter if we can't stay in the party and they flat out manipulate the primary so we can't get him the nomination again?

There are a bunch of angles you could view it from, but I think as long as we keep putting our own guys in office and keep them in check, the rest will work itself out. Let's worry about how they vote. That's what matters.

I think character matters, it is how I can trust them.

 

[sailingaway]

In his email he says that he's not going to be able to make it to Tampa.

He made the promise to stick with Ron through convention. That he did this before the convention makes me think he was given 'new consideration' by the GOP. I didn't know he wasn't in Tampa until I read the email. He was part of the delegation.

I wonder why he couldn't wait one week?

 

[freedomordeath]

I'm not trying to control this discussion, I'm just stating my opinion. Others may have other ideas - but thanks.

Ok sorry.. control is wrong word, but your words of wisdom are much appreciated in contrast to all the REALIST POEPLE.

 

[TheGrinch]

He made a specific promise to vote for and support Ron in Tampa when he got the endorsement from Ron Paul delegates at the state convention.

Then yeah, it does make it a little less defensible with the timing to do it now. I won't lie that it made me sick to my stomach to read the word "unequivocal".

I jsut tire of people jumping to conclsuions without at least trying to understand possible reasoning that doesn't necessarily involve people being sellout traitors.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Uggh, I wouldn't even bother with this thread, because I don't really like the timing either, but I do actually have something new to add to why they're just about forced to have to make the endorsement.

Republican voters DESPERATELY want to beat Obama. I've gotten in arguments with some who even like and have voted for Ron in the primaries, who are furious that I refuse to vote for Romney (and man, even last cycle my parents and brother were livid with me for writing in Dr. Paul, purely because they wanted to beat Obama that badly).

And make no mistake, they've already used that card in the past, Rand has said as much that they planned to use it against him just the same as they did his dad, if he didn't play ball and endorse the nominee.

Again, I think the timing is pretty crappy here, but maybe they have their reasons... But undertand that they also have their reasons for needing to make this endorsement, and their voting record will indicate exactly why that is.... It is completely possible that they know what the consequences are of them ppainting you as a "fake republican" trying to hijack the party and give the election to Obama, when that couldn't be further from the truth. But truth is often irrelevant to perceptions.

I know how you feel about these things because we've gone a few rounds about it before.

But forge ahead, I must.

If Rand and Bills are afraid to come out and say that Romney's policies won't be any different than Obama's, what will we have gained by their win? At some point, more than their votes in Congress and Senate will be required to get this country back on track.

In order to seat more liberty candidates, we will need more liberty voters...not just Republican voters. This could have been a "teachable moment" for the FOXNews viewers; instead, now they think that Romney's policies are A-OK with Bills and Rand.

Don't you see that?

 

[freedomordeath]

Uggh, I wouldn't even bother with this thread, because I don't really like the timing either, but I do actually have something new to add to why they're just about forced to have to make the endorsement.

Republican voters DESPERATELY want to beat Obama. I've gotten in arguments with some who even like and have voted for Ron in the primaries, who are furious that I refuse to vote for Romney (and man, even last cycle my parents and brother were livid with me for writing in Dr. Paul, purely because they wanted to beat Obama that badly).

And make no mistake, they've already used that card in the past, Rand has said as much that they planned to use it against him just the same as they did his dad, if he didn't play ball and endorse the nominee.

Again, I think the timing is pretty crappy here, but maybe they have their reasons... But undertand that they also have their reasons for needing to make this endorsement, and their voting record will indicate exactly why that is.... It is completely possible that they know what the consequences are of them ppainting you as a "fake republican" trying to hijack the party and give the election to Obama, when that couldn't be further from the truth. But truth is often irrelevant to perceptions.

I get what you saying, I really do. But the backlash will all be temporary, alot of this anger comes down to MSM brainwashing. Maybe it won't be such a bad tactic if they all get pissed at us. If Obama wins and they blame Ron Paul... there will be many that aren;t into politicics suddenly wonder who the fck this clown Ron Paul is and start youtubing and googling him and we may actually win many over to us.

Sometimes poeple overplay this backlash story without thinking it through. Stick to principles and things will work out over the LONG TERM.

 

[Brett85]

instead, now they think that Romney's policies are A-OK with Bills and Rand.

You can endorse someone or vote for someone without agreeing with or endorsing all their positions.

 

[sailingaway]

I get what you saying, I really do. But the backlash will all be temporary, alot of this anger comes down to MSM brainwashing. Maybe it won't be such a bad tactic if they all get pissed at us. If Obama wins and they blame Ron Paul... there will be many that aren;t into politicics suddenly wonder who the fck this clown Ron Paul is and start youtubing and googling him and we may actually win many over to us.

Sometimes poeple overplay this backlash story without thinking it through. Stick to principles and things will work out over the LONG TERM.

I understand our candidates and freshmen who 'support the nominee' (endorsement again being a case by case thing you don't have to do, and before convention being something you don't have to do except as a nameless 'nominee'.) However, I agree people have gotten plenty mad at Ron, but respected him when they looked back, saw they'd been wrong, and saw he had been alone, sticking to his guns. It is something to consider.

 

[cajuncocoa]

You can endorse someone or vote for someone without agreeing with or endorsing all their positions.

Yes one can certainly do that. But sometimes it still pisses people off, and there's nothing that can be done about that.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Well, that is a surprise since he specifically said at the endorsement hearing he would stick with Ron until after convention and vote for him.

Maybe Rand convinced him at one of the joint fundraisers? *ducks*

I would rather he endorse Gary Johnson, ...

Lol, now that would be funny. Instead of verbal tomatoes, some people would be calling for a tar and feathering after that!

As for me, I am not terribly surprised. My expectations are low (realistic?), and this is the political thing for Bills to do. Better to make friends right now than to expand an enemies list.

If he gets elected, we'll see how he votes. That will be the proof. No way to tell before hand. A politician could mimic Ron Paul 100% right now, and then turn around and become the next Lindsey Graham. If Ron Paul rescinds his endorsement of Bills, then we know something is terribly wrong. Until that happens, or he gets elected and makes some important votes, I'll wait and see what happens.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

But did you read Michael Landon's post? It confirms what I've suspected for a while. Ron himself has been communicating to the campaign and others he will not be the nominee, and it doesn't seem he is willing to challenge it.

It strongly seems the campaign has being growing through a slow breakup with the grassroots while directing other liberty candidates to bite the bullet for a chance at the future.

The email confirms that, Ron's first email confirms that, all of the endorsements confirm it. I mean, it's either that or ALL of our liberty candidates are traitors....

The campaign just wasn't willing to put up the fight we were. They've made a decision to place bets on the future. It would have been nice if the official campaign informed us of their intentions and let us know what was going on, but they didn't. I imagine this is why they weren't spending resources on protecting our delegates.

It's evident Kurt and others, probably Rand, spoke with Ron and the campaign before they did this. It looks like Ron gave them the go-ahead to play politics. He won't do it because he's the standard bearer of the movement. If our cornerstone crumbles, the movement disbands. That's my take, anyway,

I think character matters, it is how I can trust them.

 

[sailingaway]

But did you read Michael Landon's post? It confirms what I've suspected for a while. Ron himself has been communicating to the campaign and others he will not be the nominee, and it doesn't seem he is willing to challenge it.

It strongly seems the campaign has being growing through a slow breakup with the grassroots while directing other liberty candidates to bite the bullet for a chance at the future.

The email confirms that, Ron's first email confirms that, all of the endorsements confirm it. I mean, it's either that or ALL of our liberty candidates are traitors....

The campaign just wasn't willing to put up the fight we were. They've made a decision to place bets on the future. It would have been nice if the official campaign informed us of their intentions and let us know what was going on, but they didn't. I imagine this is why they weren't spending resources on protecting our delegates.

It's evident Kurt and others, probably Rand, spoke with Ron and the campaign before they did this. It looks like Ron gave them the go-ahead to play politics. He won't do it because he's the standard bearer of the movement. If our cornerstone crumbles, the movement disbands. That's my take, anyway,

I've heard people charactorize Ron saying 'well, he seems to have the delegates' about Romney as saying he is no longer able to win. But Ron winning the nomination was always a long shot. Five states they couldn't contest because we had enough extras really was easily within our grasp I do believe. And to this day, our delegates are fighting to give Ron five states, and backing out on them (going against the state delegation in the process) when he could just wait a week makes it seem to me he was offered consideration for it and took it.

I'll see how he votes IF he gets in, but I'm no longer going to be donating to him.

 

[July]

rockandrollsouls, I agree with your analysis. The title of the rally confirms that message too--"We Are The Future." I'm looking forward to Ron's speech there-- I think it will help put things into perspective, and the list of speakers suggests Ron is looking to bring us together.