Paul needs to accept the $20 million in matching funds and go all out Super Tuesday.

[BeFranklin]

i'm afraid you will only win your case with him if you prove it constitutional and morally correct ... any brilliant constitutional essays out there

or forget it
http://www.rprradio.com/

I looked to see if Congress's ability to regulate elections might give them say in using federal means of advertising as opposed to public, alas:

Section 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
...
Article. II: Section 1

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

Congress has less constitutional authority to regulate presidential elections than congressional elections.

I think a reverse argument is needed. If Congress never had the authority to take the money from us in the first place, we are entitled to get it back. If Congress offers a method to get that money back, we ought to be able to accept, although we don't approve of the system in the first place.

I'm looking at the federal budget now. hmmm, did Congress take any money from us that was unconstitutional, and therefore is ours anyway?

 

[BeFranklin]

Hmmm. Still looking. This is taking a long time! j/k

 

[Indy Vidual]

It limits what you can do with money, and a lot of candidates aren't taking it. If you support this idea, go research it, and tell us why those problems aren't.

This matches what I've heard before.

 

[dvictr]

Boo

 

[tgannaway89]

I'd support Dr. Paul if he took the money that we paid. I'd rather him get his share than the other candidates.

 

[Kilrain]

I really think that it is up to Dr. Paul to decide. If he decides to do it, fine. If he decides not to do it, that's fine, too. Let's show some trust, people.

 

[volando]

judging by his record of practicing what he preaches i have very little doubt he will NEVER accept government money... the extra $20m would go a long way though :-\...

 

[noztnac]

He should take it and immediately return it to the treasury to pay the national debt.

...and everyone in America should see him do it.

 

[defcreative]

He should take it and immediately return it to the treasury to pay the national debt.

...and everyone in America should see him do it.

While thats a nice gesture, really spending it on advertising to get his message of freedom out to the masses would be a lot more useful.

 

[stewie3128]

Horrible Idea

Matching funds ain't gonna happen - RP will not let his campaign survive off the public dole. The man won't even take a publically-funded pension for god's sake.

Accepting matching funds would also bite the whole message in the ass: You're talking about curtailing spending, shrinking the size of gov't, and giving taxpayers more freedom to do what they want with their money, then you turn around and make them pay for your campaign? Not a chance with this candidate. He's nothing if not supremely principled.

 

[JohnnyWrath]

NO

 

[Slist]

What about taking the money AND giving it back to the taxpayers somehow. Or burn it in order to fight inflation

That would get some media attention, wouldn't it????

 

[Mogwai]

I believe we need to go all in, 40 million or 20 million that's a lot more commercials.

Can somebody start a petition for this?

 

[Tn...Andy]

thats why libertarians are losers...

all idealism....no realism

exactamundo.

 

[kutibah]

Ron Paul will NOT lose any voters because he took matching funds that every other candidate took. If he doesn't, it would be a real disadvantage for our campaign.

 

[RonRules]

Matching funds are VOLUNTARY. They are not a tax and people are free to make that decision. Use the money!!

 

[RonRules]

Should Romney or a very wealthy man like Bloomberg be allowed to get federal matching funds? I'm not sure, what do you guys think?

 

[BillyDkid]

I absolutely agree. We already have the handicap of the media ignoring us and marginalizing us. Every other campaign will only too happy to take that public money and glut the airwaves. It may be against Dr. Paul's principles, but it is what the law is now and it's just stupid not to take advantage of it. There are bigger things at stake here than just this one principle right now.

 

[disciple]

Yes.

 

[tsetsefly]

Read up on matching funds. Its not like you think, just free matched money. Most of the candidates are rejecting it lately because of restrictions.

Before you say yes, read that, and then tell the rest of us.

^^^^^^^^^^^^