Ron Paul- 3rd Party Candidate? Is it time yet?

[f16weav]

I haven't seen much discussion on RP running as a 3rd party candidate yet. If Ron Paul continues to gain 9%-15% in the early primaries, when does he pull his name from the Republican ticket and run as a third party candidate?

I know he thinks he can win the Republican nomination (as all politicians do) but realistically you have to switch gears, save $$$ and energy, to the Independent Party sooner or later. I've heard him last week in an interview leave the "door open" on this option.

In 30 days, each party will have their own candidate selected and Paul's staff, $$$ and 9%-15% support will have momentum and more importantly an equal platform. I look forward to your thoughts, inputs and best strategy to keep the RP train rolling!

sw

 

[Mises]

Well, this would most certainly not happen until after Super Tuesday, and it also depends on how much money he has at that point.

When Ron Paul first announced his candidacy, my belief was that his participation in the Republican nominating process was designed to get his message heard on national television, gain support, so that he could have a chance with a third party run.

He has given the impression that there is no chance for a third party or independent run, but he has never ruled it out, either. Of course, it would be suicidal for his campaign to say he intended to run as a third party. Had he done so, he would have certainly been kicked out of the debates.

 

[f16weav]

It might have been suicidal to run as a 3rd party candidate several months, but IMO, the timing is close...say 2 weeks max. Declaring sometime in the next 30 days (before Super Tuesday Feb 5 or so?) will thrust or keep RP into national spot light. Declaring ahead of the other two parties is the best plan , since the top 2 candidates in each party will be slugging it out, spending millions in cash and energy until the bitter end....this country is hungry for a viable 3rd party candidate with different ideas like RP...not a Perot or Forbes. Getting him out there early , declaring now rather then later will keep RP fresh, keep $$$ in the coffer and focus his staff and effort for the next big push...a three way race and not a 8-12 person scrum we have now.

 

[winston_blade]

3rd party is the wrong move and is assured defeat.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Not with this current Campaign Staff!

IF he cleans house and staffs real political professionals... probably.

Not with the current bunch of Baboons holding the Football

 

[bomybomy]

Staying an R keeps his message out there. Once people go Ron, they probably won't go back, and he keeps them in the primary.

If the R's don't nominate Ron Paul, as many others here, I hope the Republican party shrivels and dies. They stand for absolutely nothing, as evidenced by the Iowa results (Mike and Mitt).

If Ron Paul does not win, I don't care at all about throwing my support behind the Republican party....they simply won't win anyway. I say maybe the Libertarian party or someone else rise up and make this thing a 3 party state. If they handled it just right, they could take the entire RP Army and enlist them.

 

[Unspun]

No, it is not time.

 

[Devil_rules_in_extremes]

It's political suicide for Ron Paul to run as an independent. The MSM has RP on record as saying he has ZERO intention of running 3rd party a million times over. We need to focus on winning the Republican nomination.

 

[liberty_rp08]

I just don't think the neoconservative Republican leadership will allow RP to get the nomination no matter what happens in the primaries. But even if I am right, and of course I hope I am wrong, it's still important to dominate the Republican primaries to force the issue and put RP in the best position possible for a potential third party run.

 

[The Tao Of Bill]

It is never the time for Ron Paul to run third party. NEVER. If he loses the nomination he should end his pursue for the white house right there. We need him in government. He should focus his efforts on a re election to the texas congress seat he's had for 10 terms. Instead of getting a 3rd party Paul in (which isn't going to happen in a million years) we should focus on finding Ron Pauls across America to run for congress.

 

[OKRonPaul]

It is never the time for Ron Paul to run third party. NEVER. If he loses the nomination he should end his pursue for the white house right there. We need him in government. He should focus his efforts on a re election to the texas congress seat he's had for 10 terms. Instead of getting a 3rd party Paul in (which isn't going to happen in a million years) we should focus on finding Ron Pauls across America to run for congress.

yes yes yes ^^^^

only possible way i could ever see a 3rd party run for him is he somehow gets swindled at the national convention despite being the 1 or 1a candidate there. Talking about it now is distracting and not the best use of our time.

 

[nate895]

What we should do if Ron Paul loses the nomination, which will be less likely if we can come out in at least a strong third, we must try to overthrow the party infrastructure, and I have found a way. I've researched these caucus things, and it appears that every precinct has them every even numbered year, and so if the majority of Paul supporters attend these meetings and elect delegates to the county, and later state and district conventions, we can change the platform and the leaders of the party.

Overthrowing the GOP is the only way to gain success.

 

[NoVALady]

Sticky: Who has heard of Unity08?

Patriots,

Have any of you heard about Unity08? (www.unity08.com) In its FAQs it says the following:

"Unity08: The People's Movement to Reunite America Washington’s politics-as-usual is dead. Unity08 is a growing movement of Americans that will combine America’s oldest values and newest technology to change our politics forever. We believe that neither of today’s parties reflects the aspirations of the majority of Americans. Both are unduly influenced by special interests and by money. We believe that, as each generation before us has done, it is time to re-ignite the torch of freedom and create the re-United States of America. We are of all parties, all ages, and all ethnicities. We will not waste time talking about the shortcomings of today’s parties or pointing fingers and bickering as they do.
Instead we will prepare to hold, in June 2008, the first-ever online convention where millions of Americans will nominate a Unity ticket for President and Vice President of the United States. We will work to achieve ballot access for that ticket in all 50 states. We will elect them to the White House in November 2008.
And, we will empower the American people to determine the crucial issues that will constitute the New American Agenda for the next president – and then vote on the key questions about those issues that all candidates seeking the Unity08 nomination will be expected to answer candidly and directly. We invite all Americans to join us as voting members, to light up their own torch of freedom, and to help us reactivate the true American community – where finding common ground is how true leaders meet crucial issues and prove worthy of both our history and our dreams."

This platform/infrastructure seems tailor made for Dr. Paul's campaign once it becomes clear that he will not win the Republican nomination. I'm intrigued by the fact that Unity08 members can nominate their presidential and vice presidential candidtes regardless of party and prioritize their issues in the New American Agenda (platform). Dr. Paul's supporters could nominate him for President and someone else (maybe from another party) for VP. In other words the American people could have executive leadership across parties. Something might actually get done in Washington! I had never heard of Unity08 before today. Does anyone else have any insight? Thanks.

 

[DaneKirk]

yes yes yes ^^^^

only possible way i could ever see a 3rd party run for him is he somehow gets swindled at the national convention despite being the 1 or 1a candidate there. Talking about it now is distracting and not the best use of our time.

+2. We could harness the fundraising and organization developed here to get Ron some allies in Congress. That is the best way. And maybe in a few years time things will be better. But I do agree that we can not give up on Ron just yet, I think New Hampshire and Michigan will serve as better examples to his support than Iowa.

 

[dvictr]

the american voters have three options is 2008.

• "Quasi Change": Bigger Government/Withdrawal timetable in Iraq - Barrack/ Hillary
  
• "Status Quo": Maintaing Gov. power/more spending in oversea military - McCain/Rudy/Romeny
  
• RON PAUL: Less Government/ spread democracy by example/ More civil liberites

At this point we have to concentrate to get as many voters on the record between now and feb. 5th for RON PAUL ... there needs to be a record that a significant part of the REPUBLICAN party will abandon the GOP party if RON PAUL is not the nomination. The GOP cannot afford to lose Ron Paul supporters to the socialists in 2008..


IMAGE a JULY 4th money bomb... the real REVOLUTION money bomb!

 

[f16weav]

the american voters have three options is 2008.



[*]"Quasi Change": Bigger Government/Withdrawal timetable in Iraq - Barrack/ Hillary

[*]"Status Quo": Maintaing Gov. power/more spending in oversea military - McCain/Rudy/Romeny

[*]RON PAUL: Less Government/ spread democracy by example/ More civil liberites


Excellent Post!

With both parties/candidate pushing for "change"....getting RP in a forum/platform vs Quasi Change and Status Quo will truly show the candidate of Change!


.....RP and company must work their collective a'rss off the next 30 days, but keep all options open to show America the real candidate of change!

Stay focused now..but be ready to shift gears when the time is right and not give up the fight!

 

[ErikBlack]

If Paul can't win the Republican nomination how can he win the presidency as a 3rd party candidate? All of the people who didn't vote for him in the primaries are going to mobilize and vote for him as an independent?

 

[cindy25]

the only way a 3rd party candidate has any chance is:
a) dems nominate Hillary
and
b) Reps nominate McCain or Rudy
and
c) the war starts going badly again

without all of those 3 things -and it has to be all of them- then 3rd party is useless.

the only chance of a Repubican win is to nominate Paul and hope the Dems nominate Hillary

 

[angrydragon]

Search third party before posting, most of us say NO!

 

[nate895]

the only way a 3rd party candidate has any chance is:
a) dems nominate Hillary
and
b) Reps nominate McCain or Rudy
and
c) the war starts going badly again

without all of those 3 things -and it has to be all of them- then 3rd party is useless.

the only chance of a Repubican win is to nominate Paul and hope the Dems nominate Hillary

Three way race=Clinton victory. 48% love her, and therefore would vote for her, and that beats any other two candidates.