Ron Paul's Strategy Vindicated?

[Bradley in DC]

http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/49654.html

Mark Brady
Ron Paul's Strategy Vindicated?

Despite the pleas of Eric Garris and Liberty & Power's own Anthony Gregory, and a great many other libertarians, Ron Paul has declined to quit the Republican primaries and run as an Independent/Libertarian. At least so far.

Tonight Fox News reports that, with 88% of precincts reporting, Ron Paul has won almost 16% of the vote in the Republican primary in Pennsylvania. This beats Mike Huckabee (less than 12%) although, it ought to be added, Huckabee conceded to McCain some weeks ago. Today McCain received just over 72% of the vote. This means that Paul has won more than a fifth as many votes as McCain. Certainly there are a good many Republicans who are unhappy with McCain and his policies of high spending, inflation and war. Ron Paul's decision to stay in the race demonstrates this very clearly and sets down a marker for future Republican contests. And his impressive vote total raises some interesting questions. What will be the impact on the race for the Libertarian Party nomination? And how will those Ron Paul supporters vote, if they vote at all, this November?

 

[orlandoinfl]

Could Paul go Independent run after the Republican Convention (assuming he doesnt get the nomination)? Would he need to collect signatures to do this?

 

[acptulsa]

Could Paul go Independent run after the Republican Convention (assuming he doesnt get the nomination)? Would he need to collect signatures to do this?

Yes he could. He has said many times he won't run third party, but has not specifically ruled out an independent run. To get him on the ballot of your state, yes a petition is required. I plan on collecting signatures this summer.

 

[sfws09]

i will vote Ron Paul....

 

[orlandoinfl]

If Dr.Paul doesnt win the Republican nomination, I'm going to collect signatures for his name to be on the ballot regardless of what he says.

 

[acptulsa]

If Dr.Paul doesnt win the Republican nomination, I'm going to collect signatures for his name to be on the ballot regardless of what he says.

I've been advocating this for a while now. Seems to me to be an idea to send him to the convention with ballot access petitions in place and ready to submit in as many states as possible. That way he can tell them, I didn't ask for them to do it, but they did. I'm not advocating for them to split the conservative vote, but they will vote their consciences and I won't ask them to do otherwise. I can save this party or you can try your best to kill it. What more can I say?

 

[liberteebell]

I've been advocating this for a while now. Seems to me to be an idea to send him to the convention with ballot access petitions in place and ready to submit in as many states as possible. That way he can tell them, I didn't ask for them to do it, but they did. I'm not advocating for them to split the conservative vote, but they will vote their consciences and I won't ask them to do otherwise. I can save this party or you can try your best to kill it. What more can I say?

Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[stevedasbach]

If Dr.Paul doesnt win the Republican nomination, I'm going to collect signatures for his name to be on the ballot regardless of what he says.

You can collect the signatures, but unless Dr. Paul himself files the appropriate paperwork in each state (usually a statement of candidacy) his name will NOT appear on the ballot.

Also, in many states, write-in votes are not counted for a candidate unless said candidate files paperwork declaring himself to be a write-in candidate for that office.

 

[Kade]

If he is going to run Independent, shouldn't we be working to get his name on the state ballots? Can we do this now? Just in case...

 

[Bradley in DC]

You can collect the signatures, but unless Dr. Paul himself files the appropriate paperwork in each state (usually a statement of candidacy) his name will NOT appear on the ballot.

Also, in many states, write-in votes are not counted for a candidate unless said candidate files paperwork declaring himself to be a write-in candidate for that office.

In some states, one has to file a slate of presidential electors to the Electoral College as well.

 

[BKom]

And some states have "sore loser" laws that would preclude him from running.

 

[acptulsa]

And some states have "sore loser" laws that would preclude him from running.

Exactly four--but I don't think they preclude writing him in. Don't quote me, though--not sure of that.