So what happens if the Constitution Party nominates Dr. Paul on Saturday?

[Stallion]

For those of you who don't know, the CP national convention is this weekend in Kansas City. This quote is taken from ballotaccess.com:

Constitution Party Nominates on April 26 (Saturday)
April 23rd, 2008
The Constitution Party national convention in Kansas City will actually vote for a presidential nominee on Saturday, April 26, starting at 8 a.m. Nominating speeches will have been made the preceding day. There will probably be a strong vote for Alan Keyes, a strong vote for Chuck Baldwin, and a strong vote for drafting Ron Paul. Thanks to Glenn Brown for the details about the schedule.

So what if the CP delegates choose Ron as their nominee? Do you think he would accept? Wouldn't he kinda be obligated at that point? Yes, I realize he is still seeking the GOP nomination, but he has said himself that victory is unlikely. Can the CP convince him to run 3rd party once and for all?

 

[acptulsa]

Dr. Paul will politely but firmly refuse. Hopefully, they will draft him anyway and save us the trouble of getting ballot access petitions signed and/or eliminating any risk of splitting our vote.

 

[ItsTime]

What are his realistic chances of getting that nom?

 

[Stallion]

What are his realistic chances of getting that nom?

Unfortunately, probably pretty slim, since he already stated that he was not interested. I would love to see them nominate him anyway though. They will ruin their party if they nominate Keyes IMHO.

 

[ItsTime]

Thats what I thought. I agree Keyes would not be good for the Constitution Party. But might drive more constitutionalists back to the Republican Party and join the fight with Ron Paul to bring the party back to its constitutional values.

Unfortunately, probably pretty slim, since he already stated that he was not interested. I would love to see them nominate him anyway though. They will ruin their party if they nominate Keyes IMHO.

 

[hambone1982]

Thats what I thought. I agree Keyes would not be good for the Constitution Party. But might drive more constitutionalists back to the Republican Party and join the fight with Ron Paul to bring the party back to its constitutional values.

Agreed. Keyes is no Constitutionalist!

 

[Truth Warrior]

Ron will either accept or decline the nomination. My bet is on decline.

 

[mdh]

I am under the impression from speaking to CP insiders whom I know, that it would violate their bylaws to nominate someone not seeking their nomination.

It is similarly not possible for the LP to do so.

 

[Kludge]

CP is tiny and ineffective anyways, like the LP, but EVEN TINIER and MORE ineffective

 

[RP4EVER]

Im a CPer; I dont believe we have a realistic shot at getting a president elected; but we did make inroads last election in the west. Mainly in Nevada and Montana; loads of Local officals in Montana and Nevada; and one state Legislature member elected in Montana. We can make a serious statement.

 

[Bradley in DC]

My understanding (not sure) is that Dr. Paul would have to agree to accept the nomination to be drafted.

On another note, Dr. Paul COULD be the nominee for president from more than one party by simply selecting the same presidential electors to the electoral college. It would be confusing in that his name could appear on the ballot multiple times but with all votes going to the same slate of electors.

That said, Dr. Paul has said it isn't going to happen. For better or for worse, I believe him.

 

[haigh]

CP Ballot access status

Ballot access status for the Constitution Party

Arizona - need 22,500 signatures for independent candidate by 6/4/08
Arkansas - ON BALLOT
California - ON BALLOT
Colorado - ON BALLOT
Connecticut - need 7,500 signatures by 8/1/08
Delaware - ON BALLOT
District of Columbia - deadline mid-August
Florida - ON BALLOT
Georgia - need 44,000 signatures by 7/8/08
Hawaii - ON BALLOT
Idaho - ON BALLOT
Illinois - started, deadline 6/20/08
Indiana - need 33,000 by 6/30/2008
Iowa - should be on ballot soon
Kansas - 5,000 by 8/4/08
Kentucky - should be on ballot soon
Louisiana - should be on ballot soon
Maine - 4,000 signatures by 8/15/2008; state convention 4/15/08
Maryland - need 10,000 signatures by 8/4/08
Massachusettes - need 10,000 by 7/29/08
Michigan - ON BALLOT
Minnesota - should be on ballot soon; state convention 3/29/08
Mississsipppi - ON BALLOT
Missouri - should be on ballot soon
Montana - ON BALLOT
Nebraska - ON BALLOT
Nevada - ON BALLOT
New Hampshire - need 3,000 by 8/6/08
New Jersey - 800
New Mexico - should be on ballot soon
New York - problem
North Carolina - most difficult state
North Dakota - ON BALLOT
Ohio - should be on the ballot soon; state convention 3/29/08
Oklahoma - problem; state convention 3/29/08
Oregon - ON BALLOT
Pennsylvania - need 25,000 by 8/1/08
Rhode Island - need 1,000 by 9/5/08
South Carolina - ON BALLOT
South Dakota - ON BALLOT
Tennessee - should be on ballot soon
Texas - problem
Utah - ON BALLOT
Vermont - ON BALLOT
Virginia - need 10,000 by 8/12/08; state convention 4/12/08
Washington - ?
West Virginia - need 15,000 by 8/1/08 (have 8.000)
Wisconsin - should be on ballot soon; state convention 4/12/08
Wyoming - started collecting signatures, need help

source
http://www.alankeyes.com/discuss/showthread.php?t=751

Haven't done a head to head, but I'd guess they are well behind the LP.

 

[Jeremy]

I bet Alan Keyes will win

 

[mdh]

Im a CPer; I dont believe we have a realistic shot at getting a president elected; but we did make inroads last election in the west. Mainly in Nevada and Montana; loads of Local officals in Montana and Nevada; and one state Legislature member elected in Montana. We can make a serious statement.

As the chair of the LP of WV, I honestly feel the CP of WV has some great enthusiastic folks.
There're plenty of places where our parties can work together. Just not on banning porn, that's just silly.

 

[nate895]

Ballot access status for the Constitution Party

Washington - ?

If you can't get on in Washington, you're pathetic. You need 1,000 signatures at a "convention."

 

[TruthAtLast]

Unfortunately, probably pretty slim, since he already stated that he was not interested. I would love to see them nominate him anyway though. They will ruin their party if they nominate Keyes IMHO.

so if they draft him anyway and get him ballot access, does he need to agree to it?

Can they just raise money and run ads even if Ron Paul didn't campaign himself for the nomination? He doesn't need to worry about debates because he wouldn't be invited anyway. And he would probably still be doing his normal speaking engagements so it would be "like" campaigning but not. haha

Just wondering if they actually need his approval to put his name on the ballot.

Edit: You may have answered my question already sorry.

My understanding (not sure) is that Dr. Paul would have to agree to accept the nomination to be drafted.

 

[Magsec]

Didn't the LP try convincing him to be their nominee?

 

[Knightskye]

CP is tiny and ineffective anyways, like the LP, but EVEN TINIER and MORE ineffective

Okay, point to yourself and read the quote in your signature, please.

 

[josephadel_3]

Most people don't know what the Constitution Party is or that it exists.

 

[bulloncoins]

Agreed. Keyes is no Constitutionalist!

Amen brother! Keys turns into a ranting lunitic when he is questioned about the war in Iraq. He supports Bush's war 200%.

Just ask him.......Several members of the Houston meetup group did......they were in shock at his response.