This Battle isn't over

[cheapseats]

Probably to shield himself from what we will attempt at the convention. Which is understandable. If he makes it after the convention, and we stir the pot (which we will), it could hurt him among the establishment. I know a lot of people don't like pandering to the old guard Republicans, but we need their vote. Rand is our opportunity to reach out to non-liberty leaning Republicans and bring them into the movement. Getting their vote and bringing them to our viewpoint is the best thing we can do.

Do you imagine you can CHANGE THE MINDS of comparatively educated Republicans better than you can EDUCATE/INSPIRE the 50% who DON'T vote? Do you think a critical mass of Republican Party Faithful simply doesn't yet UNDERSTAND the message of Liberty & Justice?

 

[Ivash]

Probably to shield himself from what we will attempt at the convention. Which is understandable. If he makes it after the convention, and we stir the pot (which we will), it could hurt him among the establishment. I know a lot of people don't like pandering to the old guard Republicans, but we need their vote. Rand is our opportunity to reach out to non-liberty leaning Republicans and bring them into the movement. Getting their vote and bringing them to our viewpoint is the best thing we can do.

If the convention is a total mad house Rand Paul is going to be crucified regardless of his stance now. And if it is better controlled than that (which is extremely likely given the scripted and frankly boring nature of the convention itself) there won't be anything to shield him from.

The thing is that this doesn't really surprise me. From everything I hear (and I hear quite a lot) Rand Paul likes to play at politics but isn't very good at it.

 

[Barrex]

they can't coopt us. we created the tea party and left the coopted parts, we would just be something new. Now that we found eachother, that is the main thing.

none of that addresses my point, and I disagree on the tea party, however, I don't even care. the point is we don't need any label.

As an "outsider" and someone who have been a part of organizations that somewhat disintegrated before and have experience with politics:
"we found each other" Yea but Ron Paul is the thing that is keeping us together. Yes this is liberty movement but without Ron Paul to "lead the charge", without "label" this movement is going to disintegrate. There is no doubt that "This battle isnt over" but there is no doubt also that some people will leave this movement if Ron Paul is not president. Question is what amount? I honestly can not tell. We simply lack mechanisms to keep those people in this movement (I am not going into organizational reasons why.)...
Whats next?

 

[FSP-Rebel]

From everything I hear (and I hear quite a lot) Rand Paul likes to play at politics but isn't very good at it.

I disagree. He's quite good at it as evidenced by him swerving the conservatives in KY to vote to have a libertarian as their Senate nominee, then ultimately getting elected. If he would've spouted off at the mouth like Ron does he would've been dust. He's very good at using choice words and speaking to the level of the audience and/or news cast. He's an exceptionally smart man that is confident in the moves he makes which will keep him in the good graces of the right wing media and the simpletons in the audience. Frankly, he may very well not need the purest of the pure over here to be the '16 GOP nominee, so people can bitch all they want. As long as he can pull the millions in free yet positive media like Ron never could, he'll be in good shape to raise money & keep an electable image. In a republican primary, you speak to the base and then in the general you unveil your mass appeal. Hence R-money, he speaks conservative now but you can bet your boots he'll go back to moderate in the general. In fact, it'll just be little substance and heavy attack mode.

 

[cnaw]

That's exactly how I see it. We also need to remove the Rand Paul section from this site. He doesn't belong here and anyone that thinks he does is kidding themselves. He's despicable. With a father like his he should have learned better but all he cares about is kissing up to the party establishment.

In between 2008 and 2011/12 this site, if I remember correctly, became Liberty Forest (libertyforest.com). I have a gut feeling that it will go back to being that after 2012. So why would you remove a section for someone who working on the side of liberty? The movment does not end with Ron Paul. Onward.

 

[Ivash]

I disagree. He's quite good at it as evidenced by him swerving the conservatives in KY to vote to have a libertarian as their Senate nominee, then ultimately getting elected. If he would've spouted off at the mouth like Ron does he would've been dust. He's very good at using choice words and speaking to the level of the audience and/or news cast. He's an exceptionally smart man that is confident in the moves he makes which will keep him in the good graces of the right wing media and the simpletons in the audience. Frankly, he may very well not need the purest of the pure over here to be the '16 GOP nominee, so people can bitch all they want. As long as he can pull the millions in free yet positive media like Ron never could, he'll be in good shape to raise money & keep an electable image. In a republican primary, you speak to the base and then in the general you unveil your mass appeal. Hence R-money, he speaks conservative now but you can bet your boots he'll go back to moderate in the general. In fact, it'll just be little substance and heavy attack mode.

I'm afraid I cannot agree with you. His election in KY was indeed impressive, particularly during the primary, but he has (for the most part) alienated the majority of his colleagues in Washington. If he runs in 2016 he will not have the support of pretty much any part of the establishment, and if he does not have the undivided support of his father's backers he will not get anywhere.

 

[specsaregood]

but he has (for the most part) alienated the majority of his colleagues in Washington.

because he has proven exceptional at using parlimentary procedure and forcing them to go on the record. he has made many friends outside his colleagues and outside the rp fanbase.

 

[Ivash]

because he has proven exceptional at using parlimentary procedure and forcing them to go on the record. he has made many friends outside his colleagues and outside the rp fanbase.

Most of those friends won't be of any real use to him if he plans to run for President- though admittedly if he wants to stay in the Senate things might be a bit different. As for 'parliamentary procedure', his fixation on adding unnecessary appendages to random bills (like adding a 'take-all-funding-away-from-Egypt on a naming bill) is bad politics and a waste of people's time regardless of what your stance on the issue is.

Barring a black-swan event, Rand Paul will never be President. He simply does not have the political ability or the support to really have that sort of shot.

 

[Okie RP fan]

Let Rand do his thing. Too many of you expected a Ron Paul 2.0 out of him.

Let's keep doing what we are doing.

 

[flybeech]

I don't know what I would do if a criminal had a gun to my Father's head. On Hannity, Rand had the face of a POW issuing a forced confession. I'm not going to stop anything. In fact, my resolve is only increased.

 

[phill4paul]

I don't know what I would do if a criminal had a gun to my Father's head. On Hannity, Rand had the face of a POW issuing a forced confession. I'm not going to stop anything. In fact, my resolve is only increased.

I didn't see any 'tell tale' signs of coercion.

 

[braane]

Do you imagine you can CHANGE THE MINDS of comparatively educated Republicans better than you can EDUCATE/INSPIRE the 50% who DON'T vote? Do you think a critical mass of Republican Party Faithful simply doesn't yet UNDERSTAND the message of Liberty & Justice?

Actually, yes, I do. I would venture to say that a lot of Ron Paul supporters once supported puppet ideas. I know I for one did.

If I can see the light, as hard headed as I am, then so can others.

 

[abruzz0]

I think we should all calm down for now, and only get infuriated if or when Rand sends us e-mails for donations to the GOP/Romney or whatever to "help beat Obama in November."

 

[amonasro]

I think we should all calm down for now, and only get infuriated if or when Rand sends us e-mails for donations to the GOP/Romney or whatever to "help beat Obama in November."

This. If he can play the game and win influence in the party, I'm for it. I don't like it, but you have to look at reality.

 

[vechorik]

Rand Paul's position prevents PR-supporters from being scapegoats for Romney's inevitable loss to Obama. It also will make our life in the GOP easier.

 

[twomp]

Rand Paul's position prevents PR-supporters from being scapegoats for Romney's inevitable loss to Obama. It also will make our life in the GOP easier.

Yeah it will make our life easier. We now support the neo-cons just like how it made "life easier" for the Tea Party. Go GOP! Romney 2012!!!!

 

[ChristinaJade]

That's it, I've heard enough. I have been on here for years, and I usually keep my mouth shut, but this is getting completely out of hand and I've had it. We all love Ron Paul, we believe in liberty and the Constitution, and we want the movement to grow. If we didn't, we wouldn't be here. (unless, of course, someone happens to be some sort of troll or something, but I digress.)

Anyone who thinks for one second that Rand Paul has not done an incredible job fighting for liberty as a Senator needs to have their head examined. We didn't battle the establishment in KY to get him elected in not one, but 2 (primary and general) Randslides, for nothing...we got a very loud voice that opposes the NDAA, the Patriot Act, adding to the debt, armed government agencies kicking in doors over raw milk, the EPA, regulations, etc...etc...etc.... Name another Senator who works as hard as he does for liberty. You can't because there isn't one.

Anyone who actually believes that his dad had no idea what Rand was going to do, obviously knows NOTHING about the closeness of the entire Paul family. People, please...it's one of the best things about the entire Paul clan and something we all know to be true. What, do you actually think that Ron was sitting in front of his TV and said, "I had no idea he was going to do that, I feel so betrayed??" NO. You know that didn't happen. C'mon, y'all. Have some sense. The Pauls are all about family and protecting each other.

Jack Hunter was spot-on in his latest video. If you haven't watched it..do it. Take a deep breath. Vote how you want to vote, think what you want to think, support who you want to support. But before you type out your next comment in some thread somewhere...ask yourself, "will this comment make Ron Paul proud to say I'm one of his supporters?"

 

[Tiso0770]

To late, Rand had already OFFICIALLY endorsed Ron in a tube video. so to endorse someone else doesn't matter.

 

[ClydeCoulter]

Rand is not a fat lady, so it ain't over

 

[paulbot24]

Rand is not a fat lady, so it ain't over

We can at least remain unified on this one front - Rand is definitely not a fat singing woman. Unity!