What if Ron is not nominated? What then?...

[Andrew76]

I ask this because he himself has said he won't run as an independent if he doesn't get the republican nomination. Here in the midwest, I want to be optimistic about this, but... just imagining the loss (of the primary) is already breaking my heart. How realistic is it to expect that he'll actually win the republican nomination? I was really hoping that Ron Paul would have a "plan B" of sorts if he isn't nominated.
In my mind at least, he is peerless, but look at who we've been electing! In this current age where mediocrity runs rampant, there's a very fine line between my optimism and my cynicism. Thoughts?

Oh, and forgive me if this has already been addressed, I just joined the forum this morning.

 

[furface]

The revolution and the fight doesn't stop with Ron. You keep going, and do your best to save America from the creeps who have stolen it from the American people.

 

[CountryB4Party]

Most sage advice, furface.


Country before Party. Vote the Issues.
Ron Paul for President 2008

 

[Delivered4000]

I really think he should run even if he doesn't get the nomination. He has a huge following, and even if he doesn't win as a Libertarian, it'll give the movement some major momentum. Do what you can and vote for him in the primaries, spread the message and don't ever lose hope.

No one thought Jimmy Carter would get past the primaries.

When Carter entered the Democratic Party presidential primaries in 1976, he was considered to have little chance against nationally better-known politicians. He had a name recognition of only 2 percent. When he told his family of his intention to run for President, he was asked by his mother, "President of what?"

No one expected that Ross Perot would be able to get almost 20% of the popular vote despite the fact that he was not from any of the two dominant parties.

Adopting a defeatist attitude and having the "I'm throwing my vote away" mentality is equivalent to surrendering your freedom. It's what the establishment wants. They want you to believe that you can't vote for anyone other than this puppet or the other.

 

[Andrew76]

Well I of course don't think that when I vote in the Missouri primary for Ron Paul, that it will be a wasted vote. Optimism and belief in the ultimate value of liberty is certainly the superior choice. But, as some have now noted, I actually wish he would plan to run, no matter what.
I'm mainly motivated by the feeling that whoever wins the primary will be whoever is supported by Fox "news," and the like, as they have already been ceaselessly doing, ie: Romney, Giuliani, McCain. My concern is that he may lose the primary, not because he isn't the best choice, but because he hasn't been given a fair shot, and will have in fact, been given the proverbial shaft by the mainstream media. Ok, ok, enough of my pessimism. Onwards and upwards! To hell with Fox newz.

 

[swatmc]

I truly believe that most Americans, the thoughtful ones, have always wanted a candidate like Ron Paul to run.

And if he doesn't win, we'll survive. But it's crucial that we fight as hard as we can for Ron Paul, "...so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."-TR

Keep fighting.

 

[DrStrabismus]

Technically, what Paul said was that he wouldn't run as an independent. Maybe he is hinting that if he doesn't get the Republican nomination that he would seek the nomination of a third party OR start a new party. There is certainly a segment of the Republican party that wants it to change, maybe it's time to let it split up into two parties. Paul's new party could be called the Constitutional Republican Party or something like that to distinguish it from the old one. This could appeal to a lot of people.

 

[thePhilosopher]

If he doesn't get the nomination then we get Mitt Romney. Because we all know that it is going to come down to the Paul Internet Zombies and the Mormon Conspiracy.

 

[ButchHowdy]

If he doesn't get the nomination then we get Mitt Romney. Because we all know that it is going to come down to the Paul Internet Zombies and the Mormon Conspiracy.

Do you think Mitt would survive the Southern Baptist Convention? If they don't eat him for breakfast, The Hildabeast will.

Bloombergs ready to plunk down a $1B for a 3rd party but 'B' may stand for 'Beholden'

 

[Gabecpa]

I really think he should run even if he doesn't get the nomination. He has a huge following, and even if he doesn't win as a Libertarian, it'll give the movement some major momentum. Do what you can and vote for him in the primaries, spread the message and don't ever lose hope.

No one thought Jimmy Carter would get past the primaries.



No one expected that Ross Perot would be able to get almost 20% of the popular vote despite the fact that he was not from any of the two dominant parties.

Adopting a defeatist attitude and having the "I'm throwing my vote away" mentality is equivalent to surrendering your freedom. It's what the establishment wants. They want you to believe that you can't vote for anyone other than this puppet or the other.

Very well said.

I remember the 1998 Gubernatorial election here in Minnesota. Jesse Ventura was running from a third party and barely even registered in the polls. But people went out and silently voted for him. It was an entertaining night to watch election coverage because Hubert Humphrey III was leading every single poll and was expected to walk away with it.

People can make the change, but when the MSM tells you that 48% like one guy, 49% like the other guy, and 3% like your guy people get scared. The point is to not get scared and vote for the lesser of two evils.

 

[angelatc]

Adopting a defeatist attitude and having the "I'm throwing my vote away" mentality is equivalent to surrendering your freedom. It's what the establishment wants. They want you to believe that you can't vote for anyone other than this puppet or the other.

Absolutely.

I'd much rather vote for a winner and lose than to vote for a loser and win.

I'm not banking on RP losing though. This whole campaign has the capability of being won on a grassroots level.

I'm sure the media managers will have figured out how to control the internet by 2012. so this might be our best hope of actually hearing, and being heard by, the people.

But if you can, you should donate something to his coffers. Sad but true - the more money he raises the more attention he'll garner.

 

[angelatc]

There is certainly a segment of the Republican party that wants it to change, maybe it's time to let it split up into two parties.

Actually, what surprises me is how many Democrats are also ready for change. While Republicans bemoan the loss of our party to business and religion, there is a vocal number of Democrats that feel their party has been hijacked by special interest groups and socialists.

 

[DrStrabismus]

Actually, what surprises me is how many Democrats are also ready for change. While Republicans bemoan the loss of our party to business and religion, there is a vocal number of Democrats that feel their party has been hijacked by special interest groups and socialists.

I agree, some democrats would likely find a new party appealing as well. I think many people are looking for a change.

 

[MsDoodahs]

Snooping around at a site for democrats this morning , I saw several mentioning how they are LOVING what Ron Paul is saying and that they believe HIS SINCERITY over that of their OWN CANDIDATES!

So it is not a far out idea to believe that at least SOME of them would jump ship.

 

[Elwar]

"I don't plan on it"

Ron Paul actually said he doesn't plan on running as an independent. Of course he doesn't plan on doing that, he plans on winning the Republican primary.

I've voted third party for the past decade, I don't like throwing my vote away by including it with the millions of other votes that would just drown out my vote (I am selfish that way). Ron Paul would be the only major party candidate I've voted for in a decade, outside of a few city councilmen and such.

If Ron Paul does not win the primary and doesn't run as a third party candidate, I would seriously consider voting for Hillary Clinton. I would vote for anyone who would turn this country into a cesspool to the point where people will welcome the revolution.

If people ignore this opportunity for liberty, they deserve none.

Who's John Galt?

 

[lifeasariver]

Snooping around at a site for democrats this morning , I saw several mentioning how they are LOVING what Ron Paul is saying and that they believe HIS SINCERITY over that of their OWN CANDIDATES!

So it is not a far out idea to believe that at least SOME of them would jump ship.

I was considering myself a democrat and I jumped ship. My political views are libertarian but I was supporting the democrats due to my anti-war feelings.

I will vote for Ron Paul but I really hope that he will reconsider and run as an independent if he doesn't get the GOP nomination. Why? Because there is no alternative other that Ron Paul to regain our country and reinstate the Constitution. Any other GOP and Dem candidate throws populist messages out with no real substance and once in the White House they will recycle the same crooks currently in the administration and do just more of the same thing we have had for 6 years. On the Democrats side, by their actions in Congress they have already proven that they aren't really willing to end the war and Obama for example, a clueless guy on just about everything, is already un-sheeting his sword at Iran.

There is so much more than the Iraq war that has to be fixed. All the other candidates are using the Iraq war only to gain popularity but not one of them will actually end it. They will just rename it. Beyond the Iraq war, there is the whole imperialistic foreign policy that kills us and has to be changed, the petrodollar system that will come to a halt and we have no alternative, the peak oil situation that we decided to address by invading countries that have some oil left, the blind support for Israel regardless of their atrocious actions, the Federal Reserve system that made us bankrupt, the tax system that puts us into the poor house while making the rich even richer, the national debt and budget deficits, the enormous "defense" spending, and on and on.

Ron Paul is the only one willing and capable of addressing these issues. But he has to win now, there is no other option. We don't have 4 years to strengthen another momentum behind his libertarian philosophy. Just imagine 4 years of Giuliani, McCain, Hillary or Obama. Just imagine...

I really, really hope Ron Paul will reconsider and run as an independent if he doesn't get the nomination.

 

[lifeasariver]

If Ron Paul does not win the primary and doesn't run as a third party candidate, I would seriously consider voting for Hillary Clinton. I would vote for anyone who would turn this country into a cesspool to the point where people will welcome the revolution.

If people ignore this opportunity for liberty, they deserve none.

Who's John Galt?

I will do exactly the same thing. I would rather vote for the worst person ever that will break the country for good than to have more of the same.

 

[billv]

I'm not a big fan of Rush Limbaugh anymore but he always talks about working to spread conservative values and principles. I think even if Ron loses, we still have to spread the message of freedom. It's the only way to restore our country from the encroaching fascist, totalitarian state.

 

[cujothekitten]

Personally I'll probably push for the Libertarian candidate. If Ron doesn't make it past the primaries, and we all put just as much effort to the libertarian candidate, then they might make a better showing come election day.

I've never seen such a group of dedicated people for a presidential canidate. Imagine if we pull together again for a solid 3rd party.

 

[Melchior]

It isn't absolutely essential that Ron Paul win, in fact I'm not even expecting it.

A lot of the people who are voting for Ron Paul this election normally vote for independents and third parties, and these are voters who are used to losing elections. But losing the election doesn't mean progress wasn't made...

The point is this, if Ron Paul loses the nomination, and it is no doubt likely he will (although I am becoming more and more optimistic), people are going to remember him now, and his ideas. Libertarianism is starting to become more popular these days, and this trend will continue if we keep running principled candidates.