Just wondering if anyone has any idea exactly how much damage has been done by the smear campaign. I don't think we've lost many supporters, because they actually know how to do research, etc. but some concrete numbers would be nice. Also, is it harder to talk to people about him now? How many sheeple relying on the MSM actually know about it?
What's the damage?
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JonnyDanger
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The liberal democrats already think RP is racist, and that's just from the Don Black thing. This scandal just "confirms" their beliefs unfortunately. This matters because these are the people I think are "recruitable" from the anti-war standpoint.
I know some Fox News junkies, and from the networks "fair and balanced" reporting of it, now think that he's racist too. This doesn't matter because these junkies are a lost cause.
RP has hardly been mentioned in the news I've seen for the past few days, except in reference to the scandal.
I've seen exactly one article about McCain's (current) bigotry (not the "gook" thing). If only that guy would slip up and use the N word or something, because I'm getting the feeling it's "okay" for public figures to hate on Muslims right now, and that's why McCain is slipping by unscathed.
I know some Fox News junkies, and from the networks "fair and balanced" reporting of it, now think that he's racist too. This doesn't matter because these junkies are a lost cause.
RP has hardly been mentioned in the news I've seen for the past few days, except in reference to the scandal.
I've seen exactly one article about McCain's (current) bigotry (not the "gook" thing). If only that guy would slip up and use the N word or something, because I'm getting the feeling it's "okay" for public figures to hate on Muslims right now, and that's why McCain is slipping by unscathed.
JonnyDanger
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You know, now that I think about it, I think RP still doesn't have the name recognition with the general populace for this to matter much overall.
MayTheRonBeWithYou
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The damage is very, very minimal. RP has stated he did not write them, so there you have it.
Better to get it out of the way now.
The bottom line is: he did not write them and he abhors them.
Better to get it out of the way now.
The bottom line is: he did not write them and he abhors them.
hillertexas
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I know that while the newsletter article on CNN was the #1 most viewed....BUT it wasn't even in the top 10 most emailed list.
that's pretty good news.
Also...google trends saw a spike in searches for "Ron Paul" but no increase in the term "Ron Paul racist"
I think we're in the clear.
Also, after John McCain's and Fred Thompson's racist comments last night at the debate, I'm sure they will let sleeping dogs lie with Ron Paul.
that's pretty good news.
Also...google trends saw a spike in searches for "Ron Paul" but no increase in the term "Ron Paul racist"
I think we're in the clear.
Also, after John McCain's and Fred Thompson's racist comments last night at the debate, I'm sure they will let sleeping dogs lie with Ron Paul.
I know that, don't worry. And I hope you're right that the damage is minimal.
ronpaulitician
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The damage was not done by the smear campaign.
The damage was done when Paul didn't properly oversee the newsletters and didn't properly act when he learned about the bigoted comments that had been published in them in his name. (paraphrased: "My advisors told me I couldn't deny that I wrote those comments.")
I believe Paul didn't write them. I even believe he doesn't know who wrote them. But what I want to know is how come? How is it that Paul doesn't know who wrote these comments? What prevented him from finding out?
The damage was done when Paul didn't properly oversee the newsletters and didn't properly act when he learned about the bigoted comments that had been published in them in his name. (paraphrased: "My advisors told me I couldn't deny that I wrote those comments.")
I believe Paul didn't write them. I even believe he doesn't know who wrote them. But what I want to know is how come? How is it that Paul doesn't know who wrote these comments? What prevented him from finding out?
Likely the long hours of his medical practice being only 1 of 2 (and for a short time the only) OBGYN in his district. Remember, he was not in congress at the time.
They blew their wad too soon, they're going to regret not having this ammo later when he gains traction and this story has cycled out.
Minimal. Many didn't know who he was when they heard it except the ones that already thought that. Then he got to get on the news to respond, and respond he did. He slapped the issue down and stomped the crap out of it, making it painfully obvious that it was nothing but a smear attempt. Between that and the "editing" of the Fix News debates I've had a couple people where I work finally admit that the news is out to get him and that they are going to look into him themselves, and if they like him they will vote and convince their friends/families to.
I'd almost venture to say it helped on a microscopic scale.
I'd almost venture to say it helped on a microscopic scale.
ronpaulitician
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Yes.
Plenty of die-hard Paul supporters want to know more about this story.
Plenty of non-die-hard Paul supporters want to know a lot more about this story.
Many non-Ron Paul supporters want to know a heck of a lot more about this story.
And the Ron Paul haters will make sure to keep bringing this up in every single post online.
Here's what I would suggest to Paul: use the internet! Sit down in front of a camera, and deliver a non-scripted account of this issue. What was your initial connection to these newsletters? When did you first learn your name was being abused to publish bigoted comments? What was your first thought? What actions did you take (or were unable to take)? Looking back, what would you have done differently? Etc.
A 15-30 minute video of this would, uploaded to the official campaign website, would give supporters (a) peace of mind, and (b) an easy way to detract the smear posts (quick link to vid).
Stop pretending that this will just go away. He's running for president. The "racist" label is possibly <the> most powerful negative label to stick on somebody, even more so than the "liberal" label.
Thomas Paine
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If you are a white male conservative politician, you will always be accused of being a racist, sexist, and/or a homophobe throughout your political career whether such accusations are true or not.
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Look in the News section. The latest national poll shows Ron Paul at 5% and SC and one other state show him at 5%. I'd call that damage. He was polling much higher in SC.
The media is only covering the racist stuff and "selected" portions of the debate--that's also a fact.
I call that damage. I have no idea how this will play out, but the dog found its bone. Interesting how none of the BIG media had the guts to break the story, but immediately glommed onto it. You mean to tell me that the big media didn't know this until it was broken by TNR. HA!
ronpaulitician
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No, it won't.
Every single interview that Ron Paul will have from now on will risk more exposure on this issue. "And what about those newsletters?"
Every single Ron Paul hater online will reference the newsletters.
Plenty of Ron Paul supporters will continue to want Paul to reveal more about this issue.
This story will not go away. It might even be brought up in a debate. You really think Paul will be able to effectively communicate his message on this issue in a minute or so?
Offense is the best defense.
Paul should turn the tables and use this issue to promote his very non-racist views and his very non-racist policies. He needs to explain that part of his libertarian belief is that people should be free to form their own opinions, and these kind of collectivist opinions are the result of the kind of group-thinking that government promotes.
If the MSM gives you lemons...
ronpaulitician
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Ditto at my work. A colleague who actually likes a lot of what Paul says, and who admitted that he'd have to look into him a bit more after I sent him a link showing Paul at one of the debates, forwarded me the ANGRY WHITE MAN article.
MsDoodahs
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He was not polling much higher than that in SC. Look here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ep...th_carolina_republican_primary-233.html#polls
We'll see soon enough if it damaged him or not in SC.
FreeTraveler
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Not nearly as much as by "supporters" who insist that he address the issue in the way they decide is right.
If you don't trust the good doctor to run his campaign, WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTING HIM TO RUN THE COUNTRY?
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