Write-In Vote? Ron Says NO

[rockandrollsouls]

thank you. I said I am voting for Obama to deliver a blow to the GOP. As far as most "voters" are concerned, their are two teams. The Dems and the Repubs. From what I understand, Dr. Paul thinks the best way to bring about change is to do that by returning the Republican party back to its roots. Not through a 3rd party or independent party. These things fracture the movement.

The only way I know how to punish the repubs who treated our movement like crap is stay registered as a repub and vote for a dem. This is a slap in the face to those people in my town that wanted McCain. I am not suggesting that all Ron Paul supporters go and vote for Obama. I am just expressing my instinct. I could have wrote what the guy you are responding to wrote about 2 hours ago before i read what Ron Paul said about a write in.

Problem is, now I have no basis for saying stuff like that because no matter how I vote, I go against some part of what I have stood for politically for the last year.

I don't hate the guy for his opinion, I just hate how he would be so upset as to go off on me by calling me a traitor, hypocrite, etc etc.. I also don't blame him for being so pissed, but damn Ron Paul said we should not vote for him! WHAT THE HELL! MY WORLD HAS JUST BEEN TURNED COMPLETELY UP SIDE DOWN!

Both of you are foolish. That's a foolish theory. Here's another idea...let's deal a blow to both parties by voting for one that stands for something. You guys are trying to decide if you'd rather be hit by a car or bus. I'll just take the bridge over the accident scene.

 

[EastWindRain]

Alex Jones DOES NOT SUPPORT BOB BARR! Alex Jones supports Dr. Chuck Baldwin. At the 8 minute mark of the following video/radio interview he states the following.

"Here is another point that I want to throw in just briefly. I am not going to be supporting Libertarian Presidential Candidate CIA officer pro drug war, pro gun control votes, he then acts like he's a good guy on the NRA board Bob Barr. He is just there to Neutralize and make sure that party goes no where. And I can say that authoritatively. I wouldn't trust Bob Barr as far as you can throw him. And I have had him on a few times. He knows full well who I am, and I just don't trust him. I trust you! [Chuck Baldwin] So Ron Paul better put his support behind you, once he's out of it after the convention." stated Alex Jones.

"I was with Ron Paul just last week in Washington. We had a good talk. He is very supportive of our campaign. He and I have been friends for a long time and I am glad to call him my friend", replied Chuck Baldwin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP3RsacOxC8

 

[brandon]

I didn't read the thread, only the OP.

Dr. Paul is just being modest, and a bit naive. Many of us will not be voting for Barr of Baldwin for a variety of reasons. I know I wont be. And certainly we will not be voting McCain or Obama. So that leaves us two choices. Either don't vote at all, or write in Ron Paul. If we dont vote, we are not counted. If we do vote, they might not count the vote for Paul, but it will register as another voter who did not vote for Mcbama. In addition, a large amount of write in votes will send a message to the LP that they must get their act together and stop compromising principle for political gain.

 

[newbitech]

Did you honestly think Ron even had a chance? I didn't. I still voted for him though. Although you are talking to someone who gave up voting before Ron, he just made me so damn happy listening to him that I had to vote for the guy.

My only suggestion to you at this point is, vote for yourself, or for your parents or something.

Right up until Super Tuesday. Yes I did. But at least I had principle if he didn't win the nomination, I could write him in. Even that looks hopeless now. I am getting more "political" traction advising people how to prepare for economic melt down, police state, and the draft than I would if I tried to convince people to once again change party affiliation. I know you don't have to do that in the general but still, I have all but lost interest in politics once again. I might take a closer look at the constitution party but I have definitely ruled out the Libs.

I think I am gonna either write in Ron Paul, go fishing, or try to make something happen within local Repub politics by sending a strong anti-McCain message from a registered GOP voter.

Either way, after this election, Im dropping off the grid. I don't think we are going to make it another 4 years.

 

[nobody's_hero]

So, if we can't write in Ron Paul (either because Ron Paul would prefer us not to, or that being uncertified (or whatever) would mean those write-in votes wouldn't count), just how are we supposed to assess the effectiveness of this rEVOLution?

We've been hearing figures of one million votes for Ron Paul. Those are just primary votes. We have no idea how many millions more were planning to show up at the polls in November and cast their official vote for Ron Paul.

So, now, do we count all of Bob Barr's and Baldwin's votes and give much of the credit for their success to the rEVOLution?

It just frustrates me that there seems to be no accurate way of knowing exactly what our numbers are.

I know we can get a rough estimate by counting the number of people who join the Campaign for Liberty, but what about all those casual internet users that probably won't find out about the CFL?

Someone just tell me that there's at least 15 million of us liberty-lovers so I can sleep somewhat easier tonight.

 

[brandon]

Someone just tell me that there's at least 15 million of us liberty-lovers so I can sleep somewhat easier tonight.

There's not. Or at least they don't know it yet. There may very well be 15 mil people that support our ideas, but 13 million of them dont vote or follow politics because they are so frustrated with the system.

We are getting there though. Don't give up hope.

 

[AJ Antimony]

In addition, a large amount of write in votes will send a message to the LP that they must get their act together and stop compromising principle for political gain.

Bullshit.

If write ins aren't counted, then how will the LP know they lost voters? They'd have to pull a number out of their ass or something.

And what do you mean get their act together??
Oh so Barr will get them .5% this year as opposed to 1% for a normal election?

They don't have an act to get together in the first place. They want to become a bigger party and if that means for one election nominating a more mainstream candidate, then who can blame them especially if they set a party record this year for votes received.

Neocons are Republicans who support the President and want nothing but to remain in power. Barr is no longer Republican, he no longer supports the president, and he obviously doesn't crave an electoral win. I suggest everyone cut him some slack before calling him a neocon.

 

[EastWindRain]

Ron Paul should do one of the following:

A. Announce that he is going to Run in 2012, with his son's Rand Paul's help, so the movement can keep moving forward with their signs, bumper stickers, DVD's to friends etc. (And write in Ron Paul's name anyway, regardless of whether or not it is counted)

B. Ron Paul should endorse Chuck Baldwin. The whole movement would then need to triple their efforts in favor of Chuck Baldwin. We would have 4 months to do this. (Ross Perot had only 2 months) Give it a good shot to get 25% of the vote. (Who cares if Obama or McCain wins)

C. Ron Paul announces that he is going to run third party and takes over for Chuck Baldwin in the Constitution Party. (This option would be good if Ron Paul doesn't not intend to run in 2012.)

 

[Michael Landon]

I'm planning on voting for Barr. If he isn't on the ballot then I'll vote for Baldwin. If Baldwin isn't on the ballot then I'll write in Ron Paul. That is where I currently stand.

- ML

 

[brandon]

Bullshit.

If write ins aren't counted, then how will the LP know they lost voters? They'd have to pull a number out of their ass or something.

Do you realize that there is more then one election happening in november? Say 10 people come to vote. Suppose 3 of those people vote for Obama, 3 vote for McCain, 1 votes for Barr, and 2 vote for RP. Each of the candidates running will get a lower percentage of the vote then if those two people that wrote in Ron Paul stayed home. Even if RP's votes are not counted towards him, they are still counted towards the overall vote total.

And what do you mean get their act together??

I mean they must stop nominating people whose voting record is the antithesis of the LP platform. RP sparked a huge movement built on principle and integrity. The LP had a chance to capitalize on that, but they were tricked by an opportunist.

If they nominated Mary Ruwart there would be no division within the revolution. All of us would be supporting her 100%, as her platform is almost identical to Pauls, and she has the history to prove she really believes these things. I am positive Ruwart would get far more votes then Barr. The LP is nothing without the support of the RP revolution.

 

[AJ Antimony]

I'm planning on voting for Barr. If he isn't on the ballot then I'll vote for Baldwin. If Baldwin isn't on the ballot then I'll write in Ron Paul. That is where I currently stand.

- ML

+1

Barr is just more able to spread the liberty message than Baldwin... mainly because the LP is the biggest 3rd party in the country.

 

[qh4dotcom]

I'm planning on voting for Barr. If he isn't on the ballot then I'll vote for Baldwin. If Baldwin isn't on the ballot then I'll write in Ron Paul. That is where I currently stand.

- ML

That's my plan too....unless you live in West Virginia or Oklahoma, Barr should be in your state's ballot

 

[EastWindRain]

The movement has been successfully "Divided and Conquered".

- 1/4 are writing Ron Paul's name in (and possibly spoiling their ticket)
- 1/4 aren't voting (and are staying home)
- 1/4 are voting for Bob Barr
- 1/4 are voting for Chuck Baldwin

Final Result: No Unity = No Progress

Ron Paul should tell us what to do, so that we can remain a strong unified unit.

 

[AJ Antimony]

The movement has been successfully "Divided and Conquered".

- 1/4 are writing Ron Paul's name in (and possibly spoiling their ticket)
- 1/4 aren't voting (and are staying home)
- 1/4 are voting for Bob Barr
- 1/4 are voting for Chuck Baldwin

Final Result: No Unity = No Progress

Ron Paul should tell us what to do, so that we can remain a strong unified unit.

I think we as a whole body should formally debate our options and then make an endorsement of our own, for our own.

 

[angelatc]

im voting for obama then. sorry but I won't make the mistake of letting McCain control the world. I hate to let Obama get it, but i'll have to go with the lesser of evils on this one if I am going to throw away my vote.

3rd parties and independents ehh... I don't see the point in that either unless Dr. Paul endorses.

The point is that it means ballot access will be easier for, and the press will pay more attention to, third parties in the future if they can make in-roads in getting votes.

 

[brandon]

The point is that it means ballot access will be easier for, and the press will pay more attention to, third parties in the future if they can make in-roads in getting votes.

And the problem is that if the LP does good with impure candidates they will continue down the path of nominating candidates that do not follow the platform. Ultimately they will sell out all of their values and stances for political gain. Just like the neocons took over the R's, the will take over the L's.

I vote on principle, not party line.

 

[QCB79]

Ron Paul should tell us what to do, so that we can remain a strong unified unit.

he did...he said we should get involved in the process, run for offices, take matters into our own hands and go make a difference in the system

 

[brandon]

he did...he said we should get involved in the process, run for offices, take matters into our own hands and go make a difference in the system

Exactly. Our presidential vote is trivial.

 

[newbitech]

The point is that it means ballot access will be easier for, and the press will pay more attention to, third parties in the future if they can make in-roads in getting votes.

is that what we are trying to accomplish? How does that help us take back the Republican party? From what I can tell a 3rd party president is probably at least 2 election cycles out. We don't have that kind of time.

The big story is going to be the mass exodus away from the Republican party. The bigger the better IMO. That opens the door for Ron Paul Republicans in 2010 and 2012.

I understand the 3rd party argument but at some point I need to see political ideology become a constituent reality. Otherwise, I think I am wasting time trying to do something that has never been done before. I already said it, but I think its becoming more clear to me.

Ron Paul was/is the last chance to peacefully revolt. I don't want to have to die to take this country back, but I will. I really think our time is running out. 2008 we may see a few Ron Paul Republicans win congressional or Senate seats. Otherwise, we can't expect much else out of this political season. 2010 will tell us if our country is ready to do this peacefully and orderly. By 2012, if we still have the same fascist media, the same power hungry Military/Industrial complex, and the same snoozing population, then its lights out for the Constitution and America as we know it.

Some say we are already at that point and Dr. Paul was the only chance we had at restoring it. Some say that we don't have another 4 years to take it back. Maybe I am giving to much credit to the corrupt elitist crowd, but a severely crippled US is easy target for up and coming nations. We still have threats from the outside and as long as we keep spreading ourselves out all over the world and pissing people off, those threats do not diminish. We are already being infiltrated, and is only a matter of time before our government allows us to get burned again, or worse turns the military on us.

 

[libertarian4321]

This kid's a crock. Sweet grammar. Screw me? How about screw you, buddy. I'm not the one who will be voting for a socialist, big government, two faced SOB. The fact of the matter is you don't have a spine or you would be voting for a candidate that stands for liberty. You and your new candidate are just as anti-liberty as McCain is. Again, you don't know the meaning of liberty or freedom. You are foolish and your words are empty rhetoric. You were a fair weather Paul supporter and it's clear you never knew what he stood for.

WWPD. What would Paul do? He would never endorse Obama...that's a fact.

We lost this election. There are NO GOOD CHOICES at this point.

We can either

1) not vote - a terrible choice- not voting isn't a "protest", its letting them run over you...
2) write in Ron Paul- Ron doesn't want us to do this, and in any case, your vote may not even have our vote counted
3) vote for Barr - I am not yet convinced that this guy is a reformed neocon
4) vote for Baldwin (utterly pointless other than as a futile protest vote- he probably won't even be on the ballot in many states)
5) vote for the "lesser evil" of the two guys still running. Yes, Obama and McCain BOTH SUCK- but to some of us, one may suck slightly less than the other. Since we have no chance of getting what we want at this point, it may behoove us to try and prevent that which we despise most. Hence, it is NOT unreasonable to vote for Obama to try and stop McCain (or vice versa- though I wouldn't vote for McCain if he was the last warmonger, er, candidate, on earth).

We LOST, folks. We aren't going to get what we want, so its up to each of us to decide which of the unpalatable choices above is best for us.

I may not decide until the last days before the election- but yeah, I might hold my nose and vote for Obama, or I might hold my nose and vote for Barr, or (insert crappy choice here).

The only thing I know for sure is that I will not choose "not voting", nor will I ever vote for old man McWar.