Area417

Missouri GOP Playing Machine Politics with Ron Paul Delegates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             
March 25, 2008                                                                                          
 
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – The Ron Paul campaign has been receiving reports that Missouri GOP rules have been violated in the set-up and execution of several county Republican caucuses. Ron Paul supporters in Missouri have been attending their county caucuses and electing Ron Paul delegates to be seated at the Missouri Republican State Convention. However, there are concerns that many Ron Paul delegates to the Missouri Republican State Convention were disenfranchised and not properly seated.
 
On Thursday, March 20, campaign field director Debbie Hopper visited the Missouri state GOP headquarters to request a copy of the records needed to obtain the information to file challenges. She was told in front of witnesses that she could not view the report. To obtain the needed information, Ms. Hopper then used the contact information of county chairs listed on the state GOP website. On Saturday, March 22, the webpage containing their contact information had been removed.
 
The Paul campaign believes that a handful of GOP officials are playing machine politics and breaking their own rules to disenfranchise Paul supporters.
 
"The Republican party is in trouble and needs more participants in 2008, not less," said campaign manager Lew Moore. "It makes no sense for Missouri party leaders to exclude and marginalize the new activists they badly need to work at every level this fall."
 
Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul's supporters have been highly successful in several Missouri counties. In St. Charles County (suburb of St. Louis), Paul supporters filled 241 of the 274 country Republican delegate slots. In Jackson County (Kansas City), Paul supporters filled 162 of 187 delegate slots. And in Greene County (Springfield), Paul supporters filled 72 of 112 delegate slots.

Libertarians Help GOP Mourn

Libertarian Party sends condolences to the Republican National Committee

With the rise of John McCain, LP offers sympathy for the death of small-government values within the GOP

     Washington, D.C. - Following a solid McCain victory in the Super Tuesday primaries, the Libertarian Party has sent Republican headquarters a funeral wreath marking the death of limited-government values within the Republican Party.  The wreath was hand-delivered to the D.C. offices of the Republican National Committee.  "We simply felt the need to express our heartfelt sympathy for the Republican Party as they undergo this tough time within their party," says Libertarian Party National Media Coordinator Andrew Davis, who delivered the wreath. 

"Given that it has become readily apparent that Senator McCain will soon be the presidential nominee for the Republican Party," reads a card that accompanied the wreath addressed to RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, "we, the staff of the Libertarian National Committee, send our condolences to you upon the death of small-government principles within the GOP." 

The note continues:

Libertarians encourage competition within both the free-market and politics. Unfortunately, with the rise of John McCain and the big-spending practices of the Bush administration, the two-party system has emerged as representing only one philosophy - big-government liberalism.

With your loss, the Libertarian Party will continue to move forward to represent those American patriots who still believe in smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom.

"McCain's Super Tuesday win marks the death of limited government values within the Republican Party, which had struggled with its principles throughout the Bush administration," says Shane Cory, executive director of the Libertarian Party. "It is a day of mourning for the few remaining small-government Republicans."

Ron Paul the One to Beat

If the Republican die-hards really want to beat Hillary in 2008, they should be looking at Ron Paul. From The Walk:

Zogby's Director of Communications and polling analyst Fritz Wenzel says that Congressman Ron Paul is the strongest of the Republican frontrunners to go up against Hillary Clinton, underlining the fact that the rest of the field are just ringers as the establishment prepares to install Clinton and prolong the Bush-Clinton power monopoly.

"Among Democrats, yes, he would be a much stronger candidate than any of the other three (Romney, Giuliani, Thompson)" Wenzel told the Alex Jones Show yesterday.

A new Zogby poll commissioned by Jones Productions found Ron Paul the GOP winner in a blind poll that included Democrats, Republicans and Independents nationwide. "He is anti-war and the majority of Democrats are anti-war, he has some other ideas and policies and stances on issues more attractive to Democrats, particularly conservative Democrats," said Wenzel.

  "Even among independents, he is far and away a more attractive candidate," he added.

While I've had it with voting for the lesser of two evils (hence my support of Ron Paul), I realize that many of the GOP faithful simply want to beat the Democrats. Maybe they should be rethinking their strategy and start giving the good doctor some support.

Faux News Republican Debate Starts in 28 Minutes

Hannity is doing his pre-debate shtick. Listening to him it sounds as if only Mr. 9/11 and Flipper showed up for the debate...Hannity is trying to get his guests to confirm just how important a Faux News debate really is..Juan Williams is bumming Hannity out by saying Flip-Flop Mitt is losing ground in the polls.

Bill Kristol says "Huckabee is FOR REAL," because he is moving up in the polls (I don't know anyone who has ever been called by these pollsters.) Unfortunately for Huckabee, nobody is sending him any money.

Of course, HE WHO CAN NOT BE NAMED ON FAUX NEWS, Ron Paul has never once been mentioned. I don't think Hunter has either, so apparently they've thrown him overboard too.

Now they're asking their sample, undecided, Republican voters questions. They all want to hear specifics from the candidates, though they can't articulate what it is they really want to hear, except that the Republicans are wimps, and where the hell is Ronald Reagan when you need him. One guy said Ron Paul is certifiably crazy. They want someone to "step up" whatever the hell that means.

Now Hannity is blathering again. He's pimping their text message poll. Don't they know that that sort of poll favors younger voters; hence Ron Paul?

Would someone like to take bets on how many times Rudy mentions 9/11 or how many times Flip-Flop Mitt compares himself to Reagan?

Military Donations to Republican Presidential Candidates

Ron Paul again crushes the competition in military donations.

So Who IS a Republican, Anway?

Great post over at Tom Rants, entitled Which Wing of the Republican Party? Just a little taste:

Alan Keyes. Keyes represents the “Pat Paulsen Wing of the Republican Party.” He’d like to represent the “Abortion is My Only Issue Wing of the Republican Party,” but a certain contingent of that wing secretly has one other issue and it’s one Keyes is physically incapable of overcoming.

You'll just have to go there to find out who represents  “Snowball’s Chance Wing.”

No Dice for Romney in Nevada

Voters were less than impressed with Mitt's presence this weekend at the Conservative Leadership Conference straw poll in Nevada.

Ron Paul won the GOP presidential straw poll conducted by organizers at the Conservative Leadership Conference held at the Nugget Casino this weekend “by a large margin,” according to an organizer.

Paul won with 32 percent, McCain came in second with 17 percent, Hunter was third with 15 percent, and "Romney was in the lower numbers because people came out for his event but they just didn't vote for him," according to organizer and McCain operative Paul Jackson. (Link: DESPITE SHOWING UP IN PERSON, ROMNEY LOSES NEV. STRAW POLL, MSNBC)

Duncan Hunter was the only other candidate that spoke at the conference.

Free Republic My Ass

Imagine my surprise to find that my account at "Free" Republic  "has been banned or suspended." Since I am not guilty (unlike so many others there) of posting hateful rants, it appears that I have committed the unpardonable sin of supporting Ron Paul.

Free Republic bills itself as "the premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America."

When it comes to "Free" Republic, I guess that independent and conservative equates with Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney.

It is to laugh!

Ann Coulter Blasts Away at Huckabee and Thompson

Holy cow, Ann Coulter and I agree on something! I'd mark it on my calendar, except that I don't want to be reminded of the fact.

Ann says of Huckabee that "On illegal immigration, Huckabee makes George Bush sound like Tom Tancredo. He has compared illegal aliens to slaves brought here in chains from Africa, saying, 'I think frankly the Lord is giving us a second chance to do better than we did before." She notes that Huckabee opposed a bill (in Arkansas) that would have prevented illegals from voting and receiving state benefits.

The fact that Bill Clinton has good things to say about Huckabee should worry conservatives.

Coulter goes no easier on Thompson, writing that Nixon once called him "dumb as hell."

Read the rest--Fred Sawyer and Huckabee Finn

Quick Takes from Oct. 9th Republican Debate

Brownback: My mother was a mail carrier.

Giuliani: I'll police the internet. Third parties? Screw 'em.

Huckabee: I'm Democrat Lite, with a side of Fair Tax.

Hunter: Um, I'll have to get back to you on Hunter.

McCain: I don't really know jack about the monetary system.

Paul: We're pissing our money and our future away by policing the world. Doesn't promise to support Republican nominee if they go down the same path we have been.

Romney: Don't worry, be happy. We're a great country! And by the way, I like Reagan.

Tancredo: Doesn't promise to support Republican nominee if they stand for the same old shit.

Thompson: Where's my script?  (Good Lord, he looks OLD)

Update: Aha! I knew there was there was a bit of "'eau de compassionate conservative" wafting from Huckabee! Here's a quote from former Bushie, Dan Bartlett:

As it happens, the Bush adviser was most enthusiastic about a contender who seems to have even less chance. He called Huckabee the "best candidate," one who seems to most mirror Bush's own vision of compassionate conservatism. (Link: The Trail)

Makes you kind of shudder.

Reminder: CNBC/MSNBC/WSJ GOP Presidential Debate is today

This will be the first time Fred Thompson shows up to debate. Should be worth a look. The debate airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNBC and will be re-broadcast on MSNBC at 9 this evening.

Link to CNBC/MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Sponsoring Republican Presidential Debate Oct. 9th Focusing On Economic Issues - CNBC News Releases - CNBC.com

Ron Paul Girl: No More Turd Sandwiches! Register as a Republican NOW!

Ron Paul Girl - Register Now! - The funniest videos clips are here

Missouri has open primaries (you don't have to register with a party) but, you DO have to be registered to vote by January 9, 2008.

Republicans Trying to Suppress Votes for Ron Paul?

In an effort to forever repulse new voters coming into the GOP fold, many states are now closing their presidential primaries and moving up the final date for registration.

From Gambling911:

Many states, in an effort to shut out Ron Paul are now closing their primaries.  That means that only Republicans can vote in the Presidential primaries for a Republican candidate.  Many states are doing this quickly and quietly and giving people very little time to learn about the new rules.  For example,  New Hampshire decided only a week ago that you will now have to change your party affiliation by October 12, 2007 or it will be too late to do so.  New Hampshire also has a closed primary and only Republicans and possibly Independents will be allowed to vote for Ron Paul.

In New York, you must be registered as a Republican or you cannot vote for Ron Paul and again, you must make this decision by October 12, 2007 or it will be too late.  In New York, however, Independents cannot vote for Ron Paul.   Same with New Jersey and many states around the nation.

You can register to vote here. More on the various states' voting requirements here, but I would also double-check with your state's official government site (or call)--Missouri's is here.

One more link on various state's voter registration can be found here.

Is Rudy Guiliani Whipped?

Who the heck interrupts a speech they 're giving to answer their cell phone? Does Judith have Rudy on a short leash or what? Or...was this simply a ploy to shore up the image of Rudy's family life. Didn't do the trick for me.

Part 1, Those Damn Ron Paul Supporters

Everyone knows Ron Paul supporters are 911 conspiracy theorists, hate America, belong to Code Pink, or are Democrat operatives, right? We're all alike and we're all crazy.

News flash: We are not a homogenous group. Some of the things about this Paul supporter:

• 911 was not an inside job and I don't while away my hours at Prison Planet.
• I support our troops. My son was one of them. I've sent packages, letters, prayers, and donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. I was the impetus behind my employer's program to send packages to the troops. (Looking for something to send? Check out Brigade QM.) I have joined with others to welcome home our troops.
  
• While what happened at Abu Ghraib was wrong, wrong, WRONG, I don't have a problem with water-boarding, stress positions, nor sleep deprivation. Many of our troops go through ALL these things during training.
• Code Pink is, for the most part, an assemblage of useful idiots.
• I am not a pacifist.
• Democrat operative? Oh, please. Until a few years ago, I was a Republican, albeit an independent one. I voted for Bush twice. Reluctantly the second time around.
• Sorry, Hannity. I don't spend my time text messaging your stupid-ass Faux News Polls. No one over the age of 13 should text message.

So why am I supporting Ron Paul? I'll get to that.

Huackabee Underperforms in Illinois

Romney comfortably won the recent Illinois Straw Poll with 40%. While Huckabee couldn't duplicate his 2nd place finish in Iowa, Ron Paul bettered his 5th place  from Iowa by coming in 3rd--just edged out of 2nd by Fred Thompson, but coming in ahead on Giuliani.

Complete results:

1. Mitt Romney – 40.35%

2. Fred Thompson – 19.96%

3. Ron Paul – 18.87%   Go Ron, go!

4C Rudy Giuliani – 11.61%

5. John McCain – 4.12%

6. Mike Huckabee – 3.04% 

7. Sam Brownback – 1.08%

8. Duncan Hunter - .65%

9. Tom Tancrado - .33%

That sound you just heard was Sean Hannity choking on his sandwich.

Diebold, Still Stealing Votes After All These Years

Fresh off the press, a report from a team of computer scientists finds Diebold machines are riddled with security flaws.

A little of what they found:

• Data on the memory cards for the optical-scan machines is unauthenticated
• The memory card “signature” does not adequately detect malicious tampering
• The touch-screen machine automatically installs bootloader and operating system updates from the memory card without verifying the authenticity of the updates (Link to Threat Level - Wired Blogs)

This video shows how it can be done.

One has to wonder why the Iowa GOP has chosen to use this faulty machine during the upcoming Iowa Straw Poll. My understanding is that after the vote,  one person will retire to tabulate the votes;  no observers allowed. Now, why is that?

Several groups are joining together to conduct a verification EXIT POLL at the Ames Straw Poll, using paper ballots, in order to get a fair count.

More on the subject of voter fraud: A House Without Doors, Black Box Voting,
Democracy Imperiled, Inside a U.S. Election Vote Counting Program

The Ron Paul Online Rally

Oh my God! They're, they're...NORMAL PEOPLE!   The faces of Ron Paul's supporters, growing daily. Come join us and turn this country around!

Giuliani, Romney Taking a Pass on CNN/You Tube Debate

Neither Giuliani, nor Romney cares to spend some unscripted moments with the American people.

Rudy Giuliani is unlikely to be present during the CNN/You Tube Republican debate, due to "unspecified scheduling conflicts."

Translation: Rudy doesn't want to hear from you, the unwashed masses, unless you're being booked into a jail cell. Check out his You Choose '08 Spotlight video; while all the other candidates invite you to respond on You Tube's site, all Giuliani presents is a commercial and then tells you to go to his website. And it appears that the comments section  has been HEAVILY culled. Criticism is apparently not allowed, although one sly person did slip in what would seem to be a reference to Ron Paul.

Romney is likely to follow Giuliani's lead, just like he did when he found out that Giuliani wouldn't be attending the Iowa Straw Polls in August.

Mitt Romney didn't like some of the more frivolous trappings and told the New Hampshire Union Leader that "I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman." (Link: techPresident)

O.K., some of the questions were dumb. But none were as stupid as what Chris Matthews offered up in the first debate.

I guess that being carried along in Giuliani's wake makes Mitt feel like a frontrunner. He is, if money is the only thing that matters in this race. But Romney is polling in the single digits, trailing behind McCain. And McCain is done. Finished. Kaput. 

This could actually be the best debate of all. With Rudy "I-Was-There-on 9/11" and Romney "I'm-Really-Reagan" out of the way, McCain, Ron Paul, Tancredo and the rest can get to the red meat.

Military Shows Ron Paul Some Love

This may come as a surprise to Sean Hannity. According to recent FEC filings, Ron Paul leads all other candidates in campaign donations from military personnel (declared, active and retired).  Link: PHREADOM

Military support for staying in Iraq may be waning, if a recent poll on Military.com is any indicator. Tom Engelhardt has more at The Nation.

Long-Shot Republican Physician Wins!

No, I'm not talking about presidential candidate Ron Paul, but another Dr. Paul.

...The frontrunner in the primary voting in north Georgia's 10th district, former state Sen. Jim Whitehead, was the consensus choice of the Republican establishment. Whitehead essentially promised to be a rubberstamp for the Bush White House and Republican leaders in Congress.

Hmmm. Sounds a lot like the 2008 GOP presidential "frontrunners."

His opponent, Paul Broun, was a quirky physician who claims to be "the only doctor in Georgia whose practice is almost exclusively house calls." A frequent candidate who was very much on the outs with party insiders, Broun barely squeaked into the run-off and most pundits stopped paying attention to a race it was assumed Whitehead would win with ease.

Whitehead seemed  to have everything going for him; support from assorted Republican pooh-bahs and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along wads of cash.

But Dr. Broun had a message, one that is very familiar to supporters of Ron Paul.

Broun emphasized a Ron Paul-like committed to "work to restore government according to the Constitution as our Founders intended." While the Georgia appears to be a more cautious constitutionalist than the maverick Texas congressman who is making a longshot bid for the party's presidential nomination in 2008, Broun borrowed one of the most popular of Paul's principles, promising that if elected he would assess any new legislation by first asking: "Is it constitutional and a proper function of government?" [sic] 

(Link: The Nation)  Hat Tip: disinter

Senator Bond Shafts Missouri

While Senator Claire McCaskill (D) made good on her promise by voting against cloture on the Kennedy/Bush/McCain immigration sham, Senator Bond flipped Missourians the bird by voting for cloture.

Late in the afternoon, Senator Bond (B, for Bozo) tried to convince Sean Hannity's listeners that he had done a wonderful thing. The reasoning went something like this: now Bond gets to take the Senate floor and explain to his partners in crime why this is such a bad bill. Bowled over by his skilled oratory, they will be properly chastised and wonder why the hell they every considered this steaming turd of a bill. (The whole thing was pretty difficult to follow. Bond's explanation was convoluted--in fact, he sounded positively senile). Adding to the confusion was the fact that Hannity thought Bond had voted against closure.

Senator Bond, I'm sure your constituents are letting you know know in no uncertain terms that we much prefer McCaskill's no B.S. approach to the matter. Not that you seem to care.

I'd hope that Missouri Republicans can get over their partisanship long enough to call Senator McCaskill's office and THANK HER. I called...right after I fired off a rather acid critique of Senator Bond's performance to his DC office.

From The Inbox: The RNC Writes Little Old Me

Snail mail from the Republican National Committee. It's nice to know they're thinking of me…

Dear Friend,

I've written you several times this year but our records show that you have not activated your Sustaining Membership in the Republican National Committee for 2007.

Didn't you read the letter I wrote back, the one that said you guys didn't do 95% of what you promised? Come on, not even the part where I told you to pound sand, that I was sending my money to Ron Paul's campaign?  And exactly why are you writing me, anyway. I haven't been a registered Republican in 25+ years.

Your dedication to our Republican principles of a strong national defense, lower taxes, limited government, and personal responsibility led to President Bush's victories in 2000 and 2004…

Yes, damnit. I voted for him—twice. I'm so ashamed

But some Republicans strayed from these values…

Strayed?! Is that what you call the biggest increase in non-defense spending ever? You greedy little fetal pigs.

Blah, blah, blah…The only things standing in the way of the Democrats' bigger government, higher taxes agenda are President Bush's veto pen, the RNC, and you.

All this time he had a veto pen? What, is it out of ink? Couldn't he like send a Secret Service dude out to Staples for a refill or something?

Liberals..blah blah…stop the extremists…blah blah and more blah.

Thanks for keeping in touch. Since you haven't been reading my letters, I won't bother sending another one, with or without a check.

Michigan GOP Chairman Thinks Party Is Too Large

There's at least one Republican out there that believes the GOP hasn't shrunk enough:

The chairman of the Michigan Republican Party said Wednesday that he will try to bar Ron Paul from future GOP presidential debates because of remarks the Texas congressman made that suggested the Sept. 11 attacks were the fault of U.S. foreign policy.

And he's apparently of the opinion that there's been entirely too much debating going on during these, ah, "debates."

I think he would have felt much more comfortable on the stage with the Democrats in what he said last night. And I think that he is a distraction in the Republican primary and he does not represent the base and he does not represent the party," Anuzis said during an RNC state leadership meeting.

Since all the top tier on the Democrat's "debate" were beating the war drums, it sounds to me as if Ron Paul was just about the only Republican candidate who would have been out of place standing among the Democrats.

Link: Michigan GOP Leader Wants Paul Barred From Future Debates, Mlive.com

Blowback! The GOP South Carolina Debate

The talking heads (both TV and radio) are gleefully proclaiming the Ron Paul campaign officially dead after the Giuliani/Paul dust up last night. Below is a clip of the exchange.

The reaction from the internet has been interesting (I'll post my own reaction later):

Vox Popoli: "I note that Giuliani didn't stop the first 9/11. So I suggest that his opinion is the very last one that deserves to be consulted regarding how to stop the next one."

Andrew Sullivan writes "...the debate winnowed the field of candidates down to two: McCain and Paul. That was quick."

Ross Douthat, The Atlantic Online: "the attention that Paul's getting isn't, pace Andrew, a sign of the hidden strength of conservative opposition to Bush's Iraq policy - it's a sign of its weakness, and the vacuum that's opened in what used to be the space between neoconservative interventionism and Paul-style isolationism.

Conservative Times: "... The fact that what Ron Paul said is an indisputable fact is of no consequence to these intellectual and emotional children. In the minds of the post-9/11 War on Terror cultists, some things, true or not, are just not supposed to be said."

d-day: "...Rudy Giuliani got to pull his 9-11 card out by attacking Ron Paul for daring to suggest the concept of blowback which is well-known to anyone whose sense of history doesn't perish the past with each passing day...I still say "none of the above" is out to a huge lead."

wizbangblue: "There was a time when the Republican party was known as the one which believed in smaller government and avoiding unnecessary foreign entanglements. Now the Pub's mouthpiece is attacking the only Republican candidate who still believes in those things for not being intrusive and imperialist enough."

Save The GOP: "There is only one thing I don’t completely agree with Paul on regarding last night’s comments.  Even if the U.S. hadn’t had a sustained presence in the Middle East over the last twenty something years, I am not certain that we still wouldn’t be feeling some of their aggression.  Islamic fundamentalism plays a large part in the role on exercising terror across the globe."

The S Factor: "...the argument being made by Bushies/Giulianites is that we should disregard any consequences of our foreign policy that end up promoting terrorism, because doing so would be allowing the terrorists to dicate our foreign policy, since we would be taking their behavioral responses to our policies into account."

Dean Barnett, blogging for Hugh Hewitt: "I was actually thinking of doing a serious post about Ron Paul. However briefly, I pondered preparing a scholarly inquiry into why it is that he’s the very definition of a crank."

Mike The Actuary's Musings: "Whether Dr. Paul is correct is an arguable point. Regardless of that, regardless of Ron’s intellect and his sincere belief in libertarian principles… the fact that he’d expose such a stance in a televised debate shows a certain cluelessness which should disqualify him from office."

About That MSNBC Republican Debate…

While the the mainstream media blathered on about Romney, Giuliani, and McCain, Ron Paul is the only candidate who got a huge boost in the MSNBC poll after the debate. He is, in fact, the LEADER in the poll.

Having watched the debate live, and then again several times on MSNBC's website, I have a few thoughts:

• Chris Matthews is a smarmy little asshat.
• Does anyone really care whether a candidate believes in evolution or not? Is this the burning issue of the day? Wherever you stand on the issue, I say give a high five to the three men who, when asked who didn't believe, raised their hands, knowing that they'd get a lot of flak for it. Here's to Tancredo, Brownback, and Huckabee!
• Speaking of evolution, when did Brownback suddenly become Mr. Control-Our-Borders?
• Am I the only one who would've liked to have seen Tancredo, after being cut short one too many times, knock Matthews on his ass? Just askingJ
• WTF is up with McCain? How can a man launch into a full rant about following bin Laden "to the gates of hell" and then punctuate it with a big, shit-eating grin? A very scary man.

Please, let's have no more putrid little people as moderators, no more Politico operatives stalking about the stage a la Al Gore, and no more dumbass questions.

Notice how Keith Whats-His-Face just can't believe that one of the media-approved candidates isn't winning their poll.

Here's Ron Paul in the debate. (Listen to the endorsements beforehand!)

Ron Paul WILL Be Invited to S. Carolina Debate

There are rumors going around the net that Ron Paul is being excluded from the GOP debate in South Carolina. According to SC's own site, this simply is not true:

Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ten candidates to participate in historic First-in-the-South Presidential Candidates Debate
Contact: Rob Godfrey, Communications Director
803.988.8440

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Excitement surrounding presidential politics in South Carolina continues to grow as South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson today announced that invitations will be extended to ten Republican presidential candidates to participate in the 2007 First-In-The-South Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate.
Dawson said, “We would like to extend a warm South Carolina welcome to ten White House hopefuls who are seeking the Republican nomination to be the next President of the United States.”

“The participants in our debate ensure South Carolina voters and Republicans visiting Columbia from across the country get a chance to hear candidates for President candidly discuss important issues facing our future. We are extremely proud to host the first truly national presidential candidates debate,” Dawson added.

The following candidates will be receiving formal invitations from the South Carolina Republican Party to the 2007 First-In-The-South Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate (in alphabetical order):

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback – Kansas
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani – New York City
Former Governor Jim Gilmore – Virginia
Former Governor Mike Huckabee – Arkansas
U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter – California
U.S. Senator John McCain – Arizona
U.S. Congressman Ron Paul – Texas
Former Governor Mitt Romney – Massachusetts
U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo – Colorado
Former Governor Tommy Thompson – Wisconsin
The 2007 First-In-The-South Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate will be televised live by FOX News Channel at 9:00 PM from the University of South Carolina’s Koger Center for the Arts on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. FOX News Channel Washington Managing Editor Brit Hume will moderate the debate and FOX News Sunday Anchor Chris Wallace and White House Correspondent Wendell Goler will ask questions of the candidates.

While I understand just how boring the debate would be if we had to listen to just Giuliani, McCain, and Romney, you need to get a grip folks!

Link to South Carolina Republican Party :: News Item

New Pledge For Ron Paul

If you save $25/week until the deadline, you can meet this pledge! Help Ron get elected by going PledgeBank and making your pledge!

"I will pledge 200 dollars to Ron Paul for President 2008 but only if 199 other people will pledge 200 Dollars."

— Nathan L McDonald, Concerned American

Deadline to sign up by: 21^st June 2007

Viguerie Not Impressed With Giuliani, McCain, Romney

Richard Viguerie, author of Conservatives Betrayed, doesn't believe conservative voters should support Giuliani, Romney, or McCain. He does, however, have good things to say about Ron Paul.

Video: Ron Paul On Fox

Dr. Paul was interviewed on the "Because You Asked" segment of Fox News on March 21st.

Here's the video.

Hat Tip: Daily Paul

Former Constitution V.P. Candidate Supports Ron Paul

The Constitution Party's 2004 V.P. candidate, Chuck Baldwin, is no fan of current Republican presidential hopefuls.

It appears that conservatives will be asked to choose between the chameleon Mitt Romney, the pro-amnesty-for-illegal-aliens John McCain, and philanderers Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani. A few conservatives seem slightly excited that former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson is mulling entrance into the presidential race. However, a closer inspection of his voting record finds him to be just another globalist neocon, who would do little to change things in Washington, D.C. For example, Americans for Better Immigration gives him a puny career grade of "C."

...It is past time for conservatives to admit that the national Republican Party has crossed the point of no return and has no intention of nominating a genuine conservative for president. The GOP has become nothing more than a big-government, no-borders, war party. If true conservatives are going to have a voice in Washington politics, it will have to come through an independent party.

That is not to say that there are not genuine conservatives in the GOP presidential race. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas embodies everything the CEP is looking for. Beyond that, if he should miraculously win the nomination, he would, no doubt, receive broad support in the general election. He would solidify the conservative base of the GOP and would be very popular among independents, libertarians, and even conservative Democrats.

He goes on to state the obvious, which is that Ron Paul can expect no support (excepting the Liberty Caucus) from the Grand Pooh-Bahs of the GOP.

Link to Food For Thought From the Chuck Wagon 

Hat Tip: Third Party Watch

Ron Paul Accepts Debate Invitation

Congressman Ron Paul has accepted Nancy Reagan's invitation to participate in a presidential debate to be held at the Reagan Presidential Library on May 3, 2007.  MSNBC will moderate and televise the 90-minute debate starting at 5:00 p.m. ET.  The debate will also be simulcast by politico.com to give citizens the opportunity to submit questions online. (Link)

Pastor Pleads The Case for Ron Paul

The religious right is dithering, trying to decide between a host of Republican candidates, both announced and assumed. One name they seem to overlook is Ron Paul. 

Talk show host and Baptist Pastor Chuck Baldwin ponders the reasons:
 

Evangelical Christians are already beginning the process of selecting the Republican presidential candidate whom they can anoint as their successor to George W. Bush. Somehow, evangelicals have this deluded idea that President Bush is one of them. How they came to this delusion both fascinates and escapes me. Bush is anything but one of them. However, most evangelicals believe he is, and today it seems that illusion is greater than reality, anyway. Bush proves that more than anyone I have ever known. But enough about Bush. 

The question burning in the minds of evangelicals today is: Which Republican candidate for president will we anoint? There are several possibilities, but apparently Congressman Ron Paul is not one of them. 

For example, Jerry Falwell's widely distributed National Liberty Journal, in its March 2007 edition, had a major section entitled "Campaign 2008-Identifying the Republican Presidential Candidates." A total of ten Republicans made the Journal's list. The ten listed were Sen. Sam Brownback, Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Chuck Hagel, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rep. Duncan Hunter, Sen. John McCain, Gov. George Pataki, Gov. Mitt Romney, and Rep. Tom Tancredo. 

However, even though Rep. Ron Paul has also formed a presidential exploratory committee (something Gingrich has not even done yet), his name was conspicuously absent from Falwell's list. Why is this? Why do evangelicals ignore Ron Paul? 

Ron Paul received his Bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College. He received his MD from Duke University. He began his OB/GYN career in 1968. He was also an Air Force Captain and a member of the Air National Guard. 

Ron Paul has served as a conservative congressman from Texas for over 16 years. He currently has a 100% rating from The Conservative Index, which is probably the most relevant and accurate reflection of a congressman's true conservative record out there. 

Furthermore, unlike most Republicans, Paul's commitment to the life issue is more than rhetoric. For example, during the 2005 congressional session, Rep. Paul introduced H.R. 776, entitled the "Sanctity of Life Act of 2005." 

Had it passed, H.R. 776 would have recognized the personhood of all unborn babies by declaring, "human life shall be deemed to exist from conception." The bill also recognized the authority of each State to protect the lives of unborn children. In addition, H.R. 776 would have removed abortion from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, thereby nullifying the Roe v Wade decision, and would have denied funding for abortion providers. In plain language, H.R. 776 would have ended abortion on demand. (It is more than interesting to me that none of the evangelicals' pet politicians, including George W. Bush, even bothered to support Paul's pro-life bill.) (ed. If I'm not mistaken, reversing Roe v. Wade would simply put the question of abortion back in the hands of the states.)

In addition, Ron Paul has been the most outspoken defender of constitutional government in the entire congress-bar none. He has often stood virtually alone against federal abuse of power, corruption, and big government. 

Currently, Ron Paul is one of only a handful of congressmen that dares speak out against the emerging North American Union, NAFTA superhighway, and the Security and Prosperity Partnership agreement, all of which are being promoted by the White House in concert with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). 

Speaking of the CFR, two of the U.S. senators listed as presidential candidates in Jerry Falwell's Liberty Journal, Chuck Hagel and John McCain, are current members of the CFR. 

For his entire political career, Ron Paul has served foursquare upon the principles of constitutional (limited) government, less taxation, right to life, and personal liberty. Ron Paul is a conservative's conservative, a principled constitutionalist of the finest order. How is it, then, that Jerry Falwell and other evangelicals ignore him? 

The answer to the above question is not easy to determine. Maybe today's evangelicals are more concerned about being accepted by the GOP establishment than they are supporting principled, conservative candidates. After all, Paul's willingness to openly oppose his own party has caused him to be blacklisted by party loyalists and apologists. Therefore, it might be that our illustrious evangelical leaders are unwilling to be identified with Paul lest they share the same ostracism. 

Another reason might be that today's evangelicals are extremely shallow in their discernment. They seem to love Republican candidates who wear religion on their sleeve. Whether the candidate walks the walk does not seem to matter near as much as whether he talks the talk. 

Hence, evangelicals are already warming up to John McCain, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and even to Rudy Giuliani. Falwell's National Liberty Journal (NLJ) calls Gingrich "a true American statesman." McCain is called "pro-life." Already, McCain has spoken for Dr. Falwell at his Liberty University. (Don't be surprised if Falwell becomes one of McCain's strongest proponents.) The NLJ quotes Evangelicals for Mitt as saying, "Gov. Romney . . . shares our values." Of Giuliani, NLJ states, "On issues such as national security, battling terrorism and combating crime, Mr. Giuliani is very popular with conservatives." 

However, the truth is, neither Gingrich, Giuliani, Romney, nor McCain deserves the support of principled conservatives. Each of these men has numerous examples of failure and compromise of essential conservative values. 

Another trap evangelicals seem to fall into is the puerile desire to "pick a winner." Wanting to be sure that they are seen dancing with the last man on the floor, evangelicals are trying to figure out who that man will be so as to be ready to receive their invitation to the dance. And since they don't expect to see Ron Paul issuing dance invitations, they have already written him off. 

However, rather than letting themselves be used as dupes by the GOP machine, if America's evangelicals would determine to stand on principle by supporting only those candidates who most courageously champion our principles (regardless of their popularity, or lack thereof, with the Republican hierarchy), they might actually be able to bring real change to American politics.

As it is, evangelicals continue to call George W. Bush "one of us," they continue to drink Kool Aid from the faucet of Republican propaganda, and they continue to ignore Ron Paul. 

© Chuck Baldwin

Link to Chuck Baldwin -- Why Do Evangelicals Ignore Ron Paul?

McCain, Giuliani Avoid First Debate

Hotline reports that Rudy Giuliani and John McCain won't be making that first GOP debate in New Hampshire after all.

McCain will be in the Middle East and Giuliani cited unspecified scheduling conflicts, a person with direct knowledge of the debate refusals said.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer and WMUR's Scott Spradling are the hosts.

Both McCain and Giuliani accepted Nancy Reagan's invitation to participate in the 5/3 debate scheduled for the Reagan Library. (MARC AMBINDER)

Why, one could almost think they were sitting this one out so they could watch Dr. Paul from a safe distance.

Ron Paul on Freedom and Government

I find this Ron Paul video to be very inspiring. Ron Paul for 2008!

Ron Paul Link Round Up

*Ron Paul's site will be set up to take online donations on Tuesday, Feb. 20th.

NewsMax.com, Dave Eberhart: "...this independent thinking man is no slave to a strict libertarian agenda — voting against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (bigger government, he says), supporting border security, and opposing illegal immigration — all postures that would rattle the Libertarian core."

SmallGovTimes: "Unfortunately, the American people have grown comfortable with big federal government control, and Paul’s campaign knows it will be a tough battle positioning him for victory in 2008. “There is no question that it is an uphill battle,“ Kent Snyder, the chairman of Paul’s exploratory committee, said. "

George Will: "Paul, who really believes in limited government, will infiltrate that confabulation of sedate candidates in order, he says, to find out 'how many real Republicans are left.' This could be entertaining, meaning embarrassing." (Hat Tip: The Liberty Papers)

Politizine: "I don't agree with everything, but given the choice between him and some of the other Republicans, I would take him in a heartbeat. He knows in his core what freedom means."

Reason Hit & Run, Dave Weigel: "...maybe there's not a web conspiracy to promote Paul. Maybe (1) the other Republican candidates are gobsmackingly lame and (2)lots of libertarians use this fancy 'internet' contraption."

The New Liberty: "...maybe it is just tolerance for the usual BS from the other candidates who flip flop, waiver, and sell out on the issues has reached critical mass, and it’s being shown on the Internet, the place where the voices of the little people can be most loudly heard."

AgricultureOnline: "Representative Ron Paul (R-TX), is a chief sponsor of H.R. 1009, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007.

'It is indefensible that the United States government prevents American farmers from growing this crop. The prohibition subsidizes farmers in countries from Canada to Romania by eliminating American competition and encourages jobs in industries such as food, auto parts and clothing that utilize industrial hemp to be located overseas instead of in the United States," said Dr. Paul. "By passing the Industrial Hemp Farming Act the House of Representatives can help American farmers and reduce the trade deficit- all without spending a single taxpayer dollar.'

...Farmers in Canada have reported that hemp is one of the most profitable crops that they can grow. "

Yannone: "When Ron Paul talks about reducing the size and scope of government, he is not talking about privatizing anything. He's simply talking about obeying the Constitution. That's the kind of scary talk that causes Ron Paul's 534 fellow congressmen--those in the House and Senate who line their pockets as they busy themselves redistributing your income--to hyperventilate, sweat, and swoon."

Jack Stevison: "Ron Paul Gets It"

News Blaze: "Ron Paul has been unafraid to criticize the neocon Bush Administration, and has been highly critical of their excessive spending."

Blogcritics: "He's earned a reputation as a pain in the ass to every fat cat and party hack on both sides of the aisle. Standing alone or with a few allies from the Republican Liberty Caucus he's always there to raise the uncomfortable truth or ask the question no one else will ask. He's voted against so many bills in his 18 years - including every budget and every expansion of government's size or power - that he's earned the title 'Dr. No'. He's one of very few representatives in Congress who can be counted on to always vote their conscience without making any political compromises."

Technocrat: "...For those who aren't aware of him, he is the major thorn in the Rs side on things (because he is traditional, not even close to being a neocon)"

ed: One thing's for sure, if Ron Paul starts polling too well, Sean Hannity's hair will catch on fire. Wouldn't that be something to see:)

Ron Paul to Participate in 1st Republican Debate

Ron Paul has accepted an invitation to participate in the first national presidential debate in New Hampshire on Wednesday, April 4. It will be hosted by Wolf Blitzer and will be carried on CNN TV, radio, and cnn.com from 7-9 p.m. EST... Link to LewRockwell.com Blog: Ron Paul News

(Hat tip: Third Party Watch)

So Much For The "Straight Talk Express"

Much like our own Claire McCaskill,  who cozied right up to the lobbyists she disparaged during her campaign, John McCain has his hand out to people he once eschewed.

Just about a year and a half ago, Sen. John McCain went to court to try to curtail the influence of a group to which A. Jerrold Perenchio gave $9 million, saying it was trying to "evade and violate" new campaign laws with voter ads ahead of the midterm elections.

As McCain launches his own presidential campaign, however, he is counting on Perenchio, the founder of the Univision Spanish-language media empire, to raise millions of dollars as co-chairman of the Arizona Republican's national finance committee. (Solomon, John. McCain Taps Cash He Sought To Limit, Washington Post)

For me, this puts another check in the plus column for R