08-31-2012, 09:55 AM
RON PAUL'S IMPACT/INFLUENCE ON 2012 ELECTION?
Ron Paul says that he did not speak at the RNC because the planners offered him a speaking slot only if he met these 2 conditions:
1. that he deliver remarks vetted by the Romney campaign
2. that he give a full-fledged endorsement of Mr. Romney
He was interviewed by the New York Times and said that he declined because: “It wouldn’t be my speech; that would undo everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse him for president.”
Meanwhile, his son Senator Rand Paul has endorsed Romney, spoke at the convention, and continues to be mentioned as a possible candidate for 2016.
There seems to be a lot of strife in the Ron Paul camp at this time, especially after many of his delegates walked out of the convention due to a change in party rules. It's hard to get a feel for what the end goal truly is; lots of inconsistent opinions and analysis across press sources.
It seems that some of Ron Paul's followers want to make in-roads by supporting the Republican party and will compromise generously on the Libertarian agenda to do so, for the future. Others are fundamentalist fundamentalists and want to stick with the agenda at all costs. JMO. Whatever is happening behind the scenes and within his contingency, I really do think (and hope) that finally a viable 3rd party option is emerging for 2016, whether it be under the Republican party umbrella or not. If so, it's a big deal.
Ron Paul's support and delegates are still important in this election, imo. They could really help Romney inch closer to Obama. The debates are only several weeks away - curious as to what the Paul camp's official stance will be by the time the candidates face the nation directly on the issues (and how much influence, if any, Ron Paul has in getting some of his agenda incorporated into the Republican platform in trade for support and delegates).
I still feel like I'm choosing between the lesser of two evils in 2012 (though Ryan makes Romney's ticket more appealing to me), but maybe 2016 or 2020 will offer something more.
Ron Paul says that he did not speak at the RNC because the planners offered him a speaking slot only if he met these 2 conditions:
1. that he deliver remarks vetted by the Romney campaign
2. that he give a full-fledged endorsement of Mr. Romney
He was interviewed by the New York Times and said that he declined because: “It wouldn’t be my speech; that would undo everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse him for president.”
Meanwhile, his son Senator Rand Paul has endorsed Romney, spoke at the convention, and continues to be mentioned as a possible candidate for 2016.
There seems to be a lot of strife in the Ron Paul camp at this time, especially after many of his delegates walked out of the convention due to a change in party rules. It's hard to get a feel for what the end goal truly is; lots of inconsistent opinions and analysis across press sources.
It seems that some of Ron Paul's followers want to make in-roads by supporting the Republican party and will compromise generously on the Libertarian agenda to do so, for the future. Others are fundamentalist fundamentalists and want to stick with the agenda at all costs. JMO. Whatever is happening behind the scenes and within his contingency, I really do think (and hope) that finally a viable 3rd party option is emerging for 2016, whether it be under the Republican party umbrella or not. If so, it's a big deal.
Ron Paul's support and delegates are still important in this election, imo. They could really help Romney inch closer to Obama. The debates are only several weeks away - curious as to what the Paul camp's official stance will be by the time the candidates face the nation directly on the issues (and how much influence, if any, Ron Paul has in getting some of his agenda incorporated into the Republican platform in trade for support and delegates).
I still feel like I'm choosing between the lesser of two evils in 2012 (though Ryan makes Romney's ticket more appealing to me), but maybe 2016 or 2020 will offer something more.