a new political movement?
Ron Paul Revolution Just Getting Started
By Christian Probasco, 4-13-08
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Now it can be said without fear of flaming retribution (or can it?): Doctor Ron Paul doesn’t have a chance of winning the Republican nomination. Paul himself has said his national campaign is “winding down.” But Congressman Paul did pull in big “money bomb” contributions from grass-roots supporters that none of the other candidates could match. And he racked up poll numbers that Ralph Nader could only dream of. He might even have made a few people aware of just how far this country has strayed from its constitution.
Paul won over most—maybe all—of his backers through his ideology and integrity rather than his…um…charisma. As Lynda Robison, an organizer for the Elect Ron Paul-Utah “Meetup” of Salt Lake County, puts it in reply to questions from New West:
“…in watching Dr. Paul never changing his values, his character, his principles, his support and compliance with the US Constitution over the years, (my husband) Vaughn was totally convinced that Dr. Paul would be the same way if he ever ran again for president. In studying the man during the past 11 years, and very closely in 2007, we’re totally convinced that Dr. Paul is genuinely reality-based, that what answers he gave years ago, based on principles, will be the same answers we would get today or tomorrow, and that seems to keep bearing out to be true, the longer the campaign goes. Watching him on the GOP debates, never having to refer to notes to read them, speaking on principles that he knows by heart and has defended for 20 years—that’s the type of person you want leading the country!”
Paul’s message of nonintervention in the affairs of sovereign nations, returning the United States to constitutional rule, supporting gun rights, abolishing the Patriot Act, balancing the budget and abolishing the IRS, among a slew of other federal agencies, resonates deeply with many in the West. Time Magazine recently ran an excellent article on why the humble candidate scares the hell out of many in the Grand Old Party.
Salt Lake City Ron Paul supporter Alan B. Rowley II, self-described “success warrior,” and “e-coacher,” who says he generally has no interest at all in national political candidates because “one criminal is as good as the next,” wrote that “Ron Paul cured my apathy.” However, he expresses the same pessimistic sentiment held by many across the entire political spectrum: “No one who hasn’t sold their soul is allowed to be in the final two (party candidate positions).”
For many “Paulistas,” the effective end of Paul’s national campaign is the start of a new political movement. Says Mike Ainsworth, apparent personal acquaintance of “V” (of comic book and movie fame) and systems management consultant in South Jordan, Utah,
“I’m running for Republican delegate in my county. I and others will try to take back the party at the grass roots and someday take back America.”
Jeremy Robert Furbish, Salt Lake Community College student and mustachio aficionado, was initially attracted to Paul’s campaign by his “monetary and fiscal policy.” He has similar aspirations:
“I will/have become active within the Republican Party in an effort to bring honesty and integrity to that institution. I am striving to become a delegate to the county and state Republican Party conventions. I will probably become active supporting candidates at the local level who meet my criteria.”
Paul, who ran for president on the Libertarian Party ticket in 1988, has said on numerous occasions that he will not run as a third party candidate in this election cycle. Paul is also battling conservative Chris Peden for his congressional seat in the 14th Texas District. But the larger struggle continues. The doctor’s manifesto for the revolution is set to be released in bookstores at the end of April.
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Comments
Don't get me wrong -- I wish Paul's supporters well (I cast a vote for him at my GOP caucus; it was the only Paul vote in my precinct), and my sympathies lie with their cause. But to declare a "revolution" at this point in time is ridiculous. Just keep working on some core issues, preferably not just during election years, and let the "revolution" build on its own.
I tried to become a precinct commiteeman for Ron Paul, but unfortunately bueracracy screwed it up for me mainly due to my lax way about getting things done, that is my fault. But there are a lot more Ron Paul supporters holding these positions that will go to the convention at the state and county level and hopefully will make some overdue changes to the party platform.
Bush brand conservatism has left a bad taste in the mouth of Republicans whether they admit it or not. A shift is needed in the party. And it is coming.