I am probably like the other 98% of Americans who know almost nothing about the libertarian Texas congressman Ron Paul, perhaps besides the fact that he’s running for President and that he seems to have a growing fringe following. So this e-mail, from a reader named Casey Hopkins, caught my eye:
Why don’t you guys write about Ron Paul?
1. Number one blogged-about subject (not candidate) on the internet (technorati.com)
2. Highest website traffic of all the candidates (Alexa.com)
3. His odds of winning have quadrupled on gambling sites (gambling911.com)
4. Is shunned by the mainstream media
5. Only Republican who wants to leave Iraq
6. Only Republican who is a real fiscal conservative (see Barry Goldwater)
7. He knows his economics arguably better than anyone in Congress. Watch some of his YouTube speeches.The primary is still 8 months away, so it will be very interesting to see what happens. Read about his principles and internet popularity on wikipedia.
Thanks, Casey, for doing the blogging for us. At your prompting, I took a quick look at a couple of Ron Paul’s media appearances and I have this to say:
I can see why he is so appealing to people tired of mainstream candidates. And I think he might be highly electable … in a country other than the U.S. Estonia, maybe. (As for his odds of winning quadrupling: indeed they have, as evidenced on InTrade also — from 0.2% to 0.8%; I mean this in the nicest possible way, Casey, but this is the kind of statistical argument that is best kept confined to mutual-fund prospectuses.)
I realize that my contribution here is worthless, and I would rather hear what you all have to say about Ron Paul. So please talk, as Linda Richman used to say, amongst yourselves.
and 
. You can also watch it on 
Dr Paul is the reason I will vote republican for the first time in my life. Hillary or Obama do not have the strength to end the madness. Even though i am a liberal and he is the most conservative congressman, I know he is a man of peace, or the initiator of a new consciousness devoid of partisanship. Maybe the cyclical American revolutionary figure we desperately need to heal the republic.
The environment is one of several issues dear to liberals that he will have to articulate if he wants their vote. He is a constitutionalist so he would probably be against any international treaties for global warming. I do believe he is a pragmatist who will listen to those who elect him. I am waiting to see what he says. Also of concern are womens choice, affirmative action, and other popular issues. his conviction to vote against a national archives for slavery is the same conviction that makes him vote against the war on drugs. he is will curb the police and prison system andstop the war on drugs. These are issues that affect minorities way more than some racist comments. Hillary or Obama might seem nice but they will continue murder of civilians overseas, continuing Americas descent into a police state. A police state victimizes minorities.
Dr Paul is the reason I will vote republican for the first time in my life. Hillary or Obama do not have the strength to end the madness. Even though i am a liberal and he is the most conservative congressman, I know he is a man of peace, or the initiator of a new consciousness devoid of partisanship. Maybe the cyclical American revolutionary figure we desperately need to heal the republic.
The environment is one of several issues dear to liberals that he will have to articulate if he wants their vote. He is a constitutionalist so he would probably be against any international treaties for global warming. I do believe he is a pragmatist who will listen to those who elect him. I am waiting to see what he says. Also of concern are womens choice, affirmative action, and other popular issues. his conviction to vote against a national archives for slavery is the same conviction that makes him vote against the war on drugs. he is will curb the police and prison system andstop the war on drugs. These are issues that affect minorities way more than some racist comments. Hillary or Obama might seem nice but they will continue murder of civilians overseas, continuing Americas descent into a police state. A police state victimizes minorities.
Frankenduf…do you mean libertarian small “l”, big “L”, or Anarcho-captitalist libertarian from the Austrian school?
And when you use the word “moron”, I assume you mean it would be moronic NOT to vote for Ron Paul for President. Just wanted to clarify your endorsement of him.
And Snarfangel, when you say Paul is a second-tier candidate, I assume you mean one tier higher than all those 1rst tier candidates.
Go PAUL!!
Frankenduf…do you mean libertarian small “l”, big “L”, or Anarcho-captitalist libertarian from the Austrian school?
And when you use the word “moron”, I assume you mean it would be moronic NOT to vote for Ron Paul for President. Just wanted to clarify your endorsement of him.
And Snarfangel, when you say Paul is a second-tier candidate, I assume you mean one tier higher than all those 1rst tier candidates.
Go PAUL!!
Ron Paul isn’t a libertarian’s libertarian because he is conservative on social issues. Real libertarians think that the government should get out of all aspects of our lives, but Ron Paul seems to be proud of his “family values” stance.
While Mr Paul’s voting record of opposing everything is admirable for its consistency; if a significant percentage of Congress voted as he does, nothing would ever get done.
Ron Paul isn’t a libertarian’s libertarian because he is conservative on social issues. Real libertarians think that the government should get out of all aspects of our lives, but Ron Paul seems to be proud of his “family values” stance.
While Mr Paul’s voting record of opposing everything is admirable for its consistency; if a significant percentage of Congress voted as he does, nothing would ever get done.
I’m glad Paul’s in the debates because, as Julian Sanchez puts it, his “critique of the war in Iraq, from essentially a conservative perspective, is one that a lot of voters aren’t otherwise going to have a chance to hear.”
Also, I think Stop Dreaming is the best introduction to Paul’s ideas. His candidacy means these ideas are getting a much broader hearing than they otherwise would, and I couldn’t be happier about this.
I’m glad Paul’s in the debates because, as Julian Sanchez puts it, his “critique of the war in Iraq, from essentially a conservative perspective, is one that a lot of voters aren’t otherwise going to have a chance to hear.”
Also, I think Stop Dreaming is the best introduction to Paul’s ideas. His candidacy means these ideas are getting a much broader hearing than they otherwise would, and I couldn’t be happier about this.