Ron Paul Siphoning Off Support from Libertarian Party Members
For Their Own Presidential Campaign
The communications director for the Paul campaign staff acknowledges receiving help from thousands of the Libertarian Party faithful on his candidate's behalf in this primary season.
"We are getting support from people in all parts of the political spectrum, including those members in the Libertarian Party," stated Jesse Benton. "There are millions of Americans out there who are embracing Dr. Paul's message of freedom."
The Libertarian Party was created in 1971, partly in response to then President Richard Nixon taking the country off the gold standard and instituting price controls. The original founders of the movement started the organization upon realizing that both major political parties had significantly diverged from what they viewed as the libertarian beliefs of the Founding Fathers.
It has been the largest continuing third party in the United States in the last half-century with over 200,000 registered voters and having more than 600 members in public service. Yet the LP has never elected any of their candidates to either house in the Congress in its 36 years of existence.
They have fielded a candidate in every presidential election since 1972, with their best showing in 1980 when Ed Clark received over 900,000 votes across the country since the party was able that year to finally get on the ballot in all fifty states for the first time.
However, they did make history in their first try for the White House when an elector pledged to Richard Nixon instead voted for the Libertarian ticket and made Theodora Nathan, the LP's vice-presidential candidate, the first woman ever to receive a vote in the Electoral College.
And who was their party's 1988 candidate for the presidency?
None other than a Texas physician and former U.S. congressman long affiliated with the GOP named Ron Paul, who two decades later is now seeking the 2008 nomination on the Republican Party ticket after getting himself again elected as a Representative in the U.S. Congress.
Benton readily admits that his boss was the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate those many years ago and says Paul has had a long history of working with those in that party even though he insists the congressman has always maintained his political allegiance to the Republican Party.
And Benton adds that Paul still carries the same libertarian beliefs that smaller political organization advocates. That is why he believes Paul's campaign is attracting many followers of that party while he seeks to win the 2008 Republican nomination.
Published by Terry Heath
Terry Heath grew up in Oklahoma where he graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in journalism. After a career in the entertainment industry writing humorous material for the nation's top com... View profile
The CNN Utube Debates in Wichita, Kansas - Ron Paul Grass Roots Meeting Review of Ron Paul Meeting during the Utube CNN Republican debate.
Ron Paul Known by 51% of AmericansInternet phenomenon Ron Paul gains exposure as primaries near.- Presidential Hopeful Ron Paul: Raising the Roof in Iowa If crowd approval is any indication of votes in the Iowa Straw Poll, Ron Paul is a contender.
- Ron Paul Captures the BlogosphereRon Paul seems to have struck a nerve in the vast blogosphere where he has gotten two thirds of his contributions. His strict constitutionalist stand, after the savagery that the Bush Administration subjected the Cons...
- Hello Ron Paul or Goodbye ReadersNewspapers have ignored the Ron Paul Presidential campaign in spite of its dramatic fundraising success and grassroots support and newsworthiness. By ignoring Ron Paul, newspapers are losing credibility with their re...
- Analysis: Canadian Company Leads in Ron Paul Coverage
- Ron Paul: The Candidate with the Golden Dollar
- Ron Paul Draws Large, Diverse Crowd in Pittsburgh
- Is Ron Paul the Subject of a Google Bomb?
- Ron Paul is Gaining in Money and Momentum!
- Presidential Candidate Ron Paul Goes International
- Ron Paul is on His Way to Raising 12 Million
20 Comments
Post a CommentI'm glad to be a part of AC with folks like you onboard!
Thank you.
Go Ron Paul!
ronpaul2008.com
I am a staunch Libertarian but Ron Paul has a 1000 fold better chance of being elected than any Libertarian (as small as Dr. Paul's chances are, they are still better than any LP candidate) The system is far too rigged against 3rd parties.
This is one area that I hope Dr. Paul will address if we should be so fortunate as for him to be the GOP nominee, or (G_d willing) the POTUS.
If you do not vote for Ron Paul 2008 what freedom you have left will be gone and Welcome the North American Union and a prolonged Vietnam War and the Draft. So get your children ready to go to War. Wake Up America! Vote Ron Paul 2008! If you're tired of the Corporate Corruption and Special Interests and want to take a stand go to: http://ronpaul.meetup.com/cities/
Nice work Terry. Wrote a less than favorable article on Dr. Paul myself. I admire his courage, but I certainly cannot support the man.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/412000/why_i_can_not_support_ron_paul_for.html
It's more of a rebuke of libertarian philosophy then of Dr. Paul himself.
Why do people dislike Ron Paul for being pro-choice. He is pro states deciding their laws. Isn't is the most libertarian stance to allow states to decide their own laws regarding abortion instead of federal government? Not supporting Ron Paul for being pro-choice is absurd as he follows the principles of the founding fathers. RON PAUL 2008!
you decrease corporate lobbying in D.C., and it will be
> easier to make the business pay in the free market if they are
> discriminating in their practices.
>
> I hope this helps. Thanks again for writing, and feel free to contact
> us anytime.
>
> Sincerely,
> Andrew
> Ron Paul 2008
>
> On 10/2/07, Thomas wrote:
> > Mr. Paul
> >
> > I would like to know how you reconcile free market economics and your
> > immigration policy?
> >
> > Thank you for your time,
> >
> > Thomas
In no way does he call for amnesty. Immigration
> officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays
> their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially
> important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired
> visas.
>
> Many complaints have been made about the H-1B visa system. Those
> complaints need to be listened to, and any corruption needs to be
> fixed immediately.
>
> The best thing for businesses is for government to lower regulations.
> If the regulations are lowered, the business can better compete in the
> free market. If their product sells, the business grows and more and
> more workers will be needed. When a business deliberately lays off an
> American worker simply because they want to hire an immigrant worker,
> proper legal action should be taken by that American worker and the
> business should answer for it. If you decrease government involvement
> in business, you decrease corporate lobbying in D.
i've been a member of the DC and VA LP and i really wish that i could bend my principles and vote for paul...he is close but not close enough. his position on immigration is wrong and against everything i believe as a libertarian....i've recently emailed his campaign. Decide for yourself before you throw your support behind him.
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:27:20 -0400, "Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign
Committee" said:
>
> Thank you very much for your email to the campaign. Congressman Paul
> does believe in allowing immigrants to come over on the H-1B visa
> program as long as they do not stay longer than their visa allows.
> This helps discourage illegal immigration by letting those who want to
> work come over for a time work and make money without sneaking into
> the country.
>
> Dr. Paul does not favor illegal immigration. Businesses should not be
> hiring illegal labor and those that do should face the legal
> consequences. In no way does he call for amnest
The Libertarian Party would be smart to nominate "None of The Above" at their convention this summer, with a Vice-Presidential candidate who can step up if Ron Paul is not the Republican nominee. They should also find a way endorse Ron Paul, perhaps by amending their bylaws.
When Giuliani ran for Mayor of New York, he had the Republican line, the Conservative line, and the Liberal line. When asked about it, he said he would take the Democratic line if he could get it. If Ron Paul were the nominee of the Republican, Constitution and Libertarian parties, he would be formidable.
I like Paul - would vote for him in a general election and primary - But will most realistically be voting for the libertarian candidate. The Ron Paul campaign has been a victory for the Libertarian party in my opinion.