Thursday, October 11, 2007

RON PAUL

The Ron Paul Phenomenon: Righty Values Based on MSM Data?

Two more intriguing takes on Ron Paul. (You'll notice we've added a "Ron Paul" category at the top of the post. Yes, I instituted a new rule, if you collect $5 million in fundraising in a quarter, you automatically qualify for your own candidate heading on the Campaign Spot.)

I was very intrigued that with the argument that Ron Paul is a vote for "to hell with the whole system" attitudes, but Campaign Spot reader Kyle offers another intriguing interpretation:

I disagree with Campaign Spot reader James's interpretation of the on Paul phenomenon. I heard Ron Paul speak last night here at the University of Michigan, and I got a look at his supporters. Mostly, they seem to be pro-American college students who have fallen for the Left's propaganda but not for its anti-American rhetoric. They believe that we're losing in Iraq, that China should revalue its currency, that Bush is abusing the Constitution, etc.  They're not frustrated Republicans.  They're wildly idealistic, and they are too inexperienced to realize how crazy his ideas are.  (Return to the gold standard? What the heck?)

Paul's appeal is threefold: First, he's pro-American.  The event started with the national anthem, and Paul talked a lot about respecting the Constitution. Second, he assumes the facts as presented by the mainstream media.  His supporters don't have to find alternative news sources, and they don't have to defend their facts to anyone.

Third, he's ideologically revolutionary, just like the students are taught to be.  But Paul talks like he's leading a second American Revolution, not a Marxist revolution.  "Ron Paul Revolution" t-shirts are the libertarian answer to Che Guevara t-shirts, and their wearers display the same measure of intellectual acuity.

Paul won't ever be successful with the general public because of that third factor.  I'd like to get rid of the IRS, too, but I know better than to whack it in a single day.  So do most people.

But Campaign Spot reader Doug has a different view...

I think those who assume Paul has growing GOP support are wrong. Paul attracts that element of the right-wing that left the party with Paul Craig Roberts. They're a host of multi-paleo conservatives who want to impeach Bush, are cheering for us to lose in Iraq and growl at Israel. The other "right-wingers" for Paul are the wacky Truthers who spend hours listening to that Alex Jones nut. In my opinion, the "sanest" Paul base supporters are John Birchers and Constitution Party members.
 
These Pauliacs were never going to vote for the Republican in 2008. They are extremists. Like other extremists in history, a landmark event, such as 9-11, and the ensuing tough times led them to invent conspiracies and turn against their leaders.
 
My point is, I see Paul taking more votes from a Democratic than a Republican if Candidate Blowback runs as an independent.

The Ron Paul phenomenon demonstrates that campaigning for American votes in 2007-2008 is going to be significantly different than it was previous cycles, even 2004. Think about it, Mike Huckabee has done just about everything right by the old standards - great debate performances, second in Iowa straw poll, solid enough resume as a two term governor - and he's collected $1 million. Ron Paul has five times that. Somewhat similarly, Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo have about the same position on illegal immigration, but Tancredo was able to get fourth place in the Iowa straw poll and Hunter got ninth.

10/11 10:43 AMShare