Will Ron Paul Become the Libertarian Candidate ?
It is not as far fetched as you may think. Just take a look at what has happened over the past few days with the Libertarian Party and Ron Paul.
First of all, there is an official petition to remove Bob Barr as the Libertarian candidate for President. Not the one that has been circulating on the internet, but one started by a member of the party and if 3/4 of the representatives vote for it he will be out.
The reasons they give are the fact that Barr did not appear at Ron Paul’s third party press conference, after he had already committed to appear, the fact that his campaign has attacked Paul’s character and reputation. And the fact that his actions have brought discredit to the Libertarian Party as a whole. Now there must be more to it than this. And I have a feeling that the party would not put forth this petition if they did not think they would get the votes to put it into action.
So lets say they do remove Barr. What would they do? Ron Paul still has a lot of support, more than any candidate who lost his bid for a nomination like he did. Picking Ron Paul would be a good move for the party. However, would Paul accept? Would it help or hurt his Campaign for Liberty? Ron Paul will only take the nomination if it would have a positive effect. After all, he is running unopposed for his Congressional seat and if he feels that is what he should focus on, if that is the way to get his message across, then that is what he will do. Don’t you think?
There is another interesting scenario going on also. Last Tuesday, Bob Barr sent a message to Ron Paul asking him to be his running mate and as of yet Paul has not responded. Either he thinks it is not worthy of him to respond or he is seriously thinking about it. And if he would seriously think about being a Vice Presidential candidate, then he for sure would seriously consider the Presidential nomination.
At this point, this is all supposition, but that is the way of politics. What if this and what if that. Even when the what ifs become either they did or they did not, the picture is not clear. So, what do you think? What if they do remove Barr as the nominee, should Ron Paul take his place, or is there someone better to pick up the standard of the Libertarian Party? Who else would you support?
Popularity: 39% [?]
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Comment by Jonathan on 16 September 2008:
I believe the issue that keeps him from running as anything other than a republican is that according to Texas Election Law, he can run for his house seat AND president only if he remains in the same party. So by accepting the libertarian bid he would lose eligibility for his house seat. And since he’s already won his Republican Primary, I don’t know if he’d be able to switch his house race over or not.
Comment by Alan Smith on 16 September 2008:
Oh please oh please oh please
Comment by Eric Dondero on 16 September 2008:
The Libertarian Party was a huge factor in the American elections over the summer. Now that McCain has picked libertarian Republican Sarah Palin as his running mate, they’ve dropped off the radar screen.
But it’s not all bad news for the LP. The argument could be made that if it hadn’t been for Barr polling at 5 to 6% in Zogby McCain wouldn’t have had an incentive to go the libertarian route, instead he would’ve chosen a safe pick like Lieberman, Ridge or Pawlenty.
Essentially, the Libertarian Party and Bob Barr have had an enormous impact on this election cycle already, more than they could have ever imagined. And they should be congratulated for that.
Comment by Penni B on 16 September 2008:
I honestly don’t think Ron Paul will accept,I like Mary Ruwart somewhat. What I’d like to see however,is another thing-Ron Paul Jr. running as a
I’d love to see Ron Paul on the Libertarian ticket-then Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party) would endorse him and step down and maybe those who showed up for the press conference could do the same, and we would have a real choice in November. I think it is highly unlikely,however. Ron Paul is certain to keep his seat in the House,and he asked to be taken off the ballot as the Constitution Party candidate in Montana.
Comment by Don on 16 September 2008:
“Libertarian Republican Sarah Palin” ? Even if the label were applicable, the Vice President of the United States has almost no authority. She would be president of the Senate and could vote only in cases of a tie. She’s being schooled in towing the neocon line and is doing quite well parroting what her neocon handlers tell her to say. Believing that Sarah Palin, or any other VP candidate, makes the tiniest difference, in what comes from the White House, is sheer fantasy.
Comment by Andrew Panken on 16 September 2008:
I’ve never heard of Palin claiming to be a Libertarian Republican. Stop engaging in the fantasizing about Palin, she’s happily engaged as VP to John McCain. The John McCain campaign is enjoying this type of foolishness. All you have to do to win is to find a hot sportscar to sit next to, then you just relax while your poll numbers soar.
Comment by CD on 16 September 2008:
I think Ron Paul running for President of the L party would spread the message of freedom more than another term as congressman.
You’ve worked us up in a lather, Dr. Paul, please follow through. R and D and Ind. are dying to vote for you. You may not win, but it will advance the cause of the c4L
Comment by (gravel not neocon barr) on 16 September 2008:
The American Ruse &
when Black Friday comes.
Honesty or lies?
Compassion or greed?
Intelligence or narrow-minded?
Guts or go along to get along?
Ralph Nader
Cynthia McKinney
Ron Paul
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Jesse Ventura
H. Ross Perot
President Carter
Comment by Watchman08 on 16 September 2008:
Ron Paul is the change we need! No matter what ticket he runs on.
Comment by MoRtiS NoCTu on 16 September 2008:
Ron Paul already is the President to me. I’m voting Ron Paul no matter what.
Comment by C. Ned Wimberly on 16 September 2008:
How about this scenario. Ron Paul the constitutionalist as president running on the Constitution Party ticket with Chuck Baldwin along side as VP. Ron Paul did request that we vote for a third party. I dont know about you but that would do it for me!
Comment by Rich Paul on 16 September 2008:
Don’t pay any attention to Dondero. He’s been spending his time since Paul started getting attention trying to convince people that McCain, Guilianni, Thompson and every other statist moron out there is a Libertarian. Pure brand sabotage.
I’m sorry to say that Ron Paul is highly unlikely to accept our nomination for President. We Libertarians basically offered it to him before our convention. He didn’t want it. He is less likely to want it now.
So what to we do? http://radical-centrist.blogspot.com/2008/09/pauls-and-baldwins-and-barrs-oh-my.html
Comment by Kirk Smith on 16 September 2008:
I agree with Rich. Dondero is a hack who’s fully willing to water down libertarian principle and ideology in order to conform to his delusions of grandeur.
I think the LP is toast in this election season and deserves to be until its Presidential candidate and his advisors are replaced with actual and consistent libertarians.
As for Sarah Palin being a libertarian, that’s quite a stretch to say the least. The libertarians I know don’t go around making flippant and stupid remarks about how we may need to go to war with Russia. Anyone with half a brain knows that Georgia was the aggressor, not Russia. Palin seems more than willing to violate the non-aggression axiom which is the cornerstone to the libertarian philosophy.
Comment by john on 16 September 2008:
libertarian Sarah Palin…you have got to be kidding. She is a neo-con and you have got to be confused big-time. To say that she is a libertarian is an insult to all libertarians.
Comment by Neville on 16 September 2008:
Judge Andrew Napolitano . Of course, he really should be on the CP ticket, but a vehicle’s a vehicle.
Re. Ron Paul on the LP ticket, or any ticket… Many of Dr. Paul’s supporters do so because of his high level of integrity. Once he finally said outright that he would not run on a 3rd party ticket, he drew a line in the sand that he dares not cross. If he reversed himself now, he’d probably lose a non-negligible percentage of his base, and open himself up to “flip-flop” accusations as well.
McCain, if he stays on the ballot in TX, will win. His presidency will so damage the GOP that a new party will rise from the ashes that will look much more like the Republicans of old. It will cost us dearly in the short term, unfortunately. The trick will be to keep him from using a tactical nuclear first strike against some nation brash and stupid enough to thumb their nose at the McCain administration.
If Obama should win, the GOP will be able to treat McCain as a martyr, which is what he sees as his highest calling anyway.
Comment by Thor on 17 September 2008:
I may not agree with everyone of Ron Paul’s polices, but he is one of the few honest politicians around. Ron Paul is the real Maverick with his endorsement of the major 3rd parties. It shows his true character. That he cares more about getting rid of the corrupt 2 party system then furthering his own personal political goals.
Comment by Mike a US Army Vet on 17 September 2008:
Ron Paul or bust.
Comment by Dave Phelps on 17 September 2008:
Libertarian Palin? That’s a laugh! She just recently explained how she believes that marijuana prohibition should continue because legalization sets a bad example for the children. That doesn’t sound very libertarian to me amoung other positions including foriegn policy, increased federal regulation, bailing out private companies, etc. etc. She has rapidly abandoned any Alaskan independent spirit in favor of the standard Republican line.
Comment by Oregon Grower on 17 September 2008:
This is fantasy. Ron Paul could have stepped in and taken the nomination at any time and he didn’t so why woudl he suddenly decide to now? It would have been great to see Ron Paul continue his energetic campaign and it would have been the best libertarian vote ever but it’s not gonna happen. Time to hold the nose and vote for Barr.
Comment by Josie on 17 September 2008:
I don’t see Paul taking the nod for the libertarians. As much as I would LIKE to see the libs get a strong vote this time around, I think his purpose is better served by remaining in the senate and promoting his campaign for liberty. Next election cycle, things will be different.
Comment by Ken Proctor on 17 September 2008:
Oh Please! Don’t even put Palin and Libertarian together in the same sentence. She supports Real ID, she said going to war in Iraq was “God’s will”. She for government control of internet content. etc etc Check it out yourself at libertymaven dot com and her rating on the “Paul -O- Meter”. I support Bob Barr. I was a strong supporter of Mary Ruwart at the LP convention, but Barr won and is the Libertarian standard-bearer. He has also proven to be worthy of carrying that standard. I am loyal to the Libertarian principals of individual freedom and constitutional limited government, that’s why I will continue to promote membership in the Libertarian party and support it’s candidates at all levels. Where is your loyalty, now and in November?
Comment by Adam on 18 September 2008:
Hah hah.. I would still vote for Ron Paul if he was the LP nominee.
Comment by hornshiver on 21 September 2008:
Ron Paul behaves like a fascist