Paul booed twice

Posted: Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:42 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Andy Merten
Other than Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul has been the only presidential candidate to receive audible disapproval from the crowd tonight. Both times he's touted his non-interventionist foreign policy agenda, he has been booed by tonight's extremely vocal audience.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Fitting, I think. Very good job by Fox building an audience that contrasts starkly with the reception Paul has received in every other debate. Either 70% of the American public is dead wrong or the remaining 30% got seats. ;)

Cory, Austin, TX (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:50 PM)

That's what a lot of well meaning libertarians don't get, if they can surge the primaries and crown Paul the nominee, they still have to deal with the pro war base of the GOP, who won't go along with Mr. Paul.

If the neo conservative base catches wift that Ron Paul will be an actual threat come January, they will rally behind whoever they can find to beat him.

James Reddy, Alden New York (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:51 PM)

People really don't understand that the most expensive thing the government does, that requires them to tax us and inflate the dollar, is our foreign policy.

Jason, Portsmouth NH (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:55 PM)

Yeah, I'm curious about this. Why is he getting booed and for the very first time in these debates, why is his applause only sounding polite?

Glenn, SLC, UT (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:57 PM)

It's quite sad that the Republican party has truly lost its way. They have forgotten about Robert Taft, Ike Eisenhower, Barry Goldwater, and even Ronald Reagan who warned us about the irrationalities of middle eastern politics.

What happen to my party?

Brent Burk, Schertz, Texas (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:57 PM)

All audience members had to complete survey to gain admittance. Correct response for ticket to admission: Bill O'Reilly & Sean Hannity are my favorite TV commentators.

althusius, Dallas (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 10:21 PM)

I have been saying for months that this race will end up being a question about how much damage the republicans are willing to do to themselves to avoid admitting the war was a bad idea. The sooner we admit it and move on, the sooner the party makes a comeback.

Jim W, Tallahassee FL (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 10:57 PM)

You heard what Dr. Paul said. He was only allowed to have 1,000 supporters in that room. He was probably booed for being a threat to the other candidates more than anything else. Sure, he's got a great Internet following ... but how can Fox, and other stations, discount their own polls? I'm sure Guiliani, Thompson and friends have a ton of smart, Internet-saavy supporters out there too. But why is Paul spanking them in almost every poll result? I think Ron Paul is doing MUCH, MUCH better than everyone realizes.

Bill Pliske, Goodyear, AZ (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 10:59 PM)

It was obviously a canned audience. Ron Paul called Hannity out on it (subtly) during the post-debate show. Ron Paul won the "You Vote" text voting poll with 34% which is a REAL sampling of what the at-home viewers think.

Jaime (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:00 PM)

Those yahoos would have booed Thomas Jefferson when he said the Creator gave us a right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

They laughed at bombing schools and booed peace and prosperity. I was thinking about someday moving to Florida, but this was disgraceful and I would never live in that state if these people are representative of it. It was pretty sad for the Republican Party as well.

Gloria L, Carrboro, North Carolina (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:00 PM)

Fox News went out into the Florida hinterland, found every guy wearing jorts they could get their hands on, and built a custom-fit audience to get the hostile reaction to Paul they desperately wanted in New Hampshire but didn't get.

Sheila, Vermont (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:00 PM)

I think the Republican base - cranked up on Hannity and Beck was out in full force tonight: I don't think there was a non interventionist in that room except for Paul. 70% of the American people want us out of Iraq soon. Couldn't tell from this debate!!

Barry Broome, Hattiesburg, MS (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:02 PM)

Now that Fox's strategy of giggling Giuliani didn't work, they're attempting to discredit Ron Paul by rigging the audience up.

They might even have Applause/Boo signs resembling live SitComs.

Nathaniel Tucker, Austin Texas (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:02 PM)

Ron Paul is the only real Republican running. The rest are nothing but panderers to the paying customers.

Steve Craddick, Michigan (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:02 PM)

According to this article, Fox stacked the deck with a pro-war audience

http://rattube.com/blog1/2007/10/21/fox-stacks-debate-audience-with-christian-zionists-war-mongers/

Chris McNeil, Charleston, SC (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:04 PM)

Well even though Paul was booed twice I respect the fact that he stuck to his guns. He has a way of challenging peoples beliefs and end the end gains converts every time. Last I checked he won the text poll with 34% with Huckabee in second with 26%. He is still being ignored with little speaking time and Fox did poorly running the debate. Frank Lutze is a joke!

Jeff Roark (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:04 PM)

Thats a BIASED Fox audience.

Nick, Hollywood CA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:05 PM)

I don't mean to sound paranoid, but I smell a set-up.

Benjamin Barnes, Iowa City, Iowa (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:05 PM)

come on folks, its FAUX news! Funny how the post debate coverage Ron Paul owned the spin doctors and the post debate text poll (no, I didn't buy 5,000 cell phones) he won.

patrick, gainesville, florida (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:06 PM)

I don't believe the audience was representative of the American people at large. Nothing but this can explain the fact that RON PAUL WON THE PHONE POLL BY ALMOST 10 PERCENT. GO REPORT ON THAT, NBC!

J.P., Annapolis, MD (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:06 PM)

Ron Paul was hit the nail on the head. He also got a lot of support from the crowd, wich you left out. :)

Jesse Warren Guys Mills PA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:06 PM)

I'm not saying that Fox News planned it this way, but isn't this the same network that had people talking about one debate in a restaurant that weekend... then we later found out the restaurant is closed on weekends? Certainly then the average restaurant crowd wasn't being interviewed.

I have never seen more support for a candidate than Ron Paul. I guess that Ron Paul's support now is greater than what Howard Dean's support used to be. Why? One reason is because the internet is much more powerful now and Ron Paul dominates it.

Joseph Yazdanpanahi (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:08 PM)

The booing reflects ignorance. Really, who wants to police the world? Who wants to spend billions overseas when we can spend that money here? Who still believes that Iraq has WMD and works with Al-Qaeda? We need to think logically and not emotionally. Ron Paul speaks the truth and the rational truth. For those who boo truth, that scares me...

Vote Ron Paul 2008

Ronny J. Torres, Missoula, Montana (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:08 PM)

I heard Dr. Paul tell Neocon Sean Hannity that he couldn't get many tickets for his supporters. Fox News stacked the audience.

In addition, who are those 23 people pollster Frank Luntz was using in his dog and pony show to tell the American people who they are supposed to think they support? We don't know who they are nor how they were selected. Talk about propaganda!

The way Fox ran this debate reminds me of the way Bill O'Reilly runs his show: it is orchestrated to mainpulate public opinion, not to inform.

Any news organization that has to repeatedly proclaim it is fair and balanced probably isn't. Fox News is at the bottom of the barrel of credibility.

RON PAUL 2008

Greg, Hermitage, Pennsylvania (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:08 PM)

yet Ron Paul swept the FOX news poll, beating all the other candidates. Poor Hannity...

Mike, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:10 PM)

Ron was still the best. Sad to learn there are Ron Paul supporters who are clueless and would vote for Hillary.

Now Putin is building arms against us? Another sad revelation.

NH (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:10 PM)

I've been a registered Republican since 1994 and hearing boos about a non-interventionist foreign policy and small government made me seriously question my party affiliation. But then I realized the booing represents a very small minority of America.

John LA, CA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:10 PM)

No matter how hard Fox tried, they could not suppress the text poll, which Paul ran away with from the beginning. Even the retard in the room of fools, hand picked by fox, called Paul "certifiable insane". Looks like the public is too smart to get fooled by Fox.

Mitch Covington (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:10 PM)

Fox may have loaded the audience with pro-war folks but the millions watching on TV were not fooled. Again, with very limited time, Ron Paul made more sense than all the rest.

Larry (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:12 PM)

Yeh, they even found a guy in the reaction group to claim the Ron Paul was "certifiably insane". It is a pretty insane idea to follow the constitution. I never expected such bias from FOX. Paul won the poll, but of course Hannity dismissed it...

Mikek Aasen, Chippewa Falls, WI (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:12 PM)

The booing came from McCain supporters who
are getting desperate. At least they showed
a little bit of organization.

Mark Lippitt, Westborough, MA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:12 PM)

"What happen to my party?"

You got un-invited. Don't worry, it happens. It happened to me as well.

Paul Ron, New York, New York (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:13 PM)

Wow, the GOP must have spent a pretty penny to stack the audience with war-mongers. Did anyone in the audience wonder why Putin is enjoying 80% approval ratings in Russia? I don't think he achieved that by promoting a new Cold War or WW3. Congrats to Ron Paul on huge FNCTV text poll win.

GeneG (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:16 PM)

Our country is slipping through our fingers, this debate was a disgrace, a bit more entertaining than The O.C. ... cheap shots and self adoration,... disgusting!

Dr. Ron Paul was the only man addressing the right issues but he did not get enough time to speak, mostly found himself addressing these issues after having to answer to FOX's antagonistic questions first. I am a Democrat registered Republican voting for Dr. Paul, after looking at each candidate closely, no one else seems even close.

Carlo, Miami FL (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:17 PM)

Ha, ha. Now its news when Ron Paul gets booed? Yeah, especially because it never happened before.

Which sure makes you wonder why this crowd is so out of step with the 70-80 percent of America who want us OUT of the war in Iraq! Where'd they get these wierdos?

Jennifer, Seattle (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:17 PM)

It started out as a fast-moving tv-episode style debate, with just the type of drama the MSM loves -- playing personalities against one another rather than sincere inquiry into the serious problems of our Republic. Heck, most people don't KNOW we are a Republic. It's not The View, is it? Oh I guess that's what corporatocracy is all about... money and entertainment. I'm saddened to see that. I preferred Paul, McCain and Tancredo above the others.

Gwen Avila Beach, CA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:18 PM)

What does it say about people that basically boo peace?

Steve, Alexandria, VA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:18 PM)

The fact that Ron Paul was booed by a crowd of neo-cons make me believe I'm right in supporting him.

RP 2008!

Eli, Oxford, AL (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:20 PM)

There were some boos in the middle of a passage, but there was sound applause at the end. It is very likely the other candidates' support staff encouraged their attendees to boo for Ron Paul. That's about all they can do to stop the momentum he is building.

Russ Mason, Pittsford, NY (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:21 PM)

Ron Paul says: "So, we don’t need to go looking for trouble, we don’t need another Cold War and all we have to do is start talking with people and trading with people. We don’t need to assume that the world is going to blow up.".

Then the Neocon Boo-Goons boo RP, they are sick in the head and must want to blow up the world!

Civusamericanus, Atlanta, GA (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:22 PM)

It was like watching "Weekend At Bernie's". How much longer will mainstream media continue propping up the dead candidates? Ron Paul's supporters are real! Much more so than Faux News' smoke and mirrors.

Seth (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:27 PM)

It's just wild to watch Hannity dispute the results of his own poll. Having to beef up his Ghouliani pr with his stacked, hand-picked audience is pathetic. This is how the neocons steal a nomination. Ron Paul IS the people's choice.

Bill, Elmer, Missouri (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:28 PM)

The power brokers want war and they don't care if it's Hillary or Giuliani that gives it to them. Of course, someone like Ron Paul is problem for them.

James Babb (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:29 PM)

I don't think there's a set up. The only people who would go to a Fox News Debate are people who will do whatever Fox News tells them to do anyway. And the audience knows that Fox News does not support Ron Paul. They'll pull any dirty trick they can to trip Ron up, I just hope Ron is ready and turns it into an advantage.

Dennis, Midland Texas (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:29 PM)

Fox should not be permitted to hold debates. Do the owners of Fox belong to the CFR? Fox is a mouthpiece for the owners of the government.

As the American people learned from the staged “dinner gag from the last Fox debate”, Fox goes to extremes to spin what they want the people to think! Fox knows only one vote per cell phone yet cry people are voting three and four times. Fox sent film crews to cover Rudy in MI for the straw poll but had to kill the story because Rudy got his butt kicked by Ron Paul. In fact people should become acquainted with Ron Paul’s straw poll record:

Ron Paul's Head-to-Head Records (Win-Lose-Tie):
Ron Paul v. Rudy Giuliani 31-5-0
Ron Paul v. Mitt Romney 24-12-0
Ron Paul v. Fred Thompson 21-14-0
Ron Paul v. John McCain 32-3-0
Ron Paul v. Mike Huckabee 30-4-1
Ron Paul v. Sam Brownback 32-2-1
Ron Paul v. Tom Tancredo 33-1-0
Ron Paul v. Duncan Hunter 32-2-0

The Neocons are defecating in their pants. Grasping at straws the Neocons realize they will never get a portion of the Republican vote. To powder up Mike Huckabee to attempt to try and get votes from Ron Paul shows the desperation. I have lost ALL respect for the party I have supported all my life. (except that year with Ross)

Fox and the media crap on Ron Paul every chance they get. The media shorts Paul on time and when Paul is asked a question three or more negatives are in the introduction. “Libertarian, long- shot, only 1% in the polls, Dark horse, Ron Paul”

If Rudy had to endure an intro only 1/10 as often as Paul that was the truth he would be out of the race. Rudy, mayor of sanctuary city and, the unpatriotic opportunist selling American soil to foreign companies through his law firm to continue the NAFTA Superhighway for the profits of special interest groups.….

Give us RON PAUL.

America wants…Ron Paul

Lorrye Clark (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:30 PM)

Hmmm.... that's odd. Every other debate has been filled with pro Paul supporters. I wonder why this FOX sponsored debate in Florida did not have many? FOX, do you have any ideas?.....

Jay, Dallas, TX (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:33 PM)

Reading the posts, people aren't falling for the propaganda. America is waking up, and America loves Ron Paul. Grassroots all the way to the White House!

J Reiter, Mpls, MN (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:37 PM)

Only jerks who've never been in close combat in a war can boo somebody who wants to bring the boys home from this senseless occupation in Iraq.

Wernher, Vienna, Austria (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:40 PM)

I've even seen it on fox news itself that 70% of the us wants us to get out of iraq what the hell are the boos about.

mike knight (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:41 PM)

I'm sure FOX planted a bunch of operatives in the audience with the specific purpose of booing Ron Paul. It's a tactic Ron Paul supporters have to be aware of.
It's an obvious play for the neo-cons.
They're clearly getting worried about Ron Paul's increasing popularity. They want to make it look as though someone out there, in significant numbers, really dislikes Ron Paul's positions.
He keeps winning or placing in all the straw polls and bringing in more cash than Romney and McCain.
He's an obvious frontrunner. The media and two party establishment are scared to death of him.
They just want the people to stare mindlessly on as they parade their preselected candidates(Romney, Giuliani, Clinton, Obama, Edwards, McCain etc, etc.) who all believe the same thing and will execute the same foreign and trade policies regardless of the promises or statements they make on the campaign trail.

It's up to the good people of the U.S.A. to do their homework and study up on each of the candidates and not mindlessly imbibe everything the candidates say and what the mainstream/corporate media says about them.

Davsi Richards (Sent Sunday, October 21, 2007 11:42 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=423074