Ron Paul's own convention

Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:06 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
That thorn in the Republican establishment side is back.

Ron Paul's campaign is planning an event at a "large venue" with a "sizable" crowd Sept. 2 -- the Tuesday of convention week -- in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area a couple of miles from the convention site.

Paul spokesman Jesse Benton confirms this is certainly in the works but details are being worked out and not yet finalized. He wouldn't divulge the specific location because contracts have not yet been signed, though this report indicates Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota.

Paul hopes to fill the arena the day before the vice presidential nominee would speak. On that Thursday, McCain will officially be selected as the nominee.

The impetus for the mini convention of sorts was, in part, not getting a spot to speak at convention, but it "goes a lot deeper than just an invitation to speak," Benton said.

"We have said from the beginning that we are going to have a presence in St. Paul," Benton added. Paul "has said he’d be honored to have an invitation to speak. He's not holding his breath; he's not expecting one. ... No invitation was extended. We’re fine with that, so we’re going to go ahead and have our own event."

Paul's supporters are really "looking to build a national organization that is going to run at a grassroots level, be organized at a precinct level, and to identify candidates to support," Benton said, "real constitutionalist candidates."

Paul camp expects to have about 50 delegates to the national convention. They will attend the Paul convention and the campaign is encouraging them to go to the official GOP convention as "active and positive." But, Benton added, Paul's supporters are independent-minded and aren't going to be told what to do.

"They’re free individuals, and they can do what they like," Benton said. "We want to send a message to the Republican Party, a message to return to its limited government roots ... common sense foreign policy that is non interventionist, reject the Patriot Act and move back to respecting the Constitution and rule of law."

It doesn't mean Paul is ready to abandon the Republican Party, either. Benton insisted Paul will not be running as a third- (or fourth- or fifth-) party candidate. And even though Paul will not endorse McCain -- over disagreements on foreign policy and a host of other issues -- "there's respect there," Benton said. "We're not going to to say anything negative about McCain."

"There are a lot of good things Republican Party does," Benton added, "but the Republican Party is facing some tough reality at the polls." That's because of its foreign policy and its movement away from limited government, Benton said. Paul and his supporters "are ready to work for a party and be active long term for a party that embraces" those principles.

Paul's campaign likes the Constutionalist candidate and elements of Libertarian candidate Bob Barr's platform (but likely won't endorse anyone). And Paul's certainly not going to support Obama whose "foreign policy is not much different than Sen. McCain’s," Benton said.

Aside from Paul and his supporters, the campaign promises "real brand-name entertainers" at their event. Details are expected to be finalized on location (and entertainment) in the next few days.

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Comments

Obama won't bring home the troops from Iraq by 2013. Obama won't take preemptive nuclear strike against Iran off the table. Obama voted for the patriot act. Obama wants to spend another $2 Trillion we don't have. Obama doesn't want to get rid of the entity creating inflation, The Federal Reserve. Obama doesn't want to bring our soldiers home from the 130 countries they're stationed in. Obama doesn't want to abide by the constitution. Obama is a neo-con no different than George W. Bush.

Andy White, Los Angeles CA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:28 PM)

Paul - Clinton '08?

Joe Westerberg (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:33 PM)

I forgot to add that we know all these problems are the fault of liberals. It doesn't matter that the Republicans have been in charge of Congress from 1994 to beginning of 2007. Or that Bush has been in office about 8 years in charge of everything. We know its the liberals because the talk show hosts said so :)

Rick Indianapolis In (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:34 PM)

Libertarians support Obama? More taxes and more government? Are you nuts!!!
We need more than the same old junk from the usual Democrats and Republicans. He's the only one so far that I actually believe he would do what he says.

Jason, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:36 PM)

Dusal, Tx? How does someone being a prisoner of war translate into them knowing how to win one? And what exactly do you win?

As a daughter of a Viet Nam veteran who unlike McCain didn't come home to a hero's welcome and Barbie Beer Garden but a journey on his way to disease and death thanks to Agent Orange, please explain how did his also being a POW healthwise (as so many are as those who are suppose to help them look the other way) "win the war?" Globally these days, Viet Nam is thriving from the ashes of that war just as Iraq will be thriving from the fruits of our money and our soliders' labor and lives now. What's in it for us "winners"? So far our economy sucks, unemployment is up, homes are still foreclosing at an alarming rate, gas has reached disgraceful heights and climbing, and food has become so outrageous I may have to buy a chicken (for eggs), a churn (for butter) and start baking my own bread just to keep some kind of food on the table. And I consider myself a lucky one. It's far worse for so many others out there. So again Dusal...how do we win so much better under McCain?

Daughter of a Veteran (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:39 PM)

That's awesome! I love that more than just the two parties are stepping up and participating. I'm an Obama supporter who had to reluctantly register democrat because my state has closed primaries. I long for the day when everyone can vote in primaries without having to register one way or another.

Life's messy and this strict two party regime isn't the end all be all.

another mama for obama (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:40 PM)

Ron Paul is a fine and upstanding American, and many of his ethics and values should be studied and adopted by both major parties. His opinions echo many Americans' sentiments, and Republicans should welcome him in as much as possible. They seem to need all the help they can get right now.

Robert, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:41 PM)

If any of those who call Ron Paul crazy, not in touch with reality, or ignorant then I challenge them to read his writings and criticize them intellectually and with reasoning. Simply waving your arms around saying someone is crazy because YOU are too ignorant to understand their views just advertises your ignorance.

Randy Dixon, La Feria, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:41 PM)

I laugh at the intelligence of a person who thinks Obama offers real change! I challenge you to look at his suggested policy and ask your self, does this mean more freedom or more Government?
O... I forget... you believe that somehow civil society will break down should the free market be allowed to operate. Instead you force government to force me and other freedom lovers to give up the same cherished liberties that you have given up. You want to be taken care of by the government. You want to be told what to do. You want to be told what to put in your bodies, and you want the security blanket and protection that mommy government offers.

Why? Because you are afraid to take responsibility for your own life. You are frightened at the prospect of thinking for yourself and making your own decisions.

When exactly did America become land of the wimps home of the slaves?

Dave, Yeee Haaa TX (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:46 PM)

This is a good example of the personal responsibility it takes to get this country out of the hole.

I'll take a ticket to Minnesota.

Jeremy, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:50 PM)

Both Obama and McCain are big-gov socialist liberals that believe the state should be elevated above the individual. Washington and Jefferson weep.

Mike, St. Louis, Mo. (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:51 PM)

Grampy McCain's ship is sinking ever soooo slowly...

Angela Frazier, Memphis TN (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:52 PM)

Andy White idiot Navy man McCain is a real conservative and capable of running America and its war machine. Obama Osama is a bleeding liberal ready to tax all Americans black and white. Obama will never win Americas wars with the terrorists. Barr maybe but never Obama.

dusual tx (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:52 PM)

Richard, you really are LIGHT! This your brain on drugs.... ****SPLAT****

Angela Frazier, Memphis TN (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:54 PM)

Yeah, I just don't understand why people ridicule Dr. Paul for following the Constitution. What is so crazy about that? Isn't it more crazy to let a President take the country to war? Isn't it more crazy to believe that it is ok for the American government to meddle in the affairs of other nations? Isn't it crazy to take money from one person and give it to another? Isn't it crazy to assume that the government doesn't answer to the people?

Isn't it crazy to just continue sleeping while your liberties are legislated and executive ordered away?

Wake up America.

Dave, Tampa, Fl (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:55 PM)

McCain and Obama are not even in the same league. why bother to worry about who to be Obama's vice president? whoever he/she is, it won't change the game. Americans are not that stupid to elect an old grumpy 100 yrs old granpa as the world leader. He can barely talk to large audience. he can't even lift his arms up (i dont care about his prison torture). when we have such a karismatic and smart candidate, electing the angry old man will drag america down and it's embarrassing to the world. Ok, Mccain was in the military and captured before, so what? does that make him the war hero who can defend our country as a president?? how about other milions veterans then? He's unkarismatic, old, old, old, grumpy granpa who deserted his old wife for much younger woman. No country for that old man!

McBush go away (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:58 PM)

You schmucks! This country is going down in flames, and a man comes along to try and rescue it, so what do you do? Sandbag him. "He's an isolationist." "He's not a real Republican!" Etc. etc. with the ridiculous charges. The Obama nuts want change so badly they can taste it, but they're not going to get real change - not any that will fix our economy or our overstretched military or restore our government to the PEOPLE, as our founding fathers intended. No it'll be more like Bill Clinton, the sequel. More partisan B.S. Democrats and Republicans are part of the same broken machine. Only difference is that while the Dems want to take money from you to fund welfare programs (which I actually prefer to the Republican agenda), the GOP wants to take your money to fund foreign, empire-building wars. If all you wonks out there don't wake up and realize that, we're only going to keep going down the tubes. Watching the MSM and our "two" political parties is freaking exhausting.

Josh Messer, Brunswick GA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:59 PM)

Ohhhhh - looks like some people's widdle toes got stepped on by the mere mention of Hillary running as an Independent. Careful Dems, Hillary needs a few more strokes from Obama before she bows out of the race for real (and releases her delegates). If that doesn't happen . . . . . .

Math Man (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:00 PM)

With a far left wing nut and a right of center war lover, we need some more choices in Nov. Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Nader; hopefully more will be on the ballot.
Flat-earther, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I hate to be the bearer of bad news....but the earth isn't flat.

To our wonderful hosts at First Read, if your not going to enforce your own stated policies:

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.

Then take them off the website.

Sceptical in St Louis (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:00 PM)

More than anything, I was drawn to him by his passion for preserving genuine constitutional freedoms and limiting the role of the federal government. These are two issues that have increasingly gained importance to me as I watch the standard trajectories of the two main parties at large. It’s the reason I started watching Ron Paul, started paying attention.

Along the way, I got onboard with his call for lower taxes coupled with lower spending. Most candidates talk the talk with lower taxes, but then you look at all of their new plans (yes, Obama, too)—and the billions attached to them—and you know it’s all fluff to make them look nice to a public they consider too stupid to notice the disparity. Not this man; both sides of his platform balance. His desire to leave the money in our pockets to begin with while removing our dependence on foreign banks is good for us and for the economy. And after all: the less we are taxed, the more we are able to do for ourselves anyway. We don’t need the government crutch nearly as much if it hasn’t removed our ability to walk on our own to begin with. (Democratic policy is particularly bad in this regard.)

Not all of Paul’s stances are a dead-on match with mine, but the ones that are are worth it. I can struggle through the other issues and work to make my nation a better place if we begin with a firm foundation of the government respecting me and my rights and my abilities, as well as its constitutionally-mandated checks and balances, if it comes right down to it.

I came to Ron Paul looking only at these main issues. What I found on closer inspection surprised me and made me want to fight for him. I found someone to believe in.

He is a rarity: His personal behavior backs up his espoused political convictions. I see a man whose value of life is closely tied to the 4,000 babies he has delivered in his medical career—many of those during his terms in Congress. I see a man who, as a physician, refused entanglements with bureaucracy by rejecting Medicare and Medicaid—and instead worked for free or with generous payment plans and a reduced rate, depending upon the circumstances.

I see a man who opted out of a very fat Congressional pension system and who consistently returns money from his office budget to the treasury every year. He served during Vietnam as a flight surgeon and he continues to serve his country today, fighting the good fight in Congress, where he is known as a man of integrity and conviction.

In the end, I want to vote for someone I can believe in. Dark horse or not, I refuse to vote for “the lesser of two evils”. I will make my vote count—and it can only count if it in some way works to make our nation a better, freer place that values honor, integrity, and liberty. I will not give in to the cynicism or maneuvering that plague our political system. I want a man I can believe in. I want Ron Paul in the White House.

Lisa Holloway, Rock Hill, SC (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:03 PM)

I cant imagine voting for Obama. He voted for the partiot act! That should disqualify him from even being considered an American becuase that act is completely umamerican.... nevermind the fact he never says what he actually wants to do in office, just a bunch of vague mentions about "Change" That doesnt mean anything and if you buy into that your a moron. The same type of Moron's that elected Bush, Clinton and Bush Sr. You Morons need to stop voting.

Aaron, seattle wa (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:05 PM)

I forgot to add that we know all these problems are the fault of liberals - Rick Indianapolis In

At least you admit it Rick. That's the first step in the 12 step process to recovery. Most others liberals around here are in total denial. Donna is a prime example.

Fred Led (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:07 PM)

It still amazes me to see how many uneducated nimrods there are. You people that support McCain or Obama must be getting your info from the MSM. (that's Main Stream Media for all you 40 year old 5th graders). McCain has no clue how to be the POTUS. Just because he's a supposed "war hero" only qualifies him to make wars. Obama would be a much better choice, but even he's got the experience of college student. Again...NOT QUALIFIED!!! Ron Paul is a expert on Foreign and Domestic policy. He's also and expert on economic policy. This man can fix this country. He is by far the better choice!!! Please do your homework on the net. RESEARCH and the do more RESEARCH!

Gorilla in Tx (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:07 PM)

McCain is not a war hero:
http://www.usvetdsp.com/smith_mc.htm
McCain is a fraud.

Walt, Ohio

****

Ive been trying to tell him that for days.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:10 PM)

ObamaMama - Glenwood, IL (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:12 PM)

It's a good thing. Ralph nader, Ross perot, Pat Buchanan
and now Bob Barr and Ron Paul.

Hey GOP!
"Instant Karma's gonna get you!
gonna knock you right on your face!
Better get youreslf together!
Join the human race!"
Lennon

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:11 PM)

Barr, Ron Paul and Obama the liberal were never prisoners and don't know how to win our war in Iraq.

dusual tx
***********

And McCain graduated bottom of his Navy class, crashed 2 times abd flew into power lines all before combat, had affairs while in the service and was released from being a PoW because daddy was a admiral and it was a good PR stunt for North Vietnam. Ya..he knows how to win a war. Just because he wore the uniform doesnt mean he knows jack about fighting. And, dusual...a dictionary is your friend.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:15 PM)

Yea this economy needs obama! lets raise more taxes so we can pay for universal health care.... we need to stop spending so much money and big government needs to give back OUR money...
You will definitely see more Ron Paul republicans running for office very soon .. i.e. Dean Santoro for Florida State Senate District 35

Mike, Miami, Fla (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:17 PM)

This year we will get another establishment clone for president elected yet again through the clever application of sound bites and slogans.

But Dr. Paul's popularity means that people in this country have begun to see the facade of the two party system and the complicity of the mass media.

Dr. Paul's positions represent a radical change in thinking and it will take time, but something has been started this year, and someday from these humble beginnings, change - real change - may emerge.

And if not common sense, then I'm sure the stark reality of unsustainable deficit spending and debt will bring folks to their senses as soon as they've experienced some pain because of it.

The Republicans (just like their Democrat counterparts) abhor the thought of independent-minded, free thinking individuals in their midst questioning the basis of government and governed in the context of the Constitution. It shines too bright a light onto what our system has become: a ruling class propped up by slick media, empty promises, deception, fear, and greed. Can anyone deny this?

Grant, Pennsylvania (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:21 PM)

I think Ron Paul should initiate an independent run for the Presidency
Jerry M. Corning, NY

^^^^

Im with that guy.. talk about energizing a base of supporters. Imagine him announcing an indy run at the convention. That would spark about 100K people to knock on every door in the country.

To the idiots that think we have gone away or blindly support 'O' Dog you need a reality check.

We Ron Paul supporters will be 'active' in our local politics. He sparked a revolution and its not going away anytime soon.

Ron Paul makes me proud to be an American. The rest are just shills is suits that VOTE to steal your rights and kill our kids in an endless war.

WAKE UP

Parke, Ocean Springs, MS (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:24 PM)

dusual tx:

OUR war? What do you mean OUR war? You got a mouse in your pocket? Check the pulse of the American people and you will find that this is not our war. This is the Bush war that McCain has embraced and wants to expand to include Iran.

Tommy, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:25 PM)

Andy White, Los Angeles CA

Sources? OR are you just spewing c**p like a good little tool?

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:29 PM)

The Libertarian party has opened its arms to all of the disgruntled republicans. Come join us. Go to our website and see that we are for less government, less taxes and greater individual responsibility. And for using our military for Defense Only!!! We do not want America to push itself or its beliefs onto any other country.

Libby Libertarian, Miami, Fla (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:29 PM)

The only person who has been consistent on the issues over the years is Ron Paul. No flip-flopping. Its hard to find such a politician nowadays.

Juan (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:30 PM)

Funny to McCain a big audience is 260 people, for Ron Paul a "sizable" crowd is 11,000 for Obama a rally is 75,000 in Oregon. Not putting anyone down just looking at the numbers

numbers (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:43 PM)

The McCain supporters will no doubt create a Free Speech zone around Ron Paul's event and keep them locked up for the week.

Richard in Bellevue, WA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:49 PM)

It's pretty simple, folks.

This rally will be on Tuesday.

The vote for VICE President will be on Wednesday.

Delegates are NOT bound to any candidate for their VP vote. They don't even have to vote for McCain's pick when choosing.

RP will have more than "50 delegates" at the convention -- that's just the number of delegates BOUND to him for president. The actual number of supporters is more like 500.

So what will that mean? Simple:

http://www.DelegatesForRonPaul.com/

RP4VP (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:53 PM)

He's renting the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena on Sept. 2nd. Get the latest here:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/

tom, st. paul, mn (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:55 PM)

The man is refusing to give up spreading his message. If you think he is dilusional about his chances of winning the Presidency... you are wrong. It is all about continuing the revolution... keeping the people informed and aware of the REAL happenings around the world that affect us directly... from within and without. The man is honest, trustworthy and worth paying attention to now and for all elections to come; whether state, local, or national.

DCZE, Layton, Utah (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 5:58 PM)

Anna Molly wrote: Ron Paul is wasting his time trying to break into the neoconderthal convention. True libertarians should be supporting Obama, who has already pledged to overturn any executive orders or other presidential actions that he believes violate the Constitution ... i.e., individual rights. That, and he promises to end the war in Iraq.

What more could a libertarian possibly want?"

You have GOT to be kidding me! Do you know anything about the libertarianism at all?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian

Too busy to click? I'll give you kids a hint -- it has nothing to do with putting our Republic on the fast-track to European-style Socialism like your ObamaMessiah intends.

Read the Constitution, ObamaTards!

Macghil, Flagstaff, AZ (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:03 PM)

Hmm, let's see: MSNBC reported that Obama and Dick Cheney are eighth cousins - seems to be a lot of interconnecting links involving mainstream politics and corruption, no? - and even Wikipedia (surprisingly) bothered to mention that Zbigniew Brzezinski is Obama's foreign relations policy advisor for the campaign. So yea, the North American Union and war with Iran are going to be steamrolled right along if he gets the presidency.

There's no need to even talk about McCain, seeing as he stands on virtually every platform Bush does (minus oil connections), so he's just there intentionally to lose.

"Obama '08 for a better America", give me a break, you tools.

To Morgan Eiland: Not true, all the mainstream have read the Constituion, and feel threatened that freedom and independence threatens their power monopoly, so they do everything they can to dismantle it. It'd be more accurate to say "Ron Paul supports the Constitution".

Is Obama really the hope for the future? (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:09 PM)

Ron Paul is the ONLY chance we have at saving our country, Constitution, and our lives. Four more years with liar Marxist Neo-Cons like Obama or McCain, no difference, and our country will be unrecognizable. They will both sell out our freedoms, liberties, and sovereignty to the one world order nazis who run the CFR...of which both Obama and McCain are high ranking members and policy makers.

If you think that this country can survive even one more year of another Bush, and both Obama and McCain are no better than he is, as they voted for all the maddness Bush has inflicted on this nation, then you don't deserve to be called a citizen of the United States of America. Hell, you're no better than the terrorists we're supposedly fighting under their rule.

We cannot tolerate one more minute of the dictatorship madnesss that they will further destroy our nation with.

Ron Paul is the champion of the Constitution. If that offends you, then get mental help.

Ron Paul for President 2008!!!
Ron Paul for re-election 2012!!!!!

Wanda, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:13 PM)

I really feel sorry for your if you really think Obama will support the Constitution. He is handpicked by the elite to rise like cream to the top, the man has served 2 years in congress and was talking about a presidential run as soon as he was elected in IL. The republicans didn't eevn offer him a real challenge to the senate seat in '06. They carpetbaged Alan Keyes to run against him. Keyes is a conservative but everyone knew he didn't stand a chance they guy wasn't even in the state during much of the election season. Obama has a government program for virtually every "problem" our country faces and the only "change" we will have will be what is left in your bank account when he is done paying for the programs. McCain is a real wolf in wolf's clothing longing for more of the same false conservatism of the past 8 years, more spending, more debt, more inflation, more intervention, more abuses of the constitution and personal liberty. The democrats will love him becuase he will "cross teh aisle" but people who believe in less government, less taxes, more personal freedoms, and economic choice are going to be screwed over the next 4 to 8 years. Ron Paul is the only man who has a lifetime track record of consistancy. He has consistantly supported the Constitution when no other person in Congress would do so. He has stood alone on the floor to defend individuals rights from being trampled, and defended the document from being burnt by progressives. By standing alone he has become "ineffective" as a legislator becuase he refused to trade votes, but I hope history remembers him as a true statesman. His writings on foreign policy, economics, and personal liberty are second to none. I hope his rally really is the beginning of a Revolution in the Republican party. Becuase whether they like it or not, the party is going to get burnt this november.

Miner Mike, Local Town, Mo (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:16 PM)

Ron Paul's Convention is to talk about the Freedom Movement and the newly formed Freedom Foundation.

All of us are one people, American People, who want freedom and liberty. That's all there is too it. Look at yourselves, you wear your partison politics on your sleave as a badge of honor, yet discriminate against all those who don't belong.

It's time to shed yourself of this "us versus them" mentality and start working toward a more free society. One our Forefathers fought so hard for.

Ron Paul has been talking about adhearing to the law set down in the Constitution, something we all should believe in no matter what party, reducing the size and spending of our Federal Government, returning power to the People, a non-internentionist foreign policy, strengthening our currency, stopping government involvement in our lives, and promoting individual freedom.

These things we all should agree with as Americans. Watch what goes on in the coming months and see if your candidate embrases these principles. Are they really about change for the better, or just change for the party.

Why not join the Freedom Party that will be happening in St. Paul? All Americans are welcome!!

Rick

Rick, Costa Mesa, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:22 PM)

Dr. Paul has no illusions (nor do his supporters) that he will win the presidency. That isn't what the convention is about. The convention is about encouraging Republicans to return to their original platform. It's about people - dem, repub, whatever - getting involved in what's happening in our country.

Rodulu (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:30 PM)

I think it's hilarious that Paul is having his own event and it is pissing everyone off. Let's face it, this election is going to be a joke either way. McCain is going to spend twice as much as Bush and has no plan to pay for any of his spending, and Obama says he doesn't support the war all the while he votes the complete opposite and thinks big brother should be able to take your money and then give it out to whoever it pleases. There is no choice, so get ready for another 4 years of what we've already got. Maybe people in another decade or so will be ready to actually listen to a 3rd party candidate that actually makes sense...or maybe we'll all be dead from WW3.

Ryan,Austin,TX (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:35 PM)

I'll try again to get a post on this thread. Dr Ron Paul has been the only one on this campaign trail that didn't change his platform to appaise the voters. He has stoop up for what the Republican had stood for so long, till Reagon came into power, and wanted to take us back there. Sen McCain and Obama will bring us down futher then we have fallen so far. The world will go on and leave us sitting in the sinking sands that the Republicans/BANKERS have put us. He will lead us back to respect and bring our dollars up to the power that it used to have.

Garmel from Oregon (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:49 PM)

Has Obama actually said what he would do to 'Change' the way the current establishment is doing business?

Ron Paul did state Obama's foreign policy is much better then the other canidates, excluding his own.

Folks, we need to get real, the only 'Change' needing to take place, U.S. Congress needs to do their job! The Dems have had power the past (2) yrs, the ecomony is in sad shape, with America being pushed into bankrupcy due to an illegal war and the U.S. dollar no longer has any value as the U.S. becomes a third world nation. Does Obama have the experience to run America? Only if he gets a V.P. willing to enforce Ron Pauls ideas.

Sumer (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:53 PM)

Ron's convention will be a WHOLE lot more fun than McBush's. A lot of GOP's have buyers remorse with their nominee!

Former GOP (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:57 PM)

I am so happy Ron Paul is still standing firm. The message he represents is far too important. I do not have any trust towards Obama or McCain. As much as I do not want the Democrats to win in November, I think it is time to send a message to the Republican party that if they don't go back to their roots, a lot of us are not with them anymore.

Jay (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 7:02 PM)

I see why our country is so stupid voting for these unconstitutional candidates. The media has you brain washed. What the media mogals do not want us to know is that the presidential candidates support the new world order, all except Ron Paul. All support NAFTA except Ron Paul. You vote for any candidate other then Ron paul and the new world order will wrap around our neck like the snake they are. Eliteist will win and we will be their slave and living in poverty forever controlled by the tyrrany of our Government and our freedom will be gone forever. Our fore fathers will have fought for nothing. long live the militia and the constitution. I am ready to fight to the death for my freedon how about you? Are you going to live in the shadow of despitism. I bet you all think Paying incometaxes is a law because you've done it with out question for years and years. Turn off the TV and read. you will learn the truth and the truth will set you free but first you must fight for it. Read the constitution(all of it)then research the banking industry. Read the creatures from Jeckel Island and google the new world order. Read about the truth cause you will not find it in the media. Read about why our government is not answering the people questions when it comes to the 911 cover up and the IRS deception. Read about the Massive detention centers being build by Haliburtan all over the USA. Ask yourself why are the lobbiest so powerful in washington and you are not. Your freedoms are soon to be gone forever and with that, you need to wake up America. If not you will die while you sleep and those of us that are ready and willing to fight will be out numbered and so we will die as well. those that conform will live as slaves. You already are and don't even know it. It's going to get worse and you will awaken to see your children wearing the shackles because you did nothing to stop the death of the constitution. Our Forefathers would be ashamed at all of us for sitting on our fat asses doing nothing. There is no other candidate but Ron Paul who is willing to fight for our constitution. Any other candidate is unacceptable.

trouble (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 7:14 PM)

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