Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bill Chen, Monrovia, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:02:46 GMT

During the interview, Ron Paul quoted Randolph Bourne's astute "War is the Health of the State". Unfortunately, the MSNBC transcript misquoted him and replaced "Health" with "helpless".

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Matt, Flint, MI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:09:56 GMT

Honestly, this appearance sold Paul to me.

I was really, really, really unsure and I know that most of what he says requires you to know his reasoning, but it was a Paul vs. Romney thing for me and Romney just comes off as too dirty.

Paul is definitely, DEFINITELY, a satisfying candidate. It's about time we had someone honest in office. :)

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Leland Thomas Faegre — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:10:34 GMT

C'est Magnifique...

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Andy — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:10:42 GMT

I thought Russert was dismissive and refused to followup with any reasonable questions. I thought Dr. Paul was good as usual.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jake Daniel — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:10:47 GMT

I think Russert was tough, but fair. I think the good doctor came across just fine and gave as good as he got. I don't know how they'll try to spin this but I think Paul came out on top like he always does.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Keith breitbach, Lahaina, HI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:11:52 GMT

I just got done watching the program. It's funny how my view of the show is so much different that that of this article's author. Mark Murray should go back and watch the show again. Funny.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mayberry — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:12:10 GMT

Ron Paul received contributions from over 100,000 different people this quarter. He received $18,000,000 from those 100,000 people. His support is wide and deep. Look around your town and notice you see RP signs everywhere. Grab a cup of coffee and go to http://freeme.tv

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Thomas, Seattle, Wash — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:15:07 GMT

I don't know why Russert seemed so blown away with the stuff that Paul was saying. Everything is so common sense if we just look at the situations logically. But, like most media, Russert tried to make broad assumptions from quotes and turn non-issues with Paul into issues. Paul seems like one of the only politicians in the world who hasn't gone completely mad.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lincoln Turner, Wokingham, UK — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:15:43 GMT

Russert did the best he could to drag out the worst of Paul, but he failed. Too bad he didn't get to talk about the War, Deficit spending, Trade Defecits, monetizing debt, loss of civil liberties, destroyed CIA tapes, NIE reports on Iran, the collapsing dollar, and every other issue that stealthily affects the average American. Instead, Russert gave me quotes from Dondero. Weak. Pointless. Typical.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Joe, San Diego — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:16:07 GMT

Ron Paul is the man of the people. He speaks to the working class! Look at the love for him outside your studio after your broadcast tried to smear him!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6913334790994689408&q=Ron+Paul&total=21959&start=0&num=10&so=1&type=search&plindex=5

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

dean michigan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:17:28 GMT

Spot on Ron. The more I hear him, the more I like him. A very intelligent human being.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Joe, San Diego — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:17:53 GMT

Ron Paul is the man of the people. You at the controlled media won't post this. It shows the love!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6913334790994689408&q=Ron+Paul&total=21959&start=0&num=10&so=1&type=search&plindex=5

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Michael 21yo, Carmichael, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:19:16 GMT

If you did any research, the emancipation of slavery occurred during the Civil War, not before it. The civil war was based on the South doing free trade with other countries because the north was using tariffs to destroy the southern economy. As for Ron Paul's assessment, I agree, we should have purchased them and freed them and subsequently banned slavery from ever occurring again. This is what every single other nation did and if we had done it that way, we wouldn't have the prejudice we have even today. It certainly would have cost less than the war, which was the deadliest in our entire history, losing nearly a million men alone.

As for the Ronald Reagan failure, he was simply quoting Ronald Reagan himself in the failure of Lebanon and that Reagan was supposed to reduce government, but eventually conceded to slowing its growth instead.

As for the earmarks assessment, I don’t understand what Mr. Russert was referring to. If you take money away from people due to a corrupt system, it is logical to try and give as much of it back, especially if it would otherwise be diverted to not only other programs not represented by Ron Paul’s Constituents, but programs that are inept in their understanding of the US Constitution.

Please look at the sponsors today of Meet The Press.
half were for military defense companies, the rest comprised entirely of pharmaceutical and banking companies. Just shows where the interests of Meet the Press is.

Overall this article on MTP has been more fair than most articles that I read on Mainstream Media, but you really have to stop asking the 3rd party question, I don't even have the energy to explain it anymore, as it has been asked on every network countless times and Ron Paul provides the same dignified answer. This is an obvious ploy that the special interests use through their control of media outlets such as yourself that will FAIL.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

bkusz lbts fla — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:20:36 GMT

Makes sense. He has the best ideas I have seen yet, I will probably vote for Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Colleen Ryor — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:21:06 GMT

Thank you for the fair commentary, Mark. I think Dr. Paul did well in holding his own against Tim Russert. I particularly enjoyed the part when he asked Russert why he didn't ask any other candidates if they were going to run as a third party, considering that Ron Paul has outraised all other Republican candidates this quarter.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Brent Burk, Schertz, Texas — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:21:18 GMT

Pretty good overview, pretty fair overview - thanks!

People might read the first lines and say, "WHAT?!" But he gives reasonable explanations on all of them. Pretty decent performance, no harm really, but nothing too great.

He did get about 300 new donors this morning alone, no doubt because of the appearance. It'll be interesting to see how he does as the weeks pass by.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Craig, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:23:55 GMT

Ron Paul was reelected to Congress six times as a Republican after 1988, by increasingly large margins, once with no opposition at all. He IS a Republican -- it's not like he suddenly decided to join the party to run for President.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mike Robinson — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:25:01 GMT

Amazing interview; Tim is a sharp questioner and pins down his guests with news research. Ron did a great job explaining his positions and challenged some of Tim's data. Ron's message rips through status quo thinking and expands the view of history and contemporary thought. Much of it is just common sense. Ron’s entire message follows the Constitution - which is the law of the land.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

bruce dickinson — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:25:36 GMT

A true American hero

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Hero — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:26:10 GMT

I watched the interview.. there some points you missed on here..

He clearly said that he does not want to abolish the CIA & FBI, he wants to end buercracy and consolidate.. Remeber the Iraq intelligence reports?

His plan actually makes intelligence more effective.

As for the comments about the civil war, he said it was faught for political reasons rather then abolishing slavery. He stated that he was disgusted that the US would even condone such a thing as slavery for that period of time.. esp because Americans are supposed to be sticking up for equality

Abolishing the IRS? not quite.. he will only repeal the income tax which is used to pay interest to the FED.. he's not eliminating said taxes

Paul wants to end Federal government interference in public education, NOT public education.. The states have departments of education,. If there was no fed government interference, then state departments would have more flexibility/funds to address the problems of their state in specific areas.

Has anyone evaluated his reasoning for taking this position?

"If the steady decline of America's education system over the past thirty years has shown us anything, it is that centralizing control leads to a declining education system. In fact, according to a recent Manhattan Institute study of the effects of state policies promoting parental control over education, a minimal increase in parental control boosts students' average SAT verbal score by 21 points and students' SAT math score by 22 points! The Manhattan Institute study also found that increasing parental control of education is the best way to improve student performance on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) tests. Clearly, the drafters of the Constitution knew what they were doing when they forbade the Federal Government from meddling in education."

-source Ron Paul library

So what is the best solution for our failing public education system? Leaving it to Washington bureaucrats or teachers, parents, state/local governments?

And looks like Paul has a solution to funding as well.. this way every family will be able to get their children educated in a system that actually works.

"In order to put education resources back into the hands of the American people I have introduced the Family Education Freedom Act (H.R. 935). This act provides a $3,000 per child tax credit for parents to help cover K-12 education expenses. I have also introduced the Education Improvement Tax Cut Act (H.R. 936), which provides a $3,000 tax deduction for contributions to K-12 education scholarships as well as for cash or in-kind donations to private or public schools. HRs 935 and 936 move control of education resources back into the hands of the American people and help ensure parents can provide their children an excellent education. In fact, since the tax credits contained in H.R. 935 and H.R. 936 may be used to help finance the purchase of items necessary for a science education, such as labs equipment and computers, these bills will particularly benefit those citizens who wish to improve science education. I therefore urge my colleagues to reject the failed, unconstitutional command-and-control approach of H.R. 4271 and instead embrace my legislation to return control of education resources to the American people."

-source Ron Paul library

He seems to be the only candidate serious about ending the war and restraining fed government spending.. I'm a democrat but I really like him.. I may vote for him in the primaries

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Oliver, Vacaville, Calif. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:29:22 GMT

I was shocked when I first heard Ron Paul's position that the American Civil War should not have been fought. After listening to it, he's right. The US could have bought and freed all the slaves for a lot less cost. That Lincoln was the greatest violator of the Constitution, ever. And that the public school system responsible for my "education" failed far short in helping my development as a free-thinker with respect to history and politics and social studies and government.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ronney Moss — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:30:17 GMT

Tim Russert did his job. Dr. Paul answers questions rather than repeats slogans. Flowery, polished answers are not what the American public wants. He is not a slick politician. His record speak volumes.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

William Steelman, Philadelphia, PA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:31:17 GMT

This was a very thin hit piece that should be accepted as just that. Ron Paul represents a real change in politics that threatens a lot of special interests. I encourage all readers to research the facts themselves and not depend on this kind of bias to make their informed decisions.

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

hatefalseweight, Milwaukee WI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:31:56 GMT

Obviously slanted title, but not too bad, for a change. At least you included Dr. Paul's explanations in some detail. Of course, the necessary "3rd party" question for the leading Republican fundraiser, the leading Republican winner of straw polls, the leading grassroots republican, and soon to be top 3 finisher in real events. Why isnt' the divisive Giulian who the Christians will never vote for asked this? Why is Giulian asked anything at all because that reprobate globalist tool has no business being in the Republican party and no candidate with no support in Iowa or New Hampshire could even hope to mount a campaign unless preordained that he be feted by the media. Absurd.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

c campbell — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:32:23 GMT

Tim Russert was anything but fair, and took every oportunity (even diggin up the one person who had somthing negative to say) to make Dr. Paul look bad, but "hats off" to Dr. Paul, he stood tall and told the truth.
I won't be watching "Meet the Press" anymore, I like UNbiased news soarces.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

jordan selvidge, san diego, ca — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:32:49 GMT

Russert did everything he could to take down Paul and it backfired on him. The people will only like Paul more as they see that his positions are all about freedom and peace. Russert exposed himself as a tool of the establishment. Great job Ron.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Gno — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:32:56 GMT

I really like this guy! he's a straight shooter...

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Scott, Citrus Heights, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:33:13 GMT

"Paul called the American Civil War a mistake"

Correction... Paul called the American Civil War a mistake -as a means to free the slaves-. If you study history, you know that the Civil War was not fought to abolish slavery. Lincoln made it about slavery after the war had already been going on for nearly two years.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lorenz, Queens, NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:33:25 GMT

MSNBC - You have shown the world how deep you are in bed with the military industrial complex. When i saw Meet the Press with Hillary it was with all smiles, when i saw with Guiliani it was all laughs and games - this was digging deep, trying to twist words, smearing a man who runs on the most honest platform. I have no respect for you.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jordan Selvidge, San Diego, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:34:51 GMT

Russert did all that he could to take down Ron Paul and it backfired on him. These kind of attack interviews only make people like Ron Paul even more. His answers are logical and honest. He is about freedom and peace. Russert exposed himself as a tool of the establishment. Great job Ron.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

ron R — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:36:45 GMT

Old Timmy sounds like he's stuck in 1988,just like all of the dying Old Media........

Ron Paul is the Truth!!!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

David Alsabery, Peoples Republica of Santa Monica, California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:37:40 GMT

Nice Hit piece Murry

Murry says Ron Paul “refused to rule out a third party run”
Paul says “I have no intention, no plans in doing that. And that's about 99.9% of a chance”
Murry did not ask what if a gun was put to your families head, would you run then? That might be the .1%. Ron Paul is a family man.

Murry says Ron Paul “American Civil War a mistake”
Paul says “The way I'm proposing that it should have been done is do it like the British Empire did -- you buy the slaves and release them. How much would that cost compared to killing 600,000 Americans?”
Again, Pauls statement is that we could have freed slaves without American deaths. And the problem with that is what?

Murry says Ron Paul “criticized Ronald Reagan as a "failure"
Paul says “His idea was limited government ... and a strong national defense."
Paul points out that Ronald Reagan tried to limit government and failed. Not a broad sweeping remark towards the life of Ronal Reagan being a failure.

Murry put down the axe and deal with real issues already instead of twisting the truth. I am embarrassed for you.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Robin C. Westmiller, Thousand Oaks, California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:37:59 GMT

Dr. Paul was grilled on opinions he had over 20 YEARS ago and asked why these opinions changed. Well, the WORLD has changed, the COUNTRY has changed and what happened over the past 2 decades calls for opinions to change with the times. Questions about the civil war were ludicrious, and why ask a candidate who has raised over $10 MILLION in two days, with thousands of supporters, who has been a Republican elected Congressman if he'd consider running as a THIRD party candidate is saying that the Repulican party wouldn't know a successful candidacy if he bit them. 99.9% chance he will NOT do this does NOT mean there is a 1% chance he will, unless you're making snowballs in a very HOT place!

Those who support Dr. Paul know this, those that don't will nit-pick at anything to discredit him, but they will not succeed.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee Reynolds — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:38:23 GMT

While Ronald Reagan was a great President, bringing attention to the ideas of individual liberty and small Government, he did fail in his original quest to stop the growth of the federal government, abolish the Department of Education, and cut Federal spending.

I don't blame Ron Paul one bit for becoming disenchanted on these failures and embittered against the GOP. He is not alone, many conservatives have quietly left the GOP until it has become a mere skeleton membership of its former self. Ron Paul's Presidential bid is sure to have increased GOP membership at an astounding rate and brought back to the GOP disenfranchised conservatives and liberty minded voters. They are now invigorated by Ron Paul's message to save their country from the power hungry Neocons that hijacked their party and their country.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Zack Zwicke Albuquerque NM — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:39:40 GMT

Ron Paul was a breath of fresh air, honest, sincere, with well thought out answers to some tough questions. As he said, when the govt. "declares" a war what it really means is they are taking more power and we loose more freedom. Bring the troops home, close foriegn bases, stop foriegn aid and end the war on drugs.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

A. M. Joanes — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:41:29 GMT

Too bad I missed this interview. From everything I read here Ron Paul seems someone I would vote for. Thank you for putting Ron Paul on Meet the Press. I think I found someone to vote for....Ron Paul

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

David Alsabery, Peoples Republica of Santa Monica, California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:41:37 GMT

Nice Hit piece Appelbaum

Appelbaum says Ron Paul “refused to rule out a third party run”
Paul says “I have no intention, no plans in doing that. And that's about 99.9% of a chance”
Murry did not ask what if a gun was put to your families head, would you run then? That might be the .1%. Ron Paul is a family man.

Appelbaum says Ron Paul believes the “American Civil War a mistake”
Paul says “The way I'm proposing that it should have been done is do it like the British Empire did -- you buy the slaves and release them. How much would that cost compared to killing 600,000 Americans?”
Again, Pauls statement is that we could have freed slaves without American deaths. And the problem with that is what?

Appelbaum says Ron Paul “criticized Ronald Reagan as a "failure"
Paul says “His idea was limited government ... and a strong national defense."
Paul points out that Ronald Reagan tried to limit government and failed. Not a broad sweeping remark towards the life of Ronal Reagan being a failure.

Appelbaum put down the axe and deal with real issues already instead of twisting the truth. I am embarrassed for you.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kyle Feenix, Nashville, TN — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:46:45 GMT

Ridiculous, slanted, biased, childish interpretation of this interview. You pulled out everything you could possibly frame as negative and distorted it. You really ought to be ashamed.

I don't know if I'll vote for Ron Paul, but I'm donating to his campaign today purely because this type of journalism disgusts me and people should be called on it.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Joe Taxpayer, USA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:47:50 GMT

What a pathetic review.

Russert asked Paul why he thought the Civil War was a mistake and he explained. He was dead on right, too. Even bringing this up was a waste of time.

Paul explained to Russert that he wanted to get rid of the BAD things the CIA and FBI do, not their intelligence gathering capibilty.

"Lost revenue" from eliminating the IRS of one trillion dollars. Hmmm let's see, so that is ONE TRILLION DOLLARS the federal government is stealing from the American economy each and every year. Putting ONE TRILLION DOLLARS back into the economy every year is a bad thing how?!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tom Lundy — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:49:15 GMT

Great interview. Tim Russert hit Ron Paul with his best shots, just like he does with all his quests, and Ron Paul hit them all out of the park.
Americans have now heard the message of freedom and combine that with the fact that most Americans know just how corrupt the existing system is and you have a revolution in the making.
The next revolution will be held at the ballot box.
www.ronpaul2008.com

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:50:20 GMT

I'm not sure you actually watched the same show I did.

The writer of this article is either a corporate wage slave doing his masters bidding or democrat who plans on voting for someone else.

The old MSM continues to show why it is irrelevant.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Terry — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:51:38 GMT

I'm afraid Ron Paul came off as the very average guy that he really is - mixed metaphors and all. A man who has been around Texas republican politics for umpteen years (libertarian candidate for president in 1988) and now miraculously emerges as the answer to all of America's problems?? Nah! I don't think so. He may throw out a feasible idea here and there, but he's not the go-to guy (or gal) that we need now.

Predicting democratic performance as POTUS is like predicting the weather - can't be done due to chaos, complexity, the butterfly effect, et al.

On the other hand, predicting republican performance is more like predicting whether you'll get wet standing in the rain. With these tricksters there is no room for doubt, if you get my point.

Forget 3rd party protest votes as a total waste of time - vote democratic and vote often!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

StevenNYC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:52:55 GMT

America needs to go back to what made her great in the first place. We need to concentrate on domestic issues.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee M, Ut. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:53:02 GMT

I wonder if it was refreshing for Mr. Russert to actually have a candidate who honestly answered the question without doublespeak.

This will be the first time I vote in primaries (I have voted in the actual presidential elections). This is the first time I donated money. This is the first time in a long time there has been a statesman of integrity who truly will work for the people.

Even tho I have some policy disagreements, I have no qualms with supporting him. An honest man in checks and balances can do a lot to shift the direction our government/country is heading without massive upheaval.

His support is growing exponentially and will continue to do so. Go Ron Paul! We are working for you because you are working for us!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Constitution Jones — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:53:49 GMT

This was a smear and anyone with an open mind could see it. Russert had his marching orders and did his duty to discredit the only true patriot in the race. The last thing Russert said to Dr. Paul was, "be careful." I believe that was a threat from the his bosses, not kind concern from a US citizen.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

xtrabiggg — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:56:31 GMT

Tim Russet REALLY had to struggle to find some quasi-dirt to confront Dr. Paul with. I mean, 20-year-old quotes from a disgruntled campaign worker used to assert his positions? I thought the Dr. Paul handled the attempted Mudslinging with aplomb and character, as when he was refuting the ridiculous points that Mr. Russert attempted to make, Tim would quickly try to move on to the next bucket of mud.

One real cheap shot was the attempt to use misquotes, out-of-context quotes and lblatant lies to disassociate Ron Paul from Ronald Reagan. This was a blatant attempt to hurt the Dr.'s image, as he is probably the CLOSEST of all the Republican candidates to Reagan's philosophies andpositions. But by trying to make it look like Dr. paul was disingenuous of his support of Ronald Reagan was a stretch and I'm sure strained even a casual viewer's credulity with the line of questioning.

One of the best lines Dr. Paul got off was when he was asked (for the 1001st time) about a 'third party run'. YOu could audibly hear Dr. Paul sigh, then answer the question at least three times! He then asked Tim if he has asked that of ANY other candidate he has interviewed! Tim lamely muttered something like 'I'll ask it on next week's show' or something to that effect.

Overall, I think Dr. Paul handled the "gotcha' format of the show quite well. He was able to make his points after steering away from the obvious and ridiculous boxes that Mr. Russert was trying to back him into. One notable omission from the show- there was NO question or even mention of Monetary Policy, except for a mention by Dr. Paul of the deliberately weakened dollar, when Mr. Russert cut him off and hurriedly went on to talk about another topic.

THe question about 'Calling Mike Huckabee a fascist' was WAY out of bounds and misleading, but I thought Dr. Paul handled it expertly, He turned it around into a discussion of the definition of fascism, and how corporate or, as the Dr. put it 'Soft' fascism has taken over this country. I'm sure the folks at GE (who sponsor the show and OWN the network) were none too pleased at this subject being broached on NATIONAL TELEVISION! Ironically, the advertisement for Boeing that followed the interview segment took on (at least for me) an almost Leni Riefenstahl quality, as it softly pushed the Military-Industrialist Corproate Fascist line as creepily 'warm and fuzzy' and 'good for America'. Goebbels-esque, if you ask me!

Overall, good exposure for Dr. Paul. He stayed forcefully on message about ending the war, shrinking government, abolishing the income tax and the IRS and going back to what REAL Republicans believe in. This should go a long way to giving him credibility with the millions of disaffected Republicans who weren't sure or hadn't heard much about Dr. Paul.

The last impression I was left with was how openly HOSTILE Tim Russert seemed to be with Dr. Paul. I've seen interviews for years by Mr. Russert, and he is a tough interviewer. But in other interviews with candidates, I have NEVER seen him to be so totally hell-bent on finding something, ANYTHING to trip up a Presidential Candidate he was interviewing. It seemed that he was almost resentful that he was FORCED to do this interview by public demand for it, and at least the APPEARANCE of fairness in interviewing all the candidates.

Another tough win for Dr. No, with many Americans for the first time being exposed to the man without the filter of the punditocracy between them and the man's own words.

xtrabiggg
++++++++++++++++++

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Aaron, Nampa, ID — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:56:43 GMT

He's got the most guts I have ever seen in a candidate. He is willing to speak the truth, even when it is not pallatable. He is so right when he says that we could have avoided the Civil War by purchasing all slaves in the U.S. We would have been much better and we would have saved 600,000 souls and brought freedom and justice to souls who were forced into slavery.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Aaron, Nampa, ID — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:57:42 GMT

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Christopher Thurow Sr — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:58:16 GMT

Ron Paul...he maybe right on many things or he might be wrong but he tells it straight. When Paul speaks it is with a conviction so pure it simply baffles the "new punditry" cold!

Here at First Read they attempt to present a case for Paul's "kookiness" while the McLaughlin group names him Person of the Year for defending the Constitution.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steve, Washington DC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:01:08 GMT

Great interview on Paul's part. Tim was just looking to smear Paul. He misquoted him, used statements from 20 years ago, didn't even know about amending the US Constitution, and lastly, didn't even really ask any reasonable questions Hack job if you ask me! However, Ron shut Tim down!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Craig, Ventura, CA. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:02:17 GMT

Paul was amazing in the way he turned every attack on his record from Russert into a lesson on economics and/or limited government. I was thinking when the interview started that Russert would be able to discredit Paul, and he did his best to do so, but I was very impressed with Pauls handling of the plethora of tough questions dug up by Russert's staff. Kudos to Ron Paul!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

JH — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:03:45 GMT

Ron Paul is a nut case and anyone who supports him is either ignorant or nut cases themselves.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tom, Philadelphia, PA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:05:55 GMT

Can you say "taken out of context" or what?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

True American — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:06:06 GMT

Thank God Paul came along. Dr. Ron Paul for President! I real human being!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jack Russell — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:06:48 GMT

Greetings from Australia

It is good to see Ron Paul get some reasonable attention in the 'mainstream media' for a change. As an outside observer it is clear to me that htere is a tremendous groundswell for Ron Paul and and the corporate media is doing its best to ignore it. This only makes the media look more like a commercial puppet. Sad really! However, on the up side, Ron Paul seems to take the simple premise on which the USA claims to have been founded and gives them new currency - excuse the pun. We live in interesting times

e-regards

Jack

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Crickett Baker — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:07:41 GMT

Great! I think this synopsis was actually better than the original interview. Tim fired questions so fast I could hardly think straight enough to listen..

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Liandro, Ann Arbor/Yspi, MI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:10:22 GMT

It was an intense interview. I think Paul did a solid job of explaining his ideological positions, and a very poor job of pandering for votes (which is fine by me). The discussions on foreign policy and social security were excellent, and Paul made a very solid case for having to work within the system (earmarks) while fighting to change it for the better (voting against earmarked bills). He still have to do his job as a representative of constituants; there's more then just ideological debate to being a Congressman.

I think Paul fared as well as, if not slightly better, then the last couple candidates Russert had on. I get the impression that Paul, at least, spread his message instead of just defending himself the whole interview, which is a very good thing.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bo Slava — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:11:27 GMT

It must really frustrate the media when you have such a straight talking candidate. I never thought about paying for the slaves and setting them free. It would have saved thousands of lives. The civil war left a hatred to this day. Slavery is a terrible part of American history.

Reagan did have a huge deficit so unless you like big spending it would be hard to argue with Congressman Paul.

The truth be told this Website, MSNBC and NBC Universal are owned by GE which is part of the Industrial Military Complex that makes money off of wars. So maybe you have a dog in this fight.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Chris PA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:11:59 GMT

Pauls comments all make sense. Some of what he proposes make me a little nervous, but change can be scary, however it is absolutely necessary or we are going to lose a lot of freedoms with national ID's and national checkpoints (yet an open border), "papers please", illegal immagrants draining our money taking all of our free handouts.

Paul is right on. Like it or not, it has to happen and we need real and drastic change. It may not be ez, but it needs to be done. Its the direction and a vote for anyone else is a vote for the wrong direction. At this time the direction should be less government, less government spending, no more of these crazy endless wars, like the war on drugs which is unwinnable and a blackhole of spending.

RON PAUL 2008

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Stephen Morris Rock HIll, SC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:12:57 GMT

99.9% is not ruling out running for a third party. Would 99.99% have cleared things up a little?

Why wowld anyone ask that question of the leading revenue earning presidential candidate?

Russert said that he would ask the other candidates but I doubt it. We'll see.

You guys stick to your scripted questions. I'll get my political news from YouTube and the bloggers.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Anon — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:13:12 GMT

I like a candidate who stick to his guns.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Louis Nardozi, Chesapeake VA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:15:09 GMT

Tim Russert is really something. He investigates OTHER people back to what they said 20 years ago, but does Mr. Russert disclose his OWN conflicts of interest? No, instead he silently plans his character assasination attempt. Well, you kind of have to expect that type of hatchet job from someone who in bed with the status quo. I did my OWN little fact checking expedition and found the advertisers for Meet The Press.

GE lists 824 items regarding defense contracts on their website for 2007. http://www.ge.com/search/index.jsp

Boeing lists 72,200 items regarding defense.
http://tinyurl.com/2nm5y8

Fidelity Investments - tax and 401k services, need I say more?

Hummer - child company of AM General the company that makes all the HMMWV's for the Army

UBS - Another banking company, certainly they have nothing to fear from Dr. Paul, right?

Toyota - makes cars which are CURRENTLY cheaper to make in Japan (and then assemble here).

Aleve - you think Bayer Pharmaceuticals has a reason to fear Ron Paul - who wants to allow yound adults to opt out of SS and Medicare and is vehemently opposed to socialized medicine?

ABE - (shill for coal companies) do they have nothing to fear from Ron Paul's desire to deregulate nuclear power so we have safe, clean unlimited power?

CVS - A Pharmacy whose bread and butter is insurance and Medicare. Dr. Paul wants to remove the incentives for hospitals to overbill us.

Xerox - another defense contractor. Here's a link to their defense contracts of 2006.
http://tinyurl.com/2wjzbb

MasterCard - Huge banking coop.

Why didn't Mr. Russert let us know that he had a HUGE conflict of interest BEFORE THIS SEGMENT AIRED? When half of your advertisers are in defense, the other half split between banking and Big Pharma doesn't that constitute NEWS? I mean, Mr. Russert dug back 20 years or more on Dr. Paul to try to find "dirt". Why not look in your own mirror? I find the FACT the Mr. Russert did NOT disclose this relationship highly disturbing.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Dale Legan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:16:19 GMT

20 years ago Ron Paul resigned from the Republican party and they bring this us. This "interview" was just hit pieces of sound bites.

Ron Pauls "earmarks" for a cancer hospital and intercoastal waterway that he requested but then vote against the bill. It would be like if someone robbed you at gunpoint and then gave you an opportunity to get some of the money back and you didn't take it back because you didn't approve of robbery. This is stupid.

GE really is working overtime to smear DR. Paul. They will lose big $ when we stop policing the world in their defence contracts.

Every single point in this article is skewed as a hit piece and not balanced with the facts.

The IRS, if we cut the DOE end the Policing the world we could cut spending enough to end the IRS. Since that is a long term goal and not a immediate goal of Dr. Paul the question was a non-sequitor and a ad hominem attack, a red herring.

What we have seen today is intellectual liars at their best paid for by GE. Who stands to lose billions if Ron Paul is elected.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Neil, San Antonio, TX — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:16:27 GMT

Are you saying that Ron Paul hasn't been a Republican since 1987?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bob — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:16:31 GMT

Tim Russert had to *read verbatim* each and every question. He even stumbled over asking the questions. Could this not be his attempt to tell the watching Media, "Hey, I am being forced to ask all these media smear questions" Not one positive thing was asked of Dr. Paul - but he succeeded in throwing each and every question BACK AT TIM RUSSERT in a most positive and professional manner. I liked Tim's warning to Paul in the last few seconds of the interview, be careful on your Campaign Trail... another warning from Tim THE CORPORATE MEDIA FASCISTS want you out of the way!
Ron Paul's parting comment about corporate fascists read them the riot act, and called MSN out on what they were trying to do. SUPER JOB MR. PAUL AND *DO* BE CAREFUL.. the revolution is brewing!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Michael D — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:17:09 GMT

I'm pretty sure when I watched this interview that I heard it differently than Lauren did. I heard Paul say he seriously doubted that he called Regan a failure and asked for the origin of the quote as he believed it was incorrect.

Regan promised as did George Bush to reduce the size of government and both did exactly the opposite of their promises that's the point of his criticizing Regan and Bush.

I wonder, has the author seen the documentary Freedom to Fascism? Does the author realize that the majority of the money collected from the income tax is spent on the interest and for the creation of this backless currency? Does Mr. Russert realize this as well? I'm thinking no. For if it was a realization then the trillion dollar figure would be reduced dramatically for of the trillion dollar figure that Russert offered the actual worth after paying the fed to create the money is pennies on the dollar. The willingness to portray Ron Paul as an unrealistic or uninformed economist is negligence on the reporters behalf to be informed with regards to the actual operations of the IRS and the Federal Reserve. Do your homework before you spout off about things you do not fully understand. For all our sakes.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bronski,Georgia — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:18:32 GMT

paul, his hatred of blacks and all women continues to show.

remember , he believes a fetus is more important than the woman carrying it.
He'd have the woman die, and the fetus live

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tom G., Eagle, Idaho — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:18:46 GMT

The interview with Ron Paul on Meet the Press was very informative.

I was not sure before who to support for president, but this interview made up my mind.

His answers were very clear and straight to the point.

Ron Paul clearly knows what is best for America.

He is the only politician for the people by the people and not for himself.

Thank you

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

vincent g — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:18:51 GMT

Pressure Pressure and more Pressure.
A very difficult interview for sure.
There was no clear I got ya for Tim and he was looking for one.
Paul although did well in that many questions were from left field and deep in the past.
Many were also so called newspaper quotes. Lets see now A recent debate Paul said to McCain does not know the difference between Interventionism and isolationism yet the news didn't quote that quite right did they?
They softened it up quite a bit. How can a person run for president if he doesn't know the difference between these two different things.
Why on earth would someone dig that type of stuff (You called Bush a bum) up at all?
Would he have asked the then President at the time NYC was in deep trouble you said to NYC Drop Dead as the Headlines read?
He didn't ask Paul if this article was accurate!
Wasn't there once a news article saying the Clintons said they tried drugs when they were young?
I doubt you will see that question surface.
I would say this type of interview was slanted. There is no being prepared for such a type of attack such as this.
The question of taxes for instance was dismissive in intent. The question implies you can't do away with the income tax so why would you say something like that. This was not the type of interview that a Clinton or any other candidate the Media is pulling for would face at all.
But this is what they do - it's America or what has become of it.
Where defending wrong is hip in the news.
Maybe Tim would think differently if they decided to outsource his job. I kinda doubt it though.

Vin

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steve Dasbach — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:19:02 GMT

How refreshing! A candidate for President who goes on Meet the Press and gives honest, unspun answers to every question. Paul is right -- we need to dramatically shrink the federal government. He has my support -- and my vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

jrscobie az — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:19:43 GMT

When the majority of the people see MSNBC lying and spinning stories like they did with the RON PAUL meet the press interview, they only hurt themselves.

MSNBC you wont talk about the Lakota indians declaring independance and taking their land back here in the usa,

You wont talk about BUSH SR buying 98,000 acres of "SAFE HAVEN" land in paraguay where they think they can hide.

MSNBC is NOT news, its propaganda

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

steve, Santa Cruz, California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:20:42 GMT

Russ is such a tough guy when he is questioning a candidate who is not supported by the military/medical/industrial/media/corporate complex and such a lamb when he questions Clinton, Bush or Cheney.
He is not a journalist.
He is a pawn in their game.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

jrscobie az — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:21:33 GMT

Went the primaries start, ron paul will have the last laugh.

Im even volunteering to stand watch and make sure none of the evil ones try and cheat the diebold machines.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ernie, Alameda, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:24:09 GMT

Ron Paul is the only candidate who restore America's respect globally and return this country to what it was meant to be, not a sham run by elitist swine.

The Ron Paul Revolution
http://www.prezronpaul.com

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Simon Russell, Haiku Hawaii — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:28:29 GMT

Ron Paul stands for freedom, liberty and the american way.

As President he cannot do 99% of the things he would like to, because of checks and balances. He can bring the troops home though, and that is why he has my vote

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

dale l — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:30:45 GMT

The War of Northern Aggression (Civil War) was a HUGE mistake and brought on a hundred years of hatred and lead to the race problems. Slavery was on it's way out because of the industrial revolution and there were plans to buy the slaves and set them free. The truth is Abraham Lincoln wanted to send the Africans Back to Africa. Abraham Lincoln was racist.

600,000 Americans dead and the years of economic problems and racial tensions could have been avoided and the slavery issue solved harmoniously. Race relations would have been much more "European" where the Government did not wage a aggressive war against their own people to free slaves.

Reagan did fail in his overall goal of a smaller government. He ran on that platform and I voted for him on it. But, the Govt grew.

Ron Paul will have a STRONG military and national defence. How is having your troops spread all over the world good? We could spend that money on a strong Navy. Our military right now is weaker than it has been in decades.

If you want a draft and WW3 don't vote for Ron Paul.
Hillory won't end the war, she will say it is over but leave the bases and troops there.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Grant Warren, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:33:23 GMT

Sounds like a reasonable candidate- Ron Paul's got my vote :)

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

puffyjacket45 — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:33:25 GMT

FIRST!!!11

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

DPJ Norristown, PA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:34:39 GMT

A pretty fair assessment of the interview, Lauren.

I know the remarks about the Civil War will be unpopular, but I think Paul is spot on with that.
I don't agree with some of his positions, namely abortion(I wish Russert had questioned him on that),but he's right on the most important ones (Iraq, immigration)

A lot of people want to try to paint him as a kook, but I think he is a sincere and honest kook, and he will receive my vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Yiannis, Baltimore — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:34:50 GMT

One might find a lot of things to disagree on with Ron Paul, but his explanation of the history of terrorisam as well as his call to a modest foreign policy has a lot of reach.

His reading that all empires end because of a collapse in the currency is extremely ominous.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

easter bunny — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:37:51 GMT

You're trying to win corporate/media america. We know the owners of MSNBC, CNN, FOX, etc, are the same people who own the war machine. You didn't count on the internet as a democratic part of our fight against you, and it shows in the funds pushed through congress on your behalf to combat the net neutrality issue. Always remember, a top-down approach is always destroyed by a bottom down approach. There are MANY of us, and few of you. I see you getting scared..change is happening...positive, healthy change. Elitest ruling is tyrannical, and although it has been around for the majority of history, there will come a time when that part of the human condition will cease to exist, because natural selection won't allow for it. We....won't allow for it. So guess what. We're educating ourselves, and then we're going to the voting booths (all of which we are fighting fiercely to return to paper ballots counted out in the open) to vote for a man who will come to power.....then destroy that power. We know, we understand, and we're doing something about it. We're taking this country for everyone that lives here, our familes, our friends. You can't have it. We won't let you.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

GM — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:44:03 GMT

RON PAUL is proving that MAIN STREAM MEDIA has become IRRELEVANT so much to the point where it's predictable.

RON PAUL 2008

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Matthew Garrison — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:44:14 GMT

A vote for anybody other than Ron Paul is a vote for bigger government, less privacy, and less individual liberty. It is time to change our thinking about what the role of government ought to be. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. A vote for anybody other than Dr. Paul is a blow to liberty and is a vote for a traitor.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Marta — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:45:14 GMT

anything positive to say?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

E A Richardson — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:46:23 GMT

A+ for Ron Paul and a big fat F for you Mr. Russert.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kurt, Arlington, TX — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:47:27 GMT

Great article except for the beginning. Did somebody add that first sentence after the fact so it wouldn't seem like you were giving it too positive a spin or something? As your article implies, Paul was brilliant and brutally honest on MTP this morning. I can't wait to vote for him.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

J.C. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:49:12 GMT

Ron Paul is the only candidate with the stones to tell it like it is. That alone is worth my vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Dave — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:51:33 GMT

He did not resign from the Republican party in 1988, he remained a member. Please get your facts straight.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Undecided Voter, Alabama — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:52:30 GMT

Thanks for interviewing Ron Paul. I think I just found who I will vote for on Super Tuesday. The questioning was tough, but I've come to expect and appreciate this from Mr. Russert. If this is the worst he could find, Ron Paul must be a very honest man.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Terry Surls, Sprinng, Texas — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:53:33 GMT

What Tim Russert proved is that he had to go back nearly 20 years to find a flip flop in Ron Paul's virtually impeccable record. I would venture to guess that you'd only have to go back a few days for most recent flip flop by the rest of the candidates, Republican or Democrat. Ron Paul is still the man.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jeff — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:54:08 GMT

Thank you Tim. My support for Ron is now firm and I will donate him. You did a cheap hit piece on him.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Capt. J.C. Santos — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:55:59 GMT

This interview convinced me! The powers that be--powers I both fear and loath--don't want this Ron Paul elected and the MSM is very obviously in cahoots. Indeed, by a man's enemies you shall know him. Thanks Tim Russet and First Read for showing me the light. I too,like apparently tens of millions of others across the globe, have now joined the Ron Paul R3VOLUTION!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ken, South Windsor, CT — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:56:37 GMT

Meet the Press is a joke! There asking a presidential candidate about the civil war, but don't ask one question about the dollar crisis going on in this country? It seemed to any person watching the interview with half a brain that Russert was more concerning into smearing the person he was interviewing then actually talking about topics that concern the american people. Tim Russert has not journalistic integrity that I can see. A perfect example is the Sinclair Lewis quote. Lewis did make that quote. It is not very hard to google Sinclair Lewis and see many references to the exact quote that Paul referenced. Pretty sad that this is television network is considered to be a source for information.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Paul Hager PHD — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:59:21 GMT

I am voting for Ron. He is the only candidate that addresses the national debt and wants to dramatically cut spending. What do you think will happen in future if the national debt continues to spiral out of control? Everyone agrees that that situation will be real bad for USA so lets all vote for Ron and start trying to fix it now before it is too late!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Edward, Jupiter, FL — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:59:22 GMT

Ron Paul is a NUT. He believes in freedom and personal liberty. He thinks that printing money out of thin air to finance war and huge domestic spending programs will hurt our economy. He thinks it is wrong to force people that are morally opposed to abortion to pay taxes for them! He thinks the states and local governments could do a better job of educating the children than Washington! What a KOOK! His supporters are obviously wasting their time and money supporting him since every Old Media outlet says he has no chance!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Robert MacCargar, Waynesville, NC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:00:58 GMT

What I love about the numerous attacks on Ron Paul is this: After the twisted attacks......the comments come.....anyone who cares to post a comment can.....why are only Ron Paul Supporters posting?.....if what the "controlled media" is trying to make every American believe was true, then there would be numerous comments from concerned citizens backing the reports....BUT NO....only comments from the people (the true American People)...we are waking up to see the biased lies that the media continues to feed us every day.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Dan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:02:36 GMT

Russert just got rwned!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

William Baker, rancho San Diego, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:03:55 GMT

Thanks to the media for "explaining" what Ron Paul told us....it was an interesting spin on the facts. The most illuminating aspect of the Ron Paul run for the presidency to me has been learning the absolute level of contempt that the elite media and their masters have for the American people. The 18th century British elite had the same level of contempt for the average American citizen prior to the Revolutionary War. The 21st century American elite, as their 18th century British counterparts, are about to learn their own hard lesson.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tuck,Realityville, Ks — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:06:04 GMT

reagan was a racist male supremists.
A horrible president who created our great divide.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

D. Stone. Vancouver BC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:06:14 GMT

Another try by the MSM to smear Dr. Ron Paul. When Russert's negetivity didn't work, NBC continues with Appelbaum. Did she even watch the interview, because her summery above certainly does NOT reflect the essence of the interview. Wouldn't it be nice is Mr. Russert was so forceful with the other candidates. I can think of a "million" questions I would have liked Russert to ask Mr. Gulli. and in the same manner he asked Dr. Paul. Istaed of the softballs he lobbed at him. Same goes with the truth evading Romney. Very disappointing NBC.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Scott from Oregon — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:07:23 GMT

The "yin/yang of a two party system has always been fine by me. One party wants government to do more, one party wants it to do less. The result achieves some sort of reasonable balance- in theory, that is.

The problem has become that the Republican Party has climbed the fence and are more in synch with the Democratis Party.

The push me pull me is gone. Ron Paul was right when he declared Reagan a failure, in the sense that Paul is still trying to uphold the Republican stances that once balanced the system. Reagan "failed' to uphold the smaller government stance. Failed, therefore, a failure.

Most wars are failures, and the Civil War was no exception. Wars demonstrate the lack in the human species of imagination and reasonableness. Again, Ron Paul was correct, suggesting that 600,000 deaths and a legacy of hate is not the best human course of action to resolve moral issues.

As for the running as a third party, I will suggest that the new Republican model is much more in keeping with the ruling elite, and therefore necessary to defend by trying to suggest that Ron Paul's views are not "Republican" enough.

They sure seem ideally suited to balance out the rest of the big government candidates on both sides.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Phil Brown, Honolulu, Hawaii — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:09:48 GMT

What I took form the interview is that Tim Russert was really struggling to find "mud" about which he could ask Ron Paul. There were no past relationship scandals (Guiliani), flip flops (Romney, Guiliani), pressure to pardon a rapist who kills shortly after his release (Huckabee), or deals with Ted Kennedy to give amnesty to illegal aliens (McCain). The best that Russert could come up with was that Congressmen Paul uses the existing law to get funds for bridges and nursing homes in his Congressional district. What a scandal! There was absolutely no hint of self interest. Dr. Paul was never "given" thousands of dollars of "gifts" from people he later appointed to government positions (Huckabee). I know we will hear about that next week. (I personally would like to know how Huckabee made out from his gift registry at the Target and Walmart).

So with no actual scandals to fall back on, Russert resorts to Dr. Paul's views of history. Personally, I care more about how we get out of Iraq and balance our budget, but apparently Russert thinks that a burning 2008 issue is the the Civil War. Did Russert not know that Dr. Paul is opposed to war? That Dr. Paul believes that there are always ways to prevent war (unless you are attacked). But clearly Russert was trying to imply that by being opposed to the Civil War, Dr. Paul must be a racist. Dr. Paul's view on all war is consistent. War is a last resort. There is always a peaceful solution. It was as true in 1860, as it is today.

Clearly, if these were the best "scandals" that Tim Russert could find on Dr. Ron Paul, we may have finally found an individual worthy of the White House. Imagine that, our children could actually think of the President of the United States as a role model. I know it sounds old fashioned, but that is what we would have if Ron Paul were President.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Brian, NYC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:11:16 GMT

I will not vote for Ron Paul, even though I am a libertarian. Ron Paul does not have any way for us to progress towards the future, and does not have any way to convince the average american, the college kid with nothing to lose is the only one who will follow. People with something, ie families, soccer moms and others will not vote for someone who is not offering an alternative to the FDA, the CIA and other organizations. If there is no alternative, then what you will have is chaos, and chaos is only palatable to those with little to lose, the movement is not dead, but Ron Paul 2008 is over.

See you in 2012.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Chesley Elkins, Albuquerque NM — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:11:27 GMT

There is no doubt that Ron Paul is very uncomfortable talking about the earmarks, and for good reason. The federal government takes so much of our money, we have to fight like hell to get a little back, and it is probably the part of his job that he likes least. But he is absolutely right that if he didn't take it, someone else would. No doubt that in a TRULY FREE country, this role of a congressman would be seriously diminished. As far as not taking the money, he does that himself by rejecting the very generous pension package, but I don't think he feels he has a right to "give back" the money that he earmarks for his district, which was stolen from them through taxes in the first place!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kadesha — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:12:25 GMT

I will be voting in a primary for the first time in my life, and I'll be voting for Dr. Paul. Ron Paul deserves consideration by every voting American.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Daniel Morin — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:14:39 GMT

MSNBC is good at twisting facts - that's the job of the mainstream medias.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kirk, San Diego, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:15:55 GMT

I support Paul and I don't think Russert is part of any conspiracy. He asked tough, relevant, questions just like he has done with the other candidates.

Paul handled himself pretty well when compared to Giuliani's meltdown.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

JIm Ding — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:16:29 GMT

Revolutionary
Opposition of
Neo-cons
Policies
And
Unilateral
Lies

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tom Mathers, Berwyn Heights, MD — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:17:36 GMT

I saw the interview. In fact, I had been anticipating it since I emailed Tim and said if he could interview Steve Colbert the least he could do was give a guy who raised a ton of money his shot. Not saying I convinced him but I am sure my and many other emails stuck in his craw. I don't doubt he was frosted at having to do this interview and since Ron doesn't hide things or try to sanitize his actions to appeal to the pundit classes it was no great shakes to "uncover the dirt." Ron's integrity, honesty, love for this country, and his patriotism will shine throughout this campaign. In the end it will propel him to the White House and America to the brightest dawn since the British surrendered at Yorktown. Not to worry, Tim, the low class of political hacks you are used to dealing with will continue to slither around Washington, DC, and you will still have your old media show to go to every Sunday. It just won’t be relevant anymore.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ivote, Idaho — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:19:47 GMT

Ron Paul is the only candidate with the solution for fixing the serious mess this country is in. The solution is to respect the Constitution. We should not try to police the world and treat our citizens as criminals. Finally a politcian with basic common sense,not a corporate agends. MSNBC is biased and is a sell-out for the corporate/government status quo.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mark, TX — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:20:34 GMT

Ron Paul has it right on. Everything he says makes sense. All of the other candidates contradict themselves and don't back up their points! Vote for Ron Paul!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jim_Mich, Stockbridge, Michigan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:20:59 GMT

No human can ever know the future with absolute certainty. Therefore an honest person can never say with 100% certainty what they will or will not do in the future. Ron Paul has stated with 99.9& certainty that he will not make a third party run.

When Ron Paul says he is 99.9% sure it's about as close to absolute as is possible for an honest man. How many times does Ron Paul need to answer this question?

And why does NBC state that Ron Paul, "refused to rule out a third party run" when the opposite is true?

Jim_Mich

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Maria, Portland, OR — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:22:28 GMT

I loved the interview...it reminded me of what good journalism used to sound like! No smoosing just hard questions and direct answers! Ron Paul is the only candidate that could handle an interview of this stature and I for one am very impressed!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Patriot Jones — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:28:01 GMT

Hey MSNBC - publish the stats on viewership for this episode of Meet The Press. I am willing to bet it was the most viewed episode of all time. This IS a revolution.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

JimRhodes Salem NH — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:28:49 GMT

Sorry I missed Ron Paul's interview by Charlie McCarthy. He has been well received in NH because of his straight talk. Jim in Salem NH

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Richard The Sentinel — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:33:11 GMT

ha ha ha....Here's one:

Tim Russert: "you say you are a strict contructionist...a 'defender of the constitution'."
Ron Paul: "Yes"
Tim Russert: " But you want to amend the constitution to end Birthright citizenship. How do you reconcile that?"
Ron Paul: "Amending the constitution is Constitutional"
Tim Russert: "D'oh!"

ROFLMMFAO....hahahahahahahahahahaha

Tim Had visions of Sugarplums dancing in his head all night last night and forgot to prepare for the show. We still Love you Tim...we'll all chip in for that red bike.

Merry Christmas...Go Ron Paul

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

paulbot, hard drive, PC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:33:59 GMT

Russert will ask another candidate if they would consider a third party run, but will do so with some kind of verbal eye roll.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Brian, Green Bay, WI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:34:26 GMT

I'm sick and tired of people taking Dr. Paul's remarks out of context. Dr. Paul is really an intelligent person and it shows. The media just can't comprehend a candidate like Paul because they're so used to the soundbites and feel-good rhetoric. It's starting to happen on the conservative blogs and forums too, attacking Paul and twisting his statements around. Free Republic is the worse, IMO.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

sean — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:40:21 GMT

Russert looks fat, tired and old compared to a 72 year old man. He was also very grouchy - maybe he did not have breakfast or did not really want to do the interview. Nevertheless, the journalism forwarded by the main media outlets stinks and the more this journalism is confronted by truth, the more it is exposed for what it really is - biased and subjective. Quite frightening actually.,

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Chief Crow Wing — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:41:04 GMT

Gee Tim, politicos who support YOUR boss's (GE)agenda get treated mightily differently on MTP. And RP is the conspiricy "kook"? Why do you reward "fortunate son's" pandering and (attempt to)belittle a self-made man who refuses treat the public as dumbed down? (your's and Rove's forte.)What about this point of RR as a failure? RR, the actor turned politician, campaigned on a more limited and smaller government, won, and then failed to accomplich those lofty "goals". In reality, like all POTUS canidates, the only goal is to win. RP is not afraid to lose this - so he won't shuck and jive (which you media types love so much) to do it. Meanwhile, you never bring up facts with Mitt Romney that his faith (which "drives" his philosophy)entails believing Native Americans (er, me!) are direct(modern)desendants of Israelites and that Native-Africans have more skin pigmentation than Native-Europeans becasue of a Godly curse. He belives this now in 2007!Yet you bring up slavery from 140 years ago with RP. Get some focus about our future!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Brett, Franklin TN — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:43:34 GMT

Now here's a guy that I can vote for....certainly refreshing to see a candidate who can weather this storm head on and not pull punches.

We need a man like this running our country.

Ron Paul now has my vote. Thanks Meet the Press!!!:)

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Matt VanGee, Rochester, NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:55:11 GMT

It's clear to all - Ron Paul will WIN the nomination and the election.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

gerry delin, dana point,calif — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:00:25 GMT

This was the first political interview that I saw that kept my interest and I quite frankly could easily have listened for another thirty minutes. Ron Paul has my vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Rhys, Ann Arbor, MI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:01:03 GMT

Russert's no dummy. He knew Dr. Paul would answer the questions. I thought they both did a good job. Russert let Ron Paul answer all the worst on Meet the Press. Once you answer on Meet the Press, they can't say no one heard you.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Amy, upstate NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:12:33 GMT

So most of you agree that if someone is violating someone else's basic rights (liberty - to not be a slave) - we should pay the violator (the slaveholder).

That stuff about putting in earmarks for others to pass and then voting against it - boy, he really thinks it's OK to have it both ways.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

P. Padden — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:13:52 GMT

Lets think about this on a smaller scale. You have a local home owners association. They says we are going to charge every member of the neighborhood $15, to put flower beds in front of everyones’ home.
You disagree with the the need to put in the flower beds. But you are told even if the flowers are not put in front of your house you will still be charged the $15.
When it comes time to vote on if the $15 dollars will be collected you are also asked what type of flowers you want in front of your house. So you tell the homeowner’s association what type of flowers you would want if they are going to force you to spend the $15. Then it comes time to vote on if the community will collect the money and if it will be spent in the ways people of suggested. You Vote NO.
What have we shown here? The questions of should money be spent and how it will be spent are two different questions. Ron Paul is simply saying lets not spend the money in the first place (by voting no), but if your going to spend the money at least spend it this way (by placing the ear mark). If his vote to not spend the money is carried then the second question of how the money should be spent is moot.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Terry — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:14:07 GMT

What an amazing bunch of predictable trash - your grandmother's doctor (Ron Paul) has now suddenly ascended to the top of the 'greatest presidents of all time' list and has stripped that 'racist dunderhead' Abe Lincoln of his title. Just a wee bit premature my friends......

Ye Gods!! Must be all of these Ron Paul bots are from Texas too - what amazes me is the sanctified tones with which his devotees speak of him.

Before long, we'll have sightings of Ron Paul all over the country - in virtually every city people will have seen Ron Paul silently appearing to the masses of the faithful - arms spead in a familiar welcoming gesture. Well, it is that time of the year.

Can we get on with these primaries so St. Ron Paul can go back to Texas???

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jawad, Chicago, IL — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:16:32 GMT

I watched the interview with Dr Paul as I have with most of the other candidates that have been on MTP and I think people are off the mark to say that Tim Russert was being overly aggressive towards him. He is like that with all the candidates as he should be. These candidates need to be able to answer these tough questions and I think Dr Paul did a very nice job. I generally support democrats and currently support Barack Obama, but I definitely think Dr Paul has many good ideas and would be the only republican candidate I could see myself supporting.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kurt — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:19:56 GMT

The slavery issue is interesting. The Constitution guaranteed this to the states. Although none would defend it as morally right, it was nevertheless the "great compromise" necessary to form the union of sovereign states. The North was wrong in attempting to abolish slavery by legislation. Only a Constitutional Amendment could do that. The Decision in Dred Scott was legally correct. Buying the slaves was the only really legal way to abolish it short of an Amendment. Of course, it has been pointed out that slavery was on the way out anyway. Lincoln just used it as a way to get into the presidency. However, this is really a non-issue today. Ron Paul did great and showed himself a true man of courage and integrity.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mark Tonawanda NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:22:13 GMT

Ron Paul answered and explained all the questions thrown at him.

It was disheartening to be disappointed by someone from Buffalo before the football game began today. Tim Russert was a bigger loser than the Bills today.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

SteveF — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:22:27 GMT

I don't watch this program too often, but I doubt that Russert fires as many as four questions or four quotes to be explained (each on a different subject) at every guest, without pausing to let the guest respond. This was the typical attempt at a "hit piece" that usually happens when the questioner does not like his "guest." It's the same with Larry King, Bill O'Reilley or any of the others. Russert is the same. If they have a guest they like or agree with, they pause and let them answer each question or charge without interruption. If they don't like their guest, they fire off questions and don't allow the guest sufficient time to get a few words out in response.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bobby — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:26:31 GMT

Tim, good job on the attacks. I didn’t not realize that you to would sell out.
I am sure your father would be proud. I use to think there where still a few good journalist out there.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Scott Newton, Fountain, Colorado — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:29:01 GMT

Once people believed the earth was flat and those who told them the truth (the earth is round) were exiled and sometimes executed by the state and church. Today Ron Paul tells you the truth and the same thing is going on. Very sad, very sad indeed so I guess things never change.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tess, California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:34:16 GMT

Ron Paul gave another exceptional interview as always.
Ron Paul is the minority in this race, for one he has integrity, and two, he follows our Constitution.
Ron Paul does not pander and does not flip flop, he is the real deal and what America needs the most right now. Ron Paul has my vote and support.

http://RonPaul2008.com

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Hector Perez, Southern California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:37:10 GMT

Lincoln needs to respond to Paul. He can't just let that kind of stuff sit around out there.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Greg — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:51:53 GMT

Amazing that some of the most important subjects discussed were left out of this article.

He is the best truth-warrior of any candidate. This was a great interview....every torpedo that Tim fired at Ron Paul was either intercepted and destoryed or redirected back to the attacker with the obvious truth.

For example: Regarding Ron Paul's response on Huckabee's Christmas ad, they deleted the the taped question, instead Tim changed the nature of the original question, and then they played Ron Paul's previous taped answer, which deleted the start of his answer, thus, taking Ron Paul's statement out of context. Yet, Ron Paul still answer the question demonstrating his superior knowledge of the issues. .

The Iran attacking Mars statement was priceless!!

They also tried to make him appear anti-Isreal, but it back-fired. Ron Paul revealed that his policies would greatly help Israel. This should headline news, but the corporate media will not mention the fact that if we stopped giving our hard earned tax money to all the Middle East countries, then Isreal would have the best of it.

Ron Paul also revealed the injustice and abuse of the Federal Government and how the Neo-Cons trample our rights, and state rights by arresting sick people who are legally using medical marijauna and putting them into jail. He clearly demonstrated the hypocrisy and abuse of the govt. on the war on drugs, torture, etc.

Ron Paul's facial expressions were priceless, looking at Tim as if he was in wonderland, not understanding that an amendment process of the Constitution IS Consitutional.

Ron Paul clearly demonstrated that he has what it takes to take on ANYONE, and should be the next President of these United States of America.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Collin Towers, Tampa FL — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:54:54 GMT

Amazing how openly HOSTILE Tim Russert was with Dr. Paul today. I've seen interviews on Meet the Depressed for years and Russert is a tough interviewer. But in other interviews with candidates, I have NEVER seen him to be so totally hell-bent on finding something, ANYTHING to trip up a Presidential Candidate he was interviewing. Ron Paul held his own and did a good job.

I receive Google Alerts daily for Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson. I am a political junkie and I love reading all the posts, reports, commentaries and blogs about all of Republican candidates. The observation I continue to make is that whenever anyone writes about Dr. Paul there are numerous comments posted about Dr. Paul with most of them supportive. I have spent hours reading what people around the US are posting in the comments in response to the article on Ron Paul. BUT on the other candidates there are very few posted comments and most of them are negative not supportive to their perspective candidates.

The media says that Paulites control and spam the Internet? My question is doesn’t the other candidates have supporters that know how to use the Internet this way too?

It makes one think. Dr. Paul on “Meet the Depressed” this morning did a fine job and showing lots of honesty, integrity and class. Loved his smile.

GO RON PAUL 2008

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Doc W, Johnstown PA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:05:54 GMT

Watching the interview, it occurred to me that Paul's strength and weakness are flip sides of one coin. He's promoting what is unfortunately a non-mainstream view these days, and he's actually trying to answer questions. That's a tough job when the aim of the person on the other side of the table is simply to embarrass you. It seems most of the other candidates are well-coached talking heads who care a lot more about smooth sound bites and telling people what they want to hear, than being right. I admire Paul's persistence.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jack — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:14:10 GMT

Russert attempted a "hatchet" job on Dr. Paul. I have watched "Meet The Press" for years and have never seen Russert so vitrolic. Dr. Paul came back at him swinging and connecting over and over again. After the interview I immediately contributed to Dr. Paul's campaign.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Daniel, NY — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:19:43 GMT

Ron Paul clearly has lots of potential. A recent poll of Iowa up just last week had him AHEAD of Rudy Giuliani! Now talk about potential! Link to poll: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/12/shuffle-it-up-one-more-time-edwards.html

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tony — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:26:12 GMT

I'm totally sold on Ron Paul... So should I join the meetup group first or the myspace?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Dennis W — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:28:42 GMT

Ron Paul is a breath of fresh air. It is my personal dream to see this man go all the way!!! Tim R. tried and failed to make Dr. Paul look like the "other" choices out there, and he failed.

It almost seems to me that to an intelligent human being, the more they try to shoot Ron Paul down, the more he seems like the best candidate.

Dr. Paul: YOU GO BOY!!!!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

MATT BRENNAN, FISHERS, INDIANA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:35:57 GMT

I have never watched a complete interview on MEET THE PRESS until this morning. What I saw was the lowest common denominator of newsmaking. How on earth did Tim Russert get placed in such an important position? I wanted to hear Ron Paul's positions on security and foreign relations. Instead, I saw an honest man assailed by twisted logic and a barrage of sleezy "Gotcha" questions.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

cms — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:37:24 GMT

Amazing comments here, not a single one with anything bad to say about Paul. I saw about 10 minutes of the interview and have to admit, he put Tim in his place unlike I've ever seen anyone do. It's true that being for term limits but against voluntary ones is not inconsistent - you have to play the hand you're dealt. And instead of a gotcha on the earmarks issue, it sounds to me like he is quite clever in his approach. Again, fight the system, but don't fall on your sword. I would never in a million years vote for him, but it's not bad for some of his ideas to get into the mix.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

nancy j. murphy, San Bruno, CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:43:10 GMT

Ron Paul made perfect sense today on Meet the Press. He's got my vote!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

I voted for Ross Perot — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:55:03 GMT

Dr.Paul....Whatta joke.
You people are absolutely deluding yourselves. This guy is a friggin fruitcake.
Thank God this wacko doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting elected.
The whole lot of you "Dr. Paul" supporters are nothing but internet crazies that spam every comment section of every internet poll, blog, and news site.
For all of his retarded bloviating of "restoring the Constitution", it's absolutely comical to me how you think that this guy could get ANYTHING done as President.
This is America, a constitutional democratic republic.
These radicaly regressive "policy" arguments that this moron makes are not only IMPOSSIBLE without consensus, but are unconstitutional as well.
Isolationist.
Racist.
Liar.
You people absolutely crack me up.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Nancy in Florida — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:57:36 GMT

Seemed like the MTP staff had to dig pretty hard and deep to find dirt on Dr. Paul. Shall we look through Tim's closet from the last 50 years? And it appeared that the host would quickly cut off Ron Paul's answers when he didn't like the direction the information was taking. Well, I would love to write more but I want to get to ronpaul2008.com and send more money Ron's way. It is time for a change!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John Grassam Stuart, Fl — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:03:52 GMT

Let's see if the other plasticized candidates will be grilled as hard( I doubt it) as Dr. Paul was. Mostly on meaningless tripe. I will be voting for Dr. Paul. Mr. Russert you could have had better questions! Oh and by the way using the Houston Chron and the L.A. Times when their bias of Dr. Paul has been so obvious.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ra - The Florida Keys — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:10:10 GMT

Ron Paul is not a great speaker. Huckabee has the Reagan charm. Romney and Thompson sound dignified. Obama soothingly tells me of his wonderful dreams for America... but it is the squeaky voice giving us the tough love that captivates us. The content far surpasses the style of the others. We're not hiring an actor, we're hiring our leader. http://freetoys.com

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ra - The Florida Keys — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:14:20 GMT

I'm not voting for Paul until we get an answer on what he intends to do if Iran does invade Mars.
http://ykids.com

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jon, Anchorage, AK — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:15:03 GMT

Good interview, Tim asked tough questions and Ron was right on the money. Thanks for a place for me to throw my support.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Elaine McLellan Franklin tn — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:27:48 GMT

I am now committed to Ron Paul for President. Something's happening people, can't you feel it and aren't THEY afraid?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Dave Parker, Worcester, NY — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:31:00 GMT

Tim,
I trust you are pleased with your (pitifully transparent) attempt at the character assassination of Dr. Paul this morning. I have never before seen such an antagonistic, hostile interview on mainstream TV. I'm hoping you got his consistent, clear message..."IT'S THE CONSTITUTION STUPID". I'd suggest you go to ronpaul2008.com and donate 50 bucks like the rest of us little people.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ed. Chevalier, Lehigh Acres, Fl. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:31:21 GMT

Do you know what a gentleman is? You saw one today in the polite manner Ron Paul put Russert in his place.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

john b, breckenridge colorado — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:36:10 GMT

Ron Paul frequently says that while he has shortcomings, the message has no shortcomings.

While I was disappointed the host had to dig back so far for anything or anyone to try to discredit Dr. Paul, my impression was that this show has cleared away the cobwebs. If the host's great researchers couldn't find anything worse than misquotes and a disgruntled former staffer, the Ron Paul is on track to surge in the polls over the next couple months.

The message is freedom, liberty, and personal reponsibility. The outpouring of support for Ron Paul is support for the message. The message is perfect.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:39:13 GMT

“Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than individuals . . . By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so-called “diversity” actually perpetuate racism. Their obsession with racial group identity is inherently racists . . . we should understand that racism will endure until we stop thinking in terms of groups and begin thinking in terms of individual liberty.”
-Ron Paul

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

The Edge, Macon GA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:39:41 GMT

Ron Paul...the granola candidate....the biggest flake in the bowl along with the rest of the repugnant fruits and nuts......I'll give you Paul supporters this, he is the ONLY honest Repugnant running this cycle, BUT his honesty is not enough to compensate for his insanity.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mike Smith, New York, NY — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:43:07 GMT

Some Ron Paul facts:
Wrote bill to protect Social Security fund.
Calls to end the inflation tax which hurts the poor.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John Cleveland OH — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:45:56 GMT

Russert was a little ridiculous at times....Paul is asked why he wants to cut military spending....I hope Russert has the guts to ask the OTHERS how they will maintain the US dollar and currency while spending so much policing the world....Paul is reaonable...it is the others who are Krazy

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Republicae, Charleston, SC — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:52:51 GMT

Brian said; "I will not vote for Ron Paul, even though I am a libertarian. Ron Paul does not have any way for us to progress towards the future, and does not have any way to convince the average american, the college kid with nothing to lose is the only one who will follow. People with something, ie families, soccer moms and others will not vote for someone who is not offering an alternative to the FDA, the CIA and other organizations. If there is no alternative, then what you will have is chaos, and chaos is only palatable to those with little to lose, the movement is not dead, but Ron Paul 2008 is over."

Brian, I dare say that you are not even close to a libertarian and you definitely didn't make a case for whatever case you were attempting to make. It appears that you haven't read any of Dr. Paul's books, his speeches or any other book on classical liberalism...

If you want to know what "libertarianism" really is I suggest you go to the Mises Institute website and even the Ron Paul Library, both very good sources on the meaning of classical liberalism.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Anthony, Sacto — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:56:00 GMT

Ron Paul is wrong! There was no way to end slavery when more than half the Senate was pro-slavery. Unlike Europe, a majority of the economy of more than half the nation was produced in slave states. He's just bitter that his friend Nathan Bedford Forrest (of the KKK) lost the war.

Ron Paul is wrong! Destroying the IRS and the Fed is impossible for a president to do unilaterally. If he did, it would reek havock on our economy (the dollar would be destroyed).

Ron Paul is wrong! Taking our troops away from oversees would triple our unemployment, devestate our military, and cause genocides in Iraq, Korea, and elsewhere.

He's a racist lunatic, sorry guys. He doesn't represent me at all.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Republicae, Charleston, SC — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:02:22 GMT

Bronski said: "paul, his hatred of blacks and all women continues to show.

remember , he believes a fetus is more important than the woman carrying it.
He'd have the woman die, and the fetus live"

I am not sure where you get you information from but it is twisted to high heaven. I doubt if a racist would say that some of his heros are Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.

Also, Dr. Paul has stated that there is a great deal of hypocrisy in this country concerning the law. He has stated that you can kill a fetus in an abortion and yet if you murder a woman who happens to be pregnant the murderer will be charged with a double homicide, and rightly so. He states that law recognizes the individual life of the fetus in one instance, but in the other it is not recognized. This is the arbitrary application of law and denies the principle of blind justice and equal or due process.

He has also stated that if the fetus is not an individual then why can he, as a physician, be held libel if the fetus is harmed under his care? These are major questions that need to be answered and it appears that only Dr. Paul is taking a more legal stance to the question of abortion than any of the other candidates. At least he does not pander to the various groups by flip-flopping on issues, such as abortion.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

brian kuszmar lLauderdale by the Sea fla — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:07:12 GMT

Did Lauren Appelbaum watch the same interview as I did?

Ron Paul never called Reagan a failure, he spoke of the failed Reagan policies,BIG difference..

Nice that Lauren omitted this, how convenient. Another negative spin on Paul..

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Manish Lamsal — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:20:38 GMT

I found the clips of the interview by chance in youtube and I must admit, I have never heard a person talk with such boldness and honesty in face of intense scrutiny on 20 years old quotes. I think I will vote for Ron Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Victor C. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:31:57 GMT

Shame on you Mark Murray

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jordan, Lake Forest, Il. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:37:28 GMT

I am glad to see Tim Russert, was tough on Ron Paul. As Paul’s popularity grows his critics effort’s to discredit him will certainly grow too. Ron Paul’s everyman appeal is undeniable and given Paul’s underdog image in the mainstream media, Russert may have been doing Paul a favor by bullying him a bit. While Russert tried to muddy Ron Paul today, I just didn’t see anything that stuck. None of the questions were new and almost all of Paul’s answers have been satisfactory explored and critiqued online. Like the signs say, Google Ron Paul and see for yourself. If this was the best the Meet the Press staff could come up with, well, then Ron Paul really does have a chance at the Presidency.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Diane Arritt, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:49:26 GMT

20 year old "quotes"? Is this all Tim Russet could dig up in his "hit man" attempt to discredit Ron Paul?

Ron Paul handled this interview well. I would have liked to hear more important issues discussed, like the ECONOMY, however Ron Paul excels on this subject, so there is no way that would happen.

Ron Paul is in this presidential campaign for the long run, and he is no longer a dark horse.

The mainstream media is scared beyond words of Ron Paul's growing popularity. Expect more of these smear campaigns, and also expect them to backfire and work in Ron Paul's favor.

Ron Paul is the light. He is the truth. He represents what is good in this world.

Ron Paul, President 2008.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

S. DeVault, Palestine, Texas — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:55:08 GMT

Everyone keeps talking about the "old" mainstream media and the unfairness of their reporting. I personally do not see the need to listen to unfair/biased news reports. It would seem to me, simply by omission of the Ron Paul campaign in national headlines, and the overwhelming reluctance to give this particular candidate equal time in media that the Main Stream Media is bought and paid for in this country. Ron Paul was exactly right when he stated we were headed toward "Soft Fascism" or "Corporatism". In light of this obvious truth, WHY DO WE STILL LISTEN? I am calling Dish Network today and cancelling, I no longer need to spend my money on the lies and manipulations perpetuated by the Power ELITE. Thank God for the internet, where you can at least still filter out the truth! What kind of message would it send throughout the media, if poeple just started cancelling and no longer financially subscrbed to the lies. I guess I'll be spending more time reading, renting movies, and wow, even some more time with my family.
Thank You Dr. for waking me up, This collosal government has hijacked the media completely and uses it to spread it's propaganda relentlessly. I will absolutely vote Ron Paul, thank you sir for being a pillar of light in the darkness of American Politics. I believe everyone has a last chance, and America this is it, If we have become so Apahetic and so Spoiled/Dependant/LAZY, that we cannot rise up and fight for our rights and for our freedoms, then we truly don't deserve them, and the American Dream will become just that. We have all become Slaves to corporate Giants, whether it is Walmart, CNN, or credit card payments. WAKE UP AMERICA, the DR. is here!!!!!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Nathanial Jackson — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:07:46 GMT

Russert neglected to cover many of the issues that Ron Paul is rock-solid on. Ron Paul may not be perfect, but he's better than the rest of these clowns that are running. Our foreign policy needs to be revised, and RP is the only one who will do it.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

you inteligence officers know my ip address — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:10:01 GMT

Whoever ridicules Ron Paul should be thanked. Spewing ridicule is the last ditch effort of someone losing a debate. Spouting off like an emotional idiot is a sign you have nothing itelligent left to offer and you trying to drag your opponent down to your level. Thank you for the ridicule.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tim, Z-ville, Ohio — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:10:17 GMT

Dr. Paul's speaking manner is almost painful to listen to at times. Listening to him two things become obvious 1) he is extremely intelligent and 2) that he is not a polished public speaker.

Despite #2, his message is being heard loud and clear through out the land. Freedom. Peace. An end to government stomping on our liberties. Sound money. Defense of our borders.

20 years of consistency & honesty means a lot if you ask me.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Thomas Howard Midland Texas — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:13:14 GMT

MSNBC and Tim Russert have exposed themselves, duely noted. Vote for freedom, Ron Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mike Schemmel, Chestnut Ridge, New York — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:25:00 GMT

Wonderful message from the good doctor. I wish him well in the primary season and hope he finds continued support. We need his open mind for the most difficult job in the world. He has my support from this day on.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Greg Worrel, Detroit, Michigan — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:27:35 GMT

This is an appallingly biased summary. It takes every statement that could be controversial and presents it in the worst possible way, distorting what was said. Is this your idea of reporting the news? Others have gone into detail so I won't but the writer of this piece needs to find a new line of work. Maybe someone so adept at distortions could get a job making Hillary sound good. But then you probably already have that job.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bridget Panzer, Mt Vernon, NH — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:35:04 GMT

You just can not win any debate with Ron Paul! He has the experience and the truth. I have always known about Abraham Lincolns mistake and Tim thought that it would shock us.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Glen Boote, College Station,TX — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:38:08 GMT

WOW...that was a great interview. I can't remember the last time I listened to a politician who was that sincere, honest, and powerful with his solutions to the issues. You could see on Tim's face that he was thinking about Ron's message and was slightly distracted with his own questions.
Ron Paul is going to get my vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Scott — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:41:21 GMT

Both Russert and Paul did well. Russert provides a challenge to candidates based on their history and his audience appreciates that. Paul responded well. (Russert did make a couple errors concerning income taxes, both in revenues and in including trust fund revenues, but Paul gave him some slack on that.)

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kathleen Schmidt St Louis MO — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:50:18 GMT

Well, I was sitting on the fence until the Ron Paul Meet the Press interview. Now I know who I will vote for, Ron Paul. I have been waiting since John F Kennedy for a real candidate to support and vote for and Meet the Press helped me make my decision. Thank you Tim Russert and keep up the good work of keeping Americans informed!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Karl, Columbia, MO — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:55:04 GMT

With every interview of Ron Paul, it becomes increasingly clear that those in power do not want him in the White House. If the people truly are even moderately informed, that alone should win him the presidency. Ron Paul for FREEDOM 2008!
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Stephen Knight, Collingswood, NJ — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:08:39 GMT

Is Appelbaum disingenuous or just uneducated? She states that Dr. Paul "repeated his claim that Abraham Lincoln should not have started the Civil War to get rid of slavery." Ron Paul knows history and would never make such an asinine remark. Lincoln may have "started" the Civil War as a military response to the South's declaration of secession, but it was not about slavery. Lincoln would have accepted any status regarding the slaves (in 1861) if it meant preserving the Union.

For Appelbaum to be ignorant of US history is one thing; to shoddily paraphrase as a reporter is another.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Scott — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:09:44 GMT

I thought Tim Russert seemed a little stupid that he didn't seem to know that a Constitutional Amendment is constitutional. He seemed confused and Congressman Paul had to explain it to him. Russert met his match and Ron Paul proved he is an intellectual and Russert a light weight. Ron Paul is far superior to any other candidates.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Fred Weiss, OK — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:12:11 GMT

Hey Paul. About you busting on Reagan. Way to enamor yourself with the Republican base. All you got to do next is say you're going to raise taxes, and then you'll be a Democrat.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Edward M. Caspers Long Beach, Ca — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:14:34 GMT

Ron Paul is a true breath of very fresh air, and is the only candidate I would consider for President. I am very over tired of the establishments hand picked
Marionettes that we have for our Presidential choices.

He has the courage of conviction I want in a leader, one who is willing to address the debt money, Federal Reserve System, IRS, Wars (Nation Building) and on and on. We can get this country back to the people with his leadership and away from the oligarchy that leads today.
I have followed Dr. Paul for twenty years and he is a once in a lifetime candidate.

God Bless Ron Paul, Edward M. Caspers

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

g.eglesias'pennsylvania — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:28:26 GMT

Ron Paul should not question Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is not here to defend himself. Ron Paul is a coward to pick on someone who has been dead over 100 yrs. And why does he think a mothers life is not as important as the fetus? Who made him Judge & Jury? Ron Paul will never get elected. THANK GOD FOR THAT.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

hasan, west lafayette, IN — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:28:52 GMT

yeah the bills did lose pretty bad Mark Tonawanda NY

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Chris — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:38:04 GMT

My father had me believing Tim Russert was the real deal. I doubt he will ever be able to convince me again.

Bad judgement Dad, Russert is just a paid political hack.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

paul revere manchester new hampshire — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:39:18 GMT

Ron Paul gunna save us all!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John , Little Rock Arkansas — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:54:00 GMT

First time I have watched "Meet the Depressed" in 25 years. Looks like Ron Paul had to take Tim out behind the woodshed for the old grapejuice treatment.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Martin Kunsman Denver, CO — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:02:17 GMT

I'm a big Ron Paul fan since October/November. I go to his website a couple of times a day and look for any uploads on utube. Today's viewing of this interview, really upset me. Especially when Russert attacked with the earmark questions. I've never seen Dr. Paul quite so shaken. After some of the ambushing, you could tell his speech was slurred, as if he couldn't talk....I chalk it up to TMJ from stress or anger. He began talking like George Bush, I could barely understand him. Tim Russert. I won't forget this, I think the questionning was unfair. I went to Guilliani's interview to see if you did the same to him. You sort of did, but at a much slower pace. With Ron Paul the questions came at a fast pace, he couldn't keep up or steady himself. You get to sit in the chair, cool and composed, firing a barrage of questions. The restaurant term, is, you put him in the weeds. You made him look rushed, frazzled, angry. In his debates Dr. Paul has come off as the wisest statesman America has ever had. You made him look like bad. You are not an attorney you are a journalist. More respect for your guest, ask the hard questions, but be fair. I'll quote RP, the philosophy is the important thing. What is yours?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tom — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:04:16 GMT

Tim Russert is really something. He investigates OTHER people back to what they said 20 years ago, but does Mr. Russert disclose his OWN conflicts of interest? No, instead he silently plans his character assisination attempt. Well, you kind of have to expect that type of hatchet job from someone who in bed with the status quo. I did my OWN little fact checking expedition and found the advertisers for Meet The Press.

GE lists 824 items regarding defense contracts on their website for 2007. http://www.ge.com/search/index.jsp

Boeing lists 72,200 items regarding defense.
http://tinyurl.com/2nm5y8

Fidelity Investments - tax and 401k services, need I say more?

Hummer - child company of AM General the company that makes all the HMMWV's for the Army

UBS - Another banking company, certainly they have nothing to fear from Dr. Paul, right?

Toyota - makes cars which are CURRENTLY cheaper to make in Japan (and then assemble here).

Aleve - you think Bayer Pharmaceuticals has a reason to fear Ron Paul - who wants to allow young adults to opt out of SS and Medicare and is vehemently opposed to socialized medicine?

ABE - (shill for coal companies) do they have nothing to fear from Ron Paul's desire to deregulate nuclear power so we have safe, clean unlimited power?

CVS - A Pharmacy whose bread and butter is insurance and Medicare. Dr. Paul wants to remove the incentives for hospitals to overbill us.

Xerox - another defense contractor. Here's a link to their defense contracts of 2006.
http://tinyurl.com/2wjzbb

MasterCard - Huge banking coop.

Why didn't Mr. Russert let us know that he had a HUGE conflict of interest BEFORE THIS SEGMENT AIRED? When half of your advertisers are in defense, the other half split between banking and Big Pharma doesn't that constitute NEWS? I mean, Mr. Russert dug back 20 years or more on Dr. Paul to try to find "dirt". Why not look in your own mirror? I find the FACT the Mr. Russert did NOT disclose this relationship highly disturbing.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mildred Ghrams — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:06:00 GMT

Simply amazing interview, Ron Paul is the choice for me especially after how he handled the hot questions.

Tis 75 year old is voting for PAUL PAUL PAUL!!!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

GB, Toronto , Ontario — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:25:23 GMT

As an outside observer of the Ron Paul effect (I'm Canadian), I watched the whole interview and if anything I felt Ron Paul answered every question in detail and came across as an extremely honest individual with a good head on his shoulders. To me it seemed as if Tim got more frustrated and desperate in his line of questioning as the interview went on. He was clearly flustered that he didn’t fluster the good doctor.

I'd say Paul did pretty darn good and so would any other semi-intelligent viewer who watched the interview from start to finish.

I’m sorry but I’m not completely sure what you were watching or your intelligence level after this article.

And just to clarify, whether Paul wins or not is of no consequence to me but I did honestly feel as if he walked away a winner in this interview.

The days of voters falling for smooth talking politicians are long gone. Sometimes Dr. Paul’s odd fumble and stutter only proves how human and genuine he really is.

People are waking up. Get it?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

J, CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:26:04 GMT

Say Yes to Dr. No!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Les H. , Hooksett NH — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:45:44 GMT

I just saw the interview and I'm voting for Dr. Ron Paul. It was obvious to me that MSM/NBC agenda is not to discuss important issues facing us today and tomorrow but to try to discredit and mock. Folks here are really starting to understand how slimey and biased MSM is... My neighbors and friends are reconsidering and will likely vote for freedom..That is, for Dr. Ron Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

R.L., South Portland, Maine — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:58:39 GMT

"Please look at the sponsors today of Meet The Press.
half were for military defense companies, the rest comprised entirely of pharmaceutical and banking companies. Just shows where the interests of Meet the Press is." This sums it up, there is no way that Ron Paul will ever be president. The media crusade to make him look like he's crazy will work. Most people only see what they are spoon fed on national networks(ABC,CBS,NBC,Fox,ect.) Do some real research if you really care about your country. History is our greatest ally.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

william l. moore sr. arnold mo. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:02:25 GMT

tim paul came out a winner so if he looses the election we all loose . when ron paul wins not only we win the world wins. in ron paul we trust.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

EXFredHead, Somewherein, Iowa — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:15:06 GMT

Yep I was for Fred before but now that I realize what a lazy baboon he is and what a wonderful life Ron Paul has led and his honest record I am voting for Ron Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

trans-mutant — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:37:24 GMT

Here is AOLs Spamproof Strawpoll results

lhttp://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007/12/21/straw-poll-dec-21-jan-4/

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

--nsmsnbc — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:44:55 GMT

The Civil War was fought to keep our union together. Differences in slavery surely may have contributed to the split, but the fact of the matter is that Abraham Lincoln did the right thing. The Presidents before him failed, they led to the rift in our country.

I have serious doubts that 'buying' the slaves would have worked. It would not have been practical or feasible.

I can't believe that so many people don't believe Ron Paul is going to run again third-party style. I guarantee Dr. Paul won't win the Republican primary, and I guarantee Dr. Paul know he can't win. Look, he's got how much money from the 'what I stereotypically imagine as the' abnormal people--I'm sure I'm wrong. How much is he spending? How much time does he have to spend it? I'd bet my weight in gold the .1% or .01% is how it turns out, no doubt.

I have learned one thing: hardcore support=attacking the press. Dr. Paul certainly knew what was coming, he had a choice to go on MtP. The fact of the matter is that I, personally, find R.P.'s thoughts and ideas kind of off-the-wall or at the very least impractical. Ron Paul will not have my vote readily.

Hoo-hoooo, this ought to be fun!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Riv, PH, FL — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:20:52 GMT

The world is dropping the dollar as we speak:
1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54MUm2P1jOU
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdrNbhdl7uU

and yes, Israel is trying to get us to bomb Iran:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3482995,00.html
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iJZ9jtm0mjZovx5YirnDlYlkJKdQD8TI05L00

Wake up people.
Ron Paul is right all the way.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Sarcastic Jerk — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:23:17 GMT

I'm with the Ron Paul Libertarians!

Who needs those superfluous, unconstitutional frivalities like health care, law enforcement, clean air, and education? We definatley SHOULD take steps to resemble Mexico as much as possible.

And why bother regulating commerce when we all know that ExxonMobil, BlueCross, Haliburton and Enron have always held the best interest of the American people at heart.

Maybe Lyndon LaRouche could be his running mate.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bruiser Leonard — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:33:47 GMT

I will never watch MTP the same way again, in fact I don't think I will ever watch it again. Tim's treatment of Dr.Paul was inexcusable and disrespectful. I have never seen him treat a candidate or politician like that in all the years I have watch the program. In fact not only am I not going to watch anymore, I have made a list of MTP advertisers and will treat them the same way Dr.Paul was treated on MTP. I am officially BOYCOTTING MTP Advertisers until Tim publicly apologizes.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

CJ McD — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:42:55 GMT

Hi Lauren,
I've just watched Tim's interview on Youtube.com and am surprised and left wondering why you chose to highlight the following summation: "On Meet the Press this morning, Paul called the American Civil War a mistake, criticized Ronald Reagan as a 'failure,' and refused to rule out a third party run." None of these issues are relevant to the time we live in- that would be 2008- nor do they even hint at his real platform. I asked myself "What would be the purpose of emphasizing the portions of the interview that she did?" and the only conclusion I can come up with is that you want to paint Rep. Paul in an unflattering light, so that undecided voters will read your paraphrasing and go for an opponent who will not upset the status quo. I could be completely incorrect here in my analysis, but I must tell you that as a registered Independent voter, you're bias drives me closer towards the Ron Paul campaign.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Alex Khatchaturian, Glendale, California — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:02:11 GMT

I was a little disappointed that Ron Paul was not asked about foreign and monetary policy - the two main issues driving his campaign. Instead the interviewer was more interested in cornering Ron Paul or inducing some form of contradiction. I think Tim Russert was very unprofessional in his questioning as I could have asked far better questions that the viewing public would find relevant to today's world. I think congressman Paul came off as someone who is honest and cares a lot about his country. He really seems like someone who understands the Constitution and I think he will make an excellent president and Commander in Chief. I will proudly vote for Ron Paul in the primaries!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jim Golff Ventura CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:18:15 GMT

TIM RUSSERT IS A FRIEND OF THE CLINTONS - THIS CLINCHED IT FOR ME - I'M VOTING FOR RON PAUL

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Sue Wilsher — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:19:09 GMT

Lauren Appelbaum: What a Shameful Person.

This is sad - a great man - ridiculed and misquoted by this sad, sad woman.

This is very sad.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

jake, colorado — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:48:01 GMT

Thanks for the fair summary. Even though I think the intention of some in the press is to drown Ron Paul with his own words, when they show up in a fair presentation they make a lot of sense. It was a decent interview, and I hope there will be more to come.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jerry Dietzel, Howell, MI — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:17:00 GMT

I support Ron Paul 100%..... But

I watched Mr. Russert interview Mitt Romney and I must say he was just as tough on Mitt as he was on Ron Paul. I support Ron Paul because of Truth. Maybe, just maybe the truth is Mr. Russert is trying to get to the truth here. Lets keep an open mind. Ron passed the test but it wouldn't have been much of a test without some tough questions.

Thank you Meet the Press for having Ron Paul on.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bill McCaskill — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:22:05 GMT

Hillery Clinton was a Goldwater girl and should go back to her roots and drop out of the race and support Dr. Ron Paul, the only cadidate that supports the constitution. Therefore the only one that can take the oath of office without lying.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Stephan Pohl, Burscheid, Germany — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:22:37 GMT

It is amazing, what a difference took place between Rons worldwide support (his supporters made tea partys in Panama, in Europe in front of EU-parliament in Strasbourg, and many other places around the world..) and his picture painted in mainstream media.
Absolutely ignoring Rons world wide aceptance in the population made me ashame of journalism

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Frank, Pennsylvania — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:25:16 GMT

I absolutely love everything about Ron Paul's message, policies, etc. I am in agreement with everything he says and I have never felt this way about any candidate, EVER. He is a man with a common sense approach to all of our problems and so I wonder why he isn't higher in the polls, what kind of propaganda is going on here to keep down .... If we as a country don't elect him as president .... we truly deserve the disaster we're going to get.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bill Hilliard, Scotch Plains, NJ — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:18:35 GMT

I've heard a lot of good things about Ron Paul so I tuned in yesterday to see if there is any substance to the talk. There isn't.
Q: How much lost revenue would there be if we eliminated the income tax?

"A lot."

Q: How much money would it save [to bring home troops from Japan, Korea and Europe]?

"I WOULD THINK you would save hundreds of billions of dollars."

Q: How many troops do we have overseas?

"I don't know."

I turned it off at that point. This guy has not even a rudimentary grasp of the potential consequences of his proposals. Big, half-baked ideas. He's the Newt Gingrich of 2007, but without the ego.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

scantlin, Kerrville, TX — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:57:27 GMT

I'm a die hard democrat and I absolutely love Ron Paul. I never thought I could think less of Tim Russert and never thought I could see him as a propaganda tool for the establishment.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Carl, Port Huron, MI — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:29:02 GMT

The more I hear about Ron Paul, the more I like the guy. Finally, a guy who isn't afraid to say what he thinks. And, he does seem to actually care for the American people. I've heard a lot about his political record, but I think I'd like to know his record. Gonna have to look him up.
Thanks to everyone for their inciteful comments. I am intrigued. As to Tim Russert's "be careful" farewell to Dr. Paul, one would have to wonder about any veiled threats. The status quo will be hard-pressed to allow a leader who's agenda does not include their own. Good Luck, Dr. Paul. You will have my vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:47:46 GMT

Did anyone notice that Dr Paul was only give half the time that the other candidates were given in their interviews?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Margaret Fuller — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:48:17 GMT

No Dr. Paul! Please read Beard's "Economic History of the United States" to see the real reason for the Civil War. The Founding Fathers couldn't deal with the slavery issue because if they had tried to outlaw it, they would have lost the Southern states before the Union was even formed. That's why Jefferson said “We have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other” about the issue of slavery. Before the Revolution Charleston was arguably the wealthiest city in America based on indigo & rice plantations - economically impossible to run without slavery. To posit buying slaves as a way to solve this problem "like England & Europe" is ridiculous. The South had orders of magnitude more slaves than Europe - their entire economy was based on slavery, unlike the American North or Europe. If Dr. Paul thinks an attempt at purchase wouldn't have resulted in Southern secession anyway, he is deluded. Just another facile soundbyte answer, typical of this candidate.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Anthony, Brick, NJ — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:48:45 GMT

Even though Russert had an obvious agenda, Paul still was able to respond well. It was clear that Russert received some bogus/distorted information as well. Whenever Dr. Paul refuted his point, Russert would completely change the subject before Paul was able to elaborate. It's great to see that Ron Paul can still gain support even with an interview in which he is on the defensive the entire time.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tim, CT — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:57:07 GMT

Since the interview, I've spoken with several "likely GOP primary voters" (all northeastern friends of mine who had heard of Ron Paul, but are still undecided) and they were basically in agreement that he was excellent.

In particular, they appreciated that he's talking about spending... not just taxes.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tim, CT — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:03:11 GMT

Btw, as usual, I thought that Russert did an excellent job... as did my man, Ron Paul.

And my two cents on MTPs "meet the candidates" series thus far... didn't Rudy's tailspin begin at approximately the same time that Russert asked Rudy about his mutual acquaintance with Khalid Sheik Mohammad?... Tell Little Russ that he continues to do a fantastic job for America.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Fiodora, Baltimore, MD — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:34:35 GMT

Poor Timmy, in front of Dr. Paul he looked like a little child that did not learn the "wisdom of his father." Timmy should read his own book about "strength, honesty, honor, discipline, and occasional eccentricity." Specially honor, and honesty.

Timmy sold me Ron Paul, thanks Timmy!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mr. Chris Woodruff, White Pigeon, MI — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:51:51 GMT

So according to these comments posted here, Dr. Paul is gaining support, and the media blackout is bitting them in the rear. Do you media gurus really believe that Mitt Romney or some other republican joker is going to win the primaries? I see nothing but Ron Paul signs everywhere in my home state, and nobody seems to notice this? Horsecrap. The media will be running like scalded dogs when Ron Paul wins the Republican nomination for president, and they are exposed as the paid-off, want to see America crumble idiots that they are. Besides, how many of those other candidates supporters are really going to vote in the primaries? All Ron Paul supporters will. Nuff said.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

shmuel kardash ottawa canada — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:04:17 GMT

everyone should vote for ron paul, i live in canada and this wholed situation makes me want to go down the states and help his campaign out. the truth is out 9/11 was set up, cia is the biggest drug dealer in the world and created islamic fundamentalism and al qaeda and bush is a lying satan and death worshipper. vote ron paul and save the world. stop the police state.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

ladiliberty — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:08:20 GMT

The average American reads his news in print believes the alphabet medias news and bases his decision of a President on what these mediums portray as facts... Often they will vote just because a Candidate is: a woman ,black, has nice hair,nice teeth,same faith religion is pro choice is,is anti abortion,democrat,republican,independent etc....

All of these blind voter support reasons have nothing to do with the status of our declining dollar,our foreign policy,our numerous wars we are actively involved in,our freedoms&liberty,our safety &future as a thriving country,our ILLEGAL immigrant issues,our environment,our worldwide respect as a nation around the globe...America needs to pay close attention, this is the most important election of our lifetime and I as many here, finally have found a Candidate to vote for, not one to redundantly vote against as in previous elections of the lesser of two evils...

It is our given right to vote and our responsibility to research the issues,research the candidates,research their history on the issues...That is the only way one can be an informed intelligent voter.
http://ronpaullibrary.org/
Do your homework America, be an informed responsible voter.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steve, Hartford, CT — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:17:34 GMT

Ron Paul is crazy. Sorry to get all you Paulites mad, but it's true. The Civil War was a mistake? LEARN SOME HISTORY!

After Lincoln was elected President, the Southern states immediately ceceded from the Union. Lincoln had no choice but to go to war to preserve the integrity of our nation. There were, indeed, many chances before the Civil War for our nation to eliminate slavery--NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WAS AT THE CONSITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN 1787, where they CHICKENED OUT and put in the 3/5 compromise. But once Lincoln actually held the presidency and the nation broke itself in half, the only option was war. Otherwise there'd be two countries, instead of one.

Furthermore, I like how you Paulites are so eager to gloss over Paul's support of EARMARKS. THEY ARE EARMARKS NO MATTER WHY YOU THINK THEY'RE OK. Learning that killed ANY CHANCE I would have EVER voted for Paul. He tries to call them tax rebates or some such nonsense. I'm sorry, that's called hypocrisy. The fact is that if you haven't maintained a record of voting against earmarks, and it seems Paul has not, then you are as much a part of the problem as anyone else. Earmarks represent a conflict of interests between the Congressperson's district and the good of the country as a whole, and Paul fell prey to that conflict of interests like everyone else.

As for Reagan being a failure: yes he was. Someone said that he (Reagan) had to settle for slowing the growth of the government. BS! (and I'd spell that out fully if I could) Reagan had RECORD DEFICITS. He violated everything he said after he got into office, just like Jefferson did when HE got into office. It's easy to be high-minded about making the government smaller, until you're actually at the helm and you have to make tough decisions about what to cut in order to do what you wanted to do. And not ONE President who wanted to make the government smaller has EVER done that.

Don't vote for Paul, he's crazy AND he's a hypocrite.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

mark maze — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:24:22 GMT

I was aghast and adrift for many months trying to figure out where to go, what to think, who to believe about all our presidential candidates running for 2008,
i had come to the conclusion that voting in this election was only going to be about voting for the candidate that told the prettiest lies, voting for someone that told the best tasting story,
then about six weeks ago.. i stumbled upon Ron Paul..

I am hitching my wagon up to his run for president

straight shooter , free thinker , he is the man.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

dima, NY — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:39:06 GMT

good job as usual by dr paul of blaming america for all the ills of the world, claiming that we are responsible for the punishment that al-qaeda seeks to inflict on us, demanding a withdrawal from iraq, deaf to the facts on the grounds that show us having pacified the country and bringing some semblance of democracy to that region, meeting with, and accepting donations from various white supremacist and neo-nazi groups such as stormfront, and then refusing to return the donated money. Claiming that iran has no "army, air-force or navy, so therefore they are harmless", apparently ignorant to the fact that they have an advanced army,( one of the largest in the world) and a air-force and navy, not to mention all the special terrorist units that they have created such as the irgc and the quds force, which equip, train, and finance the major terrorist org's in the world such as hezbollah, hamas, and the shiite death squads in iraq, which have killed hundreds of american soldiers, employing equipment and training directly from iran. Oh, yes, and kudos to dr paul for not even knowing how many soldiers we actually have deployed overseas, in a classroom setting, when a teacher asks you a question and you answer with "a lot", it generally means you don't know the answer to said question.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

JR — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:47:59 GMT

When Tim tried to nail Dr. Paul on the issue of adding earmarks to pending bills, did anyone notice the list of projects were to be funded. Personally, the projects seemed to be beneficial to his constituents in general, not a specific group. I didn't hear about projects that were ridiculous or aimed at benefitting a small group and they seemed more commericial except for expanding nursing care. I was really disappointed that Russert tried to make this point and the flood insurace claims on the gulf coast the fault of Dr. Paul. The claims of Dr. Pauls district with respect to flood and storm damage are not the responsibility of Dr. Paul, it is the current system that is in place. In fact, it is pretty incredible that Dr. Paul would argue against insuring businesses and residences against flood and storm damage in a district that is probably almost 100% on a flood plain. His point is why should the American taxpayers support those who take on the financial risk of living on a flood plain. It is his philosophy that if you decide to build on the coast, then it is at your own risk.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Andy, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:54:11 GMT

Murray sacrificed integrity for the sake of inflamatory propaganda. Other commentiaries about the same appearance leave a different impression, and seem more authentic. The first paragraph of shocking statements is nothing more than a return to nineteenth century yellow journalism.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Robert Edward Johnson, Normal, IL — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:14:15 GMT

1. It's pretty sad to see people on both sides concentrate on minutiae like earmarks when the real money is being wasted elsewhere. In this article
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/bg2016.cfm
a fellow from Heritage mentions 'tens of billions' of dollars being wasted each year in earmarks. PLEASE. So-called Leaving No Child Behind costs a minimum of $60 billion, not even counting unfunded mandates. The Prescription Drug Bill in 2003 costs $75 billion. The war in Iraq is $120 billion. Earmarks and other pork are trivial compared with eliminating simply these three items which we lived VERY well without, thank you very much, before Dubya. I must agree with most of the Ron Paul supporters that if this is the biggest thing Russert could throw at Paul, then Ron Paul is in like Flynn.
2. Having said that, I have to admit that, as a Ron Paul supporter and as one who ran as a Ron Paul Republican for Congress in 2006 against Sam "nuke Syria and torture prisoners" Johnson, I see the following items from the interview as potential problems for Ron Paul, even though I agree with him:
A. He mentioned opposing the Civil Rights bill of 1964. Not only potential black supporters, but typical 'moderate' types, may vote against him in the Primaries as 'unelectable' (anticipating youtubes as 30 second attack ads) or may genuinely oppose his position. I agree that the 1964 Civil Rights Act, not to mention worse programs like Affirmative Action and Busing, helped divide and even segregate our society in a much more severe fashion than it was before 1964, but most folks out there won't get that.
B. Ron Paul is correct that the War Between the States was an idiotic way to resolve slavery, and he could have cited Tom DiLorenzo's The Real Lincoln and the fact that Brazil ended slavery by 1890 WITHOUT compensating slave owners. Fine. Indeed, the only place where Ron Paul was wrong is when he said we wasted 600,000 lives. It was closer to 650,000, and indeed, when the truncation error on the War Between the States is close to the US death total in Vietnam, it's bizarre that anyone would disagree with Ron Paul - but the typical moronic mainstream moderate probably will in the same way they will on point A.
C. Granted, Ron Paul was one of only four Congressmen to be for Reagan in 1976, but saying he was a failure, for whatever reason, will not play well with the GOP base in the Primaries. Once again, Youtube 30 second attack ad time. I wish Ron Paul could have at least mixed in some of what he considered to be Reagan's ACCOMPLISHMENTS instead of simply listing his failures. On the other hand, by calling George Herbert Walker Bush a bum, he may actually pick UP GOP base votes, since many of them are as disgusted with Bush the father for having led to Clinton due to his poor performance as they are at his son for arguably handing Congress to the Dems last year (and the Presidency next year if Ron Paul is not nominated).
D. I FULLY agree with Ron Paul that the only war we're currently fighting that is more idiotic, insane, and ignorant than Iraq is the one on drugs. Still, the average boobus Americanus will react negatively, though Ron Paul's analogy with Prohibition will hopefully win SOME votes.
E. While I'd actually go further than Ron Paul and would be willing to say that Huckabee's appeal is to the same folks, class-wise, who voted for Hitler, making snide remarks and Sinclair Lewis references ISN'T what Ron Paul should be doing. Now that the war is practically a non-issue in terms of US deaths per month (no thanks to the Surge but thanks to counterinsurgency techniques and a truce with the insurgents, both of which could have been adopted sometime after the fall of Baghdad and well before Fallujah, saving almost 3000 US lives), Ron Paul should be trying to shore up the GOP base, including the Religious Right. This would be EASY to do at Huckabee's expense since he releases rapists who then do rape AND murder, and raises taxes to help illegals, and Ron Paul has a strong record of opposing Roe. Instead he continues to try to get votes from the left. (sigh).

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Michael Ross — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:23:48 GMT

Wow, despite the obvious bias of the (horrible) author, Ron Paul sold me.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Adam, Sacramento — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:39:19 GMT

Ron Paul has cross party appeal because small government is an appealing policy goal to both republican and democratic constituencies.

That said he can promise to abolish alot of things but without congress scrubbing the laws requiring the actions his hands would largely be tied on domestic issues and limitations would largely be accomplished through financial constraints.

Taxes - Needs congress
Education - Needs Congress

about the only place he he iear completely free to act is on foreign policy. Even then a strong case could be made that treaty law forbade him removing troops from nato countries etc...

His presence at the top would certainly prevent massive new endeavors but rolling back big government isn't easily accomplished.

Perhaps precisely because of that he seems quite appealing in a race looking to shape up as another polarized lesser of two evils campaign. You know what your going to get with him and it's legislative and regulatory gridlock. A time out.

Leviathan has a certain inertia to it created by entrenched beuracracies of civil servants as well as elected representatives. Not to mention the activist groups each clamoring for their own benefit often while disdaining everyone elses.

I'ld choose Ron over Hillary for sure and certainly Giuliani, Romney or Huckabee. I'ld rather inaction than their action.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

K. Moore, Tampa Florida — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:42:05 GMT

PRESIDENT PAUL

The moment he became President, Ron Paul would blast away at the chains that restrain freedom, peace and prosperity in this country and around the world.

President Paul would endeavor to scale back Government more than any other candidate and he has an ironclad record of doing exactly what he says. In 20 years in Congress he has amassed one of the most conservative and Constitutionally compliant voting records in American history. He has never voted to raise taxes. Never voted for an unbalanced budget. Never voted to trade liberty for security. Never voted for anything...ever; unless it was authorized by our Constitution. The lobbyist call him Dr. No because special interest groups can never get anything (our money) out of him. A man of principle and integrity. He's as incorruptible a politician as there ever was.

A Ron Paul Presidency would usher in a return to the Constitutional principles of limited government, just taxation, fiscal responsibility, sound money, strong national defense and individual rights.

Americans are hungry, thirsty; starving for change. We are tired of what we have been getting. Year after year, administration after administration, Republican or Democrat; nothing seems to be able to stop the unrelenting growth of government and it's corresponding sacrifice of freedom and prosperity. Congress has an approval rating in the teens. Ron Paul is a true Maverick. The establishment can't control him but We The People know exactly where he stands because of his adherence to the Constitution.

Liberty is not the natural order of things. It is extreme. It has existed in a relatively small place for a relatively short period of time. Ron Paul is extreme. He wants elected officials to honor their oath of office. He wants this country and posterity to enjoy the blessings of liberty by going back to the future. Back to our Constitution.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Freeman Female, Dallas, TX — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:45:22 GMT

Ron Paul is a nut and racist against women and minorities. Yes I listened to the MTP interview. Ron Paul is a dummy. If you as a candidate support policies then you should know the numbers and affects of your policies. I list the following:

1. How much revenue do you lose from the income tax?
RP summary answers: Alot, I dont know
2. How do you replace the money?
RP summary answers: smaller spending, I dont know
3. Would that mean cutting the milatary and how?
RP summary answers: Alot, I dont know
4. Earmarks for your congressional district(no hurricanes and white by the way) and none for Katrina(most powerful hurricane and black by the way)?
RP summary answers: i put them in but i did not vote for them
5. Ron Paul get rid of slaves(blacks,no money for them) but pay the slaveholders(white, money for them)

You Ron Paul Autobots are on full circle but by the own words of his mouth HE CONDEMEND HIMSELF. Tim Russert just happened to be in the room.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee Holmes — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:05:02 GMT

What disturbs me is that Pauls 800 pd gorilla continues to be strangely ignored in these 229-plus posts. Namely,his associations with and acceptance of monies from,American Nazis.[Ron Black,the leader of STORMFRONT[Aryan Nation splinter. Black is also editor of the racist newsletter/website that bears the same name],and a fervent Paulite,is seen standing next to a smiling Paul last week,turning out his ''stormtroopers'',to raise money for his campaign.
To date,Paul has seen fit to keep these campaign donations. This man is a loose cannon and cannot in any way be trusted to captain the ship of state.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Red Butler — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:07:29 GMT

Russert got OWNED. Loved it! If you didn't see it, go and read the Transcript. This was a fantastic and classic Ron Paul performance. He can't be ruffled. Russert had to keep switching to a new question because each one went up in smoke.

And a note to Tim (did someone sleep thru their Constitutional Law class?) - It's constitutional to change the constitution. Love it! ho ho ho...

Merry Xmas everyone!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee in CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:28:47 GMT

I had to read a lot of posts before anyon ementioned what I thought was the headline - this country is approaching a "soft" fascist state. I'd say we're there, when you can have a four-plus-year war for corporate interests. Invading Iraq to bring "democracy" is a pitiful distortion of the truth - they didn't even hit on that line the first two or three "reasons." It's a corporate war waged by a puppet leader who doesn't even like democracy. ANd the civil war wasn't about freeing slaves. Not at first, anyway.

Ron Paul - why I registered Republican, even though I think Reagan murdered nuns, Poppy smuggled drugs and Jr. is simply the dull tool of fascism.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steve, Seattle, WA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:36:30 GMT

I thought Paul did a great job of explaining his positions. I don't agree with him on everything, but really like the way he provides direct, well thought-out, reasoned answers to all questions. It's quite refreshing.

I'm a Barack Obama fan and will vote for him if he is the Democratic candidate because I like his positions best and believe he can do the best job of bringing the country back together. But if Senator Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, and Paul runs as a third party candidate, I'll definitely vote for him.

The people that think Russert was "slinging mud", or trying to "smear" Paul must not watch the show very often. Asking tough but fair questions is Russert's job and he does it better than anyone else on television. If the person being interviewed is a straight-shooter, then that person shines, as Paul did. If that person is speaking out of his or her mouth though, it shows.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Rick, Surf City NC — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:43:46 GMT

If Mr. Russert interviewed every "guest" in the same manner he did Dr. Paul... Meet The Press might have great ratings every week. Too bad all he did was hurt himself in the eyes of what honest viewers he had left and showed he IS a corporate sell-out!! VOTE RON PAUL 2008!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Bjorn — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:04:15 GMT

That Russert sure looked like a jerk. No wonder I get all my news from blogs.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Colin Mincy New York, NY — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:04:46 GMT

I'm a Democrat who is intrigued by Ron Paul. You'd have to be in a coma not to be. I watched the interview in its entirety and thought a lot of things Paul says has a bit of sensibility about it but is very different than what most mainstream, sound byte politicians propose. Russert's job was to explore these items so viewers could determine whether Paul was a lunatic fringe or a politician whose ideas and ideals have a different perspective. Paul supporters on here who are attacking Russert for doing his job in getting to the bottom of Paul's stances (as he did with every other candidate for President that has appeared on his program) sound foolish. Russert interviewed well and Paul withstood the barrage of questions and media research and represented himself well. Everyone voting in this election ought to watch Paul's interview, and then go back and watch Giuliani and Romney's. I'm not voting for Paul, but I will say that given the field, the Republicans will make a grave mistake if they don't give Paul more consideration.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tracker, FL — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:18:44 GMT

Interesting how Russert buried the real issue.

"Eventually the masses come to understand the schemes of their rulers. Then the cleverly concocted plans of inflation collapse. Whatever compliant government economists may have said, inflationism is not a monetary policy that can be considered as an alternative to a sound-money policy. It is at best a temporary expedient. The main problem of an inflationary policy is how to stop it before the masses have seen through their rulers' artifices. It is a display of considerable naivety to recommend openly a monetary system that can work only if its essential features are ignored by the public."
-- Ludwig von Mises, The Theory of Money and Credit

RP on Mises:
http://www.mises.org/books/paulmises.pdf

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Angelo, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:21:46 GMT

I couldn't believe my eyes and ears watching Tim Russert squander a golden opportunity to help America by bringing up issues that are threatening out country. Today, right next to this MTP coverage we have more news on the falling USD. The Dollar is submerged below its all time lowest level of value. That in itself is a drama that hasn't even begun to effect us personally. Dr.Paul is an authority on economics and Russert for whatever reason chose to peel old stale chewing gum off the bottom of his chair by bringing up irrelevant comments from 6 and 20 years ago just to try to discredit Ron Paul.

Up until this interview I still had a shred - just a sherd of hope that our media could do some reporting that would truly help Americans know and therefore respond appropriately to the looming crisis over America.

If Russert was so committed to being "after the truth" why didn't he admit that his own son is a Ron Paul supporter like Joe Scarborough?

Russert avoided the Fed and the dropping dollar and the economic crisis, as well as Iraq--subjects the elites don't want Ron raising. Still, Russert was not as vicious—despite all the misquotes and distortions and ancient history—and here’s why. It turns that Russert’s son, like the children of many of the elite, and far more of the middle and working classes—is a Ron Paul Revolutionary. Tim, better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Angelo, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:29:38 GMT

According to a national AOL poll 30% of 76,000 Americans believe Ron Paul will be and should be the next American President.
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007/12/21/straw-poll-dec-21-jan-4/90#comments

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Hollis Yungbliut, New York — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:45:14 GMT

I notice the Associated Press' coverage is also trying to paint Dr. Paul in a bad light, and sensational but I don't think it will work. I notice that Paul gets asked the toughest questions the most and still referred to as a long shot in main stream media. I would love for Tim to ask all the other top tier candidates about how much money they receive from coroporate lobbysists. He never mentioned that Paul doesn't take corporate donations. I don't think the media can change how we feel about Dr. Paul because we already know where he stands on the big issues and what his platform is.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee Holmes — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:18:39 GMT

Then too,the ''purchase''of slaves,in a form, was already contemplated by Lincoln,as observed by New York Herald journalist Henry Stanley.[Stanley,who would later utter his famous line to Dr. Livingstone in Africa,served briefly in an Arkansas Confederate regiment at the Tennessee battle of Shiloh[Pittburg Landing],later deserting to the north and finding a job working as a hack for the Yankee press].
The Herald got the drop on the Times by running several articles by Stanley and others[including an incensed William Lloyd Garrison,a seminal leader of the Abolitionist movement,who would call Lincoln,as a result of his idea,''A first rate,second-rate man''],that detailed a plan whereby Lincoln would make purchase of slaves and send these,on ships loaded with cotton,corn and fodder seed,to the African nation of Liberia,which was founded in 1847 by freed African slaves and was sponsored by the young Illinois lawyer while he was in Congress.
A livid Frederick Douglass remarked ''that you might as well try to sell the foot,or the arm,or the legs of the negro''...''Liberty must take the day. Nothing else will suffice'',and continued to press Lincoln to admitting blacks into the Union Army[No.The 54th Mass.was not the first Union black regiment. Several units operating in South Carolina,Missouri,and Texas predated the 54th,but that unit remains among the most illustrious of the black regiments. Blacks also fought in Confederate regiments,in Louisiana,Virginia,Texas,and Tennessee,where one of the finest sharpshooters in Col.Tyree Bells Tennessee cavalry regiment was a black man from Alabama].
Agitation from Garrison,Douglass,and others including members of his own cabinet,Seward among these,Lincoln did not need with the fate of Lees invasion of Maryland hanging in the balance and so scrapped the Liberia plan ,at times coming across it again,but never again attempting to utilize it,particularly after the first US Coloured Regiments[USCT],began to appear on Northern Virginia battlefields,administering lead,''dispensed by twenty thousand black doctors''.[Douglass].

Also See:''Voices of the Civil War'' TIME/LIFE,1997-et al.

''Lincoln:''The War Years'',Sandburg,Carl:''The Involved Slavery Issue'',Chptr.XXVI.1954,Library of Congress.

''First With The Most:Nathan Bedford Forrest'' Henry,Robert.Smithmark Press,1996.''Brices Crossroads:Highwater Mark of Victory'',Chptr.XIV.

''From Desert To Bayou.Journal And Sketches.Maj.[CSA]Morgan Wolfe Merrick'',Merrick,Morgan J. University of Texas at El Paso Press,1902[reprnt.1987].

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Colleen Brassington, Mount Vernon, Wash — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:05:57 GMT

In his obvious efforts to make Ron Paul look like a duplicitous politician, Mr. Russert instead has made a fool of himself. Mr. Russert repeatedly interrupted Dr. Paul during his response time with a barrage of misquotes from a campaign of 20 years ago, changing the subject, and making it difficult to fully answer the initial question that was asked. It was quite apparent that most of Mr. Russert's efforts went toward trying to embarrass Dr. Paul. I think it would have been much more productive to allow Dr. Paul to state his platform and policies without twisting his words around to meet the needs of Mr. Russert. Is this the Mr. Russert show or Meet The Press, which should only be hosted by Mr. Russert and facilitated by Mr. Russert, not for and about Mr. Russert's concerns on government policies. From watching other well facilitated interviews with Dr. Paul, I have come to the realization that our economic needs, which are at a critical level, must be addressed as priority before it is too late. If people come away from watching this interview between Mr. Russert and Dr. Paul thinking that Dr. Paul's policies and platform issues are full of ridiculous ideas, it is only because of the ridiculous predicament that we the people have allowed our current government to put us in. We the people need to dig our way out of this dung heap, and it is going to take some extreme and ridiculous plans and implementations to get our economy back on track. The first place to start would be to vote for a man who knows what it will take to accomplish these changes and reforms. We need to vote for a man who is going to represent the freedoms of each individual citizen of this country. We do not need to vote for men who are more worried about how a Christmas commercial is going to effect his/her poll in Iowa. I am sick and tired of the antics put on by people like Tim Russert, which belittles our government affairs by focusing on the acting abilities of the candidates rather than the real life issues.

Sincerely,

Colleen Brassington

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ellis B. Kingman, Az. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:12:49 GMT

By the way NBCs Lauren Appelbaum slants the report of Ron Paul's interview with Tim Russert and Tim Russert's attempts to paint Dr. Paul as a radical exstremist it is obvious to me that both support the notion of status quo. But after listening to Dr. Paul's rational replies and reading up on his back ground I was struck by Dr. Paul's honesty and his deep commitment to the Constitution and liberty. And as an independent who is leaning Edwards for change I have decided that if Edwards is not very much in the hunt by the time of the Arizona primary I will most certainly cast a protest vote for Ron Paul

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Angelo, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:21:38 GMT

When Glenn Beck does a better interview with Ron Paul than the "Know All" Russert, something really big is going on.

I don't even want to talk about lakies Appelbaum, Murray and Todd.

Highschool kids could have done better.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Agent Smith — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:41:37 GMT

"refused to rule out a third party run."

This isn't news.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Marc, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:21:05 GMT

Ron Paul “American Civil War a mistake”
Paul says “The way I'm proposing that it should have been done is do it like the British Empire did -- you buy the slaves and release them. How much would that cost compared to killing 600,000 Americans?”
Again, Pauls statement is that we could have freed slaves without American deaths. And the problem with that is what?

The problem is... the Civil War was not about slavery... the Civil War was about Southern nationalism and the preservation of the Union. Lincoln wasn't overtly concerned about the slavery issue as policy until late 1862. That Paul got this wrong is terrifying as his whole campaign is based on America's supposed history and original intent.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Doug Ackerman Amarillo TX — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:38:29 GMT

It's about time we had someone like Ron Paul running for President, if only he could win... He's no nonsense but I dought if he could get any of the things he proposes past through the Congress and house, just because to many people want to keep electing the same old crooks year after year. The best thing is I did'nt here him talk about religon, but he might have, other than to say everyone can believe as they want. I really liked his idea of the US not being the police of the world. Let other countries fend for themselves. Bout time. Dang I wish he could get elected. Best thing we've had to vote on since Ross Perot[sp].

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Terry — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:17:56 GMT

Ok - you win....Ron Paul for surgeon general. He can't possibly do a worse job than Bush's lackeys.

Wonder if he'll support stem cell research?? Nope, forget it. No government money for that kind of nonsense - he's not religous, just a tight wad. While we're at it, let's trim the government back a bit -just start the downsizing by dumping the IRS, Dept. of Education, Medicare, Social Security, and on and on.....and don't forgot to eliminate those damn income taxes.

Complete madness, and totally unconstitutional as another poster reminded us. Apparently Ron's biggest supporters are anarchists that don't like paying taxes. That bunch turns out for every election.

One enraptured poster said it all - can't speak too well but 'very intelligent' ... I'm remembering when legions of Bush supporters swore George was alot smarter than he looked/sounded (Carl Rove testified that he kept a book on the nightstand). Want to try driving down that road again, do we??

Paul is a mediocre politician that's just trotted out his 1988 libertarian presidential agenda all over again - old wine in new wineskins as it were. Thanks to Bushco, it finally resonates with his disenfranchised supporters - the new worlders that want to start over from scratch. The fact is, if any of his hairbrained ideas were written into law, his very supporters would be the ones crying foul when all the safety nets, entitlement programs, and governmental oversight were gone, and the 'entrepreneurs' that Bush is so fond of really did rule the world and ALL of it's resources. Dog eat dog, indeed!!

Ron Paul is no populist. What he is preaching is social Darwinism folks - wake up and smell the coffee. Survival of the richest is what that game is called. It's true they've got a hell of a head start now, but why remove all the obstacles standing in their way?? Ron Paul may indeed be sincere person -but I've got to draw the line at the 'very intelligent' part.

Returning to the days of yore will not happen in your lifetimes - and you should be thankful. Work on improving the government we have by trying to elect representatives that actually work for the people - and that's getting harder by the minute. One man or woman as POTUS will not fix the problem - just as GWB could not have done the damage he's done without lots of covert support behind the scenes and upfront legislative support (that he's still getting by the way).

Be sensible - Ron Paul is not the magic bullet in the red cape. Falling in love with presidential candidates is falling in love with an illusion of your own making. Remember the last time you fell in love?

A real heartbreaker, wasn't it???

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jason, Farmington Hills, MI — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:44:16 GMT

There is nothing more to add. I struggled to find any comments in this blog that are negative towards Mr. Paul. America is long overdue for an inspiring leader that supports real change and has the conviction to get it done. Finally, a candidate with real ideas and a REAL chance to resonate with voters! I have found my candidate.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Brian. Portland, Or — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:47:10 GMT

No longer a Fan of Tim, he showed his true corporate colors. As a long-time independent voter, I am switching to Republican to vote for Ron Paul. He takes a stand on every issue, he is the real deal. Ron Paul 2008!!!!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Nick, Easton, PA — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:12:36 GMT

Paul is a breath of fresh air...which means he has a snowball's chance of getting the Republican nomination. The Republican Party is beholden to the same big corporate interests as the Democrats. It has also foresaken it's stand against big government..heck it's expanding government as never before.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jim Booth,Coeur d Alene, Idaho — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:27:34 GMT

Ron Paul, is great! Russert did his best to try and destroy Paul, it did not work. I will not vote for any other than Ron, bring the troop's home Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jason, Huntington Beach, CA — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 01:14:57 GMT

I'm an independent with no affiliation to any party -- Ron Paul rocks, and Tim Russert doesn't.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Clark Williams — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:15:39 GMT

I have to respond to this because I think that no one in their right mind is looking at this.

Ron Paul is a crackpot. He says he hates earmarks, but gets them for his own people.

Lincoln couldn't avoid a civil war much in the same way that Truman couldn't avoid dropping the A-bomb. If Lincoln didn't respond to the shelling of Fort Sumter (which the Confederacy did, not the Union), he would have been thrown out of office.

By the way, the Robert Taft wing of the Republican Party was so terrible that it created the idea of third party runs. It spawned the Bull Moose party of Theodore Roosevelt.

In reading these posts, I have to conclude that the people writing these posts don't really read history. They only follow people who kiss their Luddite behinds.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tony Suprano, Newark,N.J. — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:57:04 GMT

Hello, and Merry Christmas.. hillaryclinton.com

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Chris S. Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:39:04 GMT

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1105-02.htm

Sharon asking the US to attack Iran the day the Iraq war ends. Paul stuttered for a second for a source here, but alas, he is right again.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Jacky — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:22:02 GMT

This article was MUCH better than the one from CNN's Political Ticker blog. Bravo, MSNBC First Read.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Arnold Harris, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:56:43 GMT

Congressman Paul has a somewhat mistaken view of history.

The American civil war was begun by the secession of 11 southern states from the United States of America, culminating in military forces of their newly-formed confederacy attacking firing upon and compelling the surrender of a military fort of the United States in Charleston harbor. Following that attack, in April 1861, no further negotiations or reconciliation was possible.

The issue that ignited the great civil war was secession, not slavery. President Abraham Lincoln had on many occasions said that if he could have brought the confederate states back into the Union, even with slavery, he would have done so. And, unfortunately, many Americans in the North would have agreed with him.

But when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation during the war, terminating slavery in all southern lands under control of the federal forces, the die was cast for the permanent termination of slavery, the adoption of constitutional amendments providing the former slaves full rights of citizenship, and the ultimate achievement of exactly those rights.

Congressman Paul sounds as though he wishes to turn the American national clock and calendar back to 1860. But we are now in the 21st century, not the 19th.

As for the congressman declaring he would not be averse to a third party candidacy for president, that would accomplish nothing for him but to make him the Ross Perot or Ralph Nader of 2008, and assure the presidency of Senator Hillary Clinton.

Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steven Douglas Elwood — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 13:04:26 GMT

Another Word To Americans

Many people criticize what the man is saying. All he is saying about the government programs to be abolished, is that they should be handled on a state or local level. Another thing, non-intervention is not the same as isolationalism.
If we reduce the Federal Government and give the power back to local and state agencies. We will save billions of dollars that are wasted by giant bureaucracies. So many politicians and big corporations will loose Federal subsidies as well as political swaying power for government programs. A lot of people are going to fight tooth and nail so they can still suck millions of dollars off the Federal tit. The true American will fight for individual rights and tell the Federal Government we can govern ourselves on a local level. Remember private industry and free market competition is the greatest innovator. Ron Paul is the only man in the 2008 presidential election that stands for freedom and equality for all, which made America the strongest country on earth, financially and militarily.
Now big corporations and the behemoth bureaucracy called the Federal Reserve and many others are destroying our country and our individual freedoms as well as the value of the American dollar. If we do not return to the framework that our country was founded on, we are facing imminent doom. We are not the FEDERAL EMPIRE of AMERICA...We are a republic.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

My fellow countrymen and fellow patriots, I beseech you to join with me and vote for Ron Paul. This is our last chance to take our country back from these bureaucracies.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Steve

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lincoln Scholar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 13:41:46 GMT

Paul repeated his claim that Abraham Lincoln should not have started the Civil War to get rid of slavery. "Six-hundred-thousand Americans died in the senseless Civil War," he said. "No, he should not have gone to war. He did this just to enhance and get rid of the original tenet of the Republic," he told NBC's Tim Russert.

"Slavery was phased out in every other country in the world," Paul continued, responding to the question if America would still have slavery had there not been the Civil War. "The way I'm proposing that it should have been done is do it like the British Empire did -- you buy the slaves and release them. How much would that cost compared to killing 600,000 Americans?... I mean, that doesn't sound too radical to me. That sounds like a pretty reasonable approach."

1. Lincoln did not "start" the Civil War, the south seceded after Lincoln was elected but before he even took office.

2. Any schoolkid knows that Lincoln did not advocate emancipation until well into the war. The Republican position was simply to limit slavery to the areas in which it already existed.

3. Lincoln did favor and advocate gradual compensated emancipation as a solution to slavery, the south didn't want any part of it.

The south fought for slavery because they viewed it as the cornerstone of their way of life and a positive good. Nothing Lincoln said or did short of advocating the extension of slavery into the territories and supporting it with the force of the US government would have changed the south's mind.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Stanley, Princeton, New Jersey — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:36:10 GMT

I thought both participants did an excellent job. Remember, Tim's job is to play devil advocate with all of his guests. And, it's up to the guests to answer for better or for worse. I don't believe that Tim has an agenda against any one particular candidate although sometimes the questions seems to lead you to think he may be. That is part of his job and he does it better than anyone else where politics is concerned. Paul did a good job and didn't sway me one way or the other which is OK for now. Great show, great questions and great responses. That's all you can ask for until the real debates begin next year. By the way, all though I don't agree with Paul on all issues, there are some that he is right on, but I'll let you decide for yourselves which they are.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Ron Ponichter, Sterling Heights, MICHIGAN — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:17:39 GMT

Tim Russert (& the establishment) and his Buffalo Bills, 13 points;
Ron Paul (Mr. Hard Facts & the Voice of Reason) 43 points and my vote!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Baba Padmanabhan, Chicago, IL — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:28:11 GMT

My take aways from this interview:
-Bring back our troops from policing the world.
-No foreign aid to Israel or Arabs.
-Work to phase out the unconstitutional IRS.
-Toss Patriot Act and restore our liberties.
-NO MORE PRE-EMPTIVE WARS.
-NO MORE CEO ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON
-TIM RUSSERT IS A DIRT BAG.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Joe Allen, El Paso, Texas — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:06:14 GMT

Are we Americans so arrogant as to think that we are immune to the passions that have given rise to tyranny and despotism elswhere? Wake up, people! We are like the proverbial frog in the pot, oblivious to the slowly rising teperature of the water.

You may not yet have felt the pain of loss for your freedoms. You wore your seatbelt or your motorcycle helmet anyway. You bought that water-saving toilet or that compact flourescent light bulb to save money or the environment, not because there are no longer five-gallon flush or incandescent alternatives. Hopefully you are not a biggot, so "civil rights" legislation that replaces your freedom of associastion isn't much of a burden either. But what happens when they come for something you really care about?

What if they outlaw guns, gambling, homeschooling, herbal remedies, unpasturized milk, real Christmas trees, contact sports, double cheeseburgers or whatever? You need to think about the answers because they are already coming. In some cases, they are already here.

This election is a rare opportunity to reverse this deeply disturbing trend, this death march to collectivist oppression. One man in the field of pesidential candidates wants you to be treated as an individual, not a member of a special intrest group. He doesn't even think in terms of ethnicities or voting blocks. When he looks at you, the only colors he sees are red, white and blue.

Congressman Ron Paul, M.D. is unusual to be sure, the way that a diamond in a pile of rocks is unusual. He is the squarest of the square, but he fights for your right not to be if you so choose. He is the Air Force veteran who opposes the military draft, the Yale-trained physician who supports alternative medicine, the devout Christain who fights for your right to be Bhudist or nudist or free-range organic foodist.

A Ron Paul administration might be a little scary, with lower or no taxes, there would be less government services. Mostly the government would just protect you from force and fraud. Returning to a constitutionally limited government that would neither be strong enough to steal from you or for you just might give you more freedom than you are comfortable with. A free nation would look a little more like a jungle, but it would also look a little less like a zoo.

Maybe Dr. Paul doesn't fit your idea of what a president should look or sound like. Maybe you want a leader who looks good on television, and are willing to put up with extra-constitutional executive powers, preemptive undeclared wars, trans-fat bans, CAFE standards, smoking bans, central bank monopolies, SWAT raids on cancer patients, inflation, forced vaccinations, domestic spying, mutual defense treaties, lobbyist-written legislation, and IRS audits. You are free to feel that way. That's your right, but when the government thugs come goose-stepping down your street it might be too late to ever change your mind.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

James Moore, Pemberville, Ohio — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:24:55 GMT

Mark Murray, THANK YOU for such an unbiased article on the MTP & Tim Russert attempt to make Dr. Paul look unsavory. Your article was very good! I only wish Tim Russert had asked some more relevant questions, like Dr. Paul's economic philosophy & why Keynesian economics needs to be re-evaluated as the best theoretical course for the economy. I think it's high time the dollar was backed by something again, besides something as volatile as consumer confidence. Russert took the low road, and shame on him.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

James Moore, Pemberville, Ohio — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:38:06 GMT

Oops, my mistake...Lauren Applebaum wrote this, and Mark Murray posted it...what's up with that?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Mark Thieme — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 22:04:11 GMT

Reading through these comments after almost a month hiatus from writing here reminds me of something that happened last week that blew me way back.
In a bookstore, a national chain store, I was at the checkout and among the items I was buying was one of the two magnificent new translations of Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE. The woman at the register commented "Wow! What a big book. I thought it was a dictionary. What is it about anyway?"

What is it about... anyway?

Happy Holidays!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

KYJurisDoctor, KY — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:23:35 GMT

That IDIOTIC speech sure shows why some racist's groups are donating to Ron Paul's campaign.

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/12/ron-paul-on-meet-press-all-you-ever.html#links

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Alan, Knoxville, TN — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:44:17 GMT

"Paul repeated his claim that Abraham Lincoln should not have started the Civil War to get rid of slavery."

Uh, am I the only one here that was actually AWAKE during the Civil War segment of their high school history classes? Must be, because I'm the only one so far to point out that the SOUTH started the Civil War, not Abraham Lincoln:

"On April 10, 1861, Brig. Gen. Beauregard, in command of the provisional Confederate forces at Charleston, South Carolina, demanded the surrender of the Union garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Garrison commander Anderson refused. On April 12, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort, which was unable to reply effectively. At 2:30 p.m., April 13, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter, evacuating the garrison on the following day. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War."

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/america/civilwar/cw26.htm

Yes, we really need to put in yet another neo-con yokel that knows next to NOTHING about the country he wants to lead.

Good effin' Grief

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

chris grigassy, austin, tx — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:17:54 GMT

ron paul understands the big picture. i'm glad he's speaking clearly and simply about what's eally going on, and what makes sense, and what meets my interests.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kate Marlowe Denver, CO — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:42:15 GMT

Ron Paul believes that restaurants and shops should be allowed to refuse service to people just because they are black.
He believes that people have the right to organize into unions but that employers should be able to fire people for organizing into unions.
Paul, just like the Republicans or Democrats who favor corporations, want to reward the already rich and powerful by denying the middle and working class the ability to organize in any meaningful way.
I'm disappointed that Russert did not follow up on more of Paul's bizarre ideology.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Niko Plakakis, San Jose, CA — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:54:48 GMT

Ron Paul speaks from the heart. He does not try and cover any thing up. It seems that many of the questions were about his '88' campaign. We are here about 20 years later, and the questions seemed to paint a desperate attempt for a media smear campaign. I think that many see the questions that have been asked and can tell the media hates Ron, but they look at the polls and see that America loves Ron. I like many other young Americans will never trust the mainstream media for my news as far as when it comes to politics. I will continue to watch the mainstream media for sports scores, etc. But when it comes to politics, I am sorry, I can only trust CSPAN and the Internet.

Go Ron.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

chris grigassy, austin, tx — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:55:36 GMT

ron paul understands the big picture. i'm glad he's speaking clearly and simply about what's eally going on, and what makes sense, and what meets my interests.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Devon Showley, Cyprerss, CA — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:31:24 GMT

I got the feeling that I was listening to a debate in which one of the candidates controlled the mike.
Tim treated Dr. Paul as if he were an enemy; apparently NBC sees him as such.
After nearly 30 years of viewing, never will I watch Meet The Press again.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Vicki — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 05:16:24 GMT

Ron Paul is a straight talking honest and very intelligent man. He will make a great president because he will work with the congress and make corrections to the Bush policies that have hurt americans constantly. He will be just what this country desperately needs.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Karl Bratcher,Florence, Oregon — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:22:34 GMT

President Bush prevails as the worst president the United States has ever had and more than likely will ever have. With the republican Congress blind to the citizen’s wishes I personally felt moved to leave the Republican Party knowing I couldn’t stand anymore of their abuse. I firmly felt we had lost the Republican Party we once knew.

As I viewed the list of American wishing to be the President of the United States I found serious doubts in my mind any of these people even qualified for the positions they held let alone being our President. That was until I payed close attention over a long period of time about Ron Paul and his messages. I’m not ready to return to the Republican Party for a long time but I am ready to vote for this only fully qualified candidate.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Johnny Weismann, Seattle Wash. — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:29:11 GMT

Russert has shown himself an exemplary treacherous journalist who is not willing to show our people the truth, but has only shown interest in manipulating us to believe that Ron Paul is an awkward and bizarre candidate. The way Russert was talking about Israel, about taxes, about our budget, it was all not meant to inform us on the ideas, the real ideas of dr. Paul. It was purely meant to damage dr. Paul, to set him aside us not to be taken seriously. But boy, how wonderful dr. Paul handled all the stupid attacks of Russert: he stayed calm, he stood his ground and he explained to our people things that are just obvious to everyone, but for example about Israel, are hard to take for zionist media pions like Russert. Dr. Ron Paul: ofcourse we need to stop the trillion dollars wasting for Israel's security. If Israel wants to endanger itself in the Middle East it is at her OWN cost, not at OUR cost. Why Russert does not want to see this is clear. He is not a journalist showing us the truth, he is there to uphold the interests of Israel. Down down down with all the traitors like Russert and GO GO GO with true politicians like dr. Ron Paul. You have my VOTE!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Vitus Ozoke, Miami, Florida — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:35:21 GMT

It is just unfortunate that not enough Americans are listening to Ron Paul. Ron Paul represents what the United States needs at this moment in her history. He is a very intelligent and authentic man. The more I listen to him, the more I like him and dislike other candidates. His humility and erudition recommend him to me. He should be president.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Sensible Repub — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:22:03 GMT

My ticket: Ron Paul and John Galt. Otherwise, get real and try John McCain and Oliver North.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

J. Emil, Bowie, MD — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:52:08 GMT

Perhaps the Revolutionary War was a mistake too. We could have waited for independence like the rest of the colonies. I'm sure freedom would have been phased in eventually. Like that trouble-maker, Abe Lincoln, George Washington and his rabble-rousers who wrote the Constitution were wrong. Not. Gimme a break Ron Paul. Stop trying to rewrite history to make your views palatable. And I am a conservative.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

LESD, New York City — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:11:59 GMT

I see. So after Dr. Paul abolishes the IRS, we make up for a trillion dollars in lost revenue via "tariffs, excise taxes, user fees, and highway fees." I'm sure all the small government folks out there won't mind paying a few hundred billion dollars in highway fees. And I'm sure we won't need to create a federal agency to administer all this money.

Seriously, do you Libertarian types ever think through any of this nonsense? I guess you're so desperate for a candidate who sounds like he wants to blow everything up, you'll swallow anything.

If only we'd had Ron Paul in 1860 instead of Abraham Lincoln, we could have avoided the civil war. Dr. Paul would simply have informed the southern states that they must sell all their slaves to the federal government. Then the visionary Dr.Paul would have told them not to buy or capture any more slaves to sell to the government at a profit and instead begin to transition the southern economy away from labor intensive agriculture toward the manufacture of computer chips.

Don't mind me, I'm just hear to "smear" the great Dr. Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

David Smith, Wesson, MS — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:12:29 GMT

Nice article Lauren. But why is Tim Russert afraid of the Federal Reserve? He refuses to talk about this most important issue in Ron Paul's phenomenal campaign. We print money, give it to private banks and borrow it back from them. Who gets the money? Why is Tim Russert afraid of the Fed? Do the banks have total control of the media, or is it a combination of banks, military industrial comples, and big pharmaceutical? Oh, that's right, GE, one of the largest military contractors in the world owns NBC. Why doesn't NBC news secede from that unholy union.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

joseph constitutional shelton, Kansa City,Mo. — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:13:00 GMT

What the buzz... tell me me whatz a happen'in ? ...
What the buzz... tell me me whatz a happen'in ? ...
What the buzz... tell me me whatz a happen'in ? ...

Why do you wanta know ? ...

Hang on Paul... we're gonna fight for ya...
Hang on Paul... we're gonna fight for ya...
Hang on Paul... we're gonna fight for ya...

Line upon line...
Precept upon precept...
Here a little...
There a little...

How do you eat an elephant ?

One bite at a time!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Shawn Massachusetts — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:24:47 GMT

If the government bought all the slaves freedom then wouldn't the slave owners just go buy more slaves? It like saying we should just buy all the crack from all the crack heads. Not sure that is the best use of my tax money.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

John Roastner, des moines, iowa — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:46:49 GMT

Anybody ready for the shock...see here how Israel has hijacked our policies:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/rosnerPage.jhtml

We better wake up because all the gridlock, the partisanship and the sclerosis in our political system stems from the zionist infestation of our politics. Ask Abramoff who is already serving jail for it...alas on of the few lobbyists who have been nailed for their dirty lobby jobs.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee in CA — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:47:07 GMT

Jeez, the anti-Paul comments are funny.

Oliver North? If it weren't for George "skeoiltons in the closet" Bush pardonning most of Ron "Nun-killer" Reagans administration, that stinking murderer (North) would just about now be getting out of the long prison sentence he earned - right with Reagans AG.

As for this pathetic attempt at sarcasm:

"Like that trouble-maker, Abe Lincoln, George Washington and his rabble-rousers who wrote the Constitution were wrong."

it only shows why a national database to search for medical malpractice complaints is so urgently needed.

- like so-called "conservatives" give a rip about "that gd piece of paper." Exactly WHY we need Ron Paul.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Trace, Monroe Michigan — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:57:51 GMT

Ron Paul wants to do away with Social Security, I don't know about you, but I don't want to work until I die!!!! I want what my parents had a retirement!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

marc, new york — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:58:24 GMT

Thank you Dr. Paul!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Michael T. Heath, Burlington, VT — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:07:08 GMT

Mr. Russert has established himself as one of the few non-partisan talking heads on the tube today. I've seen him question both Republicans and Democrats, and they all must have sleepless nights prior to 'MTP'! But I digress: this is about Ron Paul and his outragious suppositions about Lincoln, slavery and the American Civil War. Mr. Paul would have fit in nicely with the Whigs of Lincoln's day, as the Libertarians have taken the Whig mantel unto themselves in many ways. Mr. Paul is preaching to the southern racist choir in making claims about alternatives to the historical outcome we have. The Confederacy would never have sold the Federal government all of their slaves and allowed slavery to be abolished: the issue was, and had to be, forced to the conclusion it had. Lincoln was the greatest president this nation has ever known. Ron Paul ought to catch up on real history, and abandon his "wishful thinking" revisionist daydreaming. It is not becoming in you, sir. Like it or not, as a potential president you would serve all the people, not just supremacists.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Terry — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:04:51 GMT

Texas is as Texas does - and Ron Paul is a Texan through and through. Still angry about the outcome of the Civil War, and still wanting to secede from the Union.

Utter nonsense all around from a conservative right-wing republican all dressed up in Libertarian hand-me-downs. Of course he's not your typical neocon of today - no, he's the neocon from 150 years ago.

His appeal is a most peculiar thing as we wind down 2007 - very much like the appeal that Bush garnered back in 2000 $ 2004. It didn't make a lick of sense to those on the other side in those days, but Bush was bought and paid for by the big boys - unlike Ron Paul, who remains marginal within the GOP at best.

Yes absolutely, we want Ron Paul as a 3rd party candidate!!!

A total revisionist through and through. There's no history quite like the history you've re-written yourself. These things happen when ordinary folks manage to escape temporarily from their ordinary universe only to gain transient celebrity status for about 15 minutes.

2008 -- Ron who???

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Chris Richards — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:12:55 GMT

Ron Paul is the biggest pussy ever to run for president. And as a historian is severely lacking. The civil war was fought to keep the South from seceding from the Union. The South would NOT agree to a great slave buyout, that is why they were FORCED (by war) to give up slavery. Ron Paul wants to run the country but thinks that the most divisive time in our nations history could have been solved by just buying out the slave owners. What a moron. He should go back to the North Pole and continue making toys for Santa rather than running for public office. I;d rather have Bush for a third term than this little twit. To those impressed with this guy... grow a pair, or ask your wife to give them back.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Michael Townsand — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:43:14 GMT

It's amazing and very troubling to me to see how the political process in this country tries so hard to sneer at and discredit people who don't play along with the largely illogical and ignorant "consensus reality" that reigns in this country these days.
Illegal, unconstitutional war funded by China, the collapsing fiat dollar, the unconstitutional, for-profit racket of the so called "war on drugs", etc., etc.
Ron Paul 2008!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tim, Ann Arbor, MI — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:59:52 GMT

"Oh the foes will rise
With the sleep still in their eyes
And they'll jerk from their beds and think they're dreamin'.
But they'll pinch themselves and squeal
And know that it's for real,
The hour when the ship comes in.

Then they'll raise their hands,
Sayin' we'll meet all your demands,
But we'll shout from the bow your days are numbered.
And like Pharaoh's tribe,
They'll be drownded in the tide,
And like Goliath, they'll be conquered."
Bob Dylan

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Hilary Palmer, Eau Claire, WI — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:19:29 GMT

We need an open and honest president. Ron Paul is the only candidate that I know of that would be just that.
I am proud to vote for Ron Paul!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kevin, Napa, CA — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:00:53 GMT

From a letter from Lincoln to Horace Greeley, August 1862, “…My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.”

“The Real Lincoln” and “Lincoln Unmasked” by Thomas Dilorenzo exposes many of the myths about Lincoln.

Ron Paul, 2008

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Lee in CA — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 01:18:11 GMT

Terry - I have agreed with you almost 100% for the few months I've been reading your posts, but this time you're wrong.

Government is corrupt. Federal government. Local government still answers to the people, because THE PEOPLE know where they !!!! they live. Federal government answers to a hog slop. All of it. America just had a nice. long opium trip, and now it needs its medicine, and brother, it ain't gonna like it.

I don't have kids. What happens in 50 years has no personal meaning to me, except that I hope they say "In 2008, some people who really cared about this country STOOD UP and TOOK IT BACK."

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

James Hines, Covington, Louisiana — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:13:11 GMT

A RON PAUL SUPPORTER SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED IN RON PAUL

I'm a Ron Paul supporter and, personally, I was somewhat disappointed in Ron Paul on this occasion. The point is NOT that "Lincoln should not have gone to war to get rid of slavery"; the point IS that LINCOLN DID NOT GO TO WAR TO GET RID OF SLAVERY! Lincoln went to war to "preserve the Union." In doing so, he sought to preserve the Union at the expense of the principle of LIBERTY - of VOLUNTARY RELATIONSHIPS - for which the original 13 states had declared their independence from England in 1776 and UPON WHICH PRINCIPLE IT WOULD BE ESTABLISHED THAT NO STATE WAS TO ENTER THE UNION UNTIL THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE RATIFIED BY A CONVENTION (not the State Legislature!) IN EACH STATE COMPOSED OF DELEGATES REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE INDEPENDENTLY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE STATE LEGISLATURES.
When the citizens of the Southern States decided to declare THEIR independence from the United States, they did so by the same process in accordance with Article V of the United States Constitution. That the people of the respective states were to have a right to withdraw from the Union in the same voluntary manner by which they entered it was acknowledged by Alexander Hamilton as a matter of "first principles" in the Federalist Papers.
One need not defend SLAVERY in order to defend the right of the people of the Southern States to withdraw from the Union. Indeed, SLAVERY AND THE "CIVIL WAR" were BOTH wrong and they were both wrong for the SAME reason: Lincoln had no more legitimate authority to prevent the Southern States form leaving the Union than the Southern Plantation holders had legitimate authority to deny any slave from exercising his right of LIBERTY to LEAVE the plantation.
IF you sincerely believe that the Civil War was fought to put an end to slavery, then please consider the circumstances under which hostilities first broke out between the Northern States and the Southern States (AFTER the Southern States had begun to secede).
IF the Civil War was fought for the purpose of "getting rid of slavery", we should expect that the war would have begun with battalions of Union soldiers crossing the Mason-Dixon and marching from one plantation to the next to liberate the slaves. But DID the Civil War begin that way? NO!
The Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when "Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort, which was unable to reply effectively. At 2:30 p.m." <http://www.civilwarhome.com/ftsumter.htm>
And WHY did these Confederates fire on Fort Sumter? Because, though South Carolina had already seceded, Lincoln refused to withdraw the Union Navy from Charleston's harbor (or any of the other Southern ports for that matter).
And WHY had the Union refused to withdraw its navy from these ports? Because - at that time - the Federal Government of the U.S. was dependent upon a uniform excise tax (or tarriff) levied at every port for no less than 95% of its revenues. (Remember: there WAS no "INCOME TAX" at that time and when Lincoln was to attempt to impose one, the Supreme Court of the U.S. would declare such a tax unconstitutional.
The Civil War was NOT fought over slavery at all. It was fought over MONEY pure and simple. Lincoln had declared an intention to raise the Uniform Excise tarriff to 61%. The purpose of this was NOT to increase government revenue, but to force the Southern States to purchase the goods being manufactured in the Northern industrial states rather than purchasing them from England or France (or any other country that purchased their cotton).
I would be DELIGHTED to learn that I am wrong about this: if the Civil War had been waged by the Northern States to get rid of slavery in the Southern States, that might at least prove a slightly redeeming quality (notwithstanding Dr. Paul's point that waging such a war to end slavery would still have been unnecessary and, therefore, merely tragic).

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORIGINS OF THE CIVIL WAR (AND LEARN ABOUT A REMARKABLE - AND CONSTITUTIONAL - FORM OF TAXATION THAT WOULD BE FAR MORE AGREABLE FOR EACH OF US INDIVIDUALLY AND ALL OF US COLLECTIVELY - PLEASE READ "Free Traders - Not Traitors" by John Sophocleus at <http://www.dixieoutfitters.com/heritage/cw20.shtml>

Thank You!,

James Hines

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Timmy, Silver Spring MD — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:39:37 GMT

"Dr. Paul" is a Bircheresque crank. Nuttier than a fruitcake, and just as fulfilling. I'm shocked that Russert could hold back the laugher which any logical person would produce after listening to "the good doctor's" responses. And I say this disliking all the candidates for president across the board, but I would rather vote for my cat than this freak as a protest vote.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:54:36 GMT

With all of you who like Ron Paul, look at what he would keep if he could -- Department of Justice and Department of Defense. Those are good things to keep, but what about the interstate highway system? How would the states pay for that? What about environmental protection? Who would pay to keep the water, air and land clean. There is currently so much that the federal government does that the states can't either pay for or coordinate together.

The fact that Ron Paul just disregarded a former aid as disgrunted showed a lack of concern. At least Ron Paul could have said that this person was wrong with a reason. Sour grapes doesn't do it for me...

The fact that Russert brought up things from 20 years ago isn't a problem because that has happened to the other candidats also. How has your policy stance changed and why are valid questions. If you said one thing at one point and the changed, we should be able to ask why.

If Ron Paul never voted for budget that wasn't balanced, or pork project, what did he vote for? Does he really expect that he voted no on just about everything? I think Ron Paul is an idealist. He needs to come to the real world where people need and rely on help from federal government. Charities and corporations won't just cover all the disasters when they happen.

Ron Paul's foreign policy sounds so isolationist. To remove ourselves from diplomatic ciricles is foolishness. Since when did Israel ask the U.S. to do anything militarily? I have to ask where Ron Paul got his figure of Israel having 300 nuclear bombs?

There are so many things that I have concerns about that I would never vote for Ron Paul. I would like him to go back to delievering babies. That was a noble job. We have far too few doctors working in the U.S.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

David Grahl — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:54:17 GMT

One little quibble I have - Lincoln didn't start the War of the Rebellion, the seceding Southern states (like Texas) did when they attacked Federal installations. Lincoln pursured the war to reunite the country. It was the southern states that fought to maintain slavery. Why exactly should human slaveholders be compensated anyway? It was the slaves who should have been compensated by those who held them in bondage. Seems to me he is defending the continuation of slavery. The south was not about to agree to a buyout. It is idiotic to think so. This is a strange position for someone who pretends to believe in liberty. I guess the Revolution should not have been fought either. We could have just bought the land from England!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Roger Ritthaler, Texas City, TX — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:58:02 GMT

Kudos to Ron Paul. We tend to forget that Ron Paul is THE messenger. And since Tim Russert - and those who pay him - doesn't like the message, he must try to destroy that messenger.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steve, Omaha, NE — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:34:00 GMT

That was not Ron Paul's best performance. He had a cold.

A guy at 72 with a cold has not much of a chance against aggressive journalism.

BUT he made it through! I'm sure Russert was impressed. I only wish Russert would bring him back on when he's over this cold. Then you'll see the real Ron Paul who delights audiences with his thoughtful responses. What a shift in American politics from the typical canned responses.

FYI you can watch this entire interview on youtube. probably msnbc's site too.

Although I must agree that some of the questions seemed awfully unfair, so msnbc may not put this one up.

Russert has the best rep for fairness in the biz, and he kind of fumbled on this one, imo.

There are certainly higher-ups putting some heat on him. Gee, you think? Ron Paul is taking on: neocons, the IRS, the CIA, the FBI... to name a few of the most powerful men in the world. Influence? You bet.

That's why Ron Paul must be given credit for his massive brass balls. Those who call him a nutjob are subconsciously just pointing out that he has incredible nuts to fight this fight.

Let's stop pretending it isn't one.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Noel Sanger, Charlottesville, VA — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:40:19 GMT

I'm only voting for a candidate with a blimp.

And only if that candidate has delivered 4,000 babies.

And only if that candidate tells the truth about money, foreign policy, trade, civil liberties and war. And promises to lead the country back toward constitutional government.

I guess I'm left with one.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Tim-Ozzy — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:29:19 GMT

Come on, FOLKS... it's just going to be the same 'ol crap out the mouths attempting to keep their 'chunk-of-junk by bashing anyone that is SPEAKING THE TRUTH! Do "US" AMERICANS still remember the TRUTH? Since GW has been in office, we has been LIED to over and over... yet NOTHING has been done about any of them! We "say IMPEACH... yet NOTHING happens, we ROLL OVER AND WET OURSELVES! DR RON PAUL, by all reasonable FACTS "SHOULD" WIN, however, I'm fairly sure "THEY" will NOT allow this!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Brandon, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:10:36 GMT

We find the ONLY honest politician in D.C. and he's running for nomination for President. Why the heck wouldn't we vote for him?

He's got my vote for sure! Go Ron Paul!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kenton, Anchorage, Alaska — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:38:32 GMT

Mr. Murry,
This quote from your article is very misleading:
"In 1987, Paul resigned from the Republican party. Now he's running as a Republican."
While both sentences are true they omit that after his failed Presidential bid in 1988 he rejoined the Republican party and has been elected to Congress as a Republican since 1996. You make it seem as though 10 years of Republican membership don't exist.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Candace A. Fountain — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:47:13 GMT

It's funny how hard the press tries to downplay Dr. Ron... but yet you see his signs EVERYWHERE! What are the press so afraid of? Like John Mayer's song says, "When you trust your television, you get what you got... because when you own the information, you can bend it all you want."
Ron Paul stands firm in what he believes, and isn't "wishy-washy" like all the other candidates. He has our best interest at heart!!!
RON PAUL 2008!!!!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

DefendThyself — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:44:49 GMT

Well, we all love Paul, though why are his numbers so low in Iowa & preliminary polls in New Hamster? He should be in first place. Something is not right. We have to tell our friends to look at him with an open mind.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Steven, Missouri — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:44:10 GMT

i couldn't believe the way tim russet attacked ron paul in a journalistic totally inappropriate, subjective way. shame on him!
to ron paul: from his answeres you can easily find out that he is highly intelligent and is the only hope for america, he is the last chance we have to save this great country from a police state.

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Beverly McCormick, Perkasie, PA — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:23:18 GMT

Ron Paul deserves our absolute respect and gratitude. He is the only statesman (which is what our representatives are supposed to be, as set up by our very wise Founding Fathers)running as a candidate for the presidency of these United States. May God protect him as he seeks to restore this great nation to a Republic. Well done, good and faithful servant. Now it is up to the electorate to do their duty as faithful citizens, and elect him!

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Kevin Seo — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:19:57 GMT

I really like Ron Paul but there's a problem with what he said about the civil war: it's good that he was against it and he backed it up pretty well, but shouldn't he have said that they should have just freed the slaves altogether, instead of "buying them back" first? Why would you have to buy back a human being?

Ron Paul on Meet the Press

Michael Bowen, proud registered Rep. voter of Kansas — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:26:39 GMT

I drive all over this country. If the signage of the individual citizen was the main indicator of public opinion Ron Paul would be the next President of the U.S. I believe he is the man for the job. To put everything back to a state of the original intent of our forefathers.