The Future is a 73-Year Old Man

Jose Antonio Vargas gives a full, flattering hearing to Republican consultants Patrick Ruffini and Mindy Finn, midwives of a new web site designed to let conservatives share their ideas for Republican recovery.

Ruffini, 30, is a veteran online political operative who worked for President Bush before heading the RNC's Internet department and advising Rudy Giuliani. "Maybe I'm being too optimistic here," he says, "but I think this period we're going through right now will be seen as a reawakening of not just the rightroots but also the Republican Party."

"The Republican Party cannot reboot if it's viewed only as a party of old, crusty white guys," adds Finn, who started a Washington-based online consulting firm with Ruffini last summer.

And the user-generated "Ideas" section of the site is... a jungle of comments by Ron Paul supporters. These would be the Ron Paul supporters whom RedState.com's Erick Erickson purged from his site, because clearly they were the only thing standing between the GOP and utter electoral triumph. The top three ideas are from Paul supporters, the fourth is the Fair Tax, the fifth and sixth are from Paul supporters, the seventh is the Fair Tax.

Ruffini, more than a lot of conservative bloggy leaders, had a strange respect for Paul supporters. (Tech-crazed Republican National Committee candidate Saul Anuzis famously tried to keep Paul out of Republican debates. He went on to lead his party in Michigan to its worst drubbing by Democrats since 1964.) It's clear that Paul grassroots activists like Trevor Lyman had huge breakthroughs this year. But the big Paul post-election venture, the Campaign for Liberty, has been criticized by Justine Lam, Paul's e-coordinator during the presidential campaign.

"I was very skeptical at first," Lam told me last week, "and I still am. Without Kent Snyder's direction and vision [longtime Paul friend and ideas man Snyder died this year], this can degrade into one of Ron’s organizations from the past. Look at FREE—it’s nothing. All they do is self-publish Ron's book, and not even at high quality. These organizations became salary collection devices for people close to Ron Paul. They didn’t become real forces like the Institute for Justice, for example, that are able to create change. They just exist." Lam criticized the CfL for its "long, rambling" early e-mails—while it's improved since launch it's still not a group that has anything to teach Republicans.

So the Paul people are out there, and online... but they are either organized ineffectively or treated like a virus that takes over "real" organizations.

Comments

John Watts | November 25, 2008, 10:29am | #

Wow, resting the future on a 72 year old dyde? Thatsscary!

http://www.privacy.de.tc

Vinny | November 25, 2008, 10:36am | #

So the Paul people are out there, and online... but they are either organized ineffectively or treated like a virus that takes over "real" organizations.

"or"...how about "and"?

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 10:40am | #

Tech-crazed Republican National Committee candidate Saul Anuzis famously tried to keep Paul out of Republican debates. He went on to lead his party in Michigan to its worst drubbing by Democrats since 1964.

ummm...are you implying one followed the other?

If anything, George Bush led his party to its worst drubbing since 1964. Anuzis is, at best, to be blamed for rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Episiarch | November 25, 2008, 10:46am | #

midwives of a new web site designed to let conservatives share their ideas for Republican recovery

All they need is to get Josh Trevino on board and the smug loser Republican matrix will be complete!

Dave Weigel | November 25, 2008, 10:48am | #

Anuzis is, at best, to be blamed for rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Not every state chair blew it like him. The Tennessee GOP, for example, is in pretty good shape. The Montana GOP survived and held state legislative seats even though Obama nearly won the state.

Anuzis is a self-promoter who convinced Republicans that his state had a competitive Senate race in 2006. They put in money and lost by 16 points. He did the same for Michigan's electoral votes this year, before the McCain campaign realized it was hopeless, that voters did not blame Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm for their woes, and it pulled out money. Obama won by 16 points and Democrats gained two more U.S. House seats.

This all happened in the contest of Anuzis running his mouth about how baaaad Ron Paul was.

Dormouse | November 25, 2008, 10:53am | #

Wow, resting the future on a 72 year old dyde?

What's a dyde? It sounds like a male lesbian.

Nigel Watt | November 25, 2008, 10:56am | #

What's a dyde? It sounds like a male lesbian.

Well, Ron Paul has seen a lot of vagina.

Kearn | November 25, 2008, 11:06am | #

"they are either organized ineffectively or treated like a virus that takes over "real" organizations."

- so that makes them different from the rest of the Republican party how?

SIV | November 25, 2008, 11:19am | #

Fuck that fucking Fair Tax. If I want to pay a V.A.T. I'll move to Euroland. Even if it would "work" as planned (it won't)there is no conceivable Congress that would implement it that way.

Guy Montag | November 25, 2008, 11:23am | #

I was wondering why the Lyndon LaRouche nuts folks were handing out slick magazines at the Crystal City METRO this AM.

Well, perhaps it is unrelated.

CR | November 25, 2008, 11:43am | #

whatever. I will not ever go back to the Republican party. they can pretend to lean libertarian all they want, if anyone thinks they're sincere (after the last 8 yrs) they're crazy.

joe | November 25, 2008, 11:44am | #

Ruffini, 30, is a veteran online political operative who worked for President Bush before heading the RNC's Internet department and advising Rudy Giuliani.

All three of those online efforts sucked. I don't know if it's Ruffini that's the problem, but the Republicans can't seem to figure out how to use the tubez.

They're stuck in the same top-down, command-and-control, cool-media model as the Dittohead/talk radio formula, and all they can do is distribute talking points for their drones to repeat without attribution in Hit & Run comment threads.

Naga Sadow | November 25, 2008, 11:48am | #

Ahem. The same argument could be used on your shilling for Democrats.

thismagisfunny | November 25, 2008, 11:50am | #

the behavior of this mag is a fucking riot. why doesnt the staff get it over with and assassinate Paul. that would complete the stalking obsesso-hatred cycle for Reason.

Nasikabatrachus | November 25, 2008, 11:58am | #

Nigel Watt | November 25, 2008, 10:56am | #

What's a dyde? It sounds like a male lesbian.
Well, Ron Paul has seen a lot of vagina.

How dare you, sir. Dr. Paul has personally assisted in the birth of over half the population of the United States.

riotsarentfunny | November 25, 2008, 11:59am | #

the behavior of this mag is a fucking riot.

My uncle died at Attica. Screw you, and your poorly thought out metaphors.

thismagisfunny | November 25, 2008, 12:06pm | #

that brings me to comment on the second component of this mag and sentiment that surrounds it: the "ultra slick non-sequitur 'wit'". this is very similar to the comments you see on the Onion AV club reviews. the new macho is how non-sequitur and nihilistic towards topic or content you can be.

what a bunch of blithe fags.

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:08pm | #

Ahem. The same argument could be used on your shilling for Democrats.

Except I'm frequently off message and counter-message from the strategy of the campaign.

As opposed to, say, how the ACORN story was pushed by the regulars for days exactly when the McCain campaign started pushing it, and then they immediately stopped when the campaign dropped it.

So, no, not really, unless you don't see any difference between deliberately-coordinated, top-down message control and having an opinion.

Episiarch | November 25, 2008, 12:10pm | #

what a bunch of blithe fags

Nihilistic non-sequitur!

dhex | November 25, 2008, 12:11pm | #

"the behavior of this mag is a fucking riot. why doesnt the staff get it over with and assassinate Paul. that would complete the stalking obsesso-hatred cycle for Reason."

weirdness.

if reason was doing a hitjob on paul, they did a pretty shitty hitjob.

now if "hitjob" is translated as "anything even mildly critical" then yes virginia, you are totally bonkers.

Shipshape | November 25, 2008, 12:16pm | #

the key is the snark, you fucking kook.

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:19pm | #

Now, Ron Paul's web presence, and the relationship between his campaign and supporters, is a lot more like those of the Democrats.

It's bottom-up, grass-roots self-starters that to whom the campaign gives their blessing and occasional advice. It's ideas-driven, not message-driven, which is why there wasn't really any constant repetition of the same campaign approved terms over and over (panick, flat-footed, sexism, celebrity), and why the commentary focused mainly on the ideas behind his political philosophy, not the characterization of his opponents.

riotsarefunny | November 25, 2008, 12:21pm | #

does this magazine have a philosophy?

Blythe Phagge | November 25, 2008, 12:24pm | #

How DARE you sir! My wit is as firm as it was in my youth!

Episiarch | November 25, 2008, 12:27pm | #

does this magazine have a philosophy?

That's what makes it dangerous!

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 12:28pm | #

It's ideas-driven, not message-driven

Neither the Ron Paul movement nor the Democratic movement were "ideas driven".

none | November 25, 2008, 12:30pm | #

It has no philosophy.

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:35pm | #

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:19pm | #

Now, Ron Paul's web presence, and the relationship between his campaign and supporters, is a lot more like those of the Democrats.

I sould say, like the Obama campaign. There are a lot of Democrat campaigns that couldn't find the internet with both hands and a Powerbook.

Neither the Ron Paul movement nor the Democratic movement were "ideas driven". What a ridiculous thing to write. As if the Ron Paul movement attracted support with his glittering personality.

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:36pm | #

Of course not. You opposed both of them, so no terms that could be construed as complimentary could possibly apply.

Dormouse | November 25, 2008, 12:41pm | #

the new macho is how non-sequitur and nihilistic towards topic or content you can be.

[Insert Walter quote here.]

Also, I like the AV Club.

riotsarefunny | November 25, 2008, 12:43pm | #

no surprise there.

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 12:45pm | #

Of course not. You opposed both of them, so no terms that could be construed as complimentary could possibly apply.

I didn't oppose both of them. If you want proof that the RP movement is not ideas-driven, look at the composition of his followers. There are some racists and nativists in there; IDers and creationists on another side; goldbugs here and there; Truthers for the hell of it.

If you want further proof, look at the number of total morons who wrote RP in even when he said he wasn't interested, to not do it and even where he wasn't eligible.

RP was just a lightning rod for right-aligned fringe movements.

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:50pm | #

There are some racists and nativists in there; IDers and creationists on another side; goldbugs here and there; Truthers for the hell of it.

With the exception of racists, those are all groupings of people defined by their ideas, who were attracted to Paul because they perceived him to be friendly to those ideas.

Gold-buggery, just to take on example, doesn't cease to be an idea just becuase it's a silly one.

RP was just a lightning rod for right-aligned fringe movements. Ideas-driven right-aligned fringe movements. Contrast with the Palin Fan Club, which was predominately an identity-based right-aligned movement.

Jeff P | November 25, 2008, 12:50pm | #

Angry Optimist: I'd like to suggest that the democratic movement was driven by ideas, but that those ideas had been drinking heavily.

domoarrigato | November 25, 2008, 12:52pm | #

I didn't oppose both of them. If you want proof that the RP movement is not ideas-driven, look at the composition of his followers. There are some racists and nativists in there; IDers and creationists on another side; goldbugs here and there; Truthers for the hell of it.

I think that means the movement WAS ideas driven - just that some of the ideas were really strange, ugly, contradictory, or dumb. Which is probably why it was so sucessful...

joe | November 25, 2008, 12:53pm | #

IDers and creationists on another side; goldbugs here and there; Truthers for the hell of it

Not a single one of those groups consisted of people who stood to gain particularly, in a self-interested sense, from the adoption of their ideas. These are people driven by political theories.

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 12:54pm | #

I guess I'm not hewing enough to the political definition of "ideas".

Generally, when I hear "ideas" in a political context and talking about political followers, I think "new, wonky policy stuff", not 9-11 Truthers.

So, I am willing to grant that I was wrong. I just think of "ideas" when it is used as a political buzzword differently than the denotative definition.

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 12:56pm | #

Not a single one of those groups consisted of people who stood to gain particularly, in a self-interested sense, from the adoption of their ideas.

Oh, I rabidly disagree, especially when it comes to Truthers. Did you notice how much glee people get when their predictions of disaster come true? (LRC, RP, Austrians, I am looking at you). It's that feeling of validation...Truthers are desperate attention-seekers just craving attention and validation.

PogueMahone | November 25, 2008, 12:59pm | #

So Ruffini is the Republican's new intertubes organizer?

It's official, the Republican party is dead.

joe | November 25, 2008, 1:04pm | #

Generally, when I hear "ideas" in a political context and talking about political followers, I think "new, wonky policy stuff", not 9-11 Truthers.

Ah, I see. I was using it in a broader sense, which would include both wonkery AND philosophy.

Oh, I rabidly disagree, especially when it comes to Truthers. Did you notice how much glee people get when their predictions of disaster come true?

We've got crossed definitions again. I was talking about their material interest. If you're defining your "interest" in terms of your ideas gaining respect or acceptance, once again, you're driven by ideas.

Griffon | November 25, 2008, 1:07pm | #

I would like to know if most of these people commenting are are even American citizens! most of you sound like a bunch of bloody twits with very little facts, too many opinions and way too much time! Lets be real, Ron Paul is the best thing that has happened for this country's citizens, American citizens, in a long time and the best thing for the republican party. He is the first actual real republican to run for president in a long, long time. If you really know what republican ideals stand for! For the last few decades people believe that democrat=socialists and republican=fascist without even knowing it because of the ignorance learned decade after decade. If they want new parties be my guest, we need more choices, but don't tell me your a democrats or republicans. It is sad to see my fellow brothers and sisters fight over the words democrat and republican when they have lost all there meaning in the last 30 years. We have lost our way, both sides, and need guidance from true American patriots such as Ron Paul!!! You should give thanks and rally behind him and his message for a better America! 'Nuff said!

KyleG | November 25, 2008, 1:18pm | #

I still love reading Ron Paul's articles, especially during this Credit Crunch Crisis of Doom, and would support him if he ran again. I have zero faith in the Republican party, though. There is no reason for them to listen to us now when they completely marginalized Paul and shot us down during primary season. Fuck them.

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 1:29pm | #

Ron Paul is the best thing that has happened for this country's citizens, American citizens, in a long time

I dunno, I kind of liked the downfall of the Soviet Union, myself.

Oh, and the internet. That's probably the best thing to happen to America in a long time. And lots of coffee everywhere.

But I can always count on a Paultard to venerate Dear Leader.

Brandybuck | November 25, 2008, 1:41pm | #

I agree with Justine. After Super Tuesday the Paul campaign lost much of its meaning, and the CfL lost the rest of it. If you're an ideological candidate, and can't win the election, then switch to a didactic campaign. Instead we had half a year of completely pointless banner wavings. The only notable thing the CfL has done since it started was last weekend's Fed protest, but that was totally spoiled by inviting statist nutbags like Cynthia McKinney and Cindy Sheehan.

Ron Paul isn't running for office anymore, so stop sending him your money. Send it to F.E.E. or I.J. instead.

$ | November 25, 2008, 1:44pm | #

why send your $ anywhere

Griffon | November 25, 2008, 1:45pm | #

"I dunno, I kind of liked the downfall of the Soviet Union, myself.

Oh, and the internet. That's probably the best thing to happen to America in a long time. And lots of coffee everywhere.

But I can always count on a Paultard to venerate Dear Leader."

I'm glad to see that the angry optimist is ready to have an educated debate, I got scared with all those facts you gave.
You really think the soviet union fell completely, please check your current events. Putin is ex kgb still in control and gaining much power, we should take head and be cautios, but because of people like you who will believe anything they are told they are gaining power back because "they fell already" and can never be a threat again!! What ignorance! Let me guess you believed everything Reagan told you and believed him to be a great republican!?!
The internet is the best thing to happen to the world not just america and I think you may want to lay off the coffee and get some oxygen to your brain so you can think straight, well you know, better than this Paultard, very well put!
Anything else you would like to discuss please do it in a nice manner without insults and I am sure I won't have to embarrass you again!

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 1:55pm | #

You really think the soviet union fell completely, please check your current events.

So, the Soviet Union still exists? Like it or don't, The Fall of the USSR was a good moment for America. You can be specious and pedantic all you like.

The internet is the best thing to happen to the world

Is America not in the world?

I won't have to embarrass you again!

Golly gee, son, you schooled me but GOOD.

You asserted that "Ron Paul is the best thing that has happened for this country's citizens, American citizens, in a long time".

How? In what ways? What makes RP the greatest thing for me and mine since sliced bread?

Your assertion is a ridiculous, cult-like overstatement. Given that your assertion is not a debatable premise, ridicule is appropriate.

VM | November 25, 2008, 2:05pm | #

Did you notice how much glee people get when their predictions of disaster come true? (LRC, RP, Austrians, I am looking at you)

especially when they're as accurate as Paul Ehrlich is when getting from point A to point disaster!

Orange Line Special | November 25, 2008, 2:25pm | #

1. I was banned by RedState way back in 2006.

2. Thanks again to Weigel for recently linking to one of my posts about how Ron Paul supporters are stupid.

3. The problem with the new site is that it uses a popular voting system; "popular" and "best" are frequently different. That's described here in relation to yet another Ruffini vehicle.

Robert Goodman | November 25, 2008, 2:32pm | #

I will not ever go back to the Republican party. they can pretend to lean libertarian all they want, if anyone thinks they're sincere (after the last 8 yrs) they're crazy.

Think it might be interesting to ask Republicans at random why they're Republican?

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 2:37pm | #

you know, for what it's worth, I really do not mind Ron Paul the person. His followers are what get me.

griffon | November 25, 2008, 2:43pm | #

The fall of the USSR was a very good thing but to think that Putin and his boys aren't still trying to bring it back this message is absurd. You really think they don't want revenge with people like you saying we destroyed them, whether I like it or not an ex kgb agent runs russia and it scares me, genius!
Ron Paul is a great man because of his distinction of what is wrong with this two party system. He points out the contradictions to real republicans that the current republicans are closer to fascists than republicans. But I am sure you agree!
Please go to the encyclopedia and check what traditional republican ideals are I can't write it all out for you. Ron Paul has awakened people to the farce that is our two party system he is the gadfly. He has let people know they can choose more than just one coin with two side. The main reason I like Ron Paul is because he has made people wake up to America being more than just republican or democrat, making them more pro active. He has also awakened people to think more about the system in general, maybe you need to read more, less opinions.
As for your little claims of cult-like overstatements I agree with many of Ron Paul's ideals and think he is a great man but I don't think he is a messiah at all. So I guess your whole argument just died, sorry. I can explain myself and debate things without insult. For someone who has just insulted and given no basis for argument why Ron Paul is bad, just accusations of how stupid people are who agree with his ideals. Ridicule is appropriate to ignorant claims with no backing or explanation, By the way I'm referring to YOU! Quite pathetic and I am sure it works to the less intelligent people you surround yourself with. It would make me feel better about myself too if everyone just agreed with me, little man!
I am done teachin you for today, do your homework. You obviously just want to insult peoples views and you don't go anywhere near something educational or debate like. You have not given one fact or opinion except RP people are stupid, very 3rd grade.
Please feel free to actually state something with subtance in reality and not with insults in ignorance:
I just gave my opinion of why I like Ron Paul, I don't think it's too unreasonable or cult like!
What views do you believe?
Who's ideals could you agree with even a little?
Why?
Why do you hate Ron Paul's ideas so much, what insults you so much?
Please no more insults if you can't anwer any of these questions then I can't try to explain my views to ignorant ears. Please only reasons for your views, if any?, and facts.

joe | November 25, 2008, 2:46pm | #

The resurgence of craft brewers in the 1990s. I don't know if I'd call that "the best" thing to ever happen to America, but it was pretty sweet.

Griffon | November 25, 2008, 2:46pm | #

The above is in regards to the angry optimists educational comments!?!, even his name sounds a little confused!

Griffon | November 25, 2008, 2:51pm | #

I did not say it was the best thing to happen to America ever.
I stated that:
"Ron Paul is the best thing that has happened for this country's citizens, American citizens, in a long time"
and I believe he is the best thing for a long time, not ever. Words will get twisted by angry optimists, when all they know how to do is insult!, one trick ponies everywhere!

joe | November 25, 2008, 2:54pm | #

OK, if we're talking about "a long time," then I'm totally going with craft brewers.

A mind | November 25, 2008, 2:54pm | #

"Wow, resting the future on a 72 year old dyde? Thatsscary!"
I'm assuming you mean "dude". And well he is a dude. He's from TX. So i will give you a C for that.

Age is not a factor for RP.( The guy bikes 12 miles today and is healthier then half the idiots on the hill now!)
I'm am a new RP and I became one for RP.

I think America really needs to stop blaming parties.

its not the party, its the PEOPLE in the party.

If you want to get ugly and start pointing fingers, I can rain down a list of DEMS that added to the total failure of our country too.

And one of them is sitting on the steps on the white house waiting to move in.

So before you start wagging fingers, take a look at the plank in your own eye.

And I will take a 72 year old over a pile of lies any day of the week that ends in Y.

Citizen Nothing | November 25, 2008, 3:00pm | #

"OK, if we're talking about "a long time," then I'm totally going with craft brewers."

I'm picking Looney Tunes on DVD.

Kim Jong-Il | November 25, 2008, 3:04pm | #

But I can always count on a Paultard to venerate Dear Leader.

HEY! He can get his own Honorific. Dear Leader is taken.

Boston | November 25, 2008, 3:06pm | #

Ron Paul is nice and all but...The DVR.

SugarFree | November 25, 2008, 3:06pm | #

I'm going with the widespread availability of public displays of alcohol-fueled faux-lesbianism.

Boston | November 25, 2008, 3:08pm | #

SF,

That's a good one.

That Girl | November 25, 2008, 3:08pm | #

The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 2:37pm | #

"you know, for what it's worth, I really do not mind Ron Paul the person. His followers are what get me."

Funny, I'd say the same thing about Christ and most of his followers . lol

SugarFree | November 25, 2008, 3:09pm | #

By the way, when is Reason going to tackle the most important news story of the day?

Ann Coulter has had her mouth wired shut.

joe | November 25, 2008, 3:32pm | #

the downfall of the Soviet Union

The resurgence of craft brewers in the 1990s.

Looney Tunes on DVD

The DVR

the widespread availability of public displays of alcohol-fueled faux-lesbianism

Ann Coulter has had her mouth wired shut.

We have a winner!

Bob Weber | November 25, 2008, 4:06pm | #

"Did you notice how much glee people get when their predictions of disaster come true? (LRC, RP, Austrians, I am looking at you). It's that feeling of validation..." (The Angry Optimist | November 25, 2008, 12:56pm)

Tinkerbell died, and it's all your fault! You didn't clap loud enough!

ChrisO | November 25, 2008, 4:48pm | #

In case you haven't read it, the article in question actually goes into a number of the topics raised here. Mr. Ruffini seems cognizant that the "rightroots" has to be much more than a division of the GOP in order to be useful in the way that the netroots is for the Democrats. Ruffini's take is that the righty blogosphere goes into ideology and policy debates but doesn't do much about actually raising money and volunteers for candidates the way Kos does.

My personal belief is that parties are going for the big fail when they get too wrapped up in tactics and fail to craft coherent proposals that reach out beyond their base. The Democrats got stuck for years playing to the left, and Obama, to his credit, was able to reach enough of the mushy middle to win the election.

cunnivore | November 25, 2008, 5:44pm | #

From Justine Lam's quote:

These organizations became salary collection devices for people close to Ron Paul. They didn’t become real forces like the Institute for Justice, for example, that are able to create change. They just exist.

Forget the newsletters. His flagrant, unapologetic misuse of campaign funds is the real scandal, and the reason "Dr. Paul" can go take a long walk off a short pier as far as this $500 campaign donor cares.

Nemo | November 25, 2008, 6:32pm | #

Oh the GOP. One of the many fine organizations where you more or less fail upwards.

Jim Whitehead(real name) | November 25, 2008, 6:53pm | #

Yes, I voted for Ron Paul. I am not ashamed of this vote. What each of you need to worry about is what is coming. Each of you may or may not understand that the economy is tanked (and NOT coming back). Don't ask how I know this but,then each of you would give me so much grief for telling you how to save yourself and family, you would walk over your own dick to prove me wrong.. Both parties are the failure of our country.Every pathetic individual breathing air and walking in this land that believes the MSM, Reason and every other website, espousing they know what is best for everyone.

The average person just wants to be left alone. Why can't each of you realize your opinions do not matter.(except to ignorant A$#^holes, politicians included).

It is PAST time to take care of your families. Quit with the BS. You will all be starving within TWO years.

take some time to look within yourself. You will know what I am saying is pure truth.

Don't worry I will not be posting again. I only give one warning.

The Jolly Ron Pauler | November 25, 2008, 8:02pm | #

This new website is so hans-on & ground-based ... it could only go wrong if the people give up on Ron Paul. Unlike Ron Paul's initial run, this is not going to be spur-of-the-moment, this is going to be the real deal. We'll reinvigorate the 2010 election & the Republican primaries, then we'll give Barack Obama the biggest reality-call he's ever had ... that all of that hope/change rhetoric can not win elections against a competant leader with true goals to look ahead wioth & a real following !!!

reason sucks | November 26, 2008, 3:53am | #

they're funded by the bad guys

paul | November 26, 2008, 6:08am | #

To the haters of american history.

If you understood liberty and the importance of the constitution you would be fighting for Dr. Paul. Educate yourself on the role of government and why Dr. Paul is the only candidate who actually defends liberty.

Please explain what it is about someone actually standing up for liberty that you think is so rediculous... What is it about him preaching the powers of government should be limited to the powers granted in the constitution? That keeps us out of needless wars, gives us sound money, doesn't allow these bailouts, stops the income tax, ensures personal liberty, stops NATO, pulls us out of Iraq and Afghan, protects home schooling, gets rid of the department of education, and I could go on... THAT IS REALLY FUNNY you moron...

McBama and all other politicians lying out of their teeth for political gain is just lovely and historic???

Wow!!! You just proved you know nothing about the constitution and liberty. Your ignorance precedes you... Why don't you read a history book and get a clue about what the role of government is intended to be...

VM | November 26, 2008, 8:17am | #

*switches "paul's" brand to decaf

Lt Dru - I think you have your case study...

Jay | November 26, 2008, 12:25pm | #

Of course racists would support Ron Paul. Ron Paul supports freedom, and racists would benefit from this idea.

Of course 9/11 truthers would support Ron Paul. Ron Paul is the only candidate to say outright that our actions in the middle east for the past 50 years were a factor in the 9/11 attacks, and 9/11 truthers only exist because of the insane "They hate us because we're holy like Mother Theresa" party line. This idea attracts them.

Of course ID folks would support Ron Paul. He advocates that communities and states ought to be allowed to make their own laws, that a strong federal government shouldn't dictate morality to the entire country. This idea attracts them.

Of course gold bugs would support Ron Paul. He believes our currency must be backed by something of real value to prevent taxation by over-inflation, to ensure the money we've got in the bank stays worth something. This idea attracts them.

It's insane to think Ron Paul isn't an ideas man. What do you think attracted these groups to his camp?

Incidentally, his ideas about no taxes, a small federal government and federal budget, protecting OUR borders instead of having bases in 100 countries, reducing federal regulation, and giving people and businesses the tools they need to succeed without subsidizing them with money from everyone else appeals to me, a young Conservative professional who would never vote for the spendaholic nanny-stater warmongers in the Republican party.

Ronistheman | November 26, 2008, 4:52pm | #

I love Ron Paul and you should too. Why anyone would vote for anyone else is retarded. Voting for Ron Paul is voting for yourself, because thats who is running for!

A Believer | November 26, 2008, 7:13pm | #

DR. RON PAUL

Brief Overview of Congressman Paul's Record

* He has never voted to raise taxes.
* He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
* He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
* He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
* He has never taken a government-paid junket.
* He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
* He voted against the Patriot Act.
* He voted against regulating the Internet.
* He voted against the Iraq war.

* 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.

Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress.

CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL - MAN OF THE YEAR!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1616088001333580937

1440 minutes | November 26, 2008, 7:21pm | #

After reading one anti-Paul comment after another at Reason, I agree that some of snarky people who post on this site are vacuous nihilists.