EXCLUDED IN IOWA, GOP'S RON PAUL FIGHTS BACK ON RADIO, Thursday, June 21, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com Options

[BrooklynBill]

EXCLUDED IN IOWA, GOP'S RON PAUL FIGHTS BACK ON RADIO

Thursday, June 21, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com

Jan Mickelson of WHO News Radio 1040 in Des Moines interviewed Ron Paul 2008 chairman Kent Snyder about Ron Paul's exclusion from the upcoming candidates forum sponsored by Iowans for Tax Relief and Iowa Christian Alliance. Ed Failor of Iowans for Tax Relief joined the interview later to explain why his group decided to keep Ron Paul out.

http://www.mickelson.libsyn.com/

The WHO website explained the program as follows: "Congressman Ron Paul isn't welcome at the Iowans for Tax Relief and Iowa Christian Alliance candidates forum. Oversight? Nope. Kent Snyder from Ron Paul's campaign and Ed Failor from ITR exchange words. Lotsa them."

http://media.libsyn.com/media/mickelson/mi...-2007-06-20.mp3

A Des Moines Register story carried a description of the radio debate as follows:

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll...10389/-1/caucus

The group presenting the event says the Ron Paul is not considered 'credible.'

The decision by a tax watchdog group in Iowa to keep some presidential candidates from attending its political forum in Des Moines next week has led to a barrage of angry responses from supporters of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, one of the Republicans seeking the GOP nomination.

Paul, a Texas congressman, will not be among the six GOP candidates scheduled to speak at the June 30 event in Des Moines. The forum at Hy-Vee Hall is jointly sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance.

Officials of Iowans for Tax Relief said the decision not to invite Paul had to do with his scant campaign organization in the state and his low ranking in Iowa polls.

Participating in the event will be former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin, along with U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Tom Tancredo of Colorado.

But Paul - like John Cox and Mark Klein, two other Republican candidates - was not invited because the invitations only went to those candidates who are "credible," said Ed Failor Jr., vice president of Iowans for Tax Relief.

FMNN feedbacker Gary Wilson has this to say about the interview:

I listened to the radio interview, and Ed is a fraud. Tom Tancredo was chosen when he was not even an announced candidate, and at least three of the people invited had no better poll numbers than Ron Paul. He throws this smokescreen up about people calling his house, hacking website, etc. Apparently he was never a public figure until he refused to allow Ron Paul in his little debate!

Longtime FMNN feedbacker Joe Osborne emails the following about Ed Failor:

Apparently, there is more to Mr. Failor than meets the eye. This is not surprising really in my opinion. From what I gather Mr. Failor, from Iowans for Tax Relief, is a Senior Advisor for John McCain's Exploratory Committee and more than likely a big contributor to Sen. McCain's campaign (see link below). Mr. Failor is not exactly an impartial man in my view. The Ron Paul 2008 blog (see second link) has more including a list of large donating corporations.

John McCain-Organization, Iowa

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/mccain/mccainorgia.html

http://vote-ron-paul-2008.blogspot.com/200...luded-from.html
Staff Reports - Free-Market News Network

http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=44260

[Arturo_Vandelay]

I told ya it was coming. Maybe Bloomberg needs a VP.

[BrooklynBill]

Isn't that a bit of a stretch Art? A Bloomberg/Paul ticket? Dr Paul is way too conservative/libertarian for Bloomberg.

[Arturo_Vandelay]

Isn't that a bit of a stretch Art? A Bloomberg/Paul ticket? Dr Paul is way too conservative/libertarian for Bloomberg.

Well, he does have cash....

At some point if Paul wants to win he has to take an avenue besides that of an outsider Republican. Maybe another rich Conservative wants to be VP. To some extent this is a commentary on campaign finance "reform" and the "two party system".

[Highstreet]

Well, he does have cash....

At some point if Paul wants to win he has to take an avenue besides that of an outsider Republican. Maybe another rich Conservative wants to be VP. To some extent this is a commentary on campaign finance "reform" and the "two party system".

Maybe he should take Bloomberg as HIS V.P.

[BrooklynBill]

Well, he does have cash....

At some point if Paul wants to win he has to take an avenue besides that of an outsider Republican. Maybe another rich Conservative wants to be VP. To some extent this is a commentary on campaign finance "reform" and the "two party system".

In theory, would that be a viable ticket?

[beasty]

Anyone with enough cash is viable. I don't think that was the intent of the founders.

[Tom Servo]

How Iowa's Ed Failor Pimps for the NeoCons

Edward D. Failor, Jr., Executive Vice President of Iowans for Tax Relief, and those working with him on the Presidential Forum to take place on June 30th are feverishly ignoring Congressman Ron Paul, the breakout Presidential candidate who is now in undisputed control of the Internet. They obviously fear Paul's participation in the otherwise lackluster line up of candidates to appear at their forum, put on by Iowans for Tax Relief and the Iowa Christian Alliance. Like so many defective Ken Dolls the other candidates mouth slight variations of the NeoCon Line. In effect, the forum is free advertising for approved candidates orchestrated to keep dissatisfied Republicans in line.

Edward D. Failor, Jr. is determined to make sure that the only real Republican candidate, Congressman Ron Paul, remains as little known to his natural constituency as possible.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_me...s_ed_failor.htm

[SpaceCowboy]

How Iowa's Ed Failor Pimps for the NeoCons


http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_me...s_ed_failor.htm

Yep.

It sucks bigtime.

[BrooklynBill]

Here is another Ed Failor gem from LewRockwell.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

The Iowa Christian Alliance and Iowans for Tax Relief are co-sponsoring a Republican candidates’ forum for June 30. The event will feature Mitt Romney, Tommy Thompson, Sam Brownback, Jim Gilmore, Mike Huckabee, and Tom Tancredo.

Ron Paul, however, is to be excluded.

In fact, that’s what Paul’s campaign was expressly told when they inquired. Campaign manager Kent Snyder tells the story:

We heard about this forum from numerous supporters in Iowa who asked why Dr. Paul was not going to participate. Those supporters assumed that Dr. Paul was invited.

The campaign office had not received an invitation so we called this morning; thinking we might have misplaced the invitation or simply overlooked it. Lew Moore, our campaign manager, called Mr. Edward Failor, an officer of Iowans for Tax Relief, to ask about it. To our shock, Mr. Failor told us Dr. Paul was not invited; he was not going to be invited; and he would not be allowed to participate. And when asked why, Mr. Failor refused to explain. The call ended.

Lew then called Mr. Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa Christian Alliance, to talk with him. Mr. Scheffler did not answer so Lew left a message. He has yet to respond.

After reading this, I called Edward Failor myself. I said I was calling about the exclusion of Ron Paul from his candidates’ forum, particularly in light of Paul’s extraordinary record on taxes.

continued.....
http://www.lewrockwell.com/woods/woods72.html

[BrooklynBill]

Tancredo getting in on the action.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Presidential Candidate Tancredo Calls for Rep. Paul to be Included in Iowa Presidential Forum

6/26/2007

(Washington, D.C.) - Presidential candidate Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) today called on the organizers of the Iowa presidential forum to allow the participation of Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX).

"While I don’t see eye-to-eye with Rep. Paul on all issues, he is a respected Congressman, a former presidential candidate, and a man with strong convictions and the courage to express them," Tancredo said, "The Republican party is better because he is one of us and he has earned the right to be in all presidential forums and debates."

The Presidential Forum is scheduled for Saturday, June 30th in Des Moines, Iowa. It is being co-sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and Iowans for Tax Relief. Attendees include Rep. Tancredo, Sen. Brownback, Rep. Hunter, Gov. Thompson, Gov. Huckabee, and Gov. Romney. Invitations were also extended to Sen. McCain, Mayor Giuliani and Gov. Gilmore.

Tancredo concluded, "I hope the organizers of this forum will reconsider and extend him an invitation."

http://www.teamtancredo.com/pressreleasede...essReleaseID=59

[Arturo_Vandelay]

Good for Tancredo, though he doesn't have much to lose.

Maybe they need some early minor league debates to include even more unknowns. They're more interesting than the front-runners we already know.

[SpaceCowboy]

Well bless Tancredo then.

[Tom Servo]

Maybe he should take Bloomberg as HIS V.P.

Or Bob Barr.

[BrooklynBill]

Man....this keeps getting better and better.

GOP's Paul to Crash Iowa Forum
By AMY LORENTZEN, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

(06-27) 11:39 PDT Des Moines, Iowa (AP) --
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will add party crashing to his campaign tactics this weekend.

The Texas congressman, who has struggled to top 1 percent in national polls, wasn't invited to a forum of presidential candidates Saturday in Des Moines. The gathering is sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and the watchdog group Iowans for Tax Relief.

Instead of grumbling, Paul's campaign decided to hold its own party — in the same hall as the forum. They're calling it a celebration of life and liberty.

Campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said it has been frustrating to be excluded, especially since Paul has consistently opposed abortion and is known nationally for his advocacy of lowering taxes.

"It's just a little head-scratching," Benton said.

Ed Failor Jr., executive vice president of Iowans for Tax Relief, said some candidates weren't invited in order to keep the event from stretching on too long.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...p;type=politics

[SpaceCowboy]

Man....this keeps getting better and better.

GOP's Paul to Crash Iowa Forum
By AMY LORENTZEN, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

(06-27) 11:39 PDT Des Moines, Iowa (AP) --
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will add party crashing to his campaign tactics this weekend.

The Texas congressman, who has struggled to top 1 percent in national polls, wasn't invited to a forum of presidential candidates Saturday in Des Moines. The gathering is sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and the watchdog group Iowans for Tax Relief.

Instead of grumbling, Paul's campaign decided to hold its own party — in the same hall as the forum. They're calling it a celebration of life and liberty.

Campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said it has been frustrating to be excluded, especially since Paul has consistently opposed abortion and is known nationally for his advocacy of lowering taxes.

"It's just a little head-scratching," Benton said.

Ed Failor Jr., executive vice president of Iowans for Tax Relief, said some candidates weren't invited in order to keep the event from stretching on too long.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...p;type=politics

Good for them. Make it a media event, and have something to say.

[arebuntz]

I was one of 17,240 Washingtonians who voted for Dr Paul for President in 1988. I hope he sticks around long enough for me to vote for him in the R presidential primary in NC (May 6 but looks to be moving to Feb 5.) As a registered Independant I can vote in either primary... just to piss them off. I am on record as stating that the States should not spend a dime on presidential primaries to help the major parties supposedly select their candidates when the major parties not actually required to use those primary results. Then again the US Constitution does not require the States to hold presidential elections either...

[BrooklynBill]

It's go time people.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

DOWNPLAYED! … RON PAUL’S TAX RALLY OUTDRAWS IOWA TAX FORUM ...

Sunday, July 01, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com

News Analysis

According to eyewitnesses, the Ron Paul tax rally taking place next door to the Iowa Tax Forum - and competing with it - actually outdrew the official forum and its many GOP candidates.

GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-Tex) had not been invited to the forum, according to sponsors because he was not a serious candidate with a serious, successful campaign, or an organization in Iowa.

Two reports - from the Des Moines Register and Iowapolitics.com - put Ron Paul’s rally numbers around 600-800. But eyewitness attending the rally put the numbers at 1000-1200, or 200-600 more than the formal GOP forum.

According to more and more reports from “eyewitnesses” to the events, the Ron Paul rally had 1,000 seats to fill, and all of them were filled – plus other onlookers were standing on the sidelines, up to 200 of them. The numbers thus begin to tell the tale of a rally that outdrew the “official rally” by either 200 attendees at the low end, or actually doubled the turnout of the official forum at the high end. Additionally, the Ron Paul affair was reportedly “raucous” and high energy compared to the lower-key official forum.

While an argument over numbers may sound somewhat “petty” to those not directly involved, the numbers are actually fairly important. By banning Ron Paul from the forum, the GOP establishment – which has already floated the idea of banning Ron Paul from televised debates – was trying to deny an official GOP candidate a voice in the critical state of Iowa at a critical time in the campaign.

If Ron Paul had not drawn well, the lack of attendance would have been noted and the numbers used by those who favor big government to once more marginalize his constitutionalist, small-government platform and Jeffersonian point of view.

In fact, it is unusual to say the least that a candidate such as the GOP’s Ron Paul - marginalized by the media and subject to various bans, or attempted bans, on his presence - continues to pick up support. It must also be fairly unusual in the annals of organized American politics in the 20th and 21st century that a candidate banned from an official party forum manages, apparently, to outdraw that same forum in the same venue a little later on the same day.

If the reports of Ron Paul’s rally outdrawing the official Iowa tax forum - perhaps even doubling its numbers - are accurate, this is the obvious story that media should be covering. Questions should be asked once more, if this is the case, as to why so much of Ron Paul’s coverage seems oddly muted, or tilted toward disparaging what may be shaping up to be one of the bigger ongoing stories of the GOP campaign itself.

What’s that story? How a single constitutionalist without much initial funding or corporate support has managed to become a contender in both Iowa and New Hampshire despite apparent mainstream party opposition.

Mainstream media ought to be analyzing the ongoing “Ron Paul phenomenon” just as critically and in depth as it analyzes other political stories.

If not, why not?

A blogger called “Stanky” reports the turnout this way:

=====

I got such a treat Saturday, June 30th, 2007 folks! I got to see Ron Paul speak in Des Moines, Iowa, after being excluded from the Presidential Candidates Forum put on by Ed Failor of Iowans for Tax Relief.

Dr. Paul was in the same building as Failor’s event, except in a different room, and let me tell you, whoever said Ron Paul’s support came from a handful of internet geeks who know how to game the polls, is an idiot. This place was PACKED! There were 1000 chairs and they were all filled, with more folks standing! Know what that means???
That means that Ron Paul alone pulled in more people than the roughly 600-700 that Mr. Failor’s Forum pulled in, and they had 6 candidates speaking! You will see stories in the news today stating that 500-600 attended Dr. Paul’s event. They are lies, I WAS THERE and the video below doesn’t lie! I urge you to call them on their lies! Of course, I expected as much.

Observe Dr. Paul’s detractors well folks, observe the politics of deceit and lies, and observe the agenda behind the lies! Is THAT what America should be about or should it be about Dr. Paul’s message of Life and Liberty. Americans young and old and all ages in between came out to hear Dr. Paul speak his message of freedom and liberty and Constitutionalism. I don’t know exactly how many attended Failor’s event, I didn’t count the chairs, but Dr. Paul’s event, was a big success I also have video of almost the entire speech for you. Unfortunately my battery ran out before the end. But here is what I have:

http://stanky.wordpress.com

=====

In contrast to Stanky’s report, the Des Moines Register reported the turnout this way: “Outsider Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul headlined a raucous campaign rally Saturday after a multi-candidate GOP forum in Des Moines to which the Texas congressman was not invited. An audience of more than 600 GOP activists turned out for the Paul event, held in Hy-Vee Hall next door to where six candidates addressed a subdued crowd of much the same size earlier. … ”

http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...EWS09/707010342

Iowapolitics.com meanwhile placed the Ron Paul rally attendance figures around 600 and the Iowa Tax Forum around 800. Some comments received either by FMNN from its previous article on the controversy earlier today (http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=44940), or in response to the Des Moines Register article, can be seen below.

=====

-Yep I was there ... You say that there were about the same in Dr. Paul’s gathering as there were next door. Well I looked in there and there were plenty of seats available next door. We had all 1000 seats filled and there were at lease 200 people standing. So what you should have said is that one man drew twice as many as the forum.

-I was also there, I live in Des Moines and I have video of the event and the crowd. I also counted the chairs, there were 1000 and they were filled, with more folks standing. But don't take my word for it, watch the video and see for yourself. (See Stanky video above.)

-The only controversy that I can see is them lowballing the Ron Paul numbers at 600. I was there and I would put the number between 900-1000. I think the biggest difference that I noticed were the 10+ security guards and 4 metal detectors for the other candidates compared with only one lost security guard and no metal detectors for the Ron Paul rally.

-As others have already said, that place had over 1000 people there. To say that it was about 600 people is either ignorance or distinctly censorship.

-There are over 1000 people at the Ron Paul rally, not over 600. It’s definitely biased to try to make it look like just as many people attended both, because the "official" event was held to empty seats, while Ron's event was held to a standing room only crowd of over a thousand cheering supporters. Failor, that bought-and-paid-for McCain consultant, ended up getting exactly the opposite of what he wanted.

-I WAS THERE - CAPACITY WAS OVERFILLED.- Arrgghh.... the media is a absolutely nuts in my opinion! I was at the event and had to STAND AGAINST THE WALL to listen to Dr. Ron Paul as ALL the seats were filled and even the walls were occupied. Next door you could have heard a cricket..... BHHHHAAAA BBHHHAAAA....
Staff&nbspReports - Free-Market News Network

Web Address: http://www.FreeMarketNews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=44956

[Tom Servo]

Dr. Paul is so "unviable" that a message board, unaffiliated officially with his campaign, has been hacked.

http://ronpaulforum.com/index.php

First comes denial...then fear....

[Samuel Adams]

Maybe he should take Bloomberg as HIS V.P.

Can you imagine Bloomberg in a tie breaking vote?