One of the posters from another forum suggested becoming involved in a letter writing campaign to get all 3Pers to stand behind Ron Paul if he follows through with running on the GOP ticket. I drafted a letter and sent it to the CP and LP, but I wonder if these parties would lay down and support him. Of course the Greens, Socialists, etc will not, but what about the Libertarian/Constitutionalist parties?

The LP would probably not be able to. I've been trying to follow it, but from I've read atleast according to the party bylaws they would have to have a majority at the LP convention vote for None of the Above. I don't think Ron Paul could actually be listed like this:

Ron Paul-Republican
Ron Paul-Libertarian
Ron Paul-Constitution

on any state ballot anyways because most states ban fusion candidacies.

That's a tough question as the various state laws are so different, as already mentioned.

But I don't think it could hurt to contact the parties anyways.

Maybe they could run candidates to keep their places on the ballots (again, silly state ballot access laws call for this) while the parties unofficially support Dr. Paul.

Might as well give it a shot. Minor parties need to unite in some way to have any power. Just playing the spoiler gets old.

Not as old as the internal meltdowns the LP keeps having every few years.

Seems you can't have a herd of cats without some good ol' cat fights.

To have a party you need a desire to unite for a common purpose, not just promote personal agendas or make dogmatic platforms. You have to get out a message most voters want to hear, and not just what the party faithful want to say.

If you don't ever get elected, there isn't much point in running.

All of those are reasons for different factions leaving the LP.

The guys who started Cato were pragmatists rather than dogmatists. The 2000 crack-up was over the rigged process that renominated Harry Browne. The latest dustup was over the consolidation of the party platform so it didn't read like a Rand novel.

If they ever actually got their poop in a group they might be dangerous.

I was originally interested in Cato and willing to spend $50 to join. Since then it seems like being Libertarian means TRYING not to take electable positions so you don't have to actually govern. It's like stating that government is bad, and then making sure you don't have to join in the process by sticking to the most extreme dogma possible.

There is an element of truth to that.

They mostly seem to know what they wish the government to be rather than having a way to get there. I'm wondering whether the group here could work out a new constitution for Servoland, which would show us what they want.

Maybe take the US constitution as a draft and mark it up to their satisfaction.

Which is pretty much why the pragmatists at Cato have a better track record than the LP in actually getting ideas implimented here and there.

On one hand, there's no "Ease off it" wing at Hazelton, OTOH you gotta eat that elephant sandwich one bite at a time.

Interesting paradox.

It's all so complex, and that's what I find so interesting about the debate. All the intricate problems of the most powerful country on earth boiling down to looking for the D or R on a ballot. There have to be improvements we can make, but I don't see them coming from more fringe positions, but from common sense positions most people will vote for, even if they aren't 100% behind them. Maybe from the lesser of two evils, to the least of all evils. (I kinda like that, don't steal it ya mufuggers)

At least he isn't a hypocrite.

http://wonkette.com/politics/ron-paul/save...dent-228158.php

While Democrats and Republicans on the Hill continue their “Yeah but now I’m against it” routine, Texas Congressman Ron Paul doesn’t have to issue any apologies. He was always against the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and he’s running for president.

Paul is a libertarian Republican who constantly enrages the GOP because he actually believes in a small federal government and sound fiscal policies. He’s anti-death penalty, anti-drug laws, anti-police state, anti-Patriot Act and anti-anything that’s not authorized by the Constitution. Texas Dems now love him for his “principled anti-war stance,” while pro-abortion voters don’t need to worry about the obstetrician/gynecologist’s strong pro-life stance — he knows the federal government has no right to get involved in such stuff. And as California just proved, states can figure out universal health care and global-warming rules while the federal government can’t do anything.

In 1988, Paul got the third-most votes after Bush 41 and Dukakis. It was only 0.5%, but still! Plus, Ron Paul writes a great column and goes on the Alex Jones show now and then and freaks out everybody.

Interesting replies. Especially in light of the fact that Wonkette is a left-leaning blog.

She can lean on me any direction.

It looks like she'd agree with Paul a good percentage of the time. Left-leaners will support anything that splits the right-leaners as well.

Ana Marie is a purdy one!

I liked the response calling the Congressional Medal of Freedom a "merit badge".

I've got a merit badge she can earn.....

A couple in fact.

You guys don't think it'd hurt Paul to put out all those letters he sent for support to various state militias a while back ?

I think he's dead in the water anyway, but trying to support the Montana freemen, and get the support of the militiamen on some of his other issues looks pretty...er...nuts.

He's at least as weird as Browne ever was.

What is more Libertarian than REAL state militias? If you were going to go back to the original intent that might be a good place to start.

Post the letter, fercryinoutloud!!!

Let's talk about it in order to make everyone else's better!!

Can't get the herd together? To have any chance you're gonna need the whole herd and some mavericks to boot.

George Phillies is already listed as the LP candidate for 2008. I'm going to send him an email urging him to reconsider and to back Dr. Paul.

They already have a candidate? Do party members get a say, or is the decision made in some smoke filled room. (and who knows what kind of smoke)

The herd is growing Art. Trust me on that one.


I found this on ThirdPartyWatch.com.

http://www.phillies2008.com/

http://phillies2008.org/

I beat you to it. I'll check it out after some much needed rest. Nice to see you around again.

Thanks. It seems that I've got too many irons in the fire.

Thank you for bringing this up.

I would like to see all the independent voters pushing this also. These non-affiliated voters are the majority of voters these days.

Part of the problem is that he will get very little, if any MSM coverage. And the average American doesn't watch C-Span. He needs to get on The Daily Show and Colbert.

I'm sure most educated voters know who he is, and even that he's running, but I doubt many think he can win. He needs a rich backer to spend a mint in the beginning just to create buzz and momentum. In short order the media will already be too focused. In fact in the democrats case I think they already are. Clinton or Obama. That's it.

Welcome to C-Span Sucks and the Sat of Liberty.

Oh god, I would LOVE to go. Im gonna check my schedule and plans for the next few months and see if im going to be available for this.