Thread: Ron Paul on the Issues

Oh my: Another Iowa poll has Ron Paul in second place

posted at 7:10 pm on November 17, 2011
by Allahpundit

He was a distant fourth in Rasmussen’s poll of likely voters this morning, but there’s no way the “Paul surge!” meme is going to die that easily. New fuel for the fire today from Iowa State: A poll of almost 1,000 Iowa registered Republicans has him just above 20 percent, four points better than Romney and just four points back of a guy whose own supporters have taken to dumping him as unelectable on national TV. As Cain fades a bit, Newt starts to come on strong, and Perry gets his second wind, there’s at least a chance here of a five-way split that would let Paul squeak to victory with, say, 25 percent. Look out, fiat money!

Is the rEVOLution coming to Des Moines? WaPo’s Chris Cillizza is bullish:

The most obvious reason is that Paul has been on television in the state since July and has spent more than $1.35 million on ads. (For months, Paul had the airwaves to himself although Texas Gov. Rick Perry is now on television in Iowa as well.)…

And, it’s not just Paul’s television ads that have blanketed the state. Sixty seven percent of those tested in the Bloomberg poll said they had been contacted by the Paul campaign via email, direct mail, telephone or someone coming directly to their door over the last year — the highest percentage for any candidate. (Just 47 percent said the same of Perry, 46 percent of Romney and 41 percent of Cain.)…

“Turnout will probably be lower than in 2008 because there are not the kind of hyper-developed ground efforts like we saw in 2008, 2000, or 1996,” said Gentry Collins, a former executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa. “I think that benefits a candidate like Paul because the depth of his appeal will guarantee him a minimum number.”…

“[Paul] will benefit more than other candidates from our registration rules as independents, Libertarians [and] Democrats can effectively become Republicans for a night and caucus for Paul,” said one veteran Iowa Republican operative. “Anecdotally, I have encountered more than a few self-described liberals who will caucus for Paul due to his anti-war stance.”

Caucusing for Paul as a liberal would be exceedingly stupid, and not just because his ideology is the most antithetical to the welfare state of any candidate in the field. Like I said yesterday, a Paul win in Iowa would greatly raise the chances of Romney being nominated — and Romney is, for better or worse, The One’s toughest opponent head to head. A smart, cynical, calculating liberal would organize an “Operation Chaos” on behalf of Perry, whose favorables have turned toxic but who could still, probably, win the nomination on a wave of Not Romney enthusiasm if he takes Iowa. He’d be easier pickings for Obama in the general, especially if he goes crosseyed again at one of the debates.

Via Cillizza, here’s one of the spots airing in Iowa. Can’t wait for the Ron Paul foreign policy ad. Exit question: Is the Republican field really going to be out-organized and out-hustled in corn country by a libertarian outsider? What’s the point of being establishment if the establishment can be outmaneuvered like that?



http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/1...-second-place/

Ron Paul is for real in Iowa. Seriously.

Posted by Chris Cillizza at 02:48 PM ET, 11/17/2011

Texas Rep. Ron Paul, long dismissed by the GOP establishment as a fringe candidate, has broadened his electoral appeal and emerged as a major player in the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses, according to several recent polls and conversations with a handful of longtime Hawkeye political operatives.

“He has certainly broadened his coalition from the ‘rage against the machine’ types that primarily comprised his supporters in 2008,” said one senior Iowa Republican operative granted anonymity to speak candidly about Paul’s prospects. “The expanded coalition includes more traditional activists — as a number of GOP county chairs have endorsed his campaign, as have a handful of legislators.”Two recent polls confirm Paul’s momentum in the state.

In a Bloomberg News survey — conducted by renowned Iowa-based pollster Ann Selzer — Paul was in a four-way statistical tie for first along with businessman Herman Cain, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. (Cain had 20 percent to 19 percent for Paul, 18 percent for Romney and 17 percent for Gingrich.)

And, in a new Iowa State/Gazette/KCRG survey, Paul took 20 percent — behind only Cain at 25 percent.

(For more on Paul’s surprising poll strength in Iowa, make sure to check out the Post’s “Behind the Numbers” polling blog.)

So, there is broad — if not unanimous — agreement that Paul has momentum in Iowa. But, why?

The most obvious reason is that Paul has been on television in the state since July and has spent more than $1.35 million on ads. (For months, Paul had the airwaves to himself although Texas Gov. Rick Perry is now on television in Iowa as well.)

Paul is using the relatively uncluttered airwaves to tell a story of himself as a consistent champion of fiscal responsibility in a field of candidates that have not always hewed so closely to that mantra.

One ad attacks the inconsistencies of Cain, Romney and Perry on fiscal matters — TARP, economic stimulus — before cutting to Paul; “I’ve been talking about these problems for a long long time...now we’re bankrupt and we have to decide which way we’re going to go,” he says.



And, it’s not just Paul’s television ads that have blanketed the state. Sixty seven percent of those tested in the Bloomberg poll said they had been contacted by the Paul campaign via email, direct mail, telephone or someone coming directly to their door over the last year — the highest percentage for any candidate. (Just 47 percent said the same of Perry, 46 percent of Romney and 41 percent of Cain.)

“We have a strong ground game in the state that is reaching out at a faster pace than any other campaign,” argued Trygve Olson, a Paul adviser.

The other major factor that appears to be working in Paul’s favor is the lack of a clear social conservative candidate ala former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee in 2008.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared to be the natural 2012 heir to the Huckabee slot in Iowa but has collapsed both in the state and nationally since she won the Ames Straw Poll in mid-August. (Don’t forget — because many people do — that Paul came within a hairsbreadth of defeating Bachmann at Ames.)

Perry, too, has faltered badly since he began his campaign. And, while Gingrich and Cain have pockets of support among social conservatives neither have an organization in the state to match Paul’s.

“We are picking up support among social conservatives in Iowa -- particularly ones who believe our country’s fiscal situation is in serious peril,” noted Olson.

There are other, more technical reasons to believe that Paul warrants being taken seriously in the state.

Turnout in the 2012 caucuses is expected to dip below the 119,000 (or so) people who turned out in 2008.

“Turnout will probably be lower than in 2008 because there are not the kind of hyper-developed ground efforts like we saw in 2008, 2000, or 1996,” said Gentry Collins, a former executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa. “I think that benefits a candidate like Paul because the depth of his appeal will guarantee him a minimum number.”

The composition of the caucus-goers, too, could help Paul whose appeal — much more so than his GOP rivals — expands beyond the typical Republican rank and file.

“[Paul] will benefit more than other candidates from our registration rules as independents, Libertarians [and] Democrats can effectively become Republicans for a night and caucus for Paul,” said one veteran Iowa Republican operative. “Anecdotally, I have encountered more than a few self-described liberals who will caucus for Paul due to his anti-war stance.”

There are still few people — outside of Paul’s direct orbit — who see a clear path to victory for the Texas Republican in Iowa. Paul’s problem in Iowa, as it is almost everywhere, is that his support base is loyal and getting larger but still too small to comprise a winning coalition. (Make sure to read our piece on what Paul has in common with “Friday Night Lights” for more on that particular phenomenon.)
But, Paul is an emerging Iowa force in a rac
e that remains as wide open as at any time in recent memory. That means that Paul’s rivals ignore him at their own peril.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...M7UN_blog.html

November 17, 2011

Ron Pauls Revolution Riding High

FNC Online Editor Chris Stirewalt handicaps the 2012 election and describes Rep. Ron Pauls path to the nomination.

Video: http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/freed ... _id=158146

If you agree with the way Freddie Mac screwed America, Vote for one of their lobbyists - Newt Gingrich.

If you think you aren't paying enough taxes and you don't care if your president knows anything about foreign policy, vote for Herman Cain.

If you think that your daughter's body is owned by the state and they can force dangerous vaccines on her for sexually transmitted diseases, and you think illegal immigrants should have a free education paid for by American taxpayers - vote for Rick Perry.

If you like Obama care, vote for its founder - Mitt Romney.

If you think we just haven't killed enough Muslim civilians or American soldiers and you think we should kill more of both, vote Rick Santorum (or any of the above).

If you love freedom and agree with our founding fathers - vote Ron Paul.

Ron Paul Signs on to Letter Calling for Pay Cut in Congress

Advocates cutting compensation to reduce deficit

LAKE JACKSON, Texas - Yesterday, 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul joined a bipartisan group of legislators in a letter sent to the members of the Super Committee calling for a reduction in Congressional compensation as part of any proposal to reduce the deficit.

The letter advocates reducing Congressional pay to “send a powerful message to the American people that Congress should not be exempt from the sacrifices it will take to balance the budget.” It also highlights the fact that members of Congress are paid salaries 3.4 times the average full-time American workers.

“Congressman Paul has always voted against congressional pay raises, and he not does participate in the lucrative pension program,” said Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee Chairman Jesse Benton.

“Ron Paul understands that Washington has to tighten its belt just like the rest of America, which is why as President, he plans to take a salary of $39,336, which is approximately equal to the median personal income of the American worker.”

http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/11/1...t-in-congress/

Ron Pauls Plan Perfect Match for Tea Party

Writes Yahoo News Lou Lippincott:

This past summer, the tea party members fought so valiantly to keep the Obama administration from additional deficit spending, so much so that Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa) had the insensitivity to proclaim, “This small group of terrorists have made it impossible to spend any money.” Not long after wrongfully being labeled terrorists, the tea party was bullied by statements from the Obama administration that Social Security and Medicare could be in danger if their persistence on limiting spending continued.

In the end what most of us know, and what the tea party knew back in February, is that spending is the disease that is causing America to lose credibility and economic prosperity — not our $3 trillion in annual tax revenue. Social Security and Medicare checks would have still been sent, though perhaps we would have had to cut the $3 billion in annual foreign aid to Pakistan.

The various economic plans offered by Republican candidates propose some cuts to spending, and tea party members will think this is good move for the country. Gov. Mitt Romney’s plan only cuts about $30 billion in the first year, and Rick Perry’s plan proposes cuts of about $100 billion.

However, only one candidate for president offers a plan that seems to embody the heart and soul of the tea party caucus — Texas Congressman Ron Paul and his Trillion Dollar plan. Logically, tea party members would back the plan that achieves a balanced budget most aggressively since a balanced budget is the Holy Grail of tea party members.

Paul’s plan boldly cuts $1 trillion in the first year and returns America to a balanced budget in his first term as president. Even more astounding is that the budget cuts come from senseless government waste and federal government duplicity, like maintaining active military bases in foreign countries a half-century after the end of the war. Paul achieves a balanced budget in just three years while keeping the government’s promise to those receiving Social Security and Medicare benefits.

The tea party members have always been mindfully focused on fiscal matters, and their gradual return to Paul’s candidacy and spending plan is only beginning.

http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/11/1...for-tea-party/

Ron Paul Steady in New Hampshire Top Three

New poll shows Pauls continued rise in GOP field

LAKE JACKSON, Texas In the latest New Hampshire Journal poll, http://www.scribd.com/doc/73114432/New- ... lts-111711 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul remains a top three choice of likely New Hampshire primary voters with 16 percent.

While others may rise and fall quickly, Congressman Pauls support is steady and rising

GOP outsider Ron Paul gaining traction in Iowa

By THOMAS BEAUMONT
Associated Press
Nov 19, 1:03 AM EST


FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2011 photo, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, speaks at the CBS News/National Journal foreign policy debate at the Benjamin Johnson Arena in Spartanburg, S.C. Paul is emerging as a significant factor in the Republican presidential race, especially in Iowa. Long dismissed by the GOP establishment, the libertarian-leaning candidate is turning heads beyond his hard-core followers just weeks before the state holds the leadoff presidential caucuses. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

ANAMOSA, Iowa (AP) -- Texas Rep. Ron Paul is emerging as a significant factor in the Republican presidential race, especially in Iowa.

He's been long dismissed by the GOP establishment, but the libertarian-leaning candidate is now turning heads beyond his hard-core followers - and rising in some polls - just weeks before the state holds the leadoff presidential caucuses and four years since his failed 2008 bid.

Paul's sharp criticism of government spending and U.S. monetary policy hasn't changed since then.

And while his isolationist brand of foreign policy may be a non-starter for some establishment Republicans, its appeal among independents is helping Paul gain ground in a crowded Republican field. His boost is an indication of just how volatile the Republican presidential race is in this state and across the country.

"The good news is the country has changed in the last four years in a way I never would have believed," Paul told about 80 Republicans and independents at the Pizza Ranch restaurant in this town on Friday. "In the last four years, something dramatic has happened."

What has helped Paul rise here has been more methodic than dramatic.

His campaign here is a stark comparison to the shoestring, rag-tag operation of four years ago that attracted a narrow band of supporters.

This time, he has built an Iowa organization with the look of a more mainstream campaign.

He has raised more money, hired three times the staff and started organizing his campaign in Iowa earlier than before. Paul was the first candidate to begin airing television ads this fall, and has maintained the most consistent advertising schedule in Iowa.

"We have a more structured, methodical, traditional campaign with Ron Paul here in Iowa more often," said Drew Ivers, an Iowa Republican Party central committee member and Paul's Iowa campaign chairman.

Paul is better-known this time, and has spent almost twice as much time in Iowa at this point in the 2012 campaign than in his bid for the 2008 caucuses. Paul finished in fifth place, closely behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson in Iowa in 2008.

The intense focus on Iowa this time may be working, with surveys showing Paul is reaching deeper into the caucus electorate.

A recent Bloomberg News poll showed him in close second place in Iowa, behind Herman Cain and narrowly ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

The same poll showed more Iowa caucus-goers had been contacted by the Paul campaign than any of the other six GOP campaigns actively competing for the Jan. 3 caucuses.

Two weeks earlier, The Des Moines Register's poll showed Paul in solid third place, behind Cain and Romney.

And Paul seems to have been able to sustain his support after finishing a close second in the Iowa GOP's August straw poll, while straw poll winner Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota representative, has dipped in Iowa polls since.

But it's unclear whether Paul can cobble together broad enough support to win the caucuses with a plurality of the vote. At the very least, he will impact the results of the contest. But to what degree is anyone's guess.

The one thing that hasn't changed from four years ago is Paul's style.

He remains the mild-mannered, professorial former obstetrician, delivering long explanations of the history of U.S. monetary and trade policy.

In Anamosa, the audience of more than 130 at the small town's community center applauded when he said he would propose cutting $1 trillion from the federal deficit his first year in office, primarily by vastly reducing U.S. foreign aid.

But he also called for shrinking the military budget by reducing the U.S. military presence around the world, arguing that Congress and military contractors are too closely tied together.

"Yes, we have to have national security, but we don't get it by bankrupting our country and being in everyone's face constantly," Paul said.

The sentiment rings true with Charles Betz, a 47-year-old network engineer from nearby Tama, Iowa. He has typically been an independent voter, but is registered as a Republican so he can caucus for Paul on Jan. 3.

It's Paul's foreign and national security policy that has drawn fire from establishment Republicans. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who is competing with Paul in Iowa for the outsider vote, has been vocally critical of Paul's stance.

So has Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican who has been courted by most of the GOP candidates.

"I gave Paul credit for having the most ambitious plan to reduce the debt, which he does," Branstad told The Associated Press. "But I don't agree with him on foreign policy, at all. I'm real concerned with his views on that."

Paul's rivals have particularly criticized his view that Iran does not pose a serious threat to the U.S., a point Paul made again Friday.

"Think about how the war drums were beating to get into Iraq. None of it was true, and I don't believe the stories now about why we should be shaking in our boots over Iran," he said. "They are absolutely incapable of attacking us."

Paul was traveling from small-town Vinton to equally small Anamosa Friday, before capping the day with a major rally in metropolitan Cedar Rapids, where he was to be endorsed by the founder of the Cedar Rapids tea party.

His focus isn't limited to Iowa.

Paul will be in New Hampshire early next week, where he finished fifth four years ago.

This time, Paul's fiscally-conservative profile combined with his anti-interventionist foreign policy could help him do better.

Associated Press writer Steve Peoples in Exeter, N.H., contributed to this report.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/ ... 8-18-27-33

Ron Paul Warns GOP Not To "Capitulate" On Taxes, Won't Rule Out Indy Bid

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... R2r6NYm0



Posted on November 18, 2011

Ron Paul with Sean Hannity discussing the economy and the election. Paul talks about the lack of attention he receives, if he is not ignored altogether. Paul says he and his staff were "annoyed" by the fact that he only received 89 seconds to speak at the last Republican debate.

Paul warned his Republican colleagues in the Congress that they better keep their pledge to not raise taxes. He says if they do "capitulate" on taxes then people will make them pay.

"I have no intention of doing that," Paul says of a third-party run if he doesn't get the Republican nomination. However, when asked several times by Hannity to rule out an independent bid, he would not.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... y_bid.html

Round Table Republican Debate Live Webcast

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 11/19/2011 17:36 -0500

It must be at least a few days since the last one because CitizenLink is currently webcasting yet another GOP presidential debate this time the Thanksgiving Family Forum in Iowa which is hosting a round table for the candidates not to be confused with the pumpins generously strewn around, and in which Ron Paul is not unexpectedly projected to potentially win.



Thanksgiving Family Forum Complete Video

Nov 19, 2011

Video: http://www.citizenlink.com/2011/11/19/t ... ete-video/



Hear what the candidates have to say about family issues, life challenges, the sanctity of life, marriage and more. Watch the event in its entirety. The Forum took place in Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 19.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/round-tab ... nt-1895491