August 9, 2007 4:26 PM
Paul takes a shot
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Photo by M.E. Sprengelmeyer
By M.E. Sprengelmeyer
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
The maverick, anti-war contender in the Republican presidential contest issued a stern warning for his party on Thursday.
Rep. Ron Paul of Texas said that if fellow Republicans don't lead a change of course on Iraq and embrace the unconventional coalition that has been attracted to his campaign, it is doomed in the 2008 elections.
"If they don't change their foreign policy, they're going to lose big-time next year," Paul said during a midway stroll at the Iowa State Fair. "They're going to lose more congressional seats, and they can't win the presidency. They can't possibly win by maintaining the status quo in Iraq. If they don't decide to dramatically change that position, there's no way they can win next year."
Paul is considered a big long-shot in the race for the White House. He still ranks in the low single digits in national GOP polls.
But he has stood out from the crowd at nationally-televised debates with his fiery anti-war rhetoric and calls for restoring civil liberties that he believes have been eroded since Sept. 11, 2001, in the name of protecting the country from terrorism.
A one-time Libertarian Party nominee for president, he has built an unusual coalition of conservatives opposed to big government and anti-war activists -- many of those former Democrats.
His campaign, which has demonstrated surprising fundraising prowess, has included an aggressive online presence, some of which is beyond Paul's control, he said.
He gained attention during one of the nationally-televised debates earlier this year, when he suggested that U.S. military intervention over the years acted as a motivating factor for the terrorists.
That drew an angry response from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who called Paul's statement "absurd" and demanded that he take back his remarks. Paul stuck by his guns, and in the following days he drew more scorn from some Republicans at the same time he picked up support from anti-war critics.
Since then, he has appeared somewhat out of place in debates, where he is flanked by Republican rivals who generally support the ongoing U.S. military operations in Iraq.
But if the rest of the party treats him and his followers like outcasts, they're making a big mistake, Paul told the Rocky Mountain News.
He said his call for a more non-interventionist foreign policy used to be the norm in Republican ranks.
"I think it's the Republican party that left (its) traditional position, because they've always benefited by being more anti-war than Democrats," Paul said. "And right now, it's true there are a lot of people who are outside the party (who) would like to come vote for me. They support the old, right Republican position of anti-war, and yet there seems to be a resistance because it embarrasses those who are in leadership right now."
Paul called that attitude "self-defeating" for the GOP.
"They talk about an open tent. So why shouldn't they welcome people who want to come into the Republican Party and build the party?" Paul said. "If they stick to the position of foreign policy they have, the Republican Party is going to shrink. So I would say I'm benefitting the Republican Party by bringing other people in."
Until recently, Paul has had one of the more invisible campaign operations in Iowa, the state where the first votes will be cast at caucuses now scheduled for January. But in recent days, he has started running television ads in Iowa, and he said he's hoping to do "pretty well" in the Iowa GOP's non-binding straw poll in Ames on Saturday.
"The straw vote is obviously important. It isn't going to make or break us," Paul said. "The better we do, the better it is for us. Some think if they don't finish first, second or third, it's the end of the campaign... We haven't looked at it that way."
August 11, 2007
7:22 PM
Anonymous writes:
fiery anti-war rhetoric? hack!
August 11, 2007
5:32 PM
Tarey Mayn writes:
I left the Republican Party 15 years ago to become an Independent and support Ross Perot. Since 1996, there has not been a presidential candidate worthy of my vote~until now. Ron Paul has my vote, and I have registered Republican to strongly back him. Don't let me down, GOP! Thank you for the fair, truthful reporting.
August 11, 2007
5:03 PM
Donna Rode writes:
As a senior citizen registered Republican, this is the first time in my lifetime that I am truly excited about a candidate like Rep.Ron Paul. He has all the credentials to deliver all that his messages contain. Our country is in a crisis situation after many years of NWO directives. Dr. Paul, by the Grace of Almighty God, has the power to deliver (no pun intended) us!
August 11, 2007
4:49 PM
mary Jo writes:
He's not the best looking, but do we really need good looking?
He's not the most polished, we've had those, do we want more?
But He IS the most honest, and we need that.
He has my vote and he's the only one who does.
August 11, 2007
3:08 PM
Henry writes:
Nice article. It is refreshing to see fair journalism. Ron Paul speaks nothing but common sense, logic, and a whole lot of reason. Most importantly he is an advocate for the rule of law as precisely defined by the Constitution. His voting record is flawless, which is more than can be said for any politicians roaming about the establishment today. It is one thing to preach, but it is another thing entirely to practice what you preach. Ron Paul is the true statesman and even a more principled version of Thomas Jefferson. I urge anyone unfamiliar with his candidacy to look into his campaign. He is hardly a radical. The real radicals are the neocons who have hi-jacked the republican party and have mutilated it's platform. Please, join the revolution!
August 11, 2007
3:05 PM
Miss Liberty writes:
sorry about the copies- the button stuck:)
August 11, 2007
3:03 PM
cindy writes:
I only wish all the media would take the time to really listen to our candidate RON PAUL. They do not have to support him but a fair shake should be the very least. I appreciate the time and effort you put into your article. It was factual and easy to read. That is one of the big selling points for me with RON PAUL, I can understand what he is talking about and he does not talk down to us. Thank you so much for this article. We will look forward to more in the future. Much Aloha and God bless you.
August 11, 2007
3:01 PM
Miss Liberty writes:
This is the first time I have been remotely interested in politics. Congressman Paul has lit a fire in me that will never burn out! Today, my meetup group from Parsippany, NJ stood on the side of the highway for hours waving signs and holding banners. We got lots of positive responses and honks; 4 people pulled over and asked how to join our group. The message is spreading like wild fire and will continue to do so. It is time to give our country back to the people and restore our liberties. Long live President Paul!
August 11, 2007
3:01 PM
Miss Liberty writes:
This is the first time I have been remotely interested in politics. Congressman Paul has lit a fire in me that will never burn out! Today, my meetup group from Parsippany, NJ stood on the side of the highway for hours waving signs and holding banners. We got lots of positive responses and honks; 4 people pulled over and asked how to join our group. The message is spreading like wild fire and will continue to do so. It is time to give our country back to the people and restore our liberties. Long live President Paul!
August 11, 2007
3:01 PM
Miss Liberty writes:
This is the first time I have been remotely interested in politics. Congressman Paul has lit a fire in me that will never burn out! Today, my meetup group from Parsippany, NJ stood on the side of the highway for hours waving signs and holding banners. We got lots of positive responses and honks; 4 people pulled over and asked how to join our group. The message is spreading like wild fire and will continue to do so. It is time to give our country back to the people and restore our liberties. Long live President Paul!
August 11, 2007
3:01 PM
Miss Liberty writes:
This is the first time I have been remotely interested in politics. Congressman Paul has lit a fire in me that will never burn out! Today, my meetup group from Parsippany, NJ stood on the side of the highway for hours waving signs and holding banners. We got lots of positive responses and honks; 4 people pulled over and asked how to join our group. The message is spreading like wild fire and will continue to do so. It is time to give our country back to the people and restore our liberties. Long live President Paul!
August 11, 2007
2:44 PM
Rachel Weaver writes:
Thank you for quoting Dr. Paul correctly and impartially. The many thousands of us in the real world (which includes the internet or why would you bother putting this article on this site?) who are working for Dr. Paul with no compensation appreciate fair reporting of his candidacy. Did I say no compensation? Well, other than the satisfaction of knowing that we did our utmost to return this nation to greatness. Join the rEVOLution.
August 11, 2007
2:42 PM
David Thompson writes:
Simply put, Ron Paul is head and shoulders above all the rest. He is not a politician. He is a statesman. Get on the Paul bandwagon. America's last best hope!!!!!
August 11, 2007
2:32 PM
Christine writes:
I am the kind of person who tries to remain educated and informed about many important issues, including political ones. I have always tended to lean conservative (actually, very conservative) on most issues. I eagerly anticipated reaching the age where I could finally participate in the political process and make my voice heard. But at the age of 25 I have already found myself fed up and disgusted by politics in general and politicians in particular. Republicans, Democrats, it's all the same, and it doesn't matter who goes to office nothing will change. I was considering not even voting in this upcoming election. But Ron Paul has changed all that. He is everything I believe a politician and a president should ideally be. He is honest to a fault, consistent, humble, and courageous. Truth pours from that man's lip. I never thought someone, let alone a politician, could inspire so much passion in me. He gives hope to everyone.
August 11, 2007
2:29 PM
Jack writes:
He is the only true anti-war candidate running and he is a Doctor...he would simply crush Hillary with her healthcare populism.
August 11, 2007
2:11 PM
Lani writes:
Ron is absolutely right about the Republican Party being doomed if they don't change their direction. The Republican Party cannot possibly win the 2008 presidential election without Ron Paul. He is the only Republican candidate whose views on the war are in-line with the majority of Americans (and foreigners for that matter). He is the only candidate with a squeaky clean, consistent stance against the war. Only Ron Paul has what it takes to defeat a Hillary or Obama.
August 11, 2007
2:03 PM
Keith Crawford writes:
Ron Paul WILL BE THE PRESIDENT ELECT IN 2008! WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE CAME FROM OR IT WILL BE LOST TO US FOREVER..THIS IS SERIOUS!
KEITH
August 11, 2007
2:52 AM
Late Night Dave writes:
Politics never really interested me because I figured it was all run by big government.
Ron Paul changed my mind as I have reviewed his voting record and professional background.
He truly cares for the people of the USA and for the freedoms created for them in the Consititution.
RP '08
August 10, 2007
1:26 PM
M.E. writes:
Slim,
In the photo, notice the half-inch elevation that Paul has while driving to the basket.
Is he Jordan's "air" apparent?
-- The Management
August 10, 2007
7:52 AM
slim writes:
I'm starting to amend my position about Paul's unelectability. He's just so profoundly right about the criminality and mendacity of US foreign policy. He appears to be the only candidate who understands the deep roots of Islamic radicalism.
But what about his jump shot?