Ron Paul: Party Like It’s 1988
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul stands true to the libertarian credentials that earned him the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination for the 1988 election. Back then he promoted a global policy of non-intervention, abolishing the Federal Reserve and retuning to the gold standard, and stopping Federal involvement in primary education. Move forward nearly two decades and he opposes the United Nations, NATO and, as a Texas Congressman, he voted against the Iraq War Resolution. He has now expanded his opposition to the Fed to abolishing most Federal agencies including the IRS. Always a free trader he opposes NAFTA calling it “managed trade.”
Many of his fellow Republican candidates listen in disbelief as he presents his positions from the podium during televised debates. But everyone may be forced to take him seriously if recent fund raising is any indication groundswell in his popularity and press coverage. Last week Tuesday Paul’s campaign pulled in $4.3 million during a 24 hour online push, a record for online fund raising according to the Dallas Morning News. Supporters note he is the leading recipient of donations from military personnel and that he has passed Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee in the New Hampshire polls and tied with John McCain in Iowa.
Can the groundswell of the disaffected carry Ron Paul to a primary victory? While his record of fiscal restraint and disdain for such corrupt organizations as the United Nations is commendable, I think the number of those who believe we can totally disengage the world and disband our intelligence organizations are about equal to those who think 9/11 was an inside job. Those who would be in with Paul are all in and but, I believe, most will have second thoughts. There is no indication that the one day record is a trend considering the push for $12 million stands at about $8.2 million. As for the claim of support from the military, an October 18th Houston Chronicle article reports that less than 1,000 are listed as such in the Federal Election commission records for the year. A tie with McCain in New Hampshire represents 4% of those polled. This will prove more media event then groundswell of support. [ro_20]