If Glenn Beck's keynote address was the thunder, was Ron Paul's astonishing straw poll win the bolt of lightening? First, Glenn Beck preached there would be no salvation for the Republican party until they "Repent". Beck's address was received by roars of approval by conservative CPAC attendees who remain convinced their elected officials simply are not 'getting' their brand of old-time religion - fundamental conservatism. Was this straw poll vote an example of the Tea Party movement on steroids at a tent revival meeting?
Think about the numbers: Ron Paul received 31% of the vote in the straw poll; Romney, the favored winner, trailed with 22% of the vote; and Sarah Palin ( she boycotted the event) barely made a showing at 7%. Then consider this: Approval ratings for Beck and Limbaugh are in the 70 percentile. So were the conservatives having a libertarian moment, or sending a warning to the Republicans?
There was enthusiastic applause for Ron Paul's fiscal conservative views followed by 'polite' applause for his harder-to-stomach views about funding for war. Ron Paul is a libertarian-leaning Republican, a constitutional zealot, who is all about the money and seldom about morality. For example, though Paul does oppose abortion on demand, he doesn't appear to have any qualms about gay marriage. A real mixed bag, Paul is unlikely to ever seriously capture enough votes to be the presidential candidate for the Republican party. Still, as a political equivalent to "American Idol" -- entertaining but low-wattage reality star power -- Paul served as a ready and at hand threat to Republicans with his winning votes - a win pushed primarily from the enthusiasm of young American conservatives.
The 'Wrath of the Conservatives' is upon you -- are you worried yet, Republicans? (Video follows)
Comments
Is there something wrong with being a "Constitutional zealot"?
Hi Drew J.,
Personally, *wink* I'm pretty much a constitutional zealot, myself. Pure constructionist judges is one of my goals. Yours?
I think if you were to see the age of the two thousand votes for the CPAC straw poll, you would see that Ron Pauls were all under 25. The college kids were the only ones excited and naive enough to be at their first convention to run around trying to find a booth and cast their vote. The grownups know that the straw poll means nothing and didn't bother. Eight thousand attendees didn't even vote. Probably the same percentage of over 25.
Ron Paul - the last chance for a revolution without firearms.
Its bad people, and this is your last shot to walk away without armageddon. The USSR fell, the USSA is falling apart and we need a Doctor!
I love how mainline talk radio republicans reject Ron Paul and the constitution. They want the Military Industrial Complex. The babyboomers were brought up on propaganda, with the internet, it all becomes clear.
RON PAUL = Constitution
Constituion = RON PAUL
@rob
everything I read about the amount of votes cast is that it was the highest vote total in CPAC history. Perhaps all those young people are the future of the party and Ron Paul is the only one attempting to reach them.
Maybe so, but I am afraid that Ron Paul is just going to split the vote again....sigh.
From the article: "Ron Paul is a libertarian-leaning Republican, a constitutional zealot, who is all about the money and seldom about morality." !!??!!
The media just don't get it. Tax dollars come from the people. The government CANNOT make money, it can only TAKE money. What is clearly immoral - what Ron Paul understands that so many other politicians don't - is that the ultimate immorality is taking money from taxpayers and using it for something not clearly authorized by the U.S. Constitution!
A constructionist,plus fiscal responsibility.sound GOOD to me!
I agree with Rob that Ron votes will split the votes. I once voted for Ross Perot, who warned us "That giant sucking sound you will hear if NAFTA passes will be the sound of American jobs leaving the United States". We ended up with Clinton. This time around, splitting the vote leaves us with... a second term of Obama.
Who's willing to risk that?
Ron Paul split the vote again? He didn't split it last time.
I vote for Glenn Beck.*wink* He said everything I feel and say it well.
Ron Paul's supporters were all over the voting sites and were voting numerous times for him. The telling results were at the point when his poll numbers were announced and almost to a man, he was booed and jeered. That's just what we need another group that will cheat the way Obama did.
The religious zealots will now use youth as their new scapegoat. They'll ban them from all political events that they want to dominate, and control. "Liberty" University, Gerry Fallwell's bible thumping, wrench cranking factory, tried to do this. They told CPAC to ban GOPride, or they won't attend. I think the republican party should slam the door in their bigot faces!
A constructionist,plus fiscal responsibility.sound GOOD to me!
Ron Paul is not an Israel Firster, so he is not liked by the 8 men who owns almost all of MSM.
I hope the Republican Party moves in a more libertarian direction. I really like and respect Ron Paul. It would be great to see the GOP become more tolerant toward same sex marriage
I support Ron Paul. I used to be an independent and considered myself a moderate. After a few years of net research I came across Ron Paul. His speeches make a lot of sense. Before you bash on him google him and listen to what he has been saying for the last 30 years. You'll be surprised on how basic and common sense his ideas and issues are.
Listen to him and you may find yourself becoming a supporter.
End the Fed
A very heavy shot right across the Neocon Bow.
With extreme prejudice
Fired in anger
If liberalism means that we continue to put up with milticultralism, than I am against liberalism... does it?
Neo-cons are such idiots. There they have the most conservative candidate in Ron Paul and they choose to vote for liberal neo-cons like Romney and Palin. Amazing! Then they bitch that no one is listening to them. Idiots! Devonia Smith is a warmongering idiot also.
If you only see Ron Paul as all about the money and not morality, you've missed the point and don't understand liberty.
It is refreshing to see the youth are so wise. Perhaps they can turn this mess around by following the wisdom (hidden in plain site) of the constitution. Ron Paul and his campaign of freedom and peace is winning the hearts and minds. We are dedicated and time is on our side. Liberty is a plant of rapid growth. We will overtake the Neo Conservative wing of the Republican Party. The Tea Party Movement will not be hijacked. The R(love)ution lives!! Google: Campaign for Liberty
Ron Paul for President!
Libertarianism means liberty! Less taxes, less government regulation, more state rights.
Gay marriage
My concern is that more and more gay men get STD. It seems that gay men is easier to get an STD.
According to the report from the largest STD dating site == Positivefish.com ==(if I spell the site correctly), the gay subscribers
increased continually. Most of them are sexy.
If Republicans are so afraid of Ron Paul splitting votes, then the GOP had better think twice about denying him the presidential nomination spot.
Listen to Ron Paul's speeches and views on things. He is dead on right about everything he says. He is the ONLY sensible politician in Washington. I favored Obama thinking he would do what he said, but that wasn't the case. He has broken every campaign promise he made. He is just another neocon politician out for the interest of the banks and big corp.
CF: Regarding your - "I favored Obama thinking he would do what he said, but that wasn't the case. He has broken every campaign promise he made. He is just another neocon politician out for the interest of the banks and big corp."
So you consider Ron Paul a viable substitute for disenchanted Obama voters? Why?
Common Sense says:
If Republicans are so afraid of Ron Paul splitting votes, then the GOP had better think twice about denying him the presidential nomination spot.
_________________________________________________________________
Is it a matter of the GOP 'denying' Ron Paul the presidential nomination spot? Really?
Jenny commented: I hope the Republican Party moves in a more libertarian direction. I really like and respect Ron Paul. It would be great to see the GOP become more tolerant toward same sex marriage.
_____________________________________________________________
Perhaps over time the GOP might become more tolerant towards same sex marriage; however, at this time -- to do so would alienate and lose the votes of one of their most substantial bases.
* Can the GOP afford to lose those votes?
* Who would replace such a large voting base?
Some real strange people posting on here.
So anyway... I'm one of those freaky "neo-cons" Devonia, and I agree with you.
I wouldn't vote for Paul, although I do like some of his libertarian small gov. views, especially when it comes to fiscally, I do not agree with his stance on the war, nor on some social issues.
I just can't get behind a candidate like him. He's much too fanatical for me.
Maybe he belongs on the left? ;-)
sorry, type O in that post..
Should read, "especially when it comes to fiscal matters"
Hi Dev. !
Ron Paul has great ideas on some things, and crazy ideas on others. My guess its the crazy part that keeps him out of the White House! Lol!
ron paul?...ehhhhhhhh....i have enough crazy uncles in my family as it is....
all of you non critical thinking people quit saying "ron paul has crazy ideas" with no explanation why. just makes you look like an uneducated @$$
The more I read responses about Ron Paul being "crazy" makes me wonder if these same also see the Constitution as being just a piece of paper. By the way, all of those who sneer that all-too-easy remark against him, please say something against the Constitution, or his ideas, so only then I can see and you can show your true face, and we can graduate this forum from name calling to perhaps something intelligent.
Bobbyx...
What does your comment make you appear to be?
You said less than anyone here.
We're waiting.....
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!