Iowa Pundits Say Don’t Sleep on Ron Paul
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ABC News’ Matthew Jaffe (@matthewbjaffe) reports:
Could Ron Paul really win the Ames straw poll this Saturday? Don’t bet against him.
While all eyes are focused on another Texan, some top Iowa pundits predict Paul will make some serious noise this weekend.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, holding court in the post-debate spin room last night, said, “I think that if there’s a low turnout, Ron Paul’s got the organization. He spent five years working on it. He should not be underestimated. That’s why I would say.”
One GOP operative here explained to ABC News why Paul could spring a surprise on Saturday.
“It’s nature vs. nurture. Bachmann is nature – she has the charisma, the energy, and people are going to vote for her, so she’s not organizing as much,” the source said. “Pawlenty is the nurture candidate – he’s got the organization. I’m an organizational guy – I think that can always make up for it. But Ron Paul has both nature and nurture – he has an exciting base and he’s been able to build on it with his organization.”
“I think if Paul wins it’s going to be symbolic,” the source continued. “We haven’t seen people like Romney and Perry here, so people might cast a symbolic vote and try to send a message to say, ‘He’s not going to win the nomination, but hey, I really like what Paul is saying.’”
That same GOP operative told me two weeks ago that Paul’s approach could resonate with voters because they saw him in Iowa four years ago talking about the nation’s looming economic and debt problems.
“I think that Paul’s team has a plan and they’re executing it flawlessly,” the source said at the time. “He’s got the credibility that even someone like Bachmann does not – because he’s been saying this for years and years in some of the same ballrooms he’s speaking in right now.”
When asked to pick a winner in Ames, two “in the know” people here in Iowa both told me that if they had to put money on someone, it’d be Paul.
Rick Perry might be getting all the headlines these days, but the smart money in the Hawkeye State says don’t mess with Paul.
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Posted by: George Washington | August 12, 2011, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
Reading this makes me want to go and get my checkbook and send more money to Ron Paul.
Posted by: C | August 12, 2011, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
People look around at the terrible economy. The family budget is hurting. Jobs are lost.
And they wonder “why are we wasting trillions of dollars fighting these wars and giving all this money away to Egypt and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the like?”
And Paul is the only one of the candidates who seems to notice the same thing.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 12, 2011, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
I voted for Obama in 2008, and don’t intend to vote for him again. Ron Paul is the only candidate in the Republican race that I would wholeheartedly support. I don’t think the pundits understand that Ron Paul is the only Republican with the ability to attract former, and maybe current, Obama supporters. I’d love to see Ron Paul win the White House in 2012 – I believe that he’s the best chance there is to revive this Great Nation and reverse the horrible course that it’s on.
Posted by: kryssys | August 12, 2011, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
I love how all the main-stream media seem to have some kind of magical crystal ball into the hearts of the American people,
“…people might cast a symbolic vote and try to send a message to say, ‘He’s not going to win the nomination, but hey, I really like what Paul is saying.’”
Lest I remind the American voters that the media told you that Ron Paul’s son, Rand Paul, wouldn’t win his U.S. Senate seat either. How about you and I show them that WE control who gets in and out of office – NOT THEM!
Posted by: BILL | August 12, 2011, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
I am from the UK & watched the debate on Fox lies(pathetic news channel)
I wish we had someone in the UK to vote for like Ron Paul, he is a great man & the only one who can change America. We rooting for him in the UK too.
Ron Paul 2012
Posted by: Mark | August 12, 2011, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
Looking good for Paul, I must say! Love how the media trys to find a way to spin a win…uh, it’s symbolic… Let your friends/family in Iowa know today that they need to get to that Ames Straw Poll and vote for the champion of the constitution.
Posted by: Robert | August 12, 2011, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Ron Paul is a Joke… This guy has no idea what he is talking about!!! Looking at him I am more convinced now that we should have age limit for our Congressmen and Senators… He is totally out of his mind… saying that Iran is not a threat for US or Israel is preposterous… His brain is liquefied long time ago… but the scary thing is how many people supporting him…
Posted by: Felix | August 12, 2011, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
“I think if Paul wins it’s going to be symbolic,” the source continued. “We haven’t seen people like Romney and Perry here, so people might cast a symbolic vote and try to send a message to say, ‘He’s not going to win the nomination, but hey, I really like what Paul is saying.’”
What a bunch of bull. What Iowa resident is going to pay 30 bucks to be able to vote for someone they aren’t going to vote for in the caucus?
These “pundits” are, unwittingly, tripping all over their own words to drive home their real angle, that the Straw Poll only matters if Ron Paul doesn’t win, despite the fact that you have to be an Iowa resident to even vote.
Even the average sheep voter is going to see through this foolishness. You fools are only playing to Dr. Paul’s freedom-loving, economically sound hands.
Posted by: Hank Rearden | August 12, 2011, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Remember all these alphabet news organizations are not our friends… if they support him… Run away from him….
Remember 2008 when all these news organizations were supporting McCain… same thing…
Posted by: Felix | August 12, 2011, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
as a Democrat, i’m taking all the steps necessary to vote for Ron Paul during the Primary.
Posted by: lynn | August 12, 2011, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
No, we’re not casting a symbolic vote. We’re voting for Ron Paul straight-up! And don’t expect anything less in the Caucus!
Posted by: nuzlum | August 12, 2011, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
sorry Robert, that was for Felix:)
Posted by: Frank | August 12, 2011, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
In an age were men of honor and integrity are seldom found, where men of prudence put others before themseleves, and where there are few heroes for young men and women to look up to an emlulate. I can say with absolute certainty. Ron Paul is my hero.
Posted by: kevin | August 12, 2011, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
The obvious angle of the GOP “source” is to lay the groundwork for minimizing the Ames Straw Poll results if Ron Paul wins, which he probably will. A lot of media organizations have been promoting this angle as they realize that Paul is definitely placing top two. He is the true anti-establishment candidate, so the establishment will use every dirty trick in the books to keep him from winning. Ignore the establishment and listen to Ron Paul.
Posted by: Joe M | August 12, 2011, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
1. Ron Paul took a lie detector test. The lie detector tapped out.
2. Ron Paul is an element on the periodic table.
3. Ron Paul could lead a horse to water AND convince it to drink, but he.
doesn’t believe the government has the right to so he refuses.
4. King Midas shook hands with Ron Paul once. Nothing happened.
5. Studies by the World Health Organization show that Ron Paul is the leading cause of freedom among men.
6. Ron Paul wasn’t born. He liberated himself from the womb.
7. The chief export of Ron Paul is liberty.
8. When fascism goes to sleep at night, it checks under the bed for Ron Paul.
9. Ron Paul eats Total Gyms for breakfast.
10. If Ron Paul had lived in Sparta, the movie would have been called “1″.
Posted by: Thomas Johnson | August 12, 2011, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
agree 99.999% that Paul is not in kahun with the powers. there is slight possibility, but mostly statistical, not real. He is the only guy on rep side who demanded 911 re-investigated. Who else has balls for that, except him, Denis Kucenich and Jesse Ventura? Who?
Posted by: Frank | August 12, 2011, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
I voted for Obama in 2008, but I’m ashamed of it now, the guy made a bunch of promises and then just sat there doing nothing except ‘compromising’ halfway between a bunch of countrycidal republican idiots and an incompetent club of ninnies deciding what they want based on what republicans would allow them to want, always living in fear of attack.
Ron Paul is not under the control of the republican idiot base, thus I’m surprised to see him associating with them, but if he can win the republican nomination I’d happily vote (R) for the first time in my life, and I’d gain quite a bit of (badly needed) respect for republican people in the US.
I am not alone. Millions of disappointed 2008 Obama voters would be thrilled to give their support who offers real change we can believe in, even if he does run on the republican ticket.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2011, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
@Lynn said:”as a Democrat, i’m taking all the steps necessary to vote for Ron Paul during the Primary.”
Why is a Democrat voting in a Republican Primaries??? To make sure the Republicns choose the LOOSER!!!
Posted by: Felix | August 12, 2011, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
@Ballz
Iran is not a threat to mankind. That would be a huge leap to suggest. The Middle East can be protected by the Israelis if there is a problem. That is their side of the world anyway. China would have no right to come here and protect us from Mexico. Would they?
The Soviets were a threat and we did not sanction them. We won the cold war without a shot fired. Read history and figure out why the Iranians hate us. We have been fighting them since the 1950′s and sanctions then and now do not and will not help.
We do not sanction Mexico because of terrorists (cartels) are there threatening America. And, we would not like England or France to sanction us for being wrong in Iraq.
Posted by: Xenu | August 12, 2011, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
@Felix, Iran, for god sakes you do know that Jewish folk live and thrive their right? Its not like how they are trying to make it, Iran has Christians/Jewish/Muslims(Obviously)/Buddhists/Hindus/Sikhs all live/work/play in Iran without having some marauding race mob throwing Molotov at them, Its not like the movies and TV shows try to make it out.
Only reason we are on Iran’s ass is the same reason we we’re/still are on Cuba’s ass, Same with Venezuela, They are nationalized and we can go monopolize they’re country. And by ‘we’ Im talking vulture mega corporations.
Libya folk were not getting shanked and bombed before we had a “Kinetic-Military-Action” over there, They have the largest Water aquifers in Africa, Oil & Mineral reserves largest in Africa and now found to be understated so they actually have more. And BTW Qaddafi was offered in the EU and refused saying he “wants all of Africa in it” (Obviously the neocons laughed @ that). He then decided to nationalize a lot of his resources, taking them off the monopoly market. Im not saying Qaddafi and Ahmadinejad are some hero’s, But their are bigger fish in the pond that are actually a threat to us.
China has killed more of its citizens than any of them, we going to go flex our guns at them? Hell no they’ll implode our economy, so we’re ‘friends’. The world doesn’t work the way its shown of TV folks, read history, do your own research into current events.
We are stepping into the collapse of the American empire done just how the Soviets collapsed via their economy. The Military-Industrial-Complex are litterally the only things we build in this country you damn well know the most powerful force in the US (M-I-C) will be wanting us in constant war state while they make billions in profits. Oh crap we already are, Hey Obama thanks for re-passing the Patriot Act. Every single one of those bought and paid for candidates support endless war and the Patriot act except one.
Ron Paul 2012.
Posted by: Jason | August 12, 2011, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Ron Paul has my vote, and my financial support.
No other candidate is honest enough to let the American people know what is really happening.
When I first heard of Ron Paul in 2007, I doubted some of his ideas about fiat currency, and the Fed.
After doing my own research, I see that he is exactly right.
After seeing where the Fed has spent the stimulus money, I see why he was so insistent on getting an audit of the Fed completed.
Posted by: TimM | August 12, 2011, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
MLADEN ANDRIJASEVIC | AUG 12, 2011 2:15:17 PM….” MAD is Dead”…..Everyone knows Iran has promised to eradicate Israel. It doesn’t seem to bother most. Would they feel any different if Iran threatened to eradicate all African Americans?
Posted by: deanbob | August 12, 2011, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
@ Felix,
I’m giving you a reading assignement. You need to read “Imperial Hubris”.
Stow your jingoism, it’s not working anymore. The remnant is awakening and will bring peace to this nation…and hopefully to the rest of the world.
I’m voting Ron Paul, and if you don’t open your eyes and come over to the Paul camp, you will guarantee a win for Obama.
Posted by: Pyrometman | August 12, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
LOL Felix so you support legislation that would prevent those with views you disagree with from holding elected office? Yeah Ron Paul is definitely NOT your candidate.
Posted by: Joe Mama | August 12, 2011, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
LOL…LOL…It matters NOT who wins the “Iowa straw poll”. Their mentality and ideas do not PLAY nationally. The same for Ron Paul…and besides …he is 75 years old. Too old for anyone with a brain to vote for, for the Presidency.
Posted by: CND FOX | August 12, 2011, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
To Paul at 1:14 and to other like-minded individuals….
Someone commentated elsewhere that: “There are only two candidates: Ron Paul and Not Ron Paul. If you like the TSA enhanced pat-downs, don’t vote for Ron Paul. If you think endless, unproductive wars are a good and sane foreign policy, don’t vote for Ron Paul. If you want the economic crisis to linger until the dollar collapses, don’t vote for Ron Paul.” I couldn’t agree more.
As a person that has supported Paul for several years now, I am very happy to read some of the comments from posters on this thread. In my humble opinion, Ron Paul represents real change, and stands out from every other national politician in either party. He may not look or sound like a President that many Americans are used to seeing in the American Idol era, but Ron Paul has the brass balls of a President we have not had since Jack Kennedy was in the White House. He’s the right man at the right time in the critical juncture. And in your hearts and heads, most of you know he’s probably right on both the wars and the economy.
If you are a Democrat or an Independent who is seriously looking into Ron Paul, I need to ask of you to walk the walk. Do the research, and if he’s the man, don’t wait until the General Election and HOPE he is the nominee! We need you voting in the primaries for him. Check out the Blue Republican movement for more details.
“If you live in a closed /semi-closed primary state, you MUST register as a Republican in order to vote for Ron Paul in the crucial primary election. I suspect RP has a lot of Democrat supporters who may be disappointed when they go to the polls if they do not change party affiliations. The closed /SEMI CLOSED states are : AZ, CO, CT,DEL,FL,MA,MD,HI,PA,NY,NE,SD,UT,WV,KY,LA,OK,OR. Let’s do our part – Don’t let him lose the nomination”.
Posted by: Dan | August 12, 2011, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
so if Paul wins, it’s just symbolic, but if someone else wins it’s significant.
Give it a break on the bull!! The media is scared to death of Ron, because they know that this time he has a chance to win.
As a person for peace and prosperity, I see ron paul as the only choice.
Posted by: Steve | August 12, 2011, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
Iits not we the media. IT’S WE THE PEOPLE!! The more the media tries to control, the more they will alienate themselves.
Posted by: The People's Response | August 12, 2011, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
As an earlier post noted, Ron Paul as much of an outcast as he may be to the GOP is the only candidate with a legitimate chance to be Obama. I say this as someone who voted for Obama in the last election. I will be voting in the Texas Republican primary for Ron Paul and for president if the GOP elects him. As much as I disagree with Obama I would vote for him again over anyone other than Ron Paul. Ron Paul is spot on about the wars, the Fed, and our debt.
Posted by: Marcus from Texas | August 12, 2011, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
God Bless Ron Paul for speaking up. These bible beating, muslim hating, ignorant backwoods trash liars don’t speak for me or my family. ANY of my family. All 100+ of us throughout the country. The people see past this non-sense. Ron Paul or nothing!
Posted by: Brian | August 12, 2011, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Here’s to Dr. Paul doing well tomorrow! Exciting day, I’m certain.
Posted by: Harry | August 12, 2011, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Ron Paul in 2012???? Are you guys nuts??? This guy would wipe out the EPA (who needs clean air to breathe and a healthy environment?), the Dept. of Education, Social Security and Medicare. Tell me why he inspires you?? Is it because he APPEARS to be a benevolent grandfatherly figure?? Remember the old “wolf in sheep’s clothing?” adage?? Perfectly describes wealthy ol’ Ron Paul. Underneath there’s nothing “kindly” about Ron Paul. Listen to him long enough and the arrogance comes through loud and clear.
Posted by: jhmor | August 12, 2011, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
And Frank…. I don’t believe for one itty bitty second that you voted for Obama in 2008. Good try at manipulating the masses to feel those who believed in Obama in 2008 are now dissolution and deserting him. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Posted by: jhmor | August 12, 2011, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
I am a registered Democrat who voted for Obama. I truly do hope that Ron Paul wins the Republican primary so I can vote for him in the general election. He is thee republican candidate that strikes a chord with all logical americans be they democrat or republican.
Posted by: KP | August 12, 2011, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
@JHMOR
The functions or lack of functions performed by the Department Of Education can be done more efficiently at the state level. No child left behind should never have happened.
Same goes for the EPA. You assume that states will just remove all environmental regulations. This is false. The state level is where real change can happen. The “not in my town” factor is non-existent at the federal level.
Posted by: The Truth | August 12, 2011, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
@Felix, you say, “Ron Paul is a Joke… This guy has no idea what he is talking about!!! ” Have you read any of his best-selling books on political philosophy and monetary policy? Have you viewed any of his vlogs or seen any of the THOUSANDS of videos about him on YouTube? Have you sat in on any of his auditorium-filling appearances on university campuses? Are you in good physical shape like Ron Paul who is an avid bicyclist. Something tells me you just see someone with white hair and assume the worst but in reality you couldn’t begin to walk in Dr. Paul’s footsteps.
Posted by: Jim McClarin | August 13, 2011, 12:17 am 12:17 am
I would only say this, for those of you who think Ron Paul is out of touch, do some homework, get into history and build a base for your own opinions.
It is clear that many here that voice against Ron Paul are only going by what their peers have said and that they clearly do not have a good idea of the events leading up to these wars, nor do they have a clear picture of how the War complex works. To say that Iran, even if it had one nuclear weapon would be a threat, when we are fully equipped to handle a “star wars” type nuke attack from Russia or China who both, by the way, have hundreds of nuclear weapons, are much bigger, and much more a threat to the world in their capabilities, than Iraq or Iran could be even in the next ten years if given free reign , now that is absurd.
The Iraq government knows, as well as Iran that any attack of that sort would essentially end their existence. They are not stupid, they are not inept, they know a nuclear strike against any country would be a death sentence for them.
So, when you are thinking Ron Paul is out of touch, that his outlook is “crazy” just think of the scope of what you are saying. Because the fact remains, we have been attacking them for the last 30+ years, we did involve ourselves there in 1953 and have never left them be.
For those who think that they are a threat to us, we have many, that are, that have been and that will always be, (because our politicians refuse, out of paranoia and greed, as well as a need to control the world and markets) a “threat”.
Do the research, get some education on the real evidence instead of listening to everything Main Stream Media has told people for the last 50 years, which IS largely controlled by political and commercial idealism. Don’t sell yourselves as omnipitant, or “above” Ron Paul supporters and ideas, because the most valuable lesson we can learn, is to be able to learn, and accept ideas that are not “status qou”.
If people really want to see the truth behind Ron Paul, please do look at his background, his history, his congressional record. You wont find one any better, or any cleaner. There are no scandles, there are no flip flops, and the Constitution, IS what this country was built on, are you willing to give that up, for idealisms of a government that will not respect your rights, that will not look out for our best interest instead of the corporate interest, then by all means, accept what you are told, remain complacent in thinking that your government will not mislead or lie to you, and do not do the research. At least that way, when things do happen the way we, as supporters of Ron Paul believe, and the way this courageous, honest man tells it, then all of those who do not know the facts about the things I have discussed can look blindly into space and honestly say, “I didn’t know” when things do get worse, we do go bankrupt in a catastrophic way, and the rest of us are watching in sadness, because we tried to educate those who do not know.
Whether you vote for Ron Paul or not, at least look into what he is saying before declaring you know he is “crazy” or “out of touch”, you may be surprised at who, exactley is the one…”out of touch”.
Posted by: JerryD | August 13, 2011, 1:29 am 1:29 am
Already dismissing Ron Paul’s victory before it’s even happened… The spin machine will be working overtime on this one, I guarantee you!
The establishment is feeling seriously threatened. What ARROGANCE to say that the people voting for Ron Paul in this straw poll will only be doing so to send a message to the “frontrunners” Perry and Romney.
The epitome of arrogance. I’m sending more money to Ron’s campaign just for that comment.
Posted by: Brad | August 13, 2011, 1:35 am 1:35 am
If I were American I would vote Ron Paul in a flash.
He reminds me of the storey of moses,
not so much of the man but the principles, Ron has to offer.
Let Our People Go.
Posted by: Gord | August 13, 2011, 5:19 am 5:19 am
Obama is a concessionist who speaks eloquently and fails miserably. His GOP rivals are bible thumpers, dimwits or rabid dogs.
Only Ron Paul comes across as presidential. He has a Truman demeanor. No flash, just wisdom.
Ron Paul doesnt need some lackey spokesperson to explain what he just said.
He doesnt need a damage control team.
Ron Paul doesnt shout at you but compels you to listen. Do so.
You wont be disappointed.
If your tired of longhorns like Perry, hanger on’ers like Ging-rich-pigge, and cackling parrots like Michelle Palin Bachman than vote for Ron Paul. I am.
I am Ruff Karver
Posted by: Ruff Karver | August 13, 2011, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
Ron Paul is the only sensible man and if you want to be a slave keep listening to the media and don’t think for yourselves.
Posted by: Real Talk | August 13, 2011, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm
RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!! He IS the BEST MAN for the job! All the rest have no morals, no inner compass, and no respect for our constitution nor humanity!
Posted by: Zellie | August 15, 2011, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Xenu…you said it perfectly! This administration and the last one are strategically TARGETING SOVEREIGN NATIONS to take them down to get at their assets…they don’t care about nuclear weapons…it is a ruse to go after IRAN…we, the American citizenry, is sick and tired of endless undeclared illegal wars that is ROBBING the populace of our hard earned treasury, the lives of our innocent conscripted soldiers AND the innocent lives of others!!! We are sick of America being high-jacked and all of our hard earned billions being spent and misused; all the while, this administration will TARGET all of ours’ future and children’s future….take note, we are organizing and we are informed!
Posted by: Zellie | August 15, 2011, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
If he does win the straw poll, expect the dirtbags in our “media” to not bother to inform you about it.
Just like they never bothered to trace down how the US got the mistaken impression that there were Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq.
Just like they never bothered to figure out how the Housing Bubble started, and who were the key figures involved.
There’s no functioning free press on television or on printing presses today. It’s only on the Internet, created by individuals that actually DO want to inform people.
Posted by: Richard Wicks | August 17, 2011, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm