Upset Brewing? Ron Paul Hopes to Spring Iowa Surprise
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Charles Krupa/AP Photo
CHICAGO – With Ron Paul looking more and more like a legitimate threat to win the Iowa caucuses in two weeks time, the libertarian Republican candidate is coming under fire from those in his party for differences on key policies.
At a campaign event in New Hampshire Monday night, a Manchester woman went after Paul for his proposal to eventually eliminate Medicaid and Medicare, with the suggestion that charity hospitals would then help the uninsured.
“Thirty three percent of the children in the U.S. are on Medicaid and another 10 percent are uninsured,” the woman said. “You have offered charity by doctors as a solution to this. Do you really think that 43 percent of America’s children will be taken care of by charity?”
The woman’s questions led to an acrimonious back-and-forth in which Paul at one point acknowledged that his proposal might seem “cold-hearted,” but it is simply an effort to save the nation from financial disaster. On Tuesday another audience member in New Hampshire engaged in a testy exchange with Paul over his opposition to a same sex marriage amendment.
Paul’s record is coming under fresh scrutiny as a result of the added attention that he is now receiving, both from his rivals and the media, since a Paul victory in Iowa now appears to be a decent possibility. In recent weeks candidates have struggled to take a stranglehold on the race there. Mitt Romney can’t get traction, Newt Gingrich has started to slip, Rick Perry surged in the summer but then slumped, Michele Bachmann won the state’s straw poll only to later plunge in the polls, and Herman Cain suspended his campaign.
Read the latest ABC News / Washington Post Poll, which places Paul solidly in third place among Republicans nationwide. He is thought to have more support in Iowa.
But someone’s got to win this thing and, more and more, signs in the Hawkeye State suggest that someone could be Paul.
With Gingrich fading and Romney seemingly stuck at the same levels of support he has enjoyed for the past six months, the door is open for Paul to spring a surprise in Iowa. The Texas congressman, whose backers might be the most vocal and loyal of any in the race, leads Romney by a 2-to-1 margin as the candidate most likely to “stand up for what he or she believes.”
“The challenge isn’t all that great on how we’re going to beat Obama. I think he’s beating himself,” Paul said at Thursday’s debate in Sioux City. “I think really the question is, what do we have to offer? And I have something different to offer. I emphasize civil liberties. I emphasize a pro-American foreign policy, which is a lot different than ‘Policemen of the World.’ I emphasize, you know, monetary policy and these things that the other candidates don’t talk about.
“But I think the most important thing is the philosophy I’m talking about is the Constitution and freedom. And that brings people together. It brings independents into the fold and it brings Democrats over on some of these issues. So therefore I see this philosophy as being very electable because it’s an America philosophy.”
But the electability question is one that has plagued Paul. While he has earned the fervent devotion of his supporters by standing out from the crowd, his critics contend that he has no shot of earning the GOP nomination and, if somehow he did, the consequences would be disastrous for the party. At a debate last Thursday, for instance, Paul declared that even if there were proof that Iran had obtained a nuclear weapon, he would still not engage in another war in the Middle East, a stance in stark contrast to that of most other Republicans. At another point in the debate, he referenced Austrian economists in denouncing Gingrich for his role in the United States’ housing bubble.
“What would happen if Ron Paul won the Iowa caucus? The results would become totally insignificant, we would lose our first-in-the-nation status, and Mitt Romney would waltz to the GOP nomination,” Kevin Hall wrote on TheIowaRepublican website last week.
“To be blunt,” added Tim Hagle, another one of the website’s contributors, “Paul’s foreign policy and national security positions are considered too extreme for most of the GOP base. Many can overlook them when the focus is on fiscal issues, but Paul got a lot of air time in the last debate …”
Hagle cited one potential stumbling block for Paul in Iowa: his popularity among younger voters aged 18-25 could prove problematic because those voters are the least likely to attend a caucus and vote, and colleges will be on break when the caucuses take place Jan. 3.
But Paul, 76, also boasts great organization in Iowa and, as opposed to other candidates such as Romney and Gingrich, he has logged countless hours on the ground there. In addition, he only lost the Ames straw poll to Bachmann by a mere 152 votes.
Since the straw poll started in 1979, the candidate who has gone on to win the caucus had placed first or second in Ames every time. After the straw poll in August, it appeared that Bachmann might run away with the evangelical vote and emerge as the favorite to win Iowa, but evangelicals have yet to coalesce around a specific candidate, Bachmann has faded, and it is Paul who has continued to climb up the polls.
“Dr. Paul is surging in Iowa and New Hampshire because he is exactly what the voters have been looking for,” Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said in an email. “He governs on principle. He is consistent and does not flip-flop. And he is the only candidate who will really cut the spending and balance the budget so we can get back on our feet and create jobs.”
Matthew Jaffe is covering the 2012 campaign for ABC News and Univision.
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Fellow Americans! This is the perfect storm to show our bought and paid for politicians, 1%, News Media and Big Business who really owns this country and vote for Ron Paul! PLEASE show the few who have corupted our political process at the expense of the 99% and vote for someone who hasen’t sold their soul! RON PAUL!
Posted by: jeffery Yoder | December 20, 2011, 6:14 am 6:14 am
Thanks ABC. You had me worried that your network had joined the smear campaign after reading yesterday’s article. This author at least took the time to report the truth.
Posted by: Mike | December 20, 2011, 6:19 am 6:19 am
“While he has earned the fervent devotion of his supporters by standing out from the crowd, his critics contend that he has no shot of earning the GOP nomination and, if somehow he did, the consequences would be disastrous for the party”
________________________________________________________________________________
Maybe that’s a good thing.
Posted by: john locke | December 20, 2011, 6:25 am 6:25 am
Remember, GOP and the news media, said Ronald Reagan was too fringe to be elected. Remember the Tea Party was too fringe to elect anyone to Congress. Remember you can think for yourselves and stand with a candidate on his principals and not his party.
Posted by: Alan Clifton | December 20, 2011, 6:31 am 6:31 am
“But I think the most important thing is the philosophy I’m talking about is the Constitution and freedom. And that brings people together. It brings independents into the fold and it brings Democrats over on some of these issues. So therefore I see this philosophy as being very electable because it’s an America philosophy.”
That is why people like Ron Paul so much, it’s not about him, it’s about the idea that the constitution is the way to run the country.
If you listen carefully, he says ‘we’ many more times then ‘I’, now listen to the other candidates.
Posted by: Tim M | December 20, 2011, 6:35 am 6:35 am
Ron Paul is honest; he has integrity. He is the only candidate that had the forsight to see the financial melt down that brought us into a recession (depression.) The other candidates will say anything to get elected. The worst one is Newt Gingrich.
Posted by: Cam | December 20, 2011, 6:38 am 6:38 am
No candidate ever brought so many different groups together in one place.
nader paul kucinich gravel mckinney baldwin ventura sheehan perot carter
Posted by: NadePaulKuciGravMcKi | December 20, 2011, 6:46 am 6:46 am
“his critics contend that he has no shot of earning the GOP nomination and, if somehow he did, the consequences would be disastrous for the party. At Thursday’s debate, for instance, Paul declared that even if there were proof that Iran had obtained a nuclear weapon, he would still not engage in another war in the Middle East, a stance in stark contrast to that of most other Republicans.”
Not engaging in another war in the Middle East would be disastrous for the GOP?
The neocons and their Presidential candidates want another war, but most Americans do not. Iran is not a threat to the US, even with a nuclear weapon. If Israel thinks Iran is a threat to them, let Israel take care of it. They have said they can defend themselves. Let them do it.
Go Ron Paul.
Posted by: Deanna | December 20, 2011, 6:55 am 6:55 am
In all due respect most people seem to have ignored a very important comment ron paul made in that debate. he said.. and im not quoting, if a situation occured, war would be declared constitutionally if thats what the u.s called for. which means he wouldnt abuse his power to throw america into a war, but would do his duties as president if a declaration of war was put through the proper constitutional channels.
Posted by: william | December 20, 2011, 7:04 am 7:04 am
“..would be disastrous for the party.”
I agree. Disastrous for the current party establishment. What’s wrong with that?
“…too extreme for most of the GOP base.”
Well, lets wait a few months and see exactly what the GOP base decides, once they’ve listened to more than just a few inflammatory sound bites mocking Ron Paul.
Posted by: Registered Republican OIF Veteran | December 20, 2011, 7:04 am 7:04 am
RON PAUL!!!!!
Posted by: jay | December 20, 2011, 7:06 am 7:06 am
I just want to tell you how disappointed I am in Good Morning America for their coverage of GOP race. The fact that you are ignoring Dr. Paul on the air and refuse to mention his name is shameful. The time is coming folks when you will either be on the side of the people or the side of the Government and the future of our nation stands in the breech.
In fact, I am so disappointed in your actions….I am going to go to Dr. Paul’s website and donate….again…
generously….
Posted by: Linda Treat | December 20, 2011, 7:11 am 7:11 am
I am hoping this election will mark a change, people are no longer going to allow the media to determine who they vote for! This country needs Ron Paul and the people are catching on!
Posted by: Jen | December 20, 2011, 7:23 am 7:23 am
“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Thomas Jefferson
“One man with courage is a majority.” Thomas Jefferson
“The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.” Thomas Jefferson
Elect Ron Paul 2012, the ” People’s Candidate.” Honest, consistent, not bought and paid for by big business or banks, not about money or power, supported most by active military, is a doctor and knows healthcare first hand, only candidate that was in the military, is for protecting your liberty and freedoms, but above all is for America and Americans first
Posted by: not2bad | December 20, 2011, 7:25 am 7:25 am
This is a truthful article. ABC news just went up in value in my book. Excellent work ABC, to bad most of the media is not reporting as clear and accurate as you have on Dr. Paul.
Posted by: KarlK | December 20, 2011, 7:26 am 7:26 am
…..Oh no..may the sea fall into Californi.
Posted by: RP---STAR | December 20, 2011, 7:29 am 7:29 am
disastrous for the party? at this point anything to change our current state in any way shape or form is anything but disastrous. our country and economy are within collapse and we aren’t willing to try something new or progressive from what we have been doing for the last 20 years?? how the hell does anyone think we are going to get on the right path if there isnt dramatic extreme change? Dramatic Extreme Change to deal with our extreme crisis of being completely flat broke and single digit approval ratings for congress? somehow magically everything just going to fix itself? Someone finally offers a logical solution and its just too extreme for you? with that kind of talk, the economic collapse is surely on its way.
Posted by: Freedomfighter | December 20, 2011, 7:30 am 7:30 am
Ron Paul was my (write-in) choice in the last Presidential election. He is the ONLY cadidate that is honest. You may not agree with everything he says, but whom do we ever agree with 100% of the time? Most candidates refrain from detailed specifics to avoid ailenating potential voters. A tactic known as BSing. Dr. Paul NEVER resorts to blowing smoke. He is a politician with principles. WOW. If you Love America there is only ONE choice. Ron Paul for President!
Posted by: GLK | December 20, 2011, 7:31 am 7:31 am
….A gvt big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. T. Jefferson. Does Ron Paul look like big gvt to you?
Posted by: RP---STAR | December 20, 2011, 7:32 am 7:32 am
Why is it always a “surprise” or “spoiler” if Dr. Paul has a chance of winning.
When a no-named pizza magnate mysteriously rises in the poll all was well right?
That’s why you lose more and more people everyday mainstream media…..
Posted by: We_the_people | December 20, 2011, 7:37 am 7:37 am
The author finds it strange that Paul says he will not attack Iran even if they get a nuclear weapon. But how many countries with nuclear weapons have we attacked in the past? None whatsoever. Which is why Iran wants them, to protect themselves from us, from crazy people like the entire Republican field except for Ron Paul.
Posted by: JCDavis | December 20, 2011, 7:40 am 7:40 am
“I’ll be the nominee”
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | December 20, 2011, 7:46 am 7:46 am
January 4, 2011, DEMOINES REGISTER HEADLINE: MITT EDGES OUT NEWT FOR 2nd PLACE WIN IN IOWA
Posted by: Chad in AK | December 20, 2011, 7:58 am 7:58 am
Let the neocon “R” party die! The Gingrich/Romney good for nothing “R” party. The same one where Gingrich voted with Pelosi some 480 times.
Posted by: truerepublicanpaul | December 20, 2011, 7:59 am 7:59 am
I am a Dr Paul supporter from Australia, and have been reading the smear campaign over the net. I thank you for a well written non bias article. Its a shame good reporting has been taken over by propaganda from the elite.
Posted by: kezza | December 20, 2011, 8:09 am 8:09 am
“What would happen if Ron Paul won the Iowa caucus? The results would become totally insignificant, we would lose our first-in-the-nation status, and Mitt Romney would waltz to the GOP nomination,” ,,,,,,,very true. Also, Dr. Paul’s age is against him in the national election.
Posted by: Indymind | December 20, 2011, 8:10 am 8:10 am
This guy has my vote! It’s time we quit sending American tax dollars disquised as foreign aid to wealthy people in “poor countries”. Our mercenary forces must come home, we’re not getting paid for their services in Iraq, S. Korea, Japan, or Afghanistan. The only entity making money are the Communist Chinese lending money to the American Capitalist to perpetuate the cycle of the military industrial complex. Oh yeah, no more money for food to N. Korea, it only frees up that communist country to build more weapons aimed at their brothers in the south.
Posted by: Tarzan | December 20, 2011, 8:12 am 8:12 am
Out of all the gop clown candidates, Ron Paul supporters are the ONLY ones that have been consistent. I think he will win Iowa also and the GOP establishment do NOT like this. And this, my friends, makes me very happy.
Posted by: TonyV | December 20, 2011, 8:15 am 8:15 am
As an Iowan, I hope people come to their senses. As I see it – the best man for the job is Jon Huntsman. He’s ready for a jump to the top, I think. Romney is solid too, and will probably win the Iowa caucus.
Posted by: Dennis | December 20, 2011, 8:18 am 8:18 am
It would be disastrous for the Republican party if they didn’t nominate him. He is their only saving grace. They can barely look at him without feeling ashamed of themselves. He is spot on with a lot of Americas needs. I’m a registered dem., but he just might get my vote. He needs more media support, that’s for sure.
Posted by: Jeff MacDonald | December 20, 2011, 8:19 am 8:19 am
The Constitution says that War must be declared by an Act of Congress. The people have a say in our decision to enter into a war. This is not the way the GOP currently does it. We don’t have wars anymore, just conflicts and undeclared confrontations. The illegal war has drained us dry. We had no say. Go Ron Paul. Help us help ourselves.
Posted by: Joanne | December 20, 2011, 8:20 am 8:20 am
Michele Bachman’s campaign paid for over 90% of the tickets required for the votes she received at Ames. Without this falsification factor Paul was actually the Ames winner. He’s won more straw polls around the country than any other GOP candidate. The polls conducted lately have not been asking the right questions to the right people. We get polls that show GOP voter opinion on Obama vs. Romney, Obama vs. Gingrich, Obama vs. Paul, and we get independent voter opinion when Paul runs as a third party candidate. What needs to be done is a poll of Democrats, Republicans and Independents on the left and right asked about the following scenarios: 1) If Paul wins GOP nod, Obama or Paul?; If Gingrich, Obama or Gingrich?; If Romney, Obama or Romney?; if Obama vs. Gingrich, but Paul as 3rd?; if Obama vs. Romney, but Paul as 3rd? Given the numbers on polls similar to these, but not asking the questions this directly, it seems clear to me that neither Romney nor Gingrich can beat Obama in ANY of these scenarios. Ron Paul is the only candidate with a chance to beat Obama, and this only if he gets the GOP nod. So, the question then becomes, does the Republican establishment want war in Iran more than they want to beat Obama?
Posted by: Henry | December 20, 2011, 8:23 am 8:23 am
Blessed are those that wear magic underwear …
Posted by: Steve | December 20, 2011, 8:24 am 8:24 am
GO RON PAUL
GOOD RIDDANCE AIPAC
Posted by: joe d | December 20, 2011, 8:35 am 8:35 am
Some Ron Paul clarifications. The Press constantly labels him a Libertarian. Ron Paul is actually a CONSITUTIONAL REPUBLICAN of the Thomas Jefferson ideology. The Press also constantly labels him anti-war. Ron Paul actually feels that war is a last resort option when our National Security is threatened and all else fails. The Press likes to make his economic policies seem ridiculous. But is it ridiculous for a President to call for an end to the Elite’s iron grip on the manipulation/devaluation of our money? American’s have been taking it in the shorts since 1913. Dr. Paul is the ONLY candidate with the guts to point it out. Americans that truly want an end to the vampire Elite sucking the life blood out of the middle class have only one choice for President. ALL the other candidates want to continue the status quo and appease the rich and powerful at our expense. Ron Paul is America’s best and perhaps last hope.
Posted by: GLK | December 20, 2011, 8:56 am 8:56 am
Ron Paul is a true Patriot! He stand for the US Constitution, Rule of Law, FREEDOM, Sound Money, Individual Responsibility, Peace and Prosperity. He is a man of Integrity, he always tells it like it is even when it’s unpopular.
Now you know what Ron Paul stands for, what does that say about his Attackers?? Think about it and support Ron Paul for President.
Posted by: Bobby | December 20, 2011, 9:08 am 9:08 am
Good article, but no surprise here.
Posted by: Stages | December 20, 2011, 9:10 am 9:10 am
Iowa suprise? Hardly…
The global elitist bankers along with criminal elements in our federal government are bringing this country down. They are trying to controll everything, including us. Ron Paul is our only hope of trying to turn this ship around!
Stop playing the Left / Right game and take a look at who these people really are. Paul is the only one that can’t be bought.
The bought and paid for media can go to hell!!!
RON PAUL 2012
Posted by: Greg | December 20, 2011, 9:19 am 9:19 am
Maybe, maybe not.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | December 20, 2011, 9:28 am 9:28 am
The Republican powers-that-be will never allow Paul to be the Republican candidate for president. Period.
They know that Paul wants to drastically shrink the Department of Defense, and they’re not cool with that at all. (Too many big political donors and supporters there.) He would also want to eliminate the Department of Education, the Food and Drug Administration, FEMA, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others. And legalize marijuana, cocaine, heroin, meth, and every other “recreational” drug there is. And deregulate virtually every single industry there is, including Wall Street. Appealing as that is to a few zealots in this country, they know that MOST Americans want no part of his brand of insanity. His ideas, if implemented, would add hundreds of thousands of people to the unemployment lines. And the weird part is, the president probably doesn’t have the legal or constitutional authority do DO almost all of what he wants to do. He could only accomplish his agenda with the help of Congress.
If Ron Paul somehow managed to get the Republican nomination this time around (it is his second attempt at the Republican nomination, and third run for the presidency), he would get crushed in a general election. Because Independents and Moderates don’t want what he’s selling, and see him as the extremist that he is……….
Posted by: SearamblerOne | December 20, 2011, 9:40 am 9:40 am
I spoke to Pastors that I know about Ron Paul. They say that they won’t support Ron Paul because of his stance on Israel. However, when we discuss that the Non-religious “Zionist’s” in Israel are the ones Calling-the-Shots and they look at all the Videos that PROVE IT, they come away with a whole different outlook on Ron Paul.
I’m a Christian and the Christ that I follow is “The Prince of PEACE”. The Zionist’s in Israel and America, like Radical Islam, have these same “twisted” views of conquering the world. It’s time to “Wake Up” and elect a Candidate (Ron Paul) who will follow the outlines stipulated in Our Constitution on “when” and “how” we go to War. When we do this, all this “Radicalism” can be filtered-out and we can intelligently decide whether or not “Going-to-War” effects the USA’s National Interests, and NOT the “Interests” of the “Special Interests”.
Posted by: Darry | December 20, 2011, 10:42 am 10:42 am
I am going to vote for Paul no matter who is chosen-I might be willing to accept Paul as a Vice presidential canidate but if he is just pushed aside I will write in his name just to punish the GOP .
Posted by: user | December 20, 2011, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Stick to your views Ron Paul!!! Don’t let Special Interest Groups, News Media, and ‘fellow’ Republicans change it! You are on target! You cannot please everyone!
Now, if we as a Country, could get behind Ron Paul and show the News Media….
Everyone! Let’s show ABCNew and the “I’m gonna change it” stodgy Republicans/Democrats that DO NOTHING but the same-ol’-sh@@ IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ANYMORE!!!
Posted by: Hoping | December 20, 2011, 11:24 am 11:24 am
the system is flawed.. the chicken coops are run by the foxes. and they aint letting anyone in who they dont approve
Posted by: JT | December 20, 2011, 11:25 am 11:25 am
I am voting for Ron Paul. As a life long GOP member, I have become almost as disguted with the GOP as I am with the DemocRATS… RP is the only one who will cut expenses across the board and give us our freedoms back.
Posted by: Bob | December 20, 2011, 11:30 am 11:30 am
He barely lost that straw poll even though Bachmann was busing people in (paying their way) and Paull was not, and college was out. All the comments about college being out has basically amounted to a huge media drive to get out the college vote. The more the giant media groups talk about how the college kids won’t come back to vote, the more they will come back to vote. Things are looking OK.
Posted by: George S | December 20, 2011, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
“What if the American people learned the truth: that our foreign policy has nothing to do with our national security and that it never changes from one administration to the next?” – Ron Paul
My vote belongs to Ron Paul. He is crashing the Establishment’s party with his righteously non-party views and they (Republicans, Democrats and their masters) are all scared that his truths will infect the people with conscience that will put an end to their self-serving treachery once and for all.
Posted by: Rob Phillips | December 20, 2011, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
“a Manchester woman went after Paul”
Did you even watch the town hall meeting? She asked a question with complete openness to his answer. She was genuinely concerned about these programs. How it could be misconstrued that she “went after Paul” is beyond me. They were having a very civil discussion….I guess it’s just something journalists and other politicians aren’t used to hearing.
Posted by: Andy | December 20, 2011, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
If Ron Paul doesn’t get the nomination Obama will win hands down. The ONLY candidate that contrasts with Obama is Ron Paul. The “Establishment GOP” which consists of about 5 talking heads would rather have Obama win than a REAL REPUBLICAN like Ron Paul
Posted by: Brock | December 20, 2011, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
This is a classic debate of long term wealth versus immediate gratification. We have to get off medicare and medicaid and it might even hurt a little in the beginning.
A group of kids in a room, each with a marshmallow in front of them. They are told that if they can wait 15 minutes for the man to come back, they will get two marshmallows instead of just one. After a 15 year follow-up the children who were able to wait the 15 minutes for the 2 marshmallows had higher graduation rates and made more at their jobs. The secret is delayed gratification and it is quite simple.
Let us get off Medicare, and how many children do you REALLY think will die before the moral fiber of the United States MD’s reaches out. Come on, choose to live a life of fear or choose to live a life of prosperity ffs.
God bless America and god bless Ron Paul 2012!
Posted by: Stephen | December 20, 2011, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
Surprise!
Here is a candidate who has stood by his principles his whole life and now that people have waken up to fully understand the severity of our current situation he is gaining the support he needs to be president.
If this is an upset what does it mean when he wins the presidential election? Lol.
Posted by: Tyler | December 20, 2011, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
What frightens me the most is the fact that our government has given the go-ahead for our military to indefinitely detain us without legal representation (NDAA). Ron Paul recently stated that this was the most egregrious act ever passed in the United States. He said that it is extreme and very dangerous to the American people. It needs to be done away with.
How many of the other candidates have spoken out about the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act)? None that I am aware of. Dr. Paul is extremely concerned about our safety and personal liberty, especially here at home, as it seems our biggest threat is right in front of our own faces.
Ron Paul is our only hope for prosperity, peace and liberty. Ron Paul 2012!
Posted by: Rikki | December 20, 2011, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
One more point I would like to quickly make. Dr.Paul owned his own private medical practice here in Texas, some years ago. At one point, much to his employees surprise, he told them that his practice would no longer be accepting Medicaid. Instead, he would accept ALL patients and he would accept whatever payment they were capable of providing. Some were only able to give small payments at a time, until their bills were paid and some others paid in whatever ways they could. One family who had a shrimping business, paid Dr. Paul for his services, in shrimp for a full year.
Americans are the most generous of people and don’t think for a second that we won’t reach out to help others who are in need. We already do on a daily basis and we will give even more willingly when it isn’t being stolen out of our paychecks. This only creates resentment in what are otherwise very kind, compassionate people.
Posted by: Rikki | December 20, 2011, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Only in the BUBBLE called MSM , can the lead of Dr. Paul be questioned. He has won all of their online major polls, by a landslide, to the point of them being unhappy with the results , and taking them off. ( CNBC anyone ? )
Ron Paul has garnered 20 GOP Presidential Straw Poll wins — more than ANY other GOP candidate — and ALMOST FIVE TIMES AS MANY as establishment favorite, Mitt Romney. He was won more Straw Polls then any other Politician in US HISTORY. The flavour of the Month, Newt Gingrich, has won ONE straw poll. Ron Paul’s straw poll victories constitute 49.7% of the 40 GOP Straw Polls thus far.
Don’t tell me they don’t matter , cause 1 straw poll was enough for Bachman & Cain to be inflated up. They seem to matter for Obama, and Hillary , and every other politician. Some crapy newspaper in NEW HAMPSHIRE , endorsed Newt , and he was all over the news. Of course this bubble like all the other bubbles , hissed away to oblivion.
But hey When it comes to Ron Paul , they are “insignificant”.
2011 GOP Straw Poll Wins for Ron Paul:
1st – February 12, 2011, Washington, D.C. – CPAC Straw Poll
1st – February 27, 2011 Phoenix, AZ – Tea Party Patriots Virtual Summit Straw Poll
1st – March 20, 2011, Sacramento, California – Republican Liberty Caucus of California Presidential Straw Poll
1st – June 16–18, 2011, New Orleans, Louisiana – Republican Leadership Conference Straw Poll
1st – June 19, 2011, Clay County, Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll
1st – August 20, 2011 New Hampshire Young Republicans Straw Poll
1st – September 12, 2011 Cincinnati Tea Party Straw Poll
1st – September 17, 2011 California GOP Straw Poll
1st – October 7–9, 2011, Washington, D.C. – Values Voter Straw Poll
1st – October 13, 2011, Los Angeles County, California – RPLAC Straw Poll
1st – October 18, 2011, Charleston, South Carolina – Charleston County Republican Party
1st – October 22, 2011, Columbus, Ohio – Ohio GOP Swing State Straw Poll
1st – October 29, 2011, Des Moines, Iowa – National Federation of Republican Assemblies Presidential Straw Poll Tally 1
1st – October 29, 2011, Des Moines, Iowa – National Federation of Republican Assemblies Presidential Straw Poll Tally 2
1st – November 5, 2011, Illinois – Illinois Straw Poll
1st – November 14, 2011, North Charleston, South Carolina – Charleston County Republican Party Straw Poll
1st – November 14, 2011, San Diego, California – San Diego GOP Straw poll
1st – November 15, 2011, Springfield, Missouri – Missouri Tea Party Straw poll
1st – November 19, 2011, North Carolina- NC Registered Republicans Straw Poll
1st – December 2, 2011- Dubuque Tea Party straw poll -
Ron Paul’s 2nd Place GOP Straw Poll results:
2nd – January 22, 2011, Derry, New Hampshire – New Hampshire Straw Poll
2nd – (Statistical Tie for 1st) – August 13, 2011 Iowa Straw Poll, Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
2nd – (Statistical Tie for 1st) – August 27, 2011 Georgia State GOP Straw Poll
2nd – October 29, 2011, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; West Alabama Straw Poll
2nd – November 19Dubuque Tea Party straw poll, 2011, Rockford, Illinois – Memorial Hall Straw Poll
Posted by: Zeci | December 20, 2011, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
Most republicans want less federal government, more honest politicians and NO MORE WARS. That’s why we’ll be voting for Ron Paul.
Posted by: Andy | December 20, 2011, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
“acrimonious back-and-forth”?????
You didn’t see the same townhall that I did. Is the media so desperate to defend the status quo that the just completely make stuff up?
Posted by: D M | December 20, 2011, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
“Hagle cited one potential stumbling block for Paul in Iowa: his popularity among younger voters aged 18-25 could prove problematic because those voters are the least likely to attend a caucus and vote, and colleges will be on break when the caucuses take place Jan. 3.”
What you don’t seem to understand is that many of the students at the universities and colleges are FROM Iowa! So when they go home for winter break they are still in the state. I am from Iowa and I can confirm this. GOP establishment — a storm is coming, better run for the storm cellar!
Posted by: D M | December 20, 2011, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Ron Paul is the only one who knows how and is willing to truly get the USA back on track to freedom and prosperity for ALL… The rest of the republicans are vampires of war and corruption like Obama…
If the USA does not want Ron Paul I will ask him if he would like to be prime minister of New Zealand, currently we have pretend free-trader banker types in power here on the other side we have commie UN stooges waiting for their next turn to destroy all that is good…
Posted by: Shawn | December 21, 2011, 12:49 am 12:49 am