Ron Paul Returns to SC, Picks Up Endorsement
Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul tonight received the endorsement of South Carolina state Sen. Tom Davis, a state lawmaker popular with tea party activists.
Speaking at a rally in Myrtle Beach, Davis praised Paul’s “drastic and radical” efforts to reign in government spending.
“There is only one candidate that is talking about this problem to the degree, at the scale, and with the scope that it needs to be talked about,” Davis said. “You can’t nibble around the edges anymore.”
Davis blamed lobbyists and loopholes for “rotting out our republic to the core.”
“That’s what’s happening in South Carolina and that’s what’s happening to our nation,” he said.
The Paul campaign describes the announcement as “consequential” and “game-changing,” adding in a statement that it “virtually assures” that Paul will get the support of fiscal conservatives in the “First in the South” primary.
Davis wrote on his Facebook page that he would back “the one candidate in the race for president who has consistently stood for taxpayers.”
Davis served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mark Sanford, who disappeared for several days in June 2009 and later resigned after admitting to an affair with another woman.
Paul returns to the campaign trail in South Carolina after taking a three-day break from campaigning to spend time with his family.
The congressman predicted earlier in the week that he will finish in the “top tier” in the state’s primary Jan 21.

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Just a matter of time untill America wakes up from her nap. Some take longer than others, but in the end freedom will prevail. The world needs Ron Paul.
Posted by: Dan Sannchez | January 15, 2012, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm
Go Ron Paul! Go Cocks!
Posted by: Jay | January 15, 2012, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm
Let us see what happens now. I’m sure the MSM will come up with new and more innovative ways to minimize the ever increasing popularity of patriotism.
Posted by: OnlyRonPaul | January 15, 2012, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm
It is good that he takes days off from campaigning. Family time will suffer once he is president.
Posted by: HerringTree | January 15, 2012, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
Ron Paul is getting popular.
Posted by: BillyHeretic | January 15, 2012, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
The Midnight Riders are Mounted Up!
So through the night rode Paul Revere;=
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm,—
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo for evermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.
Posted by: Joanne | January 15, 2012, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm
Ron Paul took a few days off to pack for the move into the White House.
Posted by: Kate4RonPaul | January 15, 2012, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
“It’s easy to campaign on lower taxes, less spending and fewer regulations – it’s another thing entirely to stand up for these limited government principles when the entire Washington establishment is aligned against you. Yet for more than three decades Ron Paul has cast thousands of lonely votes in our nation’s capital based on the constitutional principles that this country was founded on – and that the Republican Party has promised to protect. Yet while generations of politicians – including far too many Republicans – were losing their way or caving to the status quo, Ron Paul was standing as a Tea Party of one against a towering wave of red ink.”
–Sen. Davis
Posted by: Jeff | January 15, 2012, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
This has to be the worst piece of “Journalism”, I have ever read. You best start “Respecting” your future “POTUS”, or the “Good Doctor” is going to roll up the “Constitution” real tight and “Smack” you upside the head with it. Awful journalism. Ron Paul 2012!
Posted by: Chris | January 15, 2012, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
I’m confused. This is the first article (out of hundreds) from ABC that I’ve read that wasn’t anti Paul and I just read one in the Washington Post as well. Is something changing?
Posted by: mgginva | January 15, 2012, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
Ron Paul is a Bonipartiste who having strayed from the path of Internationalism must be excised from the Party to prevent the infection from going viral.
Posted by: Sheldon Smythe | January 15, 2012, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
What is wrong with this picture? “If ANY other candidate than Ron Paul showed even HALF of the breadth, depth and fervor of support that Ron Paul has, the self-appointed experts in the Media and the Party would soil themselves and declare the election ‘over’. But Ron Paul is not held to the same standards as other ‘Establishment’ candidates. His successes are minimized and ignored, and any perceived or fabricated negativity is played up beyond belief. Americans may be ignorant because the media refuses to report the real facts, but Americans are far from stupid. They know when they are being played, and recognize a con job when it is being played on them. The media emperor has no clothes, but they still want to sell us all the pretty candidates in empty suits.”
Posted by: 27Reasons | January 15, 2012, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
Yes the facts are there are fewer and fewer republican and democrats. They call us independents because we neither. Throughout american history political party’s change due to corruption and mismanagement. The two party system is coming to an end that’s why both party’s dislike what he stands for. Honor and commitment are easy to claim but acting that way take real courage. Ron Paul 2012
Posted by: Joe bob | January 15, 2012, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
Ron Paul, a patriot, who has honorably served his country, defends both the constitution and civil liberties, and is for peace and prosperity. Dr. Paul has the wisdom, foresight, honesty and integrity to be president.
Dr. Paul believes spending and deficits are destroying this country. Dr. Paul’s budget plan would save $1 trillion in the first year. Besides the spending cuts, there are other issues of importance to voters. For conservatives, Dr. Paul scores an A+ on all of them: Second Amendment protection, pro-life record, right-to-work, pro-business, anti-tax, states’ rights, you name it.
Dr. Paul also believes America should have the strongest national defense on earth — which he believes begins with not trying to constantly police the earth. Right now, our government puts our best and bravest in harm’s way on a regular basis for questionable reasons and with no discernible notion of victory. This is not supporting the troops. It’s abusing them. Dr. Paul wants an end to this absurd, costly policy.
The voters have declared Dr. Paul the alternative to the liberal, flip flopping Mitt Romney. The other candidates are simply irrelevant. In the New Hampshire Primary, Dr. Paul received more votes than all the supposed Anti-Romney (Santorum, Gingrich, and Perry) candidates combined.
The question for Republican voters is not whether they can afford to vote for Dr. Paul – it’s whether they can afford not to.
America Needs Ron Paul.
Posted by: womanforpaul | January 15, 2012, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
suck it Volack. How does that one taste
Posted by: todd r. | January 15, 2012, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm
Here comes Ron Paul, get on board or move out of the way.
Posted by: wsjiii | January 15, 2012, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
Volack!!!!! You have changed your tune from the last piece you wrote.
What happened is Dr. Paul kicking your add. Eat your words, and get used to it!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: rodney erickson | January 15, 2012, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
“Wow”.
Looks like Ron Paul might “win” this state called “South Carolina”.
Chew it up and swallow it down. It’s happening and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
Posted by: Independent Thought | January 15, 2012, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
Ron Paul is winning the objective Republican electorate, but will it be enough? Nobody can offer a substantive reason why he is not the best candidate. Still the media and influential people in the media keep ignoring him like he is a child. Shouldn’t this be an American election and not a media controlled event? This shouldn’t be a popularity contest or a beauty contest. Ron Paul is the only candidate offering a dedication to less government and more following the Constitution. What else can the American electorate want, unless they just enjoy being screwed?
Posted by: Charles Goines | January 16, 2012, 12:34 am 12:34 am
Freedom and Liberty are very popular ideas! People are really waking up in large numbers it has a snowball effect! Thank-you Ron Paul you are my hero!! Let’s see the prestitutes spew their lies and ignore Ron Paul now!
Posted by: Crumberly | January 16, 2012, 12:42 am 12:42 am
What a humorous example of poor journalism. It was like something out of The Onion… except it’s not. Another “marvelous” job, ABC (network of Mickey Mouse and America’s Funniest Home Videos).
Posted by: Darryl Schmitz | January 16, 2012, 1:00 am 1:00 am
SHELDON: I think you have it wrong as to who should be excised, in fact, I think you have it backward. Internationalism is bad for America.
Posted by: john locke | January 16, 2012, 1:15 am 1:15 am
Nobody can offer a substantive reason why he is not the best candidate…..Shouldn’t this be an American election and not a media controlled event?
Posted by: Charles Goines | January 16, 2012, 12:34 am.
Wow, talk about damning him with faint praise. The “best candidate” the Republicans have to offer is funny, considering the abysmal alternatives. Paul is a whack job. Too many crazy ideas for mainstream America. Hell, too many crazy ideas for his own Party to select him as their man. When the Republican Party rejects him yet again, what are y’all gonna do? Besides whine, of course. Don’t blame America, blame the Republicans. He’s their guy.
You are correct on one thing, though. This SHOULD be an “American election”. Unfortunately, it isn’t. Thanks to ‘Citizens United’, elected offices now go to the highest bidder. Corporations are people and money is speech. So rich corporate and special interest lobbies will be ‘speaking’ loudly and often between now and November, spending billions – literally – to influence our elections. This will be the most expensive election in the history of elections.
Posted by: A Cynic | January 16, 2012, 8:56 am 8:56 am
Wouldn’t it be terrific to see Ron Paul holding up a premature newspaper headline proclaiming Obama the winner Harry Truman style?
Posted by: newcountryman | January 16, 2012, 9:03 am 9:03 am
Texas just enacted a new law that requires every person seeking an abortion to undergo a medically unnecessary ultrasound first. Regardless of the person involved, her personal circumstances, or the doctors wishes. The government there has inserted itself, almost literally, into the uteruses (uteri?) of all women seeking an abortion there. Again, completely medically unnecessary, regardless of the persons or the doctors opinion, it must now be done. Doctors face punishment if they do NOT do it. When asked about this insanely intrusive, medically unnecessary, COSTLY new requirement, Ron Paul said just the other day, “They should have done this a long time ago”. Mr. ‘Small Government, Get Government out of our Lives’ Paul supports this draconian intrusion into a woman’s privates. He’s a monumental hypocrite with his stance here. Surprise.
Posted by: A Cynic | January 16, 2012, 9:07 am 9:07 am
Cynic (9:07 AM); Ron Paul would not allow it. He certainly wouldn’t sign into law any bill requiring it.
Posted by: newcountryman | January 16, 2012, 9:12 am 9:12 am
Cynic; Really sounds like you’re worried about Paul.
Posted by: newcountryman | January 16, 2012, 9:13 am 9:13 am
Cynic (9:07 AM); Ron Paul would not allow it. He certainly wouldn’t sign into law any bill requiring it. Posted by: newcountryman | January 16, 2012, 9:12 am.
Maybe, maybe not. We’ll never know for sure. But he supports it wholeheartedly.
Posted by: A Cynic | January 16, 2012, 9:25 am 9:25 am
Cynic; I must admit, I never heard that and it does surprise me.
Posted by: newcountryman | January 16, 2012, 10:13 am 10:13 am
It’s simple: those who complain that Ron Paul is too extreme, is crazy or is a nutjob are simply allowing themselves, willingly, to be controlled by fear. They allow the propaganda spewed by nearly every mainstream press source to control their mind. We must all remember that most humans are literally not much better than animals; they allow raw emotion and animalistic behavior to control their every action. To me, this is a fight between rationalization (the trait that makes us humans and not animals) and emotionalism, if you will.
What I see proving out is that there are simply too many animal-humans and not enough rational-humans for someone like Ron Paul to end up getting elected, even though he can run circles around all the other candidates. It’s really sad because those of us who actually do use our brains and intelligence are at the mercy of society’s animal-humans. The majority will get their way eventually.
Posted by: NoStatusQuo | January 16, 2012, 10:19 am 10:19 am
newcountryman — The law itself was passed last summer, that day Texas passed 700 new laws in one day, I think around the beginning of August. It officially went into effect last Friday, which is why someone asked Paul about it, him being a Texan and all. His stance on this is in direct opposition to his ‘smaller, less intrusive government’ mantra.
Posted by: A Cynic | January 16, 2012, 10:22 am 10:22 am
I understand why it is relevant to tie Sen. Davis to his role with Gov. Sanford. I don’t understand why the writer had to mention Sanford’s personal and political problem. How is that relevant to Sen. Davis and the article? C- to the writer.
Posted by: prov227 | January 16, 2012, 10:54 am 10:54 am
PROV227 | JANUARY 16, 2012, 10:54 AM …..”I don’t understand why the writer had to mention Sanford’s personal and political problem. How is that relevant to Sen. Davis and the article?”……..I believe the author(media) has an agenda; one that includes trying to make Sen Davis and anyone he associates with look bad.
Posted by: deanbob | January 16, 2012, 11:18 am 11:18 am
“The congressman predicted earlier in the week that he will finish in the “top tier” in the state’s primary Jan 21.”
Kinda funny… after Perry drops out, there’s only going to be one tier left!
Posted by: Joe M | January 16, 2012, 11:35 am 11:35 am
…I believe the author (media) has an agenda; one that includes trying to make Sen Davis and anyone he associates with look bad.
Posted by: deanbob | January 16, 2012, 11:18 am
“Davis served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mark Sanford, who disappeared for several days in June 2009 and later resigned after admitting to an affair with another woman.” How does this make Davis look bad? It is factually correct and accurate. It doesn’t say ‘Davis knew about the affair and said nothing’, or anything like that. So how does it make him look bad? Guilt by association?
Posted by: A Cynic | January 16, 2012, 11:41 am 11:41 am
This is a a HUGE and highly sought after endorsment among the GOP. It came from Senator Davis, a respected fiscal conservative and rising political star. Unfortunately, just like every Ron Paul article out there, this article includes a sneaky negative inuendo. Case in point: Instead of talking about the merits of Tom Davis, they insert trash tabloid smut associated with somebody Tom Davis replaced. Beware the negative inuendo and separate facts from the truth!!!!
Posted by: jennynewyear | January 16, 2012, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
newcountryman — even though I disagree with you, I must in all fairness admit that I believe Dr. Paul did agree with the ultrasound requirement in Texas (see ronpaul2012.com forum). He has always stated that it should be a state issue and not a federal mandate. That would only be hypocritical if Dr. Paul supported federal intervention. Your statement that he’s a monumental hypocrite is out of line since he is running for president. Even if he were to recommend that states follow Texas’ example, his stance that it is each states’ decision is unswerving.
I am a Texan who has no objection to anyone who wants to leave the state (Mexico, maybe?).
Posted by: Curious Wayne | January 16, 2012, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
@Cynic: Hey are you finally starting to come around? The first half of your post was still on the gravy train, but the 2nd half seems like it wants to vote for Paul. Come on in. The water’s fine!
Posted by: Joe Mama | January 16, 2012, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
What Ron Paul has done is help shift the conversation in the Republican Party to issues of Individual freedom and less federal government intervention. He is also exciting young voters.
Posted by: free_2_choose | January 16, 2012, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
That is great news. Tom Davis is known for his integrity in SC, so the fact that he supports Ron Paul will most likely make an impact.
Posted by: CAM | January 16, 2012, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Well, there is a movement occurring in the US that continues to grow and surge as more and more people catch on to what has happened to our nation that we need to rectify. Ron Paul 2012!
Posted by: Mariangela | January 16, 2012, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
@Cynic: Hey are you finally starting to come around? The first half of your post was still on the gravy train, but the 2nd half seems like it wants to vote for Paul. Come on in. The water’s fine! Posted by: Joe Mama | January 16, 2012, 12:54 pm.
LOL! No, but thanks for asking. I believe Paul does have a couple of good ideas. The problem is, he has a whole slew of really really bad ideas too. He lives in a fantasy world from about 300 years ago. Plus he’s too old, although that is just my opinion. Being president is very hard on a man, and he’s pushing 80. Which would make whatever running mate he chose that much more important. And we all know how the LAST Republican candidate did in that department…..(shudder!)
Posted by: A Cynic | January 16, 2012, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Wow, this is journalism? My imaginary pet unicorn could of stomped on the keyboard, and wrote better coverage of Dr. Paul. Shame on you Mr. Volack, you are not a credible journalist
Posted by: Luis Miguel Rivera | January 16, 2012, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
See how the author had to glide in “Davis served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mark Sanford, who disappeared for several days in June 2009 and later resigned after admitting to an affair with another woman.” Just had to say SOMETHING to discredit the Senator.
Dr. Ron Paul 2012
Posted by: Devon Dalon | January 16, 2012, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
See how the author had to glide in, “Davis served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mark Sanford, who disappeared for several days in June 2009 and later resigned after admitting to an affair with another woman.” Just had to say SOMETHING to discredit the Senator!
Dr. Ron Paul 2012
Posted by: Devon Dalon | January 16, 2012, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
(Posted by NewCountryMan:) “”Texas just enacted a new law that requires every person seeking an abortion to undergo a medically unnecessary ultrasound first. Regardless of the person involved, her personal circumstances, or the doctors wishes. The government there has inserted itself, almost literally, into the uteruses (uteri?) of all women seeking an abortion there. Again, completely medically unnecessary, regardless of the persons or the doctors opinion, it must now be done. Doctors face punishment if they do NOT do it. When asked about this insanely intrusive, medically unnecessary, COSTLY new requirement, Ron Paul said just the other day, “They should have done this a long time ago”. Mr. ‘Small Government, Get Government out of our Lives’ Paul supports this draconian intrusion into a woman’s privates. He’s a monumental hypocrite with his stance here. Surprise.”"
This is actually a law in New York as well. Ron Paul believes that individual states have the right to govern, which is exactly what is happening here. This does not make him a hypocrite at all.
Posted by: Constitution#1 | January 16, 2012, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
“Davis served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mark Sanford, who disappeared for several days in June 2009 and later resigned after admitting to an affair with another woman.”
An absolutely irrelevant piece of information whose insertion into the current discourse could only serve as some kind of distraction or pathetic attempt at character assassination. Did they seriously try to smear Tom Davis via guilt-by-association?
Lamest. Sentence. Ever.
Posted by: Gary Johnson | January 16, 2012, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
Go Ron Paul! Get #1, please Doctor Paul! We need you now. South Carolina – please see Ron Paul’s Statement of Faith: “I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.” Thomas Paine said: “Of more worth is one “honest Man” to society, and in the sight of God, than all crowned ruffians that ever lived.” Get out the Oligarchy which rules our Country. In 1955 Rockefeller Group owned 22% of the shares of the Federal Reserve and holds 53% of the Federal Reserve System. Rockefeller is Chairman of the CFR (Council of Foreign Relations). Thomas Jefferson said: “If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency first by inflation then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. – People GET WISE! Study the facts. Ron Paul 2012! or it will be the End of our Republic for which it stands. If you wonder why we keep going to war with countries who don’t want to use our dollar anymore, this is why.
Posted by: endthefed&cfr | January 16, 2012, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
Romney supports the National Defense Detention Act….no habeus corpus…no judge….no jury….just locked up forever…. Mitt Romney is a traiter to the USA….. the crowd booed him off the stage when he showed his obvious support for arrests without trial of fellow Americans…… he needs to be arrested…for treason.
Posted by: truth007 | January 17, 2012, 12:25 am 12:25 am
texas passed 700 new laws??? how do i know if i’m breaking any of them? That seems like a lot of laws. There should be a limit on the number of laws allowed…and the existing laws simply modified if need be. Who can ever know if they are breaking a law if they aren’t even able to KNOW what all the laws are, and furthermore, aren’t the policwe supposed to know all the laws to perform their job correctly? I’m sure there’s not ONE police officer that actually knows all of the existing laws….so therefore there are TOO MANY LAWS!
Posted by: psunami | January 18, 2012, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
If you aren’t motivated and rejuvinated by what Ron Paul stands for then you may as well be dead because that’s where we will all be if we don’t stand beside this good man and reclaim our nation, our constitution, our bill of rights, and our freedoms.
Posted by: PeoplePower | January 18, 2012, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Sayings that remind me of RON PAUL!!!!
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
None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important.
Thomas Jefferson
If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.
Words may show a man’s wit but actions his meaning.
Benjamin Franklin
Posted by: netnut | January 19, 2012, 8:54 am 8:54 am
What is wrong with giving a woman full information before she has an abortion? Do you think women should go into it uninformed? Since when is that a “liberal” belief? As far as I am concerned this is a consumer protection!
A woman should know what she is going to have sucked out of her body. Maybe after seeing the baby on the ultrasound she will realize what she is doing and chance her mind? If she doesn’t then at least she will know that she was given ALL the information regarding what she was terminating. Better than finding our years later when you have the pregnancy you wanted and see the baby on the ultrasound machine.
Posted by: Catherine | January 20, 2012, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
I am from a small Island named Curacao in the Caribbean and I think that Mr. Ron Paul is what USA needs now. The others ones are just more of the same. All the best to Mr.Paul !!
Posted by: Heinrich E.Prinsen | January 22, 2012, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm