Yeah, the potential gridlock is something I'm concerned about too. However, at a minimum he'll be able to stop excessive spending. I disagree about him being unelectable. If he somehow manages to win the republican nomination, I think he'll win the presidency easily. He appeals to both republicans and democrats. The republicans certainly wont vote for Hillary, and because he's anti-war he'll get all the anti-Hillary democrat votes too.
Almost certainly. But there was an important precedent set in the person of Ross Perot; he lost , but he proved that sometimes an individual can challenge the almighty system without being humiliated. Realpolitik is realpolitik, but there's something in the American character and in American mythology that can work magic for the underdog. Ron Paul is a lot more savvy and sophisticated than Perot. Perot was politically inept and still garnered a significant %. If Paul's momentum continues he may decide to go it alone and in so doing may take on iconic meaning as the mythic American individual bucking all odds. Americans must make a stand for their constitution - the greatest political document ever conceived.. and Ron Paul knows this. But he's 72 years old; can he afford to wait 'til his party sees the light? He's 72 years old; if not now, when?
Now that Paul has caught the American people's attention he may soon be able to capture their imagination. Americans dream of being able to live as human beings.
I'll make the assumption that he'd rather forego a shot at the title to ensure that the dems have to fight for it. He knows that he takes more GOP votes than dem votes. Conversely, he might just run independent on principal.
Also possible: the GOP regulars steal Paul's thunder and adjust their platform(s) accordingly; they'll make a lot of promises they have no intention of keeping ( in the best political tradition ). But then, RP is a pretty smart cookie; if anybody sidesteps into his territory he'll call them on it. I believe Paul indicated he'd take VP if offered as long as whatever GOP'er running for the boss' job comes his way and means it.
Do you remember where you heard him say this? About a week ago on Leno I believe he said the exact opposite. Maybe he's changed his mind, one way or another. I'd rather have Ron Paul as VP than nothing.
Maybe I heard it wrong, but I thought that it was in the Leno interview that he indicated he's accept VP if the presidential candidate ran on his (Paul's) principles. I'll listen to the Leno again. In any case it wouldn't hurt to have Paul riding herd as VP.
Yep.. No question. Paul said if a GOP presidential candidate endorsed Paul's policies he'd "certainly consider it " - 'it' being VP candidacy.