POLITICS: I like Ron Paul

[jphussey]

I wish I still lived in my home state of NH.

You know it's interesting. In NH, every common man knows politics, and I don't mean just has an opinion, but knows each of the candidates, voting records, etc. And not just the major ones either--there's a reason why a guy like Huckabee has no shot to win NH, but a guy like Paul has drummed up interest and that's because NH people tend to be better informed.

I've been living in KY for quite some time now (after goingt to college in NY and living in IL) and no other state is the same. In terms of who I support, I'm definitely a Hilary guy--Obama has no track record of sticking to his values, and tends to abstain from tough votes.

Ron Paul would be a God Send to the republican party.

Actually my favorite candidate was Dennis Kucinich, but he's way too left to ever win,

JP

[Redeemed]

The thing i like about Huckabee is that he's definitely an intelligent guy. If you listen to his speeches/debates, he's really excellent, much better than Guliani or McCain IMO. But he's got the lobby from the kind of people that scare me shitless. I used to be a part of that voting bloc, until I realized what happens to our country as a result. (see Ron Paul on YouTube discussing the difference between "sin" and "crime," and how many conservative voters don't want to recognize the difference).

I don't think it's fair to dismiss Huckabee just because he's an evangelical. He did a good job as Arkansas' governor, and he hardly made the state into a theocracy. I like his populist message (and record) as well. He seems more concerned with social justice than many evangelicals in the past--i.e., he talks more about focusing on making abortions unnecessary by lifting people from poverty than just about banning it and not thinking about why people resort to abortions in the first place. I also like his compassion for illegal immigrants - something that seems to be missing from most in the Republican party.  If you dislike him because of his politics and policies, then wonderful. But if you dislike him just because he talks about Jesus and believes in the Bible, then that's pretty ignorant.

[Dincrest]

Regardless, I don't think Huckabee will be the Republican nominee.  Sure he won Iowa, but that's not a guarantee for anything.  I think it'll be between Romney and McCain for the republicans.  Romney's already won Wyoming and New Hampshire has yet to be determined, though polls have McCain in the lead.  

McCain's a conundrum for me, though.  He supports amnesty (to an extent) for illegal immigrants, the other republicans hate that (most of them oppose any kind of amnesty for illegals), yet many republican voters like McCain.  McCain supports the continuance of the Iraq war, democrats hate that, yet many democrat voters like McCain.  Go figure, huh?  (This is according to CNN reports and polls.)  

As for the democrats, as much as I like Bill Richardson I really think it's between Obama and Clinton and among those two I'll back Clinton.  It's between Obama and Clinton in New Hampshire.  

It's funny, the New Jersey primaries are usually in June, but this time they're on super Tuesday.  And many political pundits say that candidates pretty much dismiss NJ as a lost cause since they think Clinton and Guiliani are the shoe-ins in NJ.  

And since this is a Ron Paul thread, I don't think Ron Paul has much of a shot of winning the Republican ticket.

EDIT: And JP- Kucinich is still in the race?  I haven't heard a peep out of him in forever and thought he just dropped out.  I know many folks on these forums love Kucinich, but realistically, the guy doesn't have a chance.

[Dade]

EDIT: And JP- Kucinich is still in the race?  I haven't heard a peep out of him in forever and thought he just dropped out.  I know many folks on these forums love Kucinich, but realistically, the guy doesn't have a chance.

Yeah, he's still around, but I find it hilarious that he's suing ABC over not letting him be in their debate (story here). I mean, c'mon man, we know you have support, but why are you wasting your time? Even if you get up on the debate you're not going to sway THAT many votes from two charismatic and STRONG voices like Hilary and Obama.

[Ramza]

But if you dislike him just because he talks about Jesus and believes in the Bible, then that's pretty ignorant.

Well considering *I* am an Evangelical Christian, I don't think you'll be able to play that card with me.

The issue here is what it means to wear your faith on your sleeve as a political leader, and what that results in. If Evangelicals vote Huckabee because Huckabee isn't "afraid" to talk about Jesus, then *that's* a problem. Ron Paul is himself a Southern Baptist, but he's very modest about his faith, and I think there's a lot to that. First, he believes it's unethical to pander to "his crowd" in this way, which Huckabee may not. Second, it means that RP will always act as a representative of the people, whereas Huckabee might act as a representative of "God."

Yes, Huckabee is a social justice kind of guy, and I'm all for that (I graduated from Eastern University). But the rhetoric just scares me.

Ramza

[jphussey]

I agree Mr. Ramza

After all (and not to compare the two, but just as an aside), the greatest Evangelical leader was Adolf Hitler.

Unfortunately, the United States has only had Christian leaders, which has created an us vs. them dialectic. We often say we have freedom of religion, but that has yet to apply to the Oval Office.

And I am Christian, but am also critical of the United States' form of representative democracy.

JP

[Redeemed]

But if you dislike him just because he talks about Jesus and believes in the Bible, then that's pretty ignorant.

Well considering *I* am an Evangelical Christian, I don't think you'll be able to play that card with me.

The issue here is what it means to wear your faith on your sleeve as a political leader, and what that results in. If Evangelicals vote Huckabee because Huckabee isn't "afraid" to talk about Jesus, then *that's* a problem.

I definitely agree it's a *huge* problem if evangelicals support Huckabee *only* because he talks about God! But it's hypocritical to dismiss him solely because of it as well, whether you're an evangelical or not.  

Ron Paul is himself a Southern Baptist, but he's very modest about his faith, and I think there's a lot to that. First, he believes it's unethical to pander to "his crowd" in this way, which Huckabee may not. Second, it means that RP will always act as a representative of the people, whereas Huckabee might act as a representative of "God."

Come on. I'm sure both men will strive to act as representatives of the people. And, if religious, both men will also strive to not do things that would violate their religious beliefs. But to assume that Huckabee would deem himself a representative of God here on earth...you know that would be a little bit too heretical for a former pastor :P

[Shiguma]

At this point, I'm all about Mitt Romney.  Naturally, he has some stances which I disagree with, but elections are always "lesser of the two evils" fare anyway.

[Lard]

Anyone watch Ron Paul on Leno yesterday?

Good interview.

[Prime Mover]

Come on. I'm sure both men will strive to act as representatives of the people.

Are you sure about that? Because it would be a first for American politics, at least for a couple hundred years, and I don't see either of them as being THAT special.

[Redeemed]

Come on. I'm sure both men will strive to act as representatives of the people.

Are you sure about that? Because it would be a first for American politics, at least for a couple hundred years, and I don't see either of them as being THAT special.

Politicians want to be re-elected. So yeah, they need to try to represent the people or that won't happen. Obviously you can't please all of the people all of the time though.

[jphussey]

That's the NH I know and love.

Thank you women.


JP

[Vanguard]

I'm so glad the primary is over because I'm so sick of political campaigns calling my house. I was finishing up a college application yesterday and seriously got like five calls from the Obama campaign. Then someone rang my doorbell and it's this guy who's a volunteer for the Obama campaign. He said he just drove up from Philly (I'm in NH) and was wondering if I had voted yet. I told him no and he looked worried then offered to drive me to my town hall, which is only 2 miles away. After he left, I went back inside and the phone rang and it was the Obama campaign. Fuck.

I voted Obama.

[Dade]

I seriously lawl'd at that Vanguard :D

It's kind of been an interesting Primary and Caucus "season" so far. Clearly the Democrats are narrowing down to Hilary or Obama, but the Republicans cant seem to make up their mind.

First it's Guilianni, then McCain, then Romney, then Ron Paul gathers steam, then Romney again, then Paul, now McCain? wtf.....

Oh and Fred Thompson....I still love you, but Jack McCoy is such a better DA than you.

[Dincrest]

Well, it looks like I won't be voting for Bill Richardson in the primaries.  He was IMO the best candidate out there, but he's dropped out of the race.  Too bad because he has impressive experience in all areas a president needs experience in.  I've heard rumors that Fred Thompson may be dropping out too.  

Anyone catch any of the South Carolina republican panel stuff?  As much as I dislike Ron Paul's policies, I must say when he's in a debate or panel discussion, he is the voice of reason.  I liked when he said that with everyone's buzzword being change, he called everyone out on whether change to them means just tweaking what's already in place or just completely cleaning house and putting something new in there.  

I can see Ron Paul support increasing, but I still predict it'll be McCain vs. Romney for the Republican ticket.  

I don't like how the media is spinning things.  Since when was experience a bad thing?  The media is trying to spin things as if those candidates with experience cannot bring about change.  I think it's candidates with experience who know what's going on can bring change.  America is going through some rough times and I want a leader in charge who actually knows what s/he is doing.  I don't want a drinking buddy or rock star, I want someone who will run the country efficiently.  

I'll be voting for Clinton in the primaries.  I'm still not impressed by Obama.