Comments on: Ron Paul’s Splintering Movement

By: Thursday October 23 2008 « Soapbox Spectacle’s Weblog

Thursday October 23 2008 « Soapbox Spectacle’s Weblog — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:21:00 +0000

[...] But there are too many examples of his supporters marginalized and mocked or even told that our movement is splintering and given questionable evidence to support this claim. We are being told the end of Libertarianism [...]

By: RBurnett

RBurnett — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:42:55 +0000

There are hopes for the Revolution after the election and hopes for some, any, Ron Paul supporter to get into a State legislature. But I have already commented on this before–I think that the Paul movement is composed of too many differing factions for it to remain together once the war has been downplayed or removed as an issue. The other item that keep the movement going is the presence of Ron Paul. Like the Reform Party, now defunct, the Revolution will splinter to disintegration when Paul leaves. The Reform Party’s history is a sad template that the Revolution is fitting into. All that is necessary to finish off the Revolution after Paul retires(notions that Paul will run for President in 2012 are straight out of Dingeons and Dragons) is for some strong candidate, not unlike a Pat Buchanan and his brigades, to try to claim the Revolution for his own. Not even this–the passage of time will place the Revolution into the dustbin of history if the Revolution, the Paul supporters, cannot get themselves into State legislatures or Congress–following the pattern of the Libertarian Party, that of getting LP members on water boards, school districts and small city councils is a policy of failure, as many in the LP already know.
I look forward to the fatal infighting amongst the several factions in the Revolution after the election. There will be more splintering, not less.

By: FreeState

FreeState — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:59:16 +0000

I agree the presidential vote is splintering but I see great things coming out of the ‘Ron Paul revolution’.
Thousands of us across the country got connected. Many who joined RP because of the war learned about the Federal Reserve. Many people had their eyes opened up. Keep it up!

I think people should consider the Free State Project.
One particpant has already been elected to the NH State House. Over 40 Ron Paul Republicans are running Nov 4th for NH State House.
Lots of FSPers have been elected at the local level.
There is also a bunch of people working ‘outside’ the system.
And more people are moving to New Hampshire every week as part of the Free State Project.

By: sbc

sbc — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:19:52 +0000

Chris,

I’ve got the opposite problem here in NC. No Chuck Baldwin on the ballot and he doesn’t count as a write in and neither does Ron Paul. However, Barr is on the ballot. I think a lot of this forces the Ron Paul group to be “splintered” in voting for a presidential candidate. Thankfully, we Ron Paul supporters and other like-minded Americans have http://www.campaignforliberty.com, which helps to keep liberty lovers united and active in the political movement.

By: ChrisK

ChrisK — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:52:48 +0000

I think mistakes were made all around. Living in West Virginia, I’m most disappointed that the Barr campaign didn’t bother to register as write-ins as a hedge against losing their court case to get on the ballot, so now I’m left with little choice other than to vote for Baldwin, since I can’t write in Ron Paul or Bob Barr.

I could actually write in Santa Claus (he’s a registered write-in), which I might actually end up doing.
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/29754774.html

I just don’t think I can vote for a theocrat.

By: LrdShiva

LrdShiva — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:15:21 +0000

Ron Paul was the greatest distraction ever engineered by our shadowy overlords.

It was kinda funny, because it fooled me for a moment.
I’m glad this “movement” is “splintering”
Therein lies individuality and personal accountability. But we must first recognise, and submit that the metaphorical wool has been pulled over our eyes once more. Wouldn’t be the first time they put up a liberal from their own camp.

By: ewj9961

ewj9961 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:26:25 +0000

There is no doubt that the RP R3volution movement will be splintered somewhat, but that is not because of who they will be voting for in November, per se. We came from all sorts of differing ideologies and some will return to those places but return as individuals who have been changed forever.

Just like the dispersed church in Acts, the people of the R3volution will go every where and they will take this gospel of liberty with them whereever they go, and the whole world will be different because of what happened these past months.

They who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

And when the time comes for them to get behind a National Candidate, the people of the R3volution will flow from every hillside, plain, valley and mountain into a mighty rushing stream, and even the unbelievers will have to admit that something wonderful has happened.

By: spinnikerca

spinnikerca — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:03:01 +0000

Mark, I agree. However, after the election it might be easier to get people’s attention, as well. There is a partisanship right now that seems to turn off people’s brains. (Frustration speaking….)

By: spinnikerca

spinnikerca — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:22:58 +0000

I don’t agree that Ron Paul’s movement has splintered. I think there were some who were just voting for a Presidential candidate and never intended more than that. They will vote for their second choice, or will write in Ron Paul… or won’t vote.

However, those who support the movement are still active through Campaign for Liberty and otherwise. For those who lost their apathy through Ron Paul’s Presidential campaign, it is a personal loss that we can’t vote for him. However, whomever others of these choose as a second choice, or whether they choose to write in Ron Paul or protest through not voting, I don’t feel the slightest bit ‘splintered’ from them.

Ron Paul asked us to bomb a congressional candidate who has a solid chance of winning, and we did. Ron Paul asked us to write our congressmen about the bailout, and make our voices heard, and we did that as well. Most of us have chosen other projects and topics we have and are working on, but we keep an eye and ear on Ron Paul. He serves not just as a leader, but as a ‘first alert’ alarm, often.

I think some wanted us all to coalesce behind their first choice, be it a candidate or a party, and were disapointed when we didn’t. I can understand that. However, the fact that we didn’t doesn’t mean the movement has splintered, in my view. This presidential election is only the beginning.

By: Marc Gallagher

Marc Gallagher — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:43:26 +0000

Very good points spinnikerca…

I believe with respect to the Presidential election itself the Ron Paul contingent is split. It remains to be seen if that splinter will further marginalize the effectiveness of any CFL type actions in the future. I hope not… but even though Ron Paul has been fairly visible in the media saying the things he always does (how great it is) there doesn't seem to be any kind of true mainstream growth.

I fear there is a certain element of us Ron Paul supporters that make up a certain percentage of the electorate and that percentage is stagnant instead of growing. Hopefully, that isn't the case, but it is something I fear is true. There are a number of people I know who voted for Ron Paul that are now voting for McCain or Obama. It almost makes me sick and as hard as I try they are steadfast in doing so. They won't even consider a third party or not voting at all as an option… even if they agree with a non-McBama on the issues more. The wasted vote syndrome is a hard thing to crack.

I'm very curious what happens after the election and the years to come with respect to the C4L. I think there is a great opportunity still there… hopefully we'll all be around to help it come to fruition.

-Marc