While these people don't share the same views as the ‘Ron Paul Bots’ they have much the same mind-set. They are the easily led and willing to believe wholeheartedly and without question. The tragic thing about all of this is the fact that by leading the easily led astray, people like Rush, Malkin, Coulter, Ingraham, and the lot are proving that they are not Republicans. They are Conservatives. They are ideologues.
What if Rush Limbaugh’s listeners were not 100% affiliated with the GOP. I would almost guarantee that at least a third to fifty percent of his listeners ARE NOT Republicans. Now, if you cannot comprehend the importance of this, you are part of that group. There is a growing movement of these non-aligned individuals into the Libertarian, Constitution, Conservative, and (unfortunately) National Socialist parties. Given a “decent” independent candidate, and I hate to say Ron Paul and the word “decent” but I will – he’s going to pull millions of votes. Of these voters, a good half will be Rush Limbaugh listeners and most of them will have the special stamp of irrationality it takes to be Michael Savage listeners.
The implications of this have yet to be explored, anywhere. In order to prepare the GOP to deal with new younger voters, we are going to be required to jettison the Rush Limbaugh listener who IS NOT a Republican. We also need to understand that these are the individuals who promoted a strangle-hold form of immigration reform. They are plugged in. They are vocal. They are organized. They have money to spend. They are EXTREMELY conservative. They have never, ever been Republicans. While they may periodically vote GOP, they are not Republican. They are extremist ideologues.
It is of immense importance for the Republican Party to do some very serious demographic research and pin-point which of these nominal Republicans actually share the values of hte party and which are just mindless conservative drones. A simple set of questions could solve the problem. A true Republican is going to hold their nose and Vote the Elephant. They may be the way we are right now, a noisy, fighting family, but in the end you Vote the Elephant. Someone who is an ideologue responds like an Ann Coulter, a Rush Limbaugh, or a Kevin Dobson and holds out for abject purity.
Article comments
1 - Jon R
The one thing I see with your opinion is that you want people that need you, you want people that will drink your kool-aid.
I do believe that the Rush's and Drudge's and Savages don't really care. They get off by hearing their own voices. They are egotistical people that actually do more damage than good because they don't discuss issues openly, they shape them to fit their point.
It is interesting that you detest Ron Paul and his supporters. When in reality this is the group you are looking for. We don't want to be coddled, we don't want large government, we are self sufficient individuals that read, and question. We are not "bots". Most supporters are individuals old and young that are disenfranchised because no real change ever takes place. We are hard working iron workers, heavy machine operators, enlisted military, commissioned military, we are the back bone of this country. We work hard and hate to see our money go to those that don't work hard, or to some corporation because someone can't afford to purchase the real value of a mobile phone.
Take a look at some of his grassroots web forums. People are engaged in conversations about Austrian vs Keynesian economics. People that discuss the constitution and how it relates in todays world. The idea of fiat currency and great nations.
I do have to disagree with you on McCain being a bearer of truth. He is, and always has been the typical politician. He argues that he knows what the troops want because he goes to Iraq. Why then do more troops support Ron Paul, who is the anti-McCain?
If you really want the young voters to come out for the GOP go back to your roots. Get rid of the "Neo-Con", support less federal power and government. If you want even a stronger GOP understand that just because a name is backed by the (R) does not mean they are your friend or have the best plan worked out. Encourage support to the person who makes the most sense in the situation, just don't vote the party lines.
2 - Dave Nalle
It is interesting that you detest Ron Paul and his supporters. When in reality this is the group you are looking for. We don't want to be coddled, we don't want large government, we are self sufficient individuals that read, and question.
You question everything and understand nothing, perhaps. Reflexive rejection of everything - AKA nihilism - isn't a practical approach to reality.
We are not "bots".
But you behave like 'bots', repeating the same pre-selected phrases and ideas over and over. Even moreso than the socialist stooges or religious right ideologues.
Take a look at some of his grassroots web forums. People are engaged in conversations about Austrian vs Keynesian economics. People that discuss the constitution and how it relates in todays world. The idea of fiat currency and great nations.
But they only discuss the approved topics from a limited number of doctrinaire perspectives. Anyone who dares to suggest that 'fiat currency' is actually a pretty clever idea and one which can be used responsibly would be harassed and driven out of the discussion. I know, because I've been banned from some libertarian sites for not agreeing with every down-the-line item of doctrine.
I do have to disagree with you on McCain being a bearer of truth. He is, and always has been the typical politician. He argues that he knows what the troops want because he goes to Iraq.
He argues that he knows what the troops want because he was a career military officer for 20 years.
If you really want the young voters to come out for the GOP go back to your roots.
I actually agree with this, but McCain is probably closer to the roots of the GOP than Paul is.
Get rid of the "Neo-Con",
Like you even know what the catch-word really means.
Encourage support to the person who makes the most sense in the situation,
Sounds like a good plan. Rules out Ron Paul, of course.
Dave
3 - Michael Cathcart
The idea of only being able to discuss certain approved topics is not Libertarian, and I would find it hard to believe that you've been banned for discussing the merits of fiat currency.
The reason we are in this mess in this country is because the congress won't debate the merits of returning to constitutionally sound money vs. the merits of money managed by a private central bank.
We need to have these discussions so that our country can get the best system, whatever it is.
Whether or not you agree with Paul's doctrine, he's the only one who wants to debate these issues. He wants to debate our foreign policy in the open, he wants to debate our monetary policy, our trade policies.
You will never see McCain or Romney, Obama, or Clinton ever call to debate these things. That is why we need Dr. Paul. Not because of his doctrines, but because he will force us to take a closer look at what our current policies are and either see their merits or their detriments to us.
Challenge the status quo!
4 - Matt Kerbouchard
Tough sell I'm afraid. The grand old party cut its own throat by letting itself be hijacked by pirates with an evil agenda. Almost too many crimes to list. Crimes against Americans. The young American will not be easily convinced.
Illegal, undeclared war.
The patriot act.
Spitting on the constitution. Like Bush said though "It's just a piece of paper".
Borrowing 2 1/2 billion dollars each day,FROM CHINA, to fund an illegal war, with a promise to pay in plundered oil. What a joke.
Braking this fine countries back in order to profit a handful of cronies.
Building a Billion dollar embassy in iraq which is larger than vatican city, as well as 14 permanent military bases in iraq. All the while telling the American people that we are not staying there or planning to occupy. What a joke!
Next they will come for our guns, but my sons and I are geared up for that. We are a military family staring with my late father, A naval commander who served on the U.S.S Nevada. Each of his 7 sons has served in the armed services.
The only reason I registered as a republican was in order to vote for the only republican running for office. RON PAUL.
Liberty is popular and so is freedom, I'd say get on board.
5 - Biboy
You don't Get It. It's not ABOUT the "Republican Party," OR what YOU want: it's all about CONSERVATISM. Das Partie can go to Hell.
6 - Dave Nalle
The idea of only being able to discuss certain approved topics is not Libertarian,
So true, but yet it happens so much in their extremist circles.
and I would find it hard to believe that you've been banned for discussing the merits of fiat currency.
A direct contradiction of your first clause. The fiat currency issue was just an example, but if libertarians believe in free speech and free thought why would they need to ban someone just for disagreeing on an issue?
The reason we are in this mess in this country is because the congress won't debate the merits of returning to constitutionally sound money vs. the merits of money managed by a private central bank.
They HAVE debated them. They've done it at great length, in fact. They've even done it multiple times with completely different generations of elected representatives. This article actually has lengthy quotes from the first debate on the subject at the Constitutional Convention.
We need to have these discussions so that our country can get the best system, whatever it is.
So since we had them already are you satisfied?
You will never see McCain or Romney, Obama, or Clinton ever call to debate these things.
You think Obama doesn't want to debate our foreign policy? Come again?
As for your currency issue, as I said before, it's been debated to death.
That is why we need Dr. Paul. Not because of his doctrines, but because he will force us to take a closer look at what our current policies are and either see their merits or their detriments to us.
I'm all for that, but IMO he's focusing on the wrong policies and has skewed priorities.
Dave
7 - Dave Nalle
You know, reflecting on this article, something occurs to me. The appeal to party loyalty isn't going to work with the extreme conservatives, because they are NOT loyal to the GOP because they are conservatives first and republicans second. Hell many of them were raised as democrats in the first place and they left that party, so loyalty to party means nothing to them.
Dave
8 - Jon R
Dave,
I gave you reasons of how close the two are and you insult me and refute my examples with no substance. Maybe that is what is wrong with the party.
You question everything and understand nothing, perhaps. Reflexive rejection of everything - AKA nihilism - isn't a practical approach to reality.
I never mentioned rejecting everything. I just mentioned questioning. You took it as a rejection, while the intention was a statement as the pursuit of learning.
What phrases are repeated over and over? Are the the phrases of his message? Is it the income tax, inflation rates, foreign policy, monetary policy, smaller federal government, states rights/personal rights, the war, the economy? Could it be that they are all interrelated? That that is his message and those that support the message talk about it.
I am sorry you where banned from a libertarian site, but that has nothing to do with our discussion, visit a Ron Paul web forum not a libertarian forum. I am not a libertarian, nor our a lot of Ron Paul's supporters. There is a section that are libertarians.
McCain knows what the troops want because he was a naval officer for 20 years? Yet you fail to address that more donations go to Ron Paul then any other candidate from the military.
How does Ron Paul not make the most sense to you? Please list the reasons you have with your backing ans reasons.
It should not be a bad thing to support conservatives over the GOP, loyalty is what makes you a bot. The GOP can be side tracked like it has been, where as if we were conservatives first we might not be in this mess.
9 - Curtiss
I am conservative way before labeling myself a republican. With the party is turning itself into a liberal bunch of ***** whipped followers, then so be it that this party is torn to peices. Reagan would never have done what idiots like McLame are now doing. He might have been a foot soilder in the Reagan army, but is now a defective to the "give it all away" democratic way of life.
10 - Dave Nalle
Curtis. Have you ever heard of the Freedom to Farm Act or the Line-Item Veto? Or do you just know about McCain what your masters on talk radio pour into your ear?
Dave
11 - Baronius
SJ - Let me leave aside the politics of the article for a moment. Have you ever run across the books, "Generations" and "The Fourth Turning"? The guys who wrote them have this pretty interesting theory about generational politics. They could be crazy - I've only heard things about them, I've never read their works. But it might be something that interests you.
12 - Mark W Scott
So what you are actually arguing for is politics over principle. That is what troubles the Republican Party now, not the talk shows, but the hypocracy. Remember, it was the "youth" of the 1980's who trashed the 60's generation to to embrace Ronald Reagan.
13 - Dave Nalle
Mark, what she is kind of arguing, and what I argue specifically in my most recent article is the difference between republican principle and conservative principle, and the truth is that they are not the same thing.
What SJ and I both seem to want is a GOP which sticks by traditional republican values which would be fiscally conservative and socially neutral or even liberal - the way the GOP has been for most of its history.
Dave
14 - J Freeb
You say: There are thousands of young men and women who have chosen to sacrifice safety, life and limb to secure our future. They need to be honored and treasured. They also need to be held up as an example of what service to one’s country is.
Yes they do need to be honored. My cousin's son is one of them. But you don't honor them if you don't even listen to them. Our soldiers are legally restricted from engaging in politics - for good reason. But they are allowed to donate to the candidate who they believe will be the best CinC. And they have donated to Ron Paul. In numbers that exceed all other Republicans combined. For THREE STRAIGHT QUARTERS.
Perhaps if you actually understood that "Support our Troops" is not merely a bumpersticker, you would understand why they support him. They support him because he is the only candidate who has read and understands the Constitution and takes it seriously. Every soldier who takes the oath to protect and defend the Constitution and risks their life to do so also takes it seriously.
Today, I will be casting my vote for the soldier's choice for Commander in Chief and will hold my head up high. Knowing that our soldiers are contributing to this great country far more than some pathetic little blogger. I choose to listen to them. Vote for Ron Paul.
15 - Kirk
I would better assume that the media / corruption has controled this vote more than what the author of this piece is implying. Just the fact that he is / has been omitted from media is enough for me to say "?". The dollar will futher crash with the same ideas moving forward.
I know that everyone must see that Ron Paul is the only true voice that can save America; from the choices we have remaining. It seems funny to me that you would think that we are Bots, but we only want YOUR freedom.
I have been a Libertarian for 20 years or so, but some how i believe we were all born FREE, that FREEDOM is a gift from God, regardless of Man's laws. These laws have also ripped the very fabric of the freedom of religion as well. Every plant is man's by the order of God.
Ron Paul Is An Honest Respecable Man And I Will Write Him In On Election Day - Regardless.
16 - Lumpy
Freeb. One reason our soldiers might be restricted from politics I'd that their profession taints their judgement rendering them unfit to make such decisions just as ron paul is unfit to lead the country.