Politically Speaking, Should Ron Paul Endorse Gary Johnson?

[Mr.TaterSalad]

This could actually turn into a hot button internet issue amongst Paul supporters. There are two sides here. One involves Ron Paul the politician. That guys has been trying to play an internal grassroots game within the GOP to get them to be more responsive and receptive politically to his ideas. That Ron Paul has been trying to make nice, coalition build, win over delegates at the state conventions, etc. That Ron Paul is also walking a tedious line with the GOP and especially the establishment members. Endorsing Gary Johnson would certainly throw that into more chaos and cause more headaches than he has already created.

On the other side of the fence you have Ron Paul the living, breathing, thinking individual. That Ron Paul doesn't want to sacrifice any of his core or his ideals. That Ron Paul wants freedom, truth, liberty, full economic and personal independence here and now. That Ron Paul is a fire breather and a pull no punches advocate for what he believes in. This Ron Paul is the man who drew so many people to his base in the first place. Sure, he has added people through his internal ground game this election, quite a few actually. However, his real core constituents from '08 got their passion from this brand of Ron Paul. This pull no punches Paul is the one that if he did decide to endorse Gary Johnson for President, could give Johnson in my estimation a good 6 to 8% immediate bump in the national polls. Some say that endorsing Johnson ruins his sons future chances in the GOP and damages the progress to his pro-liberty brand. Some say (myself included) to screw it all and endorse Johnson. If the ideals are what matters most, then not only endorse Governor Johnson, but actively campaign for him and see to it that he gets the 15% necessary to be on the debates.

[ballmich]

Ron Paul won't endorse Gary Johnson. Nor will he endorse Mitt Romney. Not endorsing anyone is pretty much the same as endorsing Johnson.

To endorse someone outside the GOP, when he is actively trying to change the GOP from within, does more damage to the cause than good.

What he will do, is endorse the act of voting. He needs people to get out and vote for these pro-liberty republicans that are running for office all over the country.

[pfife]

I think he should do whatever he feels in his heart, because honestly, whatever he does isn't going to matter much politically.

[screwball]

Ron Paul won't endorse Gary Johnson. Nor will he endorse Mitt Romney. Not endorsing anyone is pretty much the same as endorsing Johnson.

To endorse someone outside the GOP, when he is actively trying to change the GOP from within, does more damage to the cause than good.

What he will do, is endorse the act of voting. He needs people to get out and vote for these pro-liberty republicans that are running for office all over the country.

Have you read anything about a write in campaign? Probably too early, just curious.

I thought the most interesting thing in the entire election was watching the media and the party manipulate (not sure of the right word) Ron Paul and the coverage of him. I didn't say that very well, but I think you get the point.

[ballmich]

Have you read anything about a write in campaign? Probably too early, just curious.

I thought the most interesting thing in the entire election was watching the media and the party manipulate (not sure of the right word) Ron Paul and the coverage of him. I didn't say that very well, but I think you get the point.

Dr. Paul won't sanction a write-in campaign, I'm pretty certain. But a significant portion of his followers will certainly write in his name. I see a lot of "Ron Paul or Ron Paul" rhetoric out there. Including on several pretty visible websites and youtube channels.

However, it's hard to handicap how it all will play out. A small percentage will vote for Romney. A portion will write-in Dr. Paul. A portion will vote for Johnson. And a portion will not vote. That's my best guess.

[Deleterious]

He can't. Rand wants to run for president someday and that leaves Ron with only two options. Endorse Romney or endorse nobody.

Endorsing someone other than the GOP nominee would cause all sorts of problems for Rand later on.

[screwball]

He can't. Rand wants to run for president someday and that leaves Ron with only two options. Endorse Romney or endorse nobody.

Endorsing someone other than the GOP nominee would cause all sorts of problems for Rand later on.

I'm not sure Rand is Ron. In the aspect of the MIC, banks, and healthcare, if his stance doesn't change from Dad's, he has no chance to get anywhere. The big money won't get behind him. He might, but I don't think his Dad would.

[Deleterious]

I'm not sure Rand is Ron. In the aspect of the MIC, banks, and healthcare, if his stance doesn't change from Dad's, he has no chance to get anywhere. The big money won't get behind him. He might, but I don't think his Dad would.

He is quite different than his father. A lot of RP supporters don't care much for Rand. He is already kissing up to the evangelical wing of the party.

[Mr. DNA]

Ron Paul delegates gettin' all Occupy on today's Republican Party. Good for them. Screw the establishments of both parties.

Ron Paul Delegates Arrested As They Win a Majority at Louisiana GOP Convention

[ballmich]

If you know what happened there, then you'd know that this isn't "gettin' all Occupy". Ron Paul'ers had the numbers. They voted in a new chair. Then the establishment had the chair arrested, and prior to releasing him, they broke his fingers.

That's has nothing to do with Occupy, it's called using the establishment's rules to beat them at their own game.

[DGTigers]

Ron Paul isn't going to endorse anyone in the race. The entire role of the 'Revolution' is for the Republican party to be forced to become what they once were: freedom oriented and fiscally conservative. Endorsing a 3rd party candidate would hurt the movement....even if that candidate would be the best President. Our country is so ingrained in the 2-party system that a 3rd party will never have a shot at winning....change will have to come from within one of the "two" major parties....and that is precisely why Ron Paul has been encouraging his supporters to get involved in the GOP.

[Deleterious]

Possibility that Johnson wont be on the Michigan ballot.

Is Mitt Romney Afraid Of Gary Johnson? | TPM2012

[ballmich]

Geez, the Romney establishment is hell bent on scorched earth.

I'm leaning towards voting for Johnson at the moment. He's not my favorite, but might be the best of my options.

[Deleterious]

Johnson certainly isn't the perfect candidate. But like you, I think he will be getting my vote. Still deciding if I am going to write him a check or not.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

I am making sure to call Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's office weekly and complain about this crock of **** three minutes rule. I'm going to be livid if Johnson doesn't make the ballot here in the Mitten!!!

[pfife]

Johnson certainly isn't the perfect candidate. But like you, I think he will be getting my vote. Still deciding if I am going to write him a check or not.

What are the factors you're weighing, if you don't mind me asking? Personally, it strikes me as a huge waste of money.

[Deleterious]

What are the factors you're weighing, if you don't mind me asking? Personally, it strikes me as a huge waste of money.

Do you think I wasted money donating to Paul? He had the same 0% chance of becoming president as Johnson does. But I maxed my contribution to him and gave more to Liberty PAC. I did this because he represents what I wish the republican party would become. He is the voice of a lot of my beliefs and that voice needs money to be heard. I'm not the type to knock on doors, call people, or volunteer my time. The one thing I can offer to advance my ideas is money, so I donate. I think I would be a hypocrite to talk about how we need these type of people elected to office and then do nothing to actually get that done.

The liberty movement is much bigger now than it was in 2008. Hopefully it will be even bigger in 2016 and maybe in 2 or 3 presidential election cycles someone that represents my views is a legit contender for president. If they doesn't happen, maybe the growing voice of this group makes the republicans wake up and rethink some of their polices. I guess you could say it is a huge waste if I thought one of these guys was going to win the election, but I don't. I view my donations as building the foundation of the movement, not getting someone elected president. And if I feel Johnson represents what I believe and my donation helps him buy some more ad space and reach a few more people, I consider it money well spent.

Some of the things that bug me about Johnson. You go to his site and click the issues button and you see all the red meat topics for Libertarians. But when you hear him interviewed about some of the topics he really struggles, like Sarah Palin struggles. Specifically economic and monetary policy. Makes me think he is just saying what people want to hear. Also he is in favor of the Fair Tax and I'm not. It would eliminate the income and employee payroll tax and replace it with a 23% national sales tax. I think this would be a huge win for organized crime and the black market. Most states have a sales tax as well, so you are looking at around 30% in taxes on all purchases. People will turn to the black market to save 30%.

As it stands right now, I will probably not donate and my money will probably go to someone like Justin Amash. The GOP really hosed him with their redistricting so they could protect their good ol' boy network.

[ballmich]

Very nice post, D. I donate for the sake of my children. I see it as my responsibility as a parent to try to give my children the freedom that they deserve. One of the best ways I can effect that change is by donating to politicians that share those views. Even if they can't win now, the hope is that over time the message spreads to others.

I listened to a Johnson interveiw yesterday... He is really hard to support. But I still think he's the best of a bunch of poor options. It would have been nice if the LP put forth a true libertarian this election.

[screwball]

I'm curious why the RP supporters here don't just write him in (RP)?

[ballmich]

I'm curious why the RP supporters here don't just write him in (RP)?

I might, and I was leaning that way at one point, I"m still on the fence. However, I feel my vote may be "counted" in a way that makes more of a difference, if I vote for Johnson.

With Dr. Paul, given he is not on the ballot, I suspect that his votes will just be reported as "other" and that won't tell you much when the votes are tallied. In the end, the important thing is to not vote for Obama or Romney. Otherwise it doesnt' really matter much.

I'm not against a write-in candidate, for what it's worth. I wrote in someone in 1996 because I couldn't vote for Dole.

[screwball]

I might, and I was leaning that way at one point, I"m still on the fence. However, I feel my vote may be "counted" in a way that makes more of a difference, if I vote for Johnson.

With Dr. Paul, given he is not on the ballot, I suspect that his votes will just be reported as "other" and that won't tell you much when the votes are tallied. In the end, the important thing is to not vote for Obama or Romney. Otherwise it doesnt' really matter much.

I'm not against a write-in candidate, for what it's worth. I wrote in someone in 1996 because I couldn't vote for Dole.

Fair enough, just curious.

I wrote in Mickey Mouse once. I'm sure someone somewhere laughed.

[Deleterious]

I believe this country needs a 3rd, 4th, or 5th party. So my first choice would be to find someone affiliated with a party. Hopefully that would give that party some momentum in the future.

But I have no problem writing Paul in if it comes to that.

[screwball]

I believe this country needs a 3rd, 4th, or 5th party. So my first choice would be to find someone affiliated with a party. Hopefully that would give that party some momentum in the future.

But I have no problem writing Paul in if it comes to that.

Our buddy Nigel is the independent party in the UK as I understand it. I would love to see him here (I know that's not possible). I have little hope we will ever see a third (or 4, or 5) party - the two established parties we have now - on a non-partisan basis no less - will never allow it to happen.

[Deleterious]

Our buddy Nigel is the independent party in the UK as I understand it. I would love to see him here (I know that's not possible). I have little hope we will ever see a third (or 4, or 5) party - the two established parties we have now - on a non-partisan basis no less - will never allow it to happen.

Yeah, someone like Nigel would be cool. I think his party is fairly new if I'm not mistaken. And I agree a 3rd party will probably never be allowed.

[pyrotigers]

Politically Speaking, if Ron Paul endorses Gary Johnson should he accept an endorsement from such a noted lunatic?

[ballmich]

The hatred of people who don't believe in the two party paradigm is transparent.

[Sparks4Ever]

Yeah, someone like Nigel would be cool. I think his party is fairly new if I'm not mistaken. And I agree a 3rd party will probably never be allowed.

Nigel Farage is possibly my favorite political figure. It's amazing the scorn that the british media has for him, when it's really those clinging to the Europe project and dragging their nations further down the hole that deserves all the scorn.

If the libertarians could dig up someone with half of Farage's wit, charisma and intelligence, then they could make serious in-roads in the GOP.

[pfife]

Do you think I wasted money donating to Paul? He had the same 0% chance of becoming president as Johnson does. But I maxed my contribution to him and gave more to Liberty PAC. I did this because he represents what I wish the republican party would become. He is the voice of a lot of my beliefs and that voice needs money to be heard. I'm not the type to knock on doors, call people, or volunteer my time. The one thing I can offer to advance my ideas is money, so I donate. I think I would be a hypocrite to talk about how we need these type of people elected to office and then do nothing to actually get that done.

The liberty movement is much bigger now than it was in 2008. Hopefully it will be even bigger in 2016 and maybe in 2 or 3 presidential election cycles someone that represents my views is a legit contender for president. If they doesn't happen, maybe the growing voice of this group makes the republicans wake up and rethink some of their polices. I guess you could say it is a huge waste if I thought one of these guys was going to win the election, but I don't. I view my donations as building the foundation of the movement, not getting someone elected president. And if I feel Johnson represents what I believe and my donation helps him buy some more ad space and reach a few more people, I consider it money well spent.

Some of the things that bug me about Johnson. You go to his site and click the issues button and you see all the red meat topics for Libertarians. But when you hear him interviewed about some of the topics he really struggles, like Sarah Palin struggles. Specifically economic and monetary policy. Makes me think he is just saying what people want to hear. Also he is in favor of the Fair Tax and I'm not. It would eliminate the income and employee payroll tax and replace it with a 23% national sales tax. I think this would be a huge win for organized crime and the black market. Most states have a sales tax as well, so you are looking at around 30% in taxes on all purchases. People will turn to the black market to save 30%.

As it stands right now, I will probably not donate and my money will probably go to someone like Justin Amash. The GOP really hosed him with their redistricting so they could protect their good ol' boy network.

I think you lay out a good case for why you donate(d). I probably wouldn't do that myself, but to each his own.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

I think you lay out a good case for why you donate(d). I probably wouldn't do that myself, but to each his own.

You wouldn't donate to Bernie Sanders if he ran?