[Ancalagon]

Originally Posted by Gahid

I, without a doubt in my mind, know that Ron Paul is a political mouthpiece for the Libertarian Party. Why?

1) He is a Libertarian. This is obvious to me being a Libertarian myself and having met a lot of Libertarians in my days.

He is a libertarian, as I am a libertarian, as Milton Friedman was a libertarian, as Richard Cobden was a libertarian, as Bastiat was a libertarian. None of the preceding names were capital-L Libertarians. The two are not inextricably interlinked; not even close. How does what I've quoted prove Ron Paul is shilling for the Libertarian Party?

2) He is running on a Republican platform. This will foster media attention, as any Libertarian politician knows. Shit, I worked as a personal assistant to a Libertarian gubernatorial candidate in Oregon. He is now in another office, after running as a Republican. He did not compromise a single value. His reason, out of his mouth, is that they only give you air time if you run along major party lines.

He has run as a Republican since the 1970s. This is not an example of the Libertarian candidate realizing the futility of running under the LP aegis and deciding to become a Republican for this election cycle. This is an example a libertarian (note: small L) Republican who happens to have run as a Libertarian (note: big L) once. How does what I've quoted prove Ron Paul is shilling for the Libertarian Party?

3) Ron Paul is ridiculous. There is no fucking way we would ever vote him into office - he looks like a clown (looks are everything in the pres. election), makes bold statements that few will rally behind, and now his commercials. Come on. Watch those commercials and tell me this guy thinks he has a chance of being the next US President.

As he's said many times, it is unlikely that he will win; the odds are certainly against it. But the odds were also against his campaign achieving a fraction of the success it has achieved at this point. Something unforeseen and breathtaking has happened already; that something even more breathtaking might happen is not outside the realm of possibility. How does what I've quoted prove Ron Paul is shilling for the Libertarian Party?

4) The target demographic is VERY clearly 18-25. This is historically a large voting body, but also historically an irresponsible voting body which does not show up to the polls. If you want to be president, you target people who are going to vote.

He hasn't targeted anyone -- at least he didn't initially. This demographic, who happens to be the most tech savvy group, gravitated to his message. Moreover, the people who have hitched their star to Ron Paul are not your normal political supporters. They are FAR more engaged, FAR more active, and FAR more interested than your average 22 year old Hillary supporter. How does what I've quoted prove Ron Paul is shilling for the Libertarian Party?

5) In 2012, the 18-25 demographic will be 22-29 - far more responsible, politically active, and also the most attractive and likely to influence other people en masse. They will not have forgotten Ron Paul.

That is very promising. How does what I've quoted prove Ron Paul is shilling for the Libertarian Party?

6) In 2012, you will see a serious Libertarian candidate.

I hope that will be the case. How does what I've quoted prove Ron Paul is shilling for the Libertarian Party?


In summation, your points are an eclectic scattering of unsubstantiated assertions, wishful -- by both you and me -- thoughts, and pure miscellany. Unless you've taken care not to reveal some secret information to this point, your thesis -- that Ron Paul is running to promote the Libertarian Party -- is utter birdshit. Why are you continuing to spew such garbage?