The Revolution At The Tailgates: Ron Paul

State field director predicts second, even first in Iowa

It seems like when we're young, we like to break a few rules. Staying out a little too late, sneaking a drink before that official legal age, or backing a candidate who's outside the established mold (YEEEEEAH!)

Several of those dynamics were on display Saturday at Olive Court, a notoriously wild tailgate spot three blocks from Iowa City's Kinnick Stadium. It was here, just a year ago, that John Kerry was infamously photographed with a beer bong. And into the anarchy marched the Ron Paul revolution.

Ron Paul wasn't imbibing himself, though a couple supporters appeared to have had their enthusiasm enhanced with a beer or three. "All we have to do is obey the law of the land and make the Founders heroes again, and make the people in Washington realize that it's your life to lead as you choose and not for the government to tell you what to do with it," the Texas congressman told a crowd of 200. The presidential candidate's message seemed to fit well in the boozy, young, free for all atmosphere of a Hawkeye tailgater.

"Every single day our numbers are growing exponentially, financially as well as volunteers," Paul told Iowa Independent after his speech. "Our job is to get them to the polls, and it looks like we're moving in that direction. Everybody's pretty excited."

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[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

02:09 PM on 11/20/2007

GQ Announces 2007 Men of the Year

Bill Clinton, Daniel Craig, and Kanye West Featured on Three Covers of
December Issue

NEW YORK, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- GQ announced today the honorees for
the magazine's twelfth annual Men of the Year issue, featuring three
separate covers and hitting newsstands nationwide November 27, 2007.
Selected from the worlds of politics, motion pictures, and hip-hop, the
December covers showcase an impressive trio of gentlemen. Former president
Bill Clinton, actor and new James Bond star Daniel Craig, and
producer/hip-hop artist Kanye West head up this year's group of honorees.
See below for the complete list.
2007 MEN OF THE YEAR HONOREES

- Casey Affleck - Breakout of the Year
- Judd Apatow, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd - Comedy
Mafia
- Javier Bardem - Villain
- Brad Bird, director of 'Ratatouille' - Innovator
- Cate Blanchette in 'I'm Not There' - Performance of the Year
- Mike Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York - Maverick
- Boise State vs. Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl - Game of the Year
- Josh Brolin - Tough Guy
- Cast of 'Mad Men' - Instant Classic
- David Chang of New York's Momofuku - Chef
- David Chase, creator of 'The Sopranos' - Final Act
- Simon Cowell - Mastermind
- John Cusack - Comeback
- Daft Punk - Trailblazers
- Daria - Supermodel of the Year
- Sgt. Joshua Delgado and the new breed of medics serving in Iraq - Unsung
Heroes
- Roger Federer - Court King
- Tom Hanks - Icon
- Emile Hirsch - Wild Man
- Ryan Howard, first baseman, Philadelphia Phillies - Slugger
- Lil Wayne - Workaholic
- Josh Marshall, blog founder, Talking Points Memo - Muckraker
- James McAvoy - British Import
- Derek O'Dell, student, Virginia Tech - Lifesaver
- Hayden Panettiere - Obsession of the Year
- RON PAUL, presidential candidate - Dark Horse of the Year
- Alex Rodriguez - Hit Man
- Seth Rogen - Father of the Year
- Mark Ruffalo - Secret Weapon
- Julian Schnabel - Visionary
- Jason Schwartzman - Cool Kid
- John Smeaton, baggage handler, Glasgow International Airport - Employee
of the Year
- Channing Tatum - Man of Next Year
- Robin Thicke and Rihanna - Smooth Operators
- John Varvatos - Designer of the Year
- Shaun White - Reinvention

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:51 PM on 11/20/2007

Back in January after first meeting Ron Paul in 1976 Journalist Bruce Bartlett said:

"Ron saw the roots of the inflation problem in fiat money — currency not backed by gold or other tangible assets. At the time, this was a controversial position. But there was no denying that inflation had accelerated in 1971, when the United States cut the dollar’s last link to gold. This meant that the Federal Reserve Board was no longer constrained by how much it could increase the money supply, which increased rapidly along with inflation.

Although few economists supported a return to the gold standard, as Ron did (and still does), his critique of the Fed for creating the inflation problem dovetailed with that of “monetarists” like Milton Friedman, the late University of Chicago economist. At that time, most economists thought something other than the money supply was the main cause of inflation — budget deficits, higher prices for oil engineered by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, bad harvests, whatever.

The Fed chairman at that time was Arthur Burns, who had been Friedman’s teacher at Rutgers and Columbia. I remember being impressed by Burns’s appearances before the banking committee, in which he would take long pauses to fiddle with his pipe before answering questions — giving himself time to think and using up his questioners’ time as well. Burns’s performances were masterful, but unilluminating. He always found some way to blame inflation on something other than Fed policy.

Since Burns was a Republican who had been appointed by Richard Nixon, criticizing him wasn’t really in the Republican playbook. But Ron was adamant that inflation had no other cause than too much money and that Burns could stop it if he wanted to. Most economists now agree with this view. That period of inflation ended only when Burns’s successor, Paul Volcker, slowed growth of the money supply.

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:47 PM on 11/20/2007

In other ways as well, Ron was not your average Republican or a typical member of Congress. Most Republicans reflexively voted whatever way the White House told them to — Gerald Ford was still president, and party unity was the order of the day. And most congressmen hate being on the wrong side of a lopsided vote. But Ron voted his conscience and was often the only “nay” vote out of 435.

Since Ron is a medical doctor, he became known as “Dr. No,” which delighted him. He hadn’t run for Congress as a stepping stone to becoming a lobbyist, but to define the political spectrum by showing how a consistent libertarian would vote. This meant being for the free market and against gun control — conventional right-wing positions — but also being in favor of drug legalization and nonintervention in foreign affairs — more commonly left-wing positions.

This is still Ron’s philosophy. It is why he has consistently opposed the war in Iraq, making him something of a darling among those on the left who see no connection between Ron’s free market views and his antiwar position. But to him and other libertarians the issues are one and the same. They’re against unjustified government intervention at home or abroad.

Unfortunately, Ron was defeated in the general election the same year he was first elected. But he came back two years later, in 1978, and served until 1984, when he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination to fill a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. In 1988, he was the Libertarian Party’s presidential candidate, garnering 432,000 votes nationally.

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:45 PM on 11/20/2007

In 1996, Ron was re-elected to Congress in a different district. (Tom Delay had his old district.) The Republican leadership wasn’t too happy to have him back, however, because they had persuaded the Democratic congressman in Ron’s new district to switch parties with a promise that he would run unopposed. But Ron had made no such promise.

Ron upset the Republican leadership’s plans to get other Democrats to switch party and embarrassed them by winning the Republican nomination and the general election. When he came back to the House, his fellow Republicans denied him the seniority to which he was entitled because of his previous service, and generally treated him as an outcast.

Other members of Congress might have been bitter over such treatment, but not Ron. He didn’t give up a successful medical practice to be a congressman because he craved the perks of office, but because he had a point to make. As long as he can continue making it, he is perfectly happy.

When I asked Ron why he kept running for office despite having little to show for it in terms of legislation or other tangible accomplishments, he said it was because he enjoyed the job. He gets to say what he thinks, meets interesting people, and shows that honesty and adherence to principle are not the political albatrosses that most politicians think they are. It’s worth noting that in 2006, when Republicans were losing control of Congress, Ron got 60 percent of the vote in his district.

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:45 PM on 11/20/2007

One thing that came through to me as I was talking to Ron was his similarity to Ronald Reagan in a key respect. Reagan always said that he had already been a success in life before deciding to run for president — he had been a big Hollywood star, of course. Because being president didn’t define him as a person, it was easier for him to cope with the pressure of being in the White House.

Ron Paul had been a successful surgeon who delivered some 4,000 babies before giving up his practice. So like Reagan, he does not regard his current position as the pinnacle of his career. To him, serving in politics at the national level is more a privilege than a job.

During my visit, Ron had to leave for a vote, and that prevented my asking him about his future — according to press reports he has formed an exploratory committee to seek the Republican presidential nomination. Obviously, this is a long shot, but at least he has the advantage of being the only announced candidate in either party who has already received a political party’s presidential nomination.

In any other year, one would automatically dismiss Ron’s chances as quixotic at best. But 2008 is shaping up as an unusually fluid year politically, with no clear front-runner in either party, and new candidates emerging almost weekly. And the Internet has leveled the playing field in many ways. It may be a year when anything can happen.

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

09:48 AM on 11/20/2007

Ron Paul Des Moines Register 11/19/07

"On the fourth day of July in 1776, a small group of men boldly told the most powerful nation on Earth they were free. They declared that all men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights.

One then has to wonder how Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin would react to our current state of affairs.

We have lost sight of the simple premise that guided the actions of our founding fathers. That premise? The government that governs least is the government that governs best.

In our early history, it was understood that a free society embraced both civil liberties and economic liberties. But our government has significantly changed from one of limited power to one of pervasive intervention.

The practice of medicine is now a government-managed system, and very few Americans are happy with it. For decades, the U.S. health-care system was the envy of the world. Not coincidentally, there was far less government involvement in medicine during that time. Good medical care is delivered when the patient and the doctor are in charge.

We must also examine our foreign policy. Our troops are spread to the four corners of the Earth and stretched too thinly, meaning we may well have difficulty defending ourselves if we are ever threatened.

The situation in Iraq reminds us that we are to go to war only after a congressional declaration of war, as required by the Constitution. A coherent foreign policy is based on the understanding that America is best served by not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations."

Cont below

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:37 AM on 11/20/2007

Lies. MisConstrue2 positions are:

Still more MisConstrue2 on the issues:

Will you defund Planned Parenthood? MC - YES.

Does "multi-culturalism" (used by Liberals) weaken America? MC - YES.

Do you support personal retirement accounts for social security? MC - YES

Jude Roy Moore Question on supporting a protection to express religious beliefs (display the 10 Commandments)? MC - YES.

Do you support an executive order protecting Military Chaplians right to religious expression? MC - YES

Would you veto Fairness Doctrine legislation? MC - YES

Would you prevent socialized health care via government universal heath care coverage? MC - YES

Would you eliminate and block any Hate Crimes legislation? MC - YES.

Would you support human embryo destructive research? MC - NO

Would you support academic freedom for researchers who are persecuted at the Universities for their work on creationism and intelligent design? MC - YES

Would you support legislation that would cause forfeiture of funding to any federally funded schools that teach homosexual indoctrination? MC - YES

Would you place Abstinence Programs on equal funding levels as contraception education? MC - YES..

Would you support legislation to protect Christian symbols across our country that are being attacked by the ACLU? MC - YES

Would you veto non-discrimination employment act that makes sexual orientation a protected class? MC - YES

Would you eliminate the gag rule on 501(c) 3 organizations that prevent them from endorsing candidates? MC - YES.

Will you stand behind Isreal to keep their land? RP - YES.

Will you oppose the effort to make abortion a human right? MC - YES

Do you support school choice? MC - YES

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:13 AM on 11/20/2007

Misanthrope2
Do you think it is a good thing that Misanthrope2 is a Bircher?

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

12:11 AM on 11/20/2007

Misanthrope2 said: (See profile | I'm a fan of Misanthrope2)

Hello Liar-

Three times I have challenged you to prove Edwards is a member of the COFR.

He isn't. And you keep lying.

You are a liar.

STFU!

.

Misconstrue2:
After reading yet another rude reply to an unsuspecting Huffpo user I was thinking this:

3 times I have asked you to justify your use of the word "sciencing" in the "political sciencing degree" phrase you used just the other day.

Will you please explain your choice of words!
To think you may be lying about your profile!
I find it hard to believe that some one with your (alleged) abundant education and political experience would have you think that "sciencing" is actually a word!
"political sciencing degree" is not a phrase an educated person would use...or anyone for that matter!

Care to explain?
?
?
This would be the fourth request.

See, my spell check gives this phrase a red underline!
Too bad it does not do the same for your relentless wikipedia links and cut n paste, redacted posts!

:)

BWAHAHAHAHA!

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

11:52 PM on 11/19/2007

Mistaken2:

Making things up does not make them true. Note how my post has a link.

Still more 'strue2 on the issues:

Will you defund Planned Parenthood?

Does "multi-culturalism" (used by Liberals) weaken America? .
STRUE2 on the issues:

The Misinform2 Society has some supporters in Congress. Misconstrue2 of Texas recently argued:"The beneficial, educational impact of the Struers2 over the past four decades would be hard to overestimate. It is certainly far more than most people realize. Anyone who has been in the trenches over the years battling on any of the major issues - whether it"s pro-life, gun rights, property rights, taxes, government spending, regulation, national security, privacy, national sovereignty, the United Nations, foreign aid - knows that members of the noninformers are always in there doing the heavy lifting. And most importantly, they approach all of these issues from a strong moral and constitutional perspective. Lots of people pay lip service to the Constitution, but Struers study it, understand it, apply it, and are serious about protecting it and holding public officials accountable to it."

Do you support personal retirement accounts for social security?

Jude Roy Moore Question on supporting a protection to express religious beliefs (display the 10 Commandments)?.

Do you support an executive order protecting Military Chaplians right to religious expression?

Would you veto Fairness Doctrine legislation?

Would you prevent socialized health care via government universal heath care coverage? RP -

Would you eliminate and block any Hate Crimes legislation? .

Would you support human embryo destructive research?

Would you support academic freedom for researchers who are persecuted at the Universities for their work on creationism and intelligent design?

Would you support legislation that would cause forfeiture of funding to any federally funded schools that teach homosexual indoctrination?

Would you place Abstinence Programs on equal funding levels as contraception education? RP - .

Would you support legislation to protect Christian symbols across our country that are being attacked by the ACLU?

Would you veto non-discrimination employment act that makes sexual orientation a protected class?

Would you eliminate the gag rule on 501(c) 3 organizations that prevent them from .

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

11:36 PM on 11/19/2007

Misconstrue2 (See profile | I'm a fan of Misinform2)
The quote is from Ron Paul, not me. Note the link.
Misinform2 on the issues:

The John Birch Society has some supporters in Congress. Ron Paul of Texas recently argued:"The beneficial, educational impact of the John Birch Society over the past four decades would be hard to overestimate. It is certainly far more than most people realize. Anyone who has been in the trenches over the years battling on any of the major issues - whether it"s pro-life, gun rights, property rights, taxes, government spending, regulation, national security, privacy, national sovereignty, the United Nations, foreign aid - knows that members of the John Birch Society are always in there doing the heavy lifting. And most importantly, they approach all of these issues from a strong moral and constitutional perspective. Lots of people pay lip service to the Constitution, but Birchers study it, understand it, apply it, and are serious about protecting it and holding public officials accountable to it.

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

11:35 PM on 11/19/2007

Ron Paul on the issues:

Will you defund Planned Parenthood? RP - NO.

Does "multi-culturalism" (used by Liberals) weaken America? RP - NO.

Do you support personal retirement accounts for social security? RP - NO

Jude Roy Moore Question on supporting a protection to express religious beliefs (display the 10 Commandments)? RP - NO.

Do you support an executive order protecting Military Chaplians right to religious expression? RP - NO

Would you veto Fairness Doctrine legislation? RP - NO

Would you prevent socialized health care via government universal heath care coverage? RP - NO

Would you eliminate and block any Hate Crimes legislation? RP - NO.

Would you support human embryo destructive research? RP - YES

Would you support academic freedom for researchers who are persecuted at the Universities for their work on creationism and intelligent design? RP - NO

Would you support legislation that would cause forfeiture of funding to any federally funded schools that teach homosexual indoctrination? RP - NO

Would you place Abstinence Programs on equal funding levels as contraception education? RP - NO..

Would you support legislation to protect Christian symbols across our country that are being attacked by the ACLU? RP - NO

Would you veto non-discrimination employment act that makes sexual orientation a protected class? RP - NO

Would you eliminate the gag rule on 501(c) 3 organizations that prevent them from endorsing candidates? RP - NO.

Will you stand behind Isreal to keep their land? RP - NO.

Will you oppose the effort to make abortion a human right? RP - NO

Do you support school choice? RP - NO

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

10:09 PM on 11/19/2007

Ron Paul on the issues:

Will you defund Planned Parenthood? RP - NO.

Does "multi-culturalism" (used by Liberals) weaken America? RP - NO.

Do you support personal retirement accounts for social security? RP - NO

Jude Roy Moore Question on supporting a protection to express religious beliefs (display the 10 Commandments)? RP - NO.

Do you support an executive order protecting Military Chaplians right to religious expression? RP - NO

Would you veto Fairness Doctrine legislation? RP - NO

Would you prevent socialized health care via government universal heath care coverage? RP - NO

Would you eliminate and block any Hate Crimes legislation? RP - NO.

Would you support human embryo destructive research? RP - YES

Would you support academic freedom for researchers who are persecuted at the Universities for their work on creationism and intelligent design? RP - NO

Would you support legislation that would cause forfeiture of funding to any federally funded schools that teach homosexual indoctrination? RP - NO

Would you place Abstinence Programs on equal funding levels as contraception education? RP - NO..

Would you support legislation to protect Christian symbols across our country that are being attacked by the ACLU? RP - NO

Would you veto non-discrimination employment act that makes sexual orientation a protected class? RP - NO

Would you eliminate the gag rule on 501(c) 3 organizations that prevent them from endorsing candidates? RP - NO.

Will you stand behind Isreal to keep their land? RP - NO.

Will you oppose the effort to make abortion a human right? RP - NO

Do you support school choice? RP - NO

[texanna]

09:06 PM on 11/19/2007

Would everyone that is so enamored of Ron Paul please get past that he wants to get out of Iraq immediately and he says feisty things to the rest of the GOP? Because if you look past those things, Mr. Paul isn't quite so attractive. He isn't in favor of a woman's right to choose what goes on in her body, he has no idea of how to resolve our health care problems, his idea of what the government should and should not be responsible for would do nothing for the failing infrastructure of this country -- and that's just for starters. I think the popularity of Ron Paul points out just how angry this country is after the reign of the Neonuts and Shrub, rather than how great a candidate he is.

[Stirner]

07:23 PM on 11/19/2007

Lots of talk about Ron Paul supporters being young. Well, I support Paul -- and, as Paul, I'm not young. What he and I recognize and respect is that young people have a right to determine their own future -- rather than a future planned by such "elders" as Bush, Cheney, and their neo-con leaders (all of whom seem to have been born at forty years of age). Our last hope as a nation is found in the intelligence and courage of these young people -- willing to work for their own future and their freedom. I hope I'm alive to see these old geezers with their ancient wars and their ancient Gods out of Washington. Good luck to our children!