09 September 2008
Where Are The Ron Paul Supporters?
Why aren't more Ron Paul supporters backing Obama? I admit I haven't studied his positions, so I could be way off the mark, but I assumed he was mostly libertarian. On the question of "small government", I don't think they'll get what they want from either McCain or Obama in terms of federal spend. On the question of civil liberties, Obama clearly wins. On the question of constitutionality, Obama clearly wins. So why are they faking smiles for McCain?
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4 comments:
If Obama had a principled stance regarding civil liberties and foreign policy, you'd probably see more support from the Ron Paul supporters. Instead, Obama has pandered to McCain and voted for FISA. He has toned up the rhetoric against Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia. He has backed off his calls to bring the troops home quickly. Had he kept the principled stand he held when he began campaigning, he may have picked up support.
From my contacts, I'm seeing many supporters wooed by McCain's selection of Palin (hoping a guy dies in office is a pretty flimsy reason to vote for them, though). Barr and Baldwin gain some support. Apathy and non-participation show promise. Unfortunately, Obama has backed away from the only issues that would really cause RP supporters to switch to Obama. You won't find too many RP supporters excited about Universal Health Care or Service Corps.
Interesting. I really don't see the attraction to Palin then since she doesn't look too Paulesque on either constitutionality or foreign policy and certainly not on civil liberties.
My cynical view is that the "size" of the government will be ballpark the same after four years of either McCain or Bush. If that's a wash I don't see why it's a given that all Ron Paul supporters by default end up in the McCain camp.
how would we know what the Paul supporters are doing -- neither the media nor the polls mention them.
i've seen dozens of stories and polls on what the pro-clinton women are thinking, but not one about the Paul supporters.
I saw a tiny bit of RNC coverage about Paul supporters (yes, trying to make the narrative identical to the clinton supporters at DNC). But you have a point.
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