I have to admit, I’ve backed away recently from some of my Ron Paul rhetoric. Let me explain. I fell in love with Ron Paul, and I fell hard. After years of voting for the lesser of two evils, I desperately wanted to feel engaged again in US politics. Ron Paul said exactly what I wanted to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it.
As I followed his campaign, I was constantly inspired by his ability to bring voters together. He doesn’t categorize and pander to voters the way most politicians do. He sees voters only as individuals and he truly does listen to them and care about them. I was just as inspired by his supporters as well. Listening to their optimism towards a President Paul future was uplifting and gave me newfound hope.
We need hope in America today. In the business of world politics, the American brand is failing. In a recent survey, the United States ranked second among nations that should have less influence in the world. We ‘lost’ to Iran, which tells me we’ve probably overtaken them by now. If this truly was a business, we would kill the brand, hire a top-notch PR firm, ‘reinvent’ ourselves, and start over under a new name. It isn’t so easy in politics. We have no choice but to correct our mistakes and earn back the respect we worked so hard for in the past. Ron Paul gives me hope that this is possible. I see Ron Paul support springing up all around the globe, and I can’t help but feel all warm and tingly inside.
I see Ron Paul supporters, more than any other candidates’ supporters, taking an active role in politics and making personal sacrifice. Ron Paul has raised more money than any other candidate recently, and all without the help of special interest groups. Ron Paul’s campaign, much like his Presidency would be, is small and frugal. His enthusiastic volunteers make up the difference.
But, there is always a downside. Decentralization has been the key to Ron Paul’s success so far. I find this very appropriate, as it is also how he would propose to run the government, thus proving his ideas viable through his own campaign. The downside to decentralization, as any marketing director might tell you, is that you lose control over your brand. Recently, some of Ron Paul’s more ‘off-brand’ supporters have been stealing his headlines. I applaud people for getting off the couch and holding Sean Hannity accountable for his words directly, yet I understand there may be a more civilized approach. I applaud people for being skeptical of our vote counts and attempting to keep government honest, yet I disagree with making direct threats against someone’s life in the process.
When I joined the Ron Paul Revolution many months ago, I felt as though I had awoken from a long slumber. Now, as I distance myself ever so slightly from it, I have a similar feeling. Ron Paul is not the savior as prophesized in ancient texts. Ron Paul is simply a man.
With the Presidential race now underway, Ron Paul is exceeding all expectations. As of January 16th, approximately 1.2 million Republicans have cast their ballots. The votes (in thousands) are as follows: Romney (442 / 37%), McCain (360 / 30%), Huckabee (207 / 17%), Paul (84 / 7%), Thompson (51 / 4%), and Giuliani (49 / 4%). After three major votes, we have three unique winners. So with no clear front-runner, Ron Paul is sitting quite contently in a solid fourth place.
I am hopeful that the mainstream media will begin to discuss Ron Paul’s success, but I won’t bet on it. I am hopeful that Ron Paul’s supporters throughout the country will not forgo the opportunity to let their voice be heard. The Wisconsin primary is held on February 19th, and I plan to vote for Ron Paul regardless of what happens on Super Tuesday. Most of all, I urge all Ron Paul supporters to remember that Ron Paul is simply a man.
As the great Randy Newman sang recently, “Now the leaders we have; While they’re the worst that we’ve had; Are hardly the worst this poor world has seen”
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
