Does Ron Paul have a chance?

[manlymatt83]

As a libertarian, I actually kind of like the guy (except for some social policy issues).

However, in the past, Ron Paul has had no chance of winning, both in 1988 when he ran as a Libertarian and in 2008 when he ran for the GOP.

However, some straw polls (and him) say he has a chance this time... against Obama, he's actually marked as the best mashup. Still too early, obviously, but in this day and age and this economy, is there any chance of him winning the GOP nomination?

 

[halik]

Did I wake up in 2008? Pretty sure we went over that topic and saw the answer...

 

[LegendKiller]

As a libertarian, I actually kind of like the guy (except for some social policy issues).

However, in the past, Ron Paul has had no chance of winning, both in 1988 when he ran as a Libertarian and in 2008 when he ran for the GOP.

However, some straw polls (and him) say he has a chance this time... against Obama, he's actually marked as the best mashup. Still too early, obviously, but in this day and age and this economy, is there any chance of him winning the GOP nomination?

Any online poll needs to be taken with a grain of salt. They are all manipulated by RPBs.

He has no chance.

 

[JimW1949]

Everyone who is eligible has a chance to win, even you. The odds might be several trillion to one, but everyone has a chance.

 

[masteryoda34]

He has a great chance at influencing the debate and public policy this election cycle, and that is what is more important.

 

[PokerGuy]

He has a great chance at influencing the debate and public policy this election cycle, and that is what is more important.

This. He can't win, that's just not happening. By being part of the debates and one of the candidates, he can drive certain issues into the spotlight and have an impact that way, but he's not going to win anything.

 

[dainthomas]

As a libertarian, I actually kind of like the guy (except for some social policy issues).

However, in the past, Ron Paul has had no chance of winning, both in 1988 when he ran as a Libertarian and in 2008 when he ran for the GOP.

However, some straw polls (and him) say he has a chance this time... against Obama, he's actually marked as the best mashup. Still too early, obviously, but in this day and age and this economy, is there any chance of him winning the GOP nomination?

lolwut?

Social policy issues are the only reason TO like him.

 

[halik]

Solved:
http://intrade.com/v4/markets/contract/?contractId=743483

 

[Schadenfroh]

No, neither does that attention whore Sarah Palin, Trump (who likely doing it for the lulz and as a publicity stunt) or the guy that runs Godfather Pizza.

You will get Romney and he will lose to Obama, unless gas is $5 a gallon and the economy is double-dipping the month before the election.

 

[PokerGuy]

No, neither does Sarah Palin or the guy that runs Godfather Pizza.

You will get Romney.

It's beginning to look like it, and Romney doesn't have a chance. I'd rather have Trump than Romney, at least Trump is entertaining.

 

[TechBoyJK]

As long as Gary Johnson is running too, I don't think Paul can win. Johnson is similarly liberal but has a resume that just blows Paul's out of the water. RP would be a good VP for Johnson though, and that's a ticket I'd like to see. I don't think either will win, and I think they realize this, and will be using their attempt as a way to bring issues into the spotlight.

 

[brandonb]

Does he have a chance?

No.

Do I want him to win?

Yes.

RP is a danger to the corrupted elite, and part of that corruption is the MSM, so they will use every chance they can get to convince the masses that he is not presidential material.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

LOL... no, no he doesn't.

 

[soundforbjt]

NO. Neither does Johnson. The religious right & Neocons would never allow it.

 

[Atreus21]

I don't see why he doesn't. His biggest challenge is going to be the nomination. If he gets that, I'd give him even odds of beating Obama.

I mean, the only reason he has a chance at all is because he's the only Republican of any substance.

I think this will be his best chance so far.

 

[soundforbjt]

^^^ He'll never get the nomination, see my earlier post,

 

[TechBoyJK]

NO. Neither does Johnson. The religious right & Neocons would never allow it.

I agree. Johnson is almost too logical and his cost/analysis approach might be TOO fiscally responsible for some people who are Dependant on handouts from failing systems.

The best thing they can do is push topics out in the open, such as Pot Legalization. Johnson proudly admits he smoked marijuana, illegally, while in office.

 

[fskimospy]

I don't see why he doesn't. His biggest challenge is going to be the nomination. If he gets that, I'd give him even odds of beating Obama.

I mean, the only reason he has a chance at all is because he's the only Republican of any substance.

I think this will be his best chance so far.

No, he has zero chance of beating Obama. You might not realize it from internet forums, but his policies are spectacularly unpopular with Americans as a whole.

He wants to basically end the war on drugs. I agree with this, but it's political suicide.
He doesn't believe in evolution. (lolwut)
He wants to abolish Medicare. (instant political death)
He wants to abolish Social Security. (instant political death)
He wants to return to the gold standard or something similar. (maybe not instant political death, but a horrible idea)
etc, etc.

He mixes a few good ideas with a whole load of completely insane and unworkable ones. He's free to hold these because he never has to worry about actually being elected and so we don't have to worry about suffering the consequences of his awful policies. If he were actually in a position where he might hold real power, he would moderate and abandon the unwavering stance that people admire him so much for. (either that, or just be a completely ineffective president)

 

[Jaskalas]

The GOP will nominate a Fascist Neocon LONG before they stick to actual conservatism. For this reason Ron Paul has no chance with Republicans. It would serve conservatism well if we split the vote and destroyed the Republican Party for its betrayal.

You need to sacrifice the immediate battle with the Democrats and Obama to secure your future and win the war. If you do not stand for your principles, then no one will. It's now or never.

 

[wuliheron]

I'd say I have a better chance of winning the lottery then Ron Paul becoming president. Just a wild guestimate, but I prefer to be conservative about my guesses.

 

[xj0hnx]

I don't think even Paul thinks he's going to win the nomination, or election, but rather views it as stage to get his views out there, and get people to think beyond left/right on many issues that wouldn't otherwise be brought up.

 

[Atreus21]

No, he has zero chance of beating Obama. You might not realize it from internet forums, but his policies are spectacularly unpopular with Americans as a whole.

He wants to basically end the war on drugs. I agree with this, but it's political suicide.

Then I'd say he's good because he's likely to act on his convictions.

He doesn't believe in evolution. (lolwut)

That's a problem, yes.

He wants to abolish Medicare. (instant political death)

If that's true, I just don't think he'd walk into the Oval Office and sign an executive order saying Medicare is hereby abolished. I think he recognizes that it's a money pit that need to be deeply reformed.

He wants to abolish Social Security. (instant political death)

Same as above.

He wants to return to the gold standard or something similar. (maybe not instant political death, but a horrible idea)

I'm not sufficiently educated on this issue.

He mixes a few good ideas with a whole load of completely insane and unworkable ones. He's free to hold these because he never has to worry about actually being elected and so we don't have to worry about suffering the consequences of his awful policies. If he were actually in a position where he might hold real power, he would moderate and abandon the unwavering stance that people admire him so much for. (either that, or just be a completely ineffective president)

Speaking for myself, that's a chance I'd be willing to afford him.

I know I'll be labeled another Paulbot, but seriously, he's the only guy on the entire GOP list who actually seems principled. Everyone else is just a bunch of suits.

 

[Jaskalas]

I don't think even Paul thinks he's going to win the nomination, or election, but rather views it as stage to get his views out there, and get people to think beyond left/right on many issues that wouldn't otherwise be brought up.

It would help if those views were held by a younger and more charismatic person more skilled a public speaking. His arguments are sound, though not conveyed very well.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Then I'd say he's good because he's likely to act on his convictions.



That's a problem, yes.



If that's true, I just don't think he'd walk into the Oval Office and sign an executive order saying Medicare is hereby abolished. I think he recognizes that it's a money pit that need to be deeply reformed.



Same as above.



I'm not sufficiently educated on this issue.



Speaking for myself, that's a chance I'd be willing to afford him.

I know I'll be labeled another Paulbot, but seriously, he's the only guy on the entire GOP list who actually seems principled. Everyone else is just a bunch of suits.

\Look at Johnson, he's hardly just a suit.

 

[Vadatajs]

Yes. In the fevered imagination of teabaggers.