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  1. Ron Paul: Wisdom Plus Cold Hard Cash

    February 2, 2008 by Jeff

    Here’s a wonderfully true and succinct Ron Paul quote for your reading enjoyment:

    The Constitution was written for one specific purpose and that was to restrain government, not to restrain the people.

    I join the LA Times in mock astonishment at the fact Dr. Paul again led all Republicans in 4th quarter fundraising.

    News shocker: Ron Paul was biggest GOP fundraiser last quarter

    Well, it’s official, ladies and gentlemen. Believe it or not, Rep. Ron Paul, the 72-year-old Texan who hardly ever gets mentioned in Republican political news and the one-time libertarian who always gets the least time on TV debates if he isn’t barred completely, was, in fact, the most successful Republican fundraiser in the last three months of 2007.

    By a Texas mile.

    By the thousands, Paul’s fervent followers donated $19.95 million to the “Ron Paul Revolution.” He spent $17.75 million, and at year’s end, had $7.8 million cash on hand, making him the only Republican candidate to increase his fundraising totals in every quarter of 2007. According to his website, Paul’s Paulunteers have contributed another $4.1 million this month to…

    fuel the strict constitutionalist’s travels and advertising campaign.

    Compare that impressive financial success with, say, ex-candidate Rudy Giuliani, who raised only $14.4 million from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 and spent $18.2 million.

    Or the departed Fred Thompson, who collected $8.9 million and spent $13.9 million.

    Or even the newly-minted Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain, who raked in only $9.9 million, spent $10.5 million and had only $2.9 million cash in hand. Of course, McCain’s string of primary victories in January will have boosted his financial fortunes. Everybody loves a winner.

    Mitt Romney actually raised only $9.2 million from other people last quarter, less than half of Paul’s haul. However, the former Massachusetts governor — and if he keeps spending at this rate, the quite possibly former multimillionaire — gave himself $18 million more of his own money last fall for a total of $27.2 million and $2.4 million cash on hand.

    Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who’s had trouble raising money, issued an unusual statement Thursday night. “My presidential campaign,” he said, “has defied the odds and will continue to do so, as we head into the Super Tuesday primaries, proving the power of message over money and mechanics.”

    The statement did not include any Huckabee figures for the fourth quarter. Which suggests that the winner of the Republican caucuses in Iowa didn’t have a very good fourth quarter.

    So a certain suspicious blogger, led by the experienced hand of The Times’ campaign finance expert Dan Morain, went to the website of the Federal Election Commission and looked up Huckabee’s fourth-quarter report. It seems he raised about $6.7 million, a third of Paul’s sum, while spending $7.08 million, leaving him on New Year’s Eve with cash on hand of only $651,300.68. No wonder he didn’t mention numbers in the news release.

    Now, this month Huckabee will have received some donations after his Jan. 3 Iowa win. But it does raise serious questions about how long the Arkansan can continue to compete after Feb. 5 or even how much he can do before other than get on as many free radio and TV shows as possible.

    Paul, who’s done well in some symbolic straw polls and little-noticed state caucuses until his best showing so far as a second-place finisher to Romney in the Nevada caucuses, has repeatedly disavowed a third-party effort if his bid to be the Republican nominee in St. Paul next summer falls short.

    His determined followers maintain that a news media conspiracy is holding down Paul’s success at the polls, although obviously word has gotten out to somebody for him to raise such sums. Paul’s outspoken stands, including withdrawal from Iraq and drastic downsizing of the federal government, run counter to each of his GOP competitors.

    As for Paul’s campaign, his loyal troops plan another “money bomb,” a big fundraising day, today in honor of Ron and Carol Paul’s 51st wedding anniversary. One of the obvious gifts: the undisputed GOP fundraising championship for the last three months of 2007.

    –Andrew Malcolm

    Here’s another Paul related blog post by Mr. Malcolm if you are interested.

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  2. Looks Like Plenty…

    January 25, 2008 by Jeff

    …of TN FredHeads took me up on my invitation to join The Revolution now that Thompson is out of the race.

    Come On Over!

    Welcome to the club!

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  3. For Those Who Were Pulling for Fred Thompson…

    January 23, 2008 by Jeff

    Let me invite you to the Ron Paul Revolution. Huckabee doesn’t cut it. The rest of the field are a collection of liberals in conservative clothing. I realize Ron Paul’s position the Iraq war isn’t what some of us wish it was. However, if you are looking for a conservative and you compare Dr. Paul against the rest of the field, you’ll realize he’s the best remaining candidate.

    For further reading click here.

    As a refresher, allow me to show you some of his positions.

    On Abortion:

    The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideals of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle. In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, HR 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of HR 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored HR 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken direct action to restore protection for the unborn. As an OB/GYN doctor, I’ve delivered over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Many of you may have read my book, Challenge To Liberty, which champions the idea that there cannot be liberty in a society unless the rights of all innocents are protected. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.

    On Immigration and Border Control:

    The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. This is my six point plan:

  4. Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
  5. Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
  6. No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
  7. No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
  8. End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.

    9. On Privacy and Personal Liberty:

    The biggest threat to your privacy is the government. We must drastically limit the ability of government to collect and store data regarding citizens’ personal matters. We must stop the move toward a national ID card system. All states are preparing to issue new driver’s licenses embedded with “standard identifier” data — a national ID. A national ID with new tracking technologies means we’re heading into an Orwellian world of no privacy. I voted against the Real ID Act in March of 2005. To date, the privacy focus has been on identity theft. It was Congress that created this danger by mandating use of the standard identifier (currently your SSN) in the private sector. For example, banks use SSNs as customer account identifiers because the government requires it. We must also protect medical privacy. Right now, you’re vulnerable. Under so-called “medical privacy protection” rules, insurance companies and other entities have access to your personal medical information. Financial privacy? Right now depositing $10,000 or more in cash in your local bank account will generate a federally-mandated report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at the United States Department of the Treasury. And then there’s the so-called Patriot Act. As originally proposed, it:

  9. Expanded the federal government’s ability to use wiretaps without judicial oversight
  10. Allowed nationwide search warrants non-specific to any given location, nor subject to any local judicial oversight
  11. Made it far easier for the government to monitor private internet usage;
  12. Authorized “sneak and peek” warrants enabling federal authorities to search a person’s home, office, or personal property without that person’s knowledge
  13. Required libraries and bookstores to turn over records of books read by their patrons.

    14. I have fought this fight for many years. I sponsored a bill to overturn the Patriot Act and have won some victories, but today the threat to your liberty and privacy is very real. We need leadership at the top that will prevent Washington from centralizing power and private data about our lives.

    On Public and Private Education:

    My commitment to ensuring home schooling remains a practical alternative for American families is unmatched by any Presidential candidate. Returning control of education to parents is the centerpiece of my education agenda. As President I will advance tax credits through the Family Education Freedom Act, which reduces taxes to make it easier for parents to home school by allowing them to devote more of their own funds to their children’s education. I am committed to guaranteeing parity for home school diplomas and advancing equal scholarship consideration for students entering college from a home school environment. We must have permanency in the Department of Defense Home School Tier 1 Pilot Program, providing recruitment status parity for home school graduates. I will use my authority to prevent the Department of Education from regulating home school activities. I will veto any legislation that creates national standards or national testing for homes school parents or students. I also believe that, as long as No Child Left Behind remains law, it must include the protections for home schoolers included in sec. 9506 (enshrining home schoolers’ rights) and 9527 (guaranteeing no national curriculum). Federal monies must never be used to undermine the rights of homeschooling parents. I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to encourage a culture of educational freedom throughout the nation.

    Paul is not the perfect candidate. I’m not sure one exists. In fact, I disagree with Paul on the Iraq war. Having said that, the absence of a perfect candidate does not mean there isn’t a candidate that wouldn’t be a wonderful boon to the people of the United States. As I said, Ron Paul definitely isn’t the perfect candidate but he is the best.

    Category Politics | Tags: | 16 Comments

  14. Ron Paul: Townhall Video and Statement of Faith

    January 6, 2008 by Jeff

    As you probably know, Fox News foolishly left Dr. Paul off of it’s Presidential Forum lineup. Never fear, there is still opportunity to hear from Dr. Paul’s campaign. Today in New Hampshire Dr. Paul hosted a town hall meeting where he had ample opportunity to field and answer questions about his positions. It’s a great watch. Some excerpts from Houston Chronicle.com:

    The Lake Jackson Republican congressman faced a range of questions from the audience of about 100 people in the public access television station several miles from where four other presidential contenders were to later participate in the Fox debate.

    Paul responded to one participant who asked why he should chose the libertarian-leaning Texan over more mainstream GOP contenders such as Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee, saying he had been more consistent in his views than his rivals.

    “They are seen as flip-floppers,” Paul said. “People look at my record and say he’s a stick-to-his guns guy.”

    One voter noted that Paul was running hard-hitting ads that pledged a crackdown on illegal immigration. He suggested that the campaign promise would entail a beefed up federal bureaucracy and would be inconsistent with Paul’s philosophy of reduced government.

    Paul said his plan would not mean more federal employees, but rather would bring home border guards now serving in Iraq.

    Asked about his views on the Arab Israeli conflict, Paul suggested that he had been unfairly portrayed as anti-Semitic because he opposed U.S. aid to Israel. The congressman said he would also block foreign aid to Arab countries, which would be to Israel’s benefit.

    …

    At times Paul took a professorial approach, lecturing the crowd on the history of monetary policy and his view that abandoning the gold standard was a critical mistake.

    Watch the video here.

    One other item I wanted to pass along. The regional coordinator of the Ron Paul campaign emailed one of Dr. Paul’s writings today which deals with his faith. I found it to be of interest and thought I’d pass it along.

    Statement of Faith By Rep. Ron Paul, MD.
    The Covenant News ~ July 21, 2007

    We live in times of great uncertainty when men of faith must stand up for our values and our traditions lest they be washed away in a sea of fear and relativism. As you likely know, I am running for President of the United States, and I am asking for your support.

    I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.

    I have worked tirelessly to defend and restore those rights for all Americans, born and unborn alike. The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideal of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.

    In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, H.R. 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of H.R. 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored H.R. 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken and will continue to advocate direct action to restore protection for the unborn.

    Ron Paul 2008 - Hope for America

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  15. Huckabee: The Democrats’ Favorite Republican Candidate?

    December 19, 2007 by Jeff

    Interesting Thoughts from the American Thinker blog:

    According to a long New York Times interview with Zev Chafets, Huck wrote in one of his books that “He considers liberalism to be a cancer on Christianity.” So why is the liberal press suddenly talking up his candidacy? It’s obviously not because they want him in the White House.

    …

    In fact, in September it was Bill Clinton himself who talked up Huckabee’s chances to the media. According to the New York Times, Clinton told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News that Huckabee was the only Republican ‘‘dark horse that’s got any kind of chance.” Bill Clinton and Stepanopoulos have a long relationship, remember? And now the media are just falling all over themselves, trying to make Huckabee famous as fast as possible.

    …

    What Bill Clinton, ABC, the New York Times and the Waposeem to think is that in the end, Huck can only help the Left. Americans don’t vote for preachers for president. We have too many different creeds to build a voting majority on just one denomination.

    In the presidential election Hillary would easily beat Huckabee, but she would have a much harder time against Fred, Rudy, McCain or Mitt. The Democrats and media might be talking up Huck’s chances of knocking Mitt out of the race by appealing to religious … differences. Then Hillary would only face Fred or Rudy or McCain.

    Well, it is curious how well received the Huckster is by the liberal press…

    (HT: The Pearcey Report)

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  16. Ron Paul on Mitt Romney’s Faith Speech

    December 6, 2007 by Jeff

    Dr. Ron Paul on Mitt Romney’s Speech:

    “We live in times of great uncertainty when men of faith must stand up for American values and traditions before they are washed away in a sea of fear and relativism. I have never been one who is particularly comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena, and I find the pandering that typically occurs in the election season to be distasteful.

    Our nation was founded to be a place where religion is freely practiced and differences are tolerated and respected. I come to my faith through Jesus Christ and have accepted him as my personal savior. At the same time, I have worked tirelessly to defend and restore individual rights and religious freedom for all Americans.

    The recent attacks and insinuations, both direct and subtle, that Gov. Romney may be less fit to serve as president of our United States because of his faith fly in the face of everything America stands for. Gov. Romney should be judged fairly, on his record and his character, not on the church he attends.”

    I agree with Andrew Sullivan: “Classy as usual.”

    Category Politics | Tags: | 1 Comment

  17. Ron Paul, NAFTA Superhighways, and the North American Union

    December 5, 2007 by Jeff

    Funny how Dr. Paul is called a “quack” for talking about these issues publically yet CNN and their talking heads can report on this issue over and over and remain a respected news agency.

    What is that old saying about where there is smoke?

    Anyway, even if one grants that Dr. Paul is off on this issue he’s amongst a group of Republican candidates even more off kilter. You’ve got pro-abortion, big government candidates. You’ve got candidates that want to dictate to the citizenry which firearms they can and cannot own and who led the effort in their states to legislatively force everyone to have health care. You’ve also got a guy who can’t decide where he stands on taxes…should they go up, should they go down?

    I’ll tell you this. In that cesspool I’ll take Dr. Paul being wrong on NAFTA/NAU over all those problems. Those other candidates are truly wacko. And they fact they can run as conservatives while holding those views is even moreso.

    Category Politics | Tags: | 6 Comments

  18. The 11/28 CNN Presidential Debate

    November 29, 2007 by Jeff

    I don’t know if you watched last night’s debate or not but if you didn’t, I truly think you missed out on some great television. The debate was beyond feisty and revealed a republican party at least saying the right things in regards to smaller government, less taxation, less gun control, and more border security.

    I thought that – more than anyone else – Mike Huckabee showed the strongest. His easy sense of humor, (the “having your butt kicked means you are out in front” line, the offer to help Rudy answer questions about the Bible) compassion, (although I disagree with him, his line about “America is better than that” in regards to deporting children of illegal immigrants sounded…well…pastoral) and clear headed (did you hear his answer about his belief in the Bible? He didn’t stray from an affirmation of it’s authority but kept his answer’s emphasis in the realm of common grace – the area in which believers and non believers have common access) was impressive even to someone who doesn’t think he cuts it as a candidate. Maybe I should amend that to say he doesn’t cut it as a substitute for Ron Paul. Behind Paul, I think Huckabee – for all his government-can-solve-the-problem positions – looks like a wonderful 2nd choice candidate. 1 would be Paul, 2 would be Huckabee, and a distant 3 is Fred Thompson in this blogger’s hierarchy of candidate viability.

    I’ve got to bring this up though: last night one of the questions put before the candidates was which three government programs would they cut if elected to office. One of the largest cheers last night was for Mike Huckabee, conducted immediately following his assertion that he would do away with the IRS.

    Kudos to Huckabee.

    But you know where he got that, right?

    You guessed it: Ron Paul!

    Let the Ron Paul Echo Syndrome continue…the Republican party has needed to embrace his leadership for some time now.

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  19. Why Mike Huckabee Doesn’t Cut It

    November 24, 2007 by Jeff

    Jonah Goldberg, Kansas City Star:

    What’s troubling about The Man From Hope 2.0 is what he represents. Huckabee represents compassionate conservatism on steroids. A devout social conservative on issues such as abortion, school prayer, homosexuality and evolution, Huckabee’s a populist on economics, a fad-follower on the environment and an all-around do-gooder who believes that the biblical obligation to do “good works” extends to using government — and your tax dollars — to bring us closer to the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

    For example, Huckabee would support a nationwide ban on public smoking. Why? Because he’s on a health kick, thinks smoking is bad and believes the government should do the right thing.

    And therein lies the chief difference between [Ron] Paul and Huckabee. One is a culturally conservative libertarian. The other is a right-wing progressive.

    Huckabee represents the latest attempt to make conservatism more popular. Contrary to the conventional belief that Republicans need to drop their opposition to abortion, gay marriage and the like in order to be popular, Huckabee understands that the unpopular stuff is the economic libertarianism: free trade and smaller government.

    That’s why we’re seeing a rise in economic populism on the right married to a culturally conservative populism.

    God bless Mike Huckabee. As a fellow believer I wish him all of God’s grace. As a political candidate, however, I hope he looses to Ron Paul. Huckabee has the right priorities but he wants the federal government to be the problem solver and that is a fatal flaw. The State is no savior and more government is not the answer to the problems our country faces.

    As one bumper sticker says, “Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.”

    Vote Ron Paul

    Smiley

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  20. Ron Paul Sets One Day Fundraising Record

    November 7, 2007 by Jeff

    From the Houston Chronicle:

    Maverick GOP presidential contender Ron Paul of Lake Jackson continued his fundraising juggernaut, raking in $4.3 million in one day over the Internet.

    The 24-hour fundraising drive on Monday brought Paul’s contributions to $7.3 million so far for the final quarter of this year, eclipsing the $5.4 million he raised in the third quarter.

    Paul received 38,000 donations during the drive…

    Paul now holds the record among Republican White House candidates for fundraising on a single day, according to the Associated Press…

    Woot!

    Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

    Category Politics | Tags: | 1 Comment

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