Ron Paul gets turn in spotlight at U.S. debate

[UpInArms]

Source: Reuters

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - It was showtime at the Republican presidential debate on Tuesday, and the big surprise was the man in the spotlight -- Ron Paul, the longest of longshots.

Paul, a nine-term congressman from Texas and the Libertarian Party candidate for the White House in 1988, stood out in a field of 10 Republican presidential candidates by standing up to front-runner Rudolph Giuliani in a spat over the September 11 attacks.

<snip>

But Paul, who frequently strays far outside the Republican mainstream, would not back down.

He said the Central Intelligence Agency was right to teach about "blow-back" and the United States cannot "do what we want around the world" without inciting hatred and a response.

Paul voted against defense spending bills and the 2002 authorization for war in Iraq. As a libertarian, Paul believes in limited government. He has proposed a diminishment in the power of the Federal Reserve, and called in the debate for abolishing the Homeland Security Department.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN154715...

[Imperialism Inc.]

1. In a way it would be nice if he got the GOP nom.

At least then even the worst case scenario, a GOP win, would not be half as bad as it could be.

[Sherman A1]

2. The man does have some points

that I can agree with. Not everything, but at least he is raising some hell on their side about things that are important.

[unlawflcombatnt]

14. Ron Paul: Friend of the American Worker

He's certainly a friend of the American worker, with his record of voting against free trade agreements 100% of the time. He's even been a co-sponsor of bills to withdraw from the WTO.

[Robson]

3. Ron Paul offers a breath of fresh air to Republicans - will they breathe it?

Ron Paul is seen as a threat to the status quo of the GOP much as Dennis Kucinich is seen in the Democratic Party. What I heard him say makes a lot of sense. We were attacked on 9-11, not because we have freedom or because of our media. We were attacked because of our foreign policy and because we stick our noses in countries all over the world at the behest of corporate interests even if it is against the will of their people such as in Iran in 1953.

Ron Paul running is the only chance that the Republicans have in retaining the White House in 2008.

[Ghost Dog]

4. He's a "loose cannon" all right.

(SMW missing so far today, btw)...

[donco]

5. The next time you’re in heated debate with a freeper,

and there on a roll, calling you the party of Dennis Kucinich, just grin and point out that Dennis was debating with the Republicans not the Dems.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. The only GOP candidate that's based in reality. I wish we could get him over to the Democrats side

of the aisle.

[AnneD]

13. You never will....

he votes for what he thinks is right-not to a philosophy. He is as independent as they come. He always had my vote when he represented us years ago.

[debbierlus]

7. I am glad he is there - he shines a light

On the obvious -

Which the Republicans would need a trillion watt bulb to see....

[go west young man]

8. Pauls on the money. The shit is so obvious a blind man could see

it yet all of America is still in the dark. The U.S. is pushing for their Iraq appointed congress to pass the oil law right now. Forgt stable democracy. Pass the oil law! U.S. foreign policy has hurt the U.S. and killed so many innocent people it's pathetic. Kucinich for Prez.

[OHdem10]

9. GOP will treat Paul the same as any who oppose the war

The other candidates being interviewed today condemn him.
Huckabee implied Paul should look for another political party.

What is new?? If you are not with us you're against us.
Further proof of intolerance and exclusivity of GOP.

GOP seem to believe that anyone who says our country just
might do something that others do not like belong to
the group they call America Haters.

It will not surprise me to see them try to exclude Paul
from future debates.

[guitar man]

10. good

It's about time some truth was told in a forum where the right wing might actually get to hear it.

In truth, I wish more libertarians would come over to our side. I might disagree witht them on fiscal issues, but I agree 100% with them on personal freedom and civil liberties issues.

I have always wanted to someday live in an America where the government agrees to stay the hell out of people's personal lives, bedrooms and business and instead works to come to some point of moderation on fiscal and infrastructure.

Maybe someday.

[Robson]

11. Many Dems have far more in common with libertarians than neo-cons

Democratic Party has always had a libertarian side. It's the corporate owned neo-cons that should really worry us as that is where the damage to this country continues to be done. I'm not overly impressed with the policies of the DLC either. Corporate power in this country must be reined in and that includes media de-consolidation. In all honesty, Paul as President coupled with a strong Democratic Congress wouldn't be a real bad thing for America based upon what I read. Any candidate that questions institutions and the status quo can't be all bad.

[guitar man]

12. you're spot on there

Before '04, I was an independent, never registered with a party until I joined the Dems in opposition to the Bu$h regime. I have always had a libertarian view on the social side, but more moderate on the fiscal side, probably due to punching a time clock more than most of my libertarian friends have. It's always puzzled them as to how I am pro-union and pro-labor. "Go hit a time clock at a plant for a while and you might understand" is what I've always told them.

Anyway, I think we are going to see a lot of libertarians "defecting" from the Repig side and looking for a home. I think it would be good to welcome them on board. Oh, and my libertarian buddy here at work wants to add that he thinks Boortz is an asshat and no more of a libertarian than Falwell was.

Most libertarians I know do not like Boortz at all.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. protecting the constitution, privacy, economy

are both Democratic and Liberterian ideas and ideals.

It is the elephant in the room that has screwed things up.

[Dollface]

16. Michigan GOP leader wants Paul barred from future debates

Michigan GOP leader wants Paul barred from future debates
5/16/2007, 7:07 p.m. ET
By JIM DAVENPORT
The Associated Press


COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The chairman of the Michigan Republican Party said Wednesday that he will try to bar Ron Paul from future GOP presidential debates because of remarks the Texas congressman made that suggested the Sept. 11 attacks were the fault of U.S. foreign policy.

Michigan party chairman Saul Anuzis said he will circulate a petition among Republican National Committee members to ban Paul from more debates. At a GOP candidates' debate Tuesday night, Paul drew attacks from all sides, most forcefully from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, when he linked the terror attacks to U.S. bombings.

"Have you ever read about the reasons they attacked us? They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years," Paul said.

Anuzis called the comments "off the wall and out of whack."

"I think he would have felt much more comfortable on the stage with the Democrats in what he said last night. And I think that he is a distraction in the Republican primary and he does not represent the base and he does not represent the party," Anuzis said during an RNC state leadership meeting.

"Given what he said last night it was just so off the wall and out of whack that I think it was more detrimental than helpful."

Anuzis said his petition would go to debate sponsors and broadcasters to discourage inviting Paul.

Jesse Benton, Paul's campaign spokesman, said the candidate "is supporting the traditional GOP foreign policy. I think it's a shame when people try to silence the traditional conservative Republican standpoint."

After the debate Tuesday, Paul said he didn't' expect his remarks to end his campaign.

"The last time I got a message out about my position on the war it boosted us up by tens of thousands and I didn't change my position," Paul said. "I think the American people are sick and tired of this war and want it ended."

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base...