General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWould you like to see Ron Paul run as an independent candidate?
Let me make this perfectly clear: my desire to see Ron Paul run as an independent is NOT an endorsement of him, or even a way of saying that he's not that bad.
The man is a certifiable freak show. His followers are an even bigger freak show - ever try to talk to any of them? Anything that can split the rethug vote in November is good for us.
There are a few reasons why I'm worried about a straight up 2-man election between Obama and Romney:
1. Typical anti-incumbent sentiment
2. Progressives who feel that somehow Obama has let them down, and therefore may not vote
3. Romney is the most "polished" rethug candidate since George Bush Sr
Although Wall Street and "mainstream" rethugs will be 100% behind Romney, there are still a large number of conservatives who simply cannot stand the guy. I've heard several state that they absolutely will not vote for him in November. Fine. Give them another option - Paul. Let him become this year's Ross Perot. Remember, Perot had a sizable following, but did not make a dent in the electoral vote - and neither would Paul.
In summary, Ron Paul would make a useful tool, a constant thorn in Romney's side.
Vincardog
(20,234 posts)MilesColtrane
(18,678 posts)Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Hugabear
(10,340 posts)The only difference between Ron Paul supporters and Mitt Romney supporters is that the Ron Paul supporters aren't afraid to say what they really feel and think.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)but the typical Republicon is repulsed by Ron Paul. In a blue state, he looks like a 'safe' vote when you really want to send Barack Obama a message, without voting for the real Rethug. If that state is a little more purple than the voter thinks, and there are not a substantial number of fundies voting for the inevitable religious nutjob that will certainly emerge if Mittens is the nominee, then it might hurt us in some swing states.
I still think that a Ron Paul third party run is worse for them than for us, but I reserve the right to change my mind as things develop between now and November.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And it might be substantial...still, I think it benefits the Dems if he does.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)He is building a movement so baby Paul can run in 2016. He will fall in line right behind Mittens as soon as he is through playing.
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)mrmpa
(4,033 posts)I view any 3rd party candidate as a threat to the Democratic party. It would be like Nader in 2000. There are many young people (usually voting democrat), who seem to like Paul. I think any 3rd party candidate would pull away from the democrats. IMHO.
FSogol
(45,526 posts)The "Evangelical Party" could siphon a lot of votes off of Romney and the GOP.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)and will make for a much more interesting campaign season. Paul will bring issues to the debate that might not otherwise be there.
Avalux
(35,015 posts)As for the reasons why you're worried....I don't see any of those coming into play during this election. I am relishing the chance for Obama to school Romney in the debates; Romney has been 'trained' for years but when it comes down to thinking on his feet and giving a candid answer, he can't do it. One of those feet usually ends up in his mouth.
Paul has a devoted and ernest following, but I don't think he'd impact the race as Perot did.
Hugabear
(10,340 posts)For all of Perot's popularity, he did not get a single electoral vote. However, he did help draw votes away from Bush. I don't really remember if those votes would have been enough to help Bush win.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)What a system we have here.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)He did get a fairly large percent of the vote. Whether or not enough of those votes would have gone to Bush if Perot had not run is a matter of debate.
undeterred
(34,658 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)... the crazy guy would be a huge plus for Obama. It would blow any chance of a Repub winning in 2012. How it might tilt some Congressional races, due to the higher than average Nutball turnout, is less certain.
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)He'd split the vote on the right, probably take the lunatic anti-government kooks that normally vote GOP and ensure Obama's re-election.
napoleon_in_rags
(3,991 posts)Ron Paul's independent run is going to happen right after Obama drops Biden and chooses Hillary for VP...AKA it isn't. He's got a slowly growing movement, that he's just a little too old for continue to lead after this. He's going to keep it sane for his predecessor, which he would like to be Rand but who knows.
PETRUS
(3,678 posts)There are establishment types with money behind Americans Elect. The GOP is a mess. The people are restless. These factors are likely to work in Obama's favor, but who knows?
bowens43
(16,064 posts)catbyte
(34,450 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)Please, just do it.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)RandomKoolzip
(18,536 posts)Owlet
(1,248 posts)nasty, insensitive bigoted little twit
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)And I'd sure like to stop hearing about his "cool" ideas here on DU. That'd be great!
Rex
(65,616 posts)nt
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)and that could hurt President Obama.
mdmc
(29,072 posts)That would be so cool!
ibtl = no third party talk.
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)With his dipshit spawn right behind him.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)over a very, very short pier. In a shark infested, picturesque bay.
Capitalocracy
(4,307 posts)I think at the end of the day, he's pretty faithful to his party... one of the reasons I don't trust him on the anti-war stuff. Presidents have to compromise, after all, and all the pressure on Ron Paul will be to compromise on that stuff; his desire to dismantle government regulations and useful government programs will be quite popular among the powerful.
NorthCarolina
(11,197 posts)I think it would be quite interesting, particularly with regard to our endless wars, our propensity for 'nation building', campaign financing, NDAA, trade agreements, and the Patriot Act just to name a few.
Agony
(2,605 posts)I would like President Obama to win reelection on the strength of his progressive positions, not bullshit corrupt politics.
donheld
(21,311 posts)ecstatic
(32,731 posts)both sides. There are so called leftists who don't mind Paul's racism, bigotry, and other right wing tendencies.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)He also wants his son to be politically viable in the future, and a 3rd party run would destroy that.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)I'm no Nader fan, but there is no question that he's far more intelligent than Paul. Ron Paul is an idiot.
JI7
(89,264 posts)hahha, i don't consider people like tthat to be progressive.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)I might actively campaign for Ron Paul (not on DU, but in the real world; it'd be a dirty secret, mawh).
It would assure an Obama landslide if Ron Paul ran as a third party.