Why did Rand Paul forsake his dad Ron Paul for Mitt Romney?

[ProSense]

Why did Rand Paul forsake his dad Ron Paul for Mitt Romney?

Sen. Ran Paul endorsed Mitt Romney for president this week, even though his father Ron Paul has not formally dropped out of the race. Publicly backing Romney at this point – though it’s left many libertarians steaming – could help him in the long run.

By Brad Knickerbocker, Staff writer

Why did Rand Paul forsake his dad Ron Paul for Mitt Romney?

Well, perhaps “forsake” is too strong a word. We’re not talking about political patricide here, nothing remotely Oedipal. They’re both still on the libertarian fringe of the Republican Party, like-minded on the issues their brand of conservatism cares about.

But Rand Paul, the freshman US Senator from Kentucky, did endorse presumptive GOP presidential nominee Romney over his father, the US Congressman (and party gadfly) from Texas. And it’s caused quite a stir within the Libertarian Party, which laments the younger Paul’s “betrayal” of his father’s principles.

“No true libertarian, no true friend of liberty, and no true blue Tea Partier could possibly even consider, much less actually endorse or approve of, the Father of Obamacare, Big Government tax and spender, Republican Mitt Romney,” the Libertarian Party exclaimed on its website Friday.

What really gripes Libertarians is that when he ran for the US Senate, “many of his fund-raising appeals were sent to the donors and supporters of his father…. designed to convince Ron’s supporters that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. That Rand was, like his legendary father, a steadfast champion of liberty.”

- more -

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2012/0609/Why-did-Rand-Paul-forsake-his-dad-Ron-Paul-for-Mitt-Romney

So does this mean that Ron Paul isn't going to line up behind Romney?

[LAGC]

1. Rand is a total sell-out.

He campaigned on libertarian ideals but has become part of the authoritarian Republican machine.

I hope Ron Paul disowns him, or at least doesn't invite him over for any more family dinners.

[Dawson Leery]

2. Rand is a "Christian" theocrat.

[LAGC]

3. That too.

I can't believe so many libertarians bought into his bullshit.

I'm still hoping Ron Paul goes third-party and causes a Great Schism in the ranks...

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. No hope of that

Larry Johnson IS the Libertarian candidate... and Ron needs to protect Rand... I keep pointing this out and people keep missing it. Ron is building a movement, and for all our sakes let's hope Rand does not HAVE IT, the charisma that is.

[dadchef]

12. You think he's a sell-out? Au contraire mon ami..

I believe, Rand Paul, as well as his venerated Papa, has been and always will be a staunch conservative in Wolves clothing..

Daddy Paul is viewed as a rebel with a cause, who has a message that crosses all geopolitical divides. Most importantly, he has support among the most hard core fundie, as well as the most left wing progressives. However, almost no one really hates his overall policies, with some moderation, end the war on drugs, legalize recreational drugs as a matter of restoring individual freedoms, end military intervention, bring home our troops. etc..

The majority will never accept him as a president, nor would anyone adopt his radicalism in total, however, within everyone's dark soul, they see a grain of sanity in his approach in his overall vision. Most would like to have his fervent defiance of the status quo to have a greater influence in the upper levels of power..

His name recognition, and favorability in certain usually low turn out voter groups, is unquestioned, and that has both sides of the political spectrum titillated. The problem is that very few political strategist would like to adopt him as is..

I believe the RoMoney strategist are thinking they may have a trick up their sleeve. Trust the dumb-down voters won't see the difference between the first names (RON, RAND), to know the difference, and those that do, will either love or hate him as a VP, but not enough to sway their votes. We, who follow this shit, think everyone knows more than they do, most don't EVER listen to, or read anything about politics until they say something that they hear through second hand rumors, and knee-jerk vote at the last moment.

How will that help, or even better who can that hurt? I believe we will loose the legalize pot crowd, and the anti war groups, both mostly young voters, which are unmotivated this election cycle. They were crucial in 2008, and a slight shift in 2012 can make the difference..

The Fundies, who already have an ANYONE BUT OBAMA mindset, do vote in great numbers, will know that in reality, VP's are not too influential in elections unless they inspire a small select regions or segments of the populations. Unfortunately too many on our side have short term memories, and can be single issue voters and are just as likely to just say fuck it..

We could see a ROMNEY-PAUL ticket, which will require a major need to match their gamesmanship to counter act this strategy, and I can visualize a OBAMA-CLINTON rebuff..

Or am I full of shit, both are possible..

[chollybocker]

4. Daddy Ron has been trying to "officially" drop out

for months now, but his tards won't let him. They're now probably preparing to hold an alternate convention, on the moon if they have to.

Rand is just trying to help Daddy Ron fend off a few of the more moderate tards (sic).

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. The author of course realizes that Ron Paul suspended the campaign

on the last week of May, right? And that suspending a campaign essentially means we ar out... right?

[SoutherDem]

7. Now is the time for all good Republican to fall in line with the nominee

He wants a political future. Who know maybe a cabinet post, VP or even a 2016 run. Don't make enemies hanging on to his cult leading father.

[lob1]

8. I don't believe Ron Paul took any shots at Mitt, while everyone else did.

Paul's followers wanted him to cut Mitt to pieces, but he wouldn't do it.

[pnwest]

9. Veepstakes?

[Honeycombe8]

10. Rand Paul is a Republican, at least in name, isn't he? As he said, the primary is over...

Mitt has won the nomination, so he is supporting the winner of the nomination.

[HopeHoops]

11. The article seems to assume that Rand Paul has something, what's it called, oh yeah - "ethics".

[UglyGreed]

13. Rmoney and Ron Paul are good friends

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/us/politics/mitt-romney-and-ron-paul-friendly-amid-the-rivalry.html?pagewanted=all


When Mr. Paul’s campaign jet broke down last year in Wolfeboro, N.H., Mr. Romney’s wife, Ann, offered to let Mr. Paul, an aide and one of his granddaughters stay the night at their summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee. When Mr. Romney arrived later, he offered his jet to take them home to Texas. Mr. Paul, not wanting to impose, was grateful but declined both offers.

In a Republican presidential contest known for its angry rivalries, the Romney-Paul relationship stands out for its behind-the-scenes civility. It is a friendship that, by Mr. Paul’s telling, Mr. Romney has worked to cultivate. The question is whether it is also one that could pay dividends for Mr. Romney as he faces yet more setbacks in his struggle to capture the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination.

Ideological similarities among supporters of Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich suggest that if Mr. Gingrich dropped out, many of his backers would coalesce behind Mr. Santorum. But as Mr. Paul steadily collects delegates, one thing that remains to be seen is whether his affinity — at least on a personal level — for Mr. Romney could help the former Massachusetts governor as the fight drags on.

Mr. Paul, a 76-year-old congressman from Texas, sees his three Republican rivals as more or less the same politically. He can be tough on Mr. Romney, whom he describes as a flip-flopper with a dubious political core.

“He’s been all over the place on some of this stuff,” Mr. Paul said in a recent interview near his Texas home. But he seems to segregate those views from his personal feelings for Mr. Romney, whom he sees as a steady, dignified personality whose devotion to wife and family reflect his own values.

“I talk to Romney more than the rest on a friendly basis,” Mr. Paul said. ”I throw Romney’s name out because he’s made a bigger attempt to do it. The others are sort of just real flat.”

{snip}

The relationship between the two men is rooted partly in the fact that they are veterans of the 2008 nominating fight. And that has translated into growing bonds between their families after dozens of debates, primaries and caucuses.

The candidates’ spouses, Ann Romney and Carol Paul, “know each other better than any of the other wives,” Mr. Paul said. He and Mr. Romney talk “all the time” and “we’ve met all their kids.” Once he telephoned Mr. Romney just as Mr. Romney was calling him. “Sometimes I’m never sure who issued a call,” he said.




Ron Paul has always sucked up to the super rich, just look at his longtime friendship with Charles Koch as one example......

[LiberalFighter]

14. Because Romney promised Rand magic underwear.

[former9thward]

15. The writer of this OP does not know election financing law.

No one has dropped out. All of the candidates except Romney have "suspended" their campaigns. They do this so their campaign funds can continue to get federal matching funds. Ron Paul is as out of it as Newt and all the rest of them. So his son finally supported Romney. So what.

[RZM]

16. What a non-story

The primary contest is over. It's time for Republicans to get on the bandwagon. Anybody who doesn't will find themselves out in the cold in the future.

[Lawlbringer]

17. I posted this on FB and laughed saying that the Pauls were politicians

and were not paragons of virtue. Not surprising that Rand would switch camps, especially for personal gain.


And a Paultard ACTUALLY


ACTUALLY REPLIED SAYING THAT HE THINKS IT'S BECAUSE RAND'S LIFE WAS THREATENED!


I am still stupefied by that reply. I'm still completely baffled at this level of human stupidity. I mean, if he was threatened, wouldn't Papa Ron have definitely dropped out, instead of saying it in an ambiguous way?

[jwirr]

18. He bowed down to the powers that be in the gop so they will stay on his side when he needs them.

[politicasista]

19. So he would not have to go through TSA screening

[Puregonzo1188]

20. Ron endorsed a third party candidate (Chuck Baldwin) in the last Presidential election.

Not that I like either man, but at least he stuck to his guns.

Rand, on the other hand, wants a future in the GOP.