Ron Paul on the Libertarian Ticket?

[Labrocca]

Ron Paul has obvious connectitions to the Libertarian Party.

In the 1988 presidential election, despite no previous affiliation with the Libertarian Party, Paul won the nomination of the United States Libertarian Party for the U.S. Presidency. He placed third in the popular vote (with 431,750 votes - 0.47%), behind George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis.[13] Although he had been an early supporter of Ronald Reagan, Paul was critical of the unprecedented deficits incurred by Reagan's administration, for which his opponent George H.W. Bush had been vice-president.[12]

The more I read up on Ron Paul the more I really like the guy. If the Republican Party doesn't back RP do you believe he will run again under the Libertarian ticket? I believe strongly he may be a serious 3rd party contender. I could be dreaming but the days of campaign financing is changing. Fred Thompson has it right...use the internet. Even Dems are aware of that.

I think RP could on a Libertarian ticket get up to 20% of the vote...possibly. I don't believe people want to vote in the status quo. At least that's what I hope. We need to shake up Washington.

[NortheastCynic]

I think he's stated that if he loses [when, let's be realistic] the Republican Primary he will not run as an independent. That said, every Ron Paul supporter I know, myself included, would write him in.

-NC

[micfranklin]

Paul is one of the few politicians in recent times I seriously like and I'd like for him to win the election.

On second thought, if he loses then he can get back to his libertarian (like me) roots.

[NortheastCynic]

I would really like to see him as part of an Administration, if the Republicans win. I think he would be a great Secretary of Commerce, for example.

-NC

[PatrickHenry]

I think he wants to be seen as a new type of Republican. I don't think he would return to the LP with it's attendant petty squabbles and its less-than-stellar voter support.

I wonder if US Republicans (the voters) are ready for a new(old) type of candidate. He's a lot like Goldwater was in his views on reducing Federal intrusiveness and spending.

Do Republicans really like all this spending by the Feds?

[Labrocca]

Do Republicans really like all this spending by the Feds?

Only speaking for myself...no I don't like it.

[PatrickHenry]

Do Republicans really like all this spending by the Feds?

Only speaking for myself...no I don't like it.

It seems the GOP politician class in Washington has no problem with it though, huh?

[firefox]

No kidding. Neocons are socialists, after all ;). Back to the point, though, this is an interesting question, especially if RP somehow gets past the first set of primaries by some miracle. If he got the RNC nomination, I think the LP convention would have to make a serious decision about whether to run a candidate for president for this cycle or not.

[preservanation]

Do Republicans really like all this spending by the Feds?

Only speaking for myself...no I don't like it.

Dead set against it. One of the numerous reasons the Republicans have been losing support and popularity over the years.

[AlonzoMourning23]

Ron Paul has obvious connectitions to the Libertarian Party.

In the 1988 presidential election, despite no previous affiliation with the Libertarian Party, Paul won the nomination of the United States Libertarian Party for the U.S. Presidency. He placed third in the popular vote (with 431,750 votes - 0.47%), behind George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis.[13] Although he had been an early supporter of Ronald Reagan, Paul was critical of the unprecedented deficits incurred by Reagan's administration, for which his opponent George H.W. Bush had been vice-president.[12]

The more I read up on Ron Paul the more I really like the guy. If the Republican Party doesn't back RP do you believe he will run again under the Libertarian ticket? I believe strongly he may be a serious 3rd party contender. I could be dreaming but the days of campaign financing is changing. Fred Thompson has it right...use the internet. Even Dems are aware of that.

I think RP could on a Libertarian ticket get up to 20% of the vote...possibly. I don't believe people want to vote in the status quo. At least that's what I hope. We need to shake up Washington.


I can almost guarantee he won't win the republican primary. I also don't think the libertarians, or paul himself, could get even close to 20%. I don't think they are capable now, and while they may someday reach that point, I don't think their views would ever have enough appeal to seriously challenge for the presidency. But ya know what? That would be a dream scenario. They could become like the ndp in canada, except in a good way. The NDP is a far left group which robs votes away from the liberals, without which people like Stephen Harper would have never become Prime Minister. Except, in the u.s., they likely wouldn't even get their people into the legislature like the NDP can. They'd simply exist as a way to siphon off republican votes. Sure they'd take some democratic votes as well, bot not nearly as many.

Where can I send my check to the libertarian party? If they do as you predict all that's left is the question: Would you like Hillary or Obama as President?

[Labrocca]

I think though that this is a different age. You no longer need the same media support you required years ago. Fred Thompson has it right...bloggers, youtube, and forums like this can be a tremendous help in a campaign. It's cheaper and the big benefit is you don't have to spend nearly the amount of time begging for donations to run a campaign.

I think it's very possible a third party candidate that has a savvy crew on the internet could get 20% of the vote.

[1Samuel8]

I think he wants to be seen as a new type of Republican.That is a very important point and I think Ron Paul is smart for running in the Republican Party. He has more chances of be heard and seen by the entire public and, if elected, more chances of making a real difference.

I have a problem with the "Libertarian Party" in the sense that they are just minarchist Republicans in a concrete sense. All they do is split the vote. Strategically, libertarians who want to reduce government intrusiveness should stick with the Republican Party and create a renewal. Ron Paul is smart.



Having said that, I believe a true libertarian does not run for government office. However, I understand fighting fire with fire.

[Dr. Debate]

Ron Paul definately has the Libertarian ticket. One poll of only registered Libertarians showed over 50% of them voting for Paul. If the Libertarians don't obtain a major candidate (likely) and Ron Paul wins the Republican Nomination (unlikely), then he's got the Libertarian vote.