Ron Paul to hold his own convention
Ron Paul has decided that since the Republican party won’t give him the light of day, he’s going to hold his own little party in St. Paul coinciding with the Republican National Convention. The idea would be to showcase that there are Republicans sick of the GOP and it’s straying away from small government (which is doubtlessly true) and that these people would rather see someone like Ron Paul in the White House (which is highly unlikely).
With 35 pledges delegates he’s actually done better that some of the “mainstream” candidates like Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson. He has not been invited to speak at the convention because of his refusal to endorse McCain. Personally I think it would have been much more entertaining to see him and his legion of worshippers supporters try to storm the gates of the convention center, but they seem to have decided to go a more sedate route.
The article quotes a political scientist saying that this alternative convention is bad for McCain:
Paul’s plan to stage his own event is bad news for McCain, said G. Terry Madonna, a political scientist at Franklin & Marshall College.
“Conventions are about demonstrating unity and purpose and showcasing the nominee. They are media events made for prime-time TV. Any distraction from the central message of the convention is not helpful,” Madonna said.
I’m very far from being a political scientist, but this doesn’t ring very true to me. Oh certainly the media will cover the alternative convention, if only because Ron Paul’s supporters tend to be….colorful. The media loves that. I suspect they will cover the Ron Paul convention with a decidedly “and now for the side-show” air. For the last several elections conventions are simply very long informercials and I doubt how much importance the average voter gives them. I expect your average voter will see 20 minutes of coverage maximum and they will get the following information: “blah blah blah, Republicans are great blah blah blah, we are brave and fighters, blah blah blah, McCain is a hero, blah blah blah, Democrats are latte sipping weenies blah blah blah some crazy people were saying something on the same day as the convention blah blah blah, what’s for dinner?”
Ron Paul supporters are also throwing another huge money bomb on July 4th. This time it’s not for Ron Paul but instead for over 15 candidates who are running on the "Ron Paul Platform". The event is being organized by the same people who raised millions on November 5th and December 16th.
http://www.FreedomSlate08.com
I too am going to hold my own convention. I’m willing to settle for a post less lofty than President. An appointment as Tourism Evaluation Agent for the Caribbean (with the requisite bottomless expense account, full diplomatic immunity, and a blank presidential pardon) would be lovely.
And just to show the incoming administration (whomever that may be) that I really do have the support, I am asking all those who want me to get the post on those terms to gather in Ray James Stadium in Tampa FL on February 1st, 2009 to help make my case for me. Cheering and noisy demonstration is permitted.
Unfortunately it took segregationist Governor Wallace to reveal the truth that “there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between” Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats willingly went along with the War in Iraq, suspension of Habeas Corpus, detaining protesters, banning books like “America Deceived’ from Amazon, stealing private lands (Kelo decision), warrant-less wiretapping and refusing to investigate 9/11 properly. They are both guilty of treason.
Support Dr. Ron Paul and save this great nation.
Last link (before Google Books bends to gov’t Will and drops the title):
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-38523-0