Paul supporters wonder: What happened to our votes?

A flurry of emails is circulating among Ron Paul supporters wondering what happened to the Ron Paul votes during the GOP presidential role call last night. Five Paul votes announced from Alaska (Gov. Sarah Palin's home state) were greeted with boos from the convention floor. But some 18-25 Paul votes went unacknowledged, including six Paul votes from Minnesota.
Some reports say that Pawlenty made no attempt to announce the Paul votes, but Steven Rogers, one of the Minnesota delegates who voted for Paul, said he "thought he saw" Pawlenty announce the Paul votes. Rogers confirmed that the Paul votes were not announced from the podium.
September 05, 2008 Permalink

SECRET SERVICE CONFISCATES RON PAUL DELEGATES MATERIALS

DELEGATES VOTES FOR RON PAUL NOT CALLED OUT LOUD OR SHOWN ON THE SCREENS.
*"We just had a group shot of all the RP delegates and alternates, the secret service came and started searching everyone and took anything RP related. We got it on video though..."*
Today at the Republican National Convention, as the Ron Paul Delegates were taking a picture in front of the model White House inside the Convention Center, they were surrounded by Secret Service which proceeded to search the bags of all the delegates. They took everything related to Ron Paul including signs, buttons, videos, slim jims, cards, even books. "This is an obvious and outrageous violation of our first amendment rights" said Nathan Hanson, attorney and Delegate from MN.
September 05, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul breaks with convention - Guardian, UK

Snubbed by the Republican convention, Ron Paul set up his own, The Rally for the Republic, the London Guardian reports. Interview.

September 05, 2008 Permalink

McCain wins Bay State Ron Paul backers

What were these delegates thinking supporting a Neocon?
In a last-minute show of unity, Bay State Ron Paul supporters decided to throw their votes behind Sen. John McCain last night.
About a dozen Massachusetts supporters of the Texas Congressman and GOP upstart decided to back McCain only an hour before the delegates began to cast votes for the presidential pick.
“We decided the best course of action was to give a little to get a lot,” said Chris Blanc, a Cambridge resident who supports Paul. “The Massachusetts GOP really wanted to show unanimous support.”
September 05, 2008 Permalink

The Revolution Continues: United We Stand

Over three days, the Paul supporters, who are about a third of the delegation, have been talking about not only helping defeat Barrack Obama in November, but continuing to build the party from the inside after the election. They plan to run for local and state office (some already are), they plan to run for vacant seats on the Republican State Committee and rebuild there Republican Town Committees.
September 05, 2008 Permalink

Oklahoma's Ron Paul supporters upset by roll call; said they won't sit with delegation tonight

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Ron Paul supporters in Oklahoman’s Republican National Convention delegation remain disappointed today because no one heard the U.S. House member from Texas receive two of Oklahoma’s votes.
The microphone was cut off Wednesday night before U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, could announce the Oklahoma delegation’s vote.
September 05, 2008 Permalink

The Real News Network Interviews Ron Paul.

Paul Jay interviews Ron Paul from the "Rally for the Republic"

September 05, 2008 Permalink

The Revolution Won't Be Televised

When asked why this particular message is so popular, Brian exclaimed, “ (Ron) Paul is concerned with his constituents, the people. Other candidates are concerned with their constituents as well, except their constituents are corporations and lobbyists. (Paul) actually votes for conservative issues, while McCain just flip-flopped on water boarding. I plan on fighting for this message everyday of my life… teaching my children this message, after all, freedom is popular.”
September 05, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul's no-count convention roll-call

"Ron Paul received from Alaska, 5 votes; Oregon, 4; Washington, 4; West Virginia, 2. Total, 15. NONE OF THESE were even announced from the podium by the secretaries.
"Mitt Romney received, from Utah, 2 votes. THESE were announced.
"In the final total, it was announced that Romney had 2 votes and Paul had ... 5 votes. That is, preceding the inevitable Stalinist vote to make it falsely 'unanimous.'
"Nothing that really surprised me, but they couldn't even bow to the forms."
September 05, 2008 Permalink

Maverick Republican steals McCain's thunder

Texas Congressman Ron Paul may not be the next US President. But the firey Republican, who failed to win the party's nomination this year, is still hugely popular with grass-roots supporters. He staged a rally in Minneapolis as an alternative to John McCain's Republican Convention in nearby St Paul, stealing much of the limelight from the party's official presidential candidate.
September 05, 2008 Permalink

Come Home, America

If you’re not moved by Bill Kauffman, author of Ain’t My America: The Long, Noble History of Antiwar Conservatism and Middle American Anti-Imperialism, then check your vital signs. One great line among many, in reference to the other GOP candidates this year: “It was almost as if he were from another time and place — which, in a sense, he was. Ron Paul is from 1776, and they’re from 1984.” Here’s Kauffman at the Rally:
September 05, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul at the Rally for the Republic

September 04, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul pledges to continue Internet-organized 'Revolution'

One thing Paul didn't say, but could have added, is that neither his candidacy nor this week's rally would have been possible if the Internet had not existed. His support among Republicans only infrequently ventured into the double digits, but the courtly obstetrician developed a towering presence--and, just as important, an impressive fund-raising base--online.

Paul warned that, barring a significant political upheaval, the nation was venturing down a dangerous path. "The future of the Republic is bleak," he said. "As conditions deteriorate, those in charge use the problems they created to solidify their power with more spending, taxes, rules, inflation, and militarism. This must be reversed."
September 04, 2008 Permalink

Paul: End U.S. Wars and Ramp up Trade and Domestic Energy Production

You've been one of the few Republican candidates who opposed both the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan. You've also been critical of both Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and McCain on those fronts. How should the United States proceed?
If I had my say, we'd come home. We would announce it quickly and safely, just say, "We're coming home. The Iraqis will determine what kind of government they want." And we would bring our troops home from Afghanistan. It's foolhardy to be doing what brought the Soviets to their knees. Because you can't win those wars over there. There's no way. If you can't win the war, then you have to win the hearts and minds of the people. And you can't do that either.
September 04, 2008 Permalink

Local supporters of Paul remain steadfast and fervent

For six hours, Terhune’s colleagues made their case. Two days passed without a ruling. The Terhunes passed time at the Mall of America, the zoo, the State Fair. Last week the panel issued a strongly worded rebuke to the state party for its “ineptness” in the selection of delegates.

But the final decision gave Paul people a few seats among nearly three dozen Nevada would have at the convention.
Most called it a compromise.
Not the dentist.
“We forced them to choose right versus wrong and they chose wrong.”
September 04, 2008 Permalink

Behind the scenes at the Ron Paul rally: Tuckered out

Carlson didn't want to be associated with some of the ideas presented, though. Standing offstage as one speaker, John Birch Society president John F. McManus, railed against illegal immigrants who enjoy "freebies" in this country, Carlson said, "He's the guy I didn't introduce." Did Carlson refuse to introduce McManus? "I didn't say that," he said. "I just said it wasn't me."
September 04, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul's Bowling Green Son Sounds Off on Minneapolis Rally

Speaking at his Bowling Green office, opthamologist Dr. Rand Paul says nationwide support for his father is still going strong.
"His people are organized because they believe in a long term goal," he explains. "That long term goal is they believe in limited government." Rand says his father's hope is that by continuing these rallies, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John Mccain will take note of his positions and his supporters.
"In foreign policy, they both want to keep troops permanently in Iraq," says Rand. "Obama says he wants to end the war, but he's not really for removing the bases. We're now going to have permanent bases in Iraq, which is one of the key things that fuels the Jihadist movement. They don't like our bases in their countries."
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul on Fox News 09/03/08

September 03, 2008 Permalink

Tx. Congressman Ron Paul Leads Counter RNC Rally

Right before Paul gave his speech, all RNC delegates were asked to gather in the back of the auditorium. A speaker announced the RNC was going to nominate John McCain as President without a vote. Delegates were told they were going to be bused back to the Convention to stop it from happening. It was a false rumor. Delegates in St. Paul weren't making any changes to their schedule due to the Ron Paul rally.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Libertarian counter-convention attracts 10,000

"Most of America doesn't really understand the issues the way Ron Paul supporters do, so a lot of them think we're nuts, or just extreme," said Drew Delavera, a young former Republican from Florida. "But if they took the time to read the constitution, they'd see we're not so nutty. They'd see we're just going back to the basics." To drive home the point, supporters at the rally handed out copies of the Bill of Rights; some wore costumes of the American revolutionary era.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Thousands rally at Ron Paul convention

Paul blasted the government for what he considered overstepping its boundaries in many areas, including foreign policy, education and taxation.
The crowd applauded feverishly when Paul said the country should do away with the Federal Reserve System.
He also pointed out that "not one single taxpayer's cent" was spent on the day-long rally.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

LI Leadership Training

A while back, we mentioned one of the Leadership Institute’s grassroots training schools. On September 13, they will be holding another in Overland Park, KS.
The $25 cost includes course materials and source book. These schools have gotten great reviews in the past, so check it out if you have the opportunity, and let’s keep increasing our knowledge of the political system and how to effectively reach our local areas.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul's 'counter-convention'

During the presidential campaign Paul was often excluded from forums and debates and even mocked by fellow Republican candidates. According to Paul this disrespectful treatment continues.

"If you don't bow and pay homage to the nominee, then you're not a Republican," he said.
Paul said he was barred from much of the Republican National Convention.
"I can come to the floor but I have to use a special door, I can't bring my staff, I must be chaperoned by an RNC staffer at all times and I am required to leave my credentials with the RNC," he said.
While the RNC denied that Paul has been singled out for special treatment Jesse Benton, a Campaign for Liberty spokesmen, confirmed that Paul's floor privileges were limited.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul on Glenn Beck 09/03/08

September 03, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul throws Republican rally of his own

Paul's opposition to the Iraq war and call to abolish the Federal Reserve place him sharply at odds with McCain and many other party figures. He is not scheduled to speak at the Republican convention and was initially blocked from even attending, he said.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Dr. Paul’s Speech - Rally for the Republic

The future of the Republic is bleak. As conditions deteriorate those in charge use the problems they created to solidify their power with more spending, taxes, rules, inflation, and militarism. This must be reversed or tyranny will triumph and the grand experiment of the American Republic will end.
During the past two years, a lot of us have been excited to find so many other like-minded individuals who have been just waiting to join an organized effort to challenge the corrupt power structure that is controlling our country. Not only that, but tens of thousands of young people have excitedly joined the effort after realizing that what they’re getting handed to them is not a system of opportunity, but a broken system plagued with a debt that they’ll be expected to pay.
No one knows the exact number of people involved, but it’s huge and growing.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

St. Paul police lockdown as RNC gears up

But not all Republican activists attended the convention. Ten thousand supporters of Republican Ron Paul attended his counter convention in Minneapolis.
Paul, who has a Libertarian type ideology, was not invited to the Republican convention. To his passionate supporters, he pledged his allegiance to the constitution. Ron Paul says his convention is the start of his movement, the campaign for liberty.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Paul says he hopes supporters lose apathy

"I did not want to run people's lives, I did not want to run the economy and I did not want to run the world. I didn't have the authority to do it, and I didn't have the Constitution behind me to do it," said Paul, a House member for more than three decades.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Thousands gather for Ron Paul rally in Minneapolis

Libertarian-leaning Ron Paul told thousands of supporters at a protest convention Tuesday that true patriots support "liberty and the people," not what the government wants.
Paul, who sought the Republican presidential nomination this year, was the highlight of the Rally for the Republic promoting Paul's political views about limited government.
"Today they want you to believe a patriot supports what government wants," Paul said. "A true patriot supports liberty and the people."
Throughout the speech, Paul demonstrated why he earned the nickname "Dr. No" for all the 'no' votes he has cast in Congress. He called for an end to income taxes, the draft and the crowd favorite, the Federal Reserve.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

The Calamity of Bush's Conservatism

Sometimes people say that Americans are cynical about politics. Looking at the way the Bush administration has used and abused its power for the last eight years, is it really surprising?
You would have to be sedated not to be cynical.
It should be clear why the Ron Paul movement took the country by storm. It represents something different, something hopeful. Some commentators talk about how the Paulians have a dark view of American society. Actually, the opposite is true. That people worked so hard to save this country from the regular politicians speaks very highly of their outlook.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Winning over Ron Paul on John McCain's to-do list

Paul might go along with providing the McCain forces entree to his allies (at which point we imagine the aides to the almost-official Republican presidential nominee still will face a daunting task). But Paul himself seemed to douse any possibility that he'll be sharing a podium anytime soon with McCain and offering himself as a backer.
Appearing on C-SPAN today, before hosting a large gathering of his devotees near the site of the GOP convention, Paul noted that his entire political career has been devoted to three core principles: limited government, a balanced budget and a "sensible" foreign policy.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul is no "disgruntled loser."

Texas Congressman and grassroots phenom Ron Paul told reporters this morning he is not likely to attend the Republican National Convention taking place this week at St. Paul's Xcel Center. Blaming the RNC Rules Committee for granting him only limited access to the convention floor, Paul said he would prefer to stay away from those who would try to "chaperone" his visit to the convention.
September 03, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul CNN American Morning 09/02/2008

Ron Paul talks about his "counter-convention" on CNN.

September 02, 2008 Permalink

RNC Downtime a Boon for Paul Rally

Ron Paul's shadow rally in Minneapolis' Target Center on Tuesday, Sept. 2 will go on despite the RNC scale-down of its events this week.
With a whole lot of media out there with nothing to do now, interest in the Ron Paul event has risen. Paul's press spokesman, Jesse Benton, tells me that they will not cancel and have received an additional 50-60 new requests for press credentials since the Republicans announced their truncated schedule yesterday.
We'll be there tomorrow as well to bring you the highlights of the rally including Tucker Carlson, Bruce Fein, former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura and Ron Paul himself.
September 02, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul books a star turn when the GOP backs off

"Are you kidding? Ron Paul has done so much for this country. What I've done is something so little compared to what he's done," said Tony Sotelo, 32, a postal worker from Ventura, Calif., who drove three days with his older brother Sean Sotelo to hit what's being called the "Ron Paul convention."
Paul's "Rally for the Republic" directly competes with the Republican National Convention and has benefited from its truncated schedule.
The Paul convention ignored the storm and pressed on with the book-signing and a Sunday night delegate welcome reception. A Monday night Ron Paul Nation Celebration was expected to draw a few thousand, including hundreds of GOP convention delegates with more time on their hands than they expected.
September 02, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic Sold Out

Ron Paul’s Rally for the Republic, a three-day event culminating in a rally on September 2 in at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sold out. Over 10,000 tickets have been sold for $17.76 each. In response to the heavy demand for seats, The Campaign for Liberty has opened up two side sections and will give these final seats away for free on site at Target Center. The schedule for tomorrow is as follows:
September 02, 2008 Permalink

Target Center Sells Out for Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic

Everyone knew it was going to happen. As the GOP high-tails it out of Minnesota using the excuse that they need to be sensitive to the people of New Orleans over a supposed repeat of Katrina, the Ron Paul movement continues to make waves of their own. The Target Center seats 18,000 people.
September 02, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul in Minneapolis 31 August 2008 Update

Update on the Pre Rally Happenings in Minneapolis

September 02, 2008 Permalink

A Great Day, and a Greater One to Come

My wife and I started the day at Dr. Paul’s book signing, where we met lots and lots of great folks. A thousand people were there. (Naturally, our GPS kept trying to get us there by using a road that’s closed because of the collapsed bridge.) Here’s an article about it from the St. Petersburg Times.
The Ron Paul Nation Celebration tonight was just a blast. Aimee Allen’s tribute song to Ron Paul was the high point of a great night — that song is going to blow the roof off the Target Center. I have never been prouder of any association than I am of my connection to Ron Paul and the movement that supports him. Just wait until the Rally for the Republic!
September 02, 2008 Permalink

John McCain and Sarah Palin fear Rally for the Republic - they use Hurricane Gustav to “Save Face” from Ron Paul

Why is John McCain teetering away from the Republican National Convention? What is he afraid of? Is he worried that the Rally for the Republic will draw more support? Is he fearful that the delegates would not actually vote for him?
Hurricane Gustav is not near as strong as Hurricane Katrina. The impacts on the economy will be felt, but, will it be as disastrous as Katrina? And, why should John McCain have any role in the proceedings for that community? Is he using Hurricane Gustav as a slight of hand to American voters?
September 02, 2008 Permalink

McCain in talks with Ron Paul for backing

ST. PAUL, Minn. | The McCain campaign, acting through the Republican National Committee, has been negotiating with Rep. Ron Paul to win his support and acquire the names of his sympathizers among the 4,607 delegates and alternates at the Republican National Convention, according to a senior aide to the Texas congressman.
The aim is to try to win support for the John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket from Paul sympathizers, some of whom formally committed to Mr. Paul during his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and others of whom are closet sympathizers of his libertarian brand of Republicanism.
September 02, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic Challenges McCain, Imperial Republicans

There's a bold new look to the Republican Convention in Minnesota and it's not the former Miss Alaska aspirant Gov. Susan Palin, McCain's surprise choice for vice president.
The Rally for the Republic will celebrate the candidacy of Ron Paul (R-TX) for president and the broader movement of Republicans fed up with the degradation of governance and the nation under the Bush-Cheney regime. This is a significant event given Paul's performance in the presidential primaries.
September 02, 2008 Permalink

Tuesday, Sept. 2, if you are not coming to Minneapolis to join the over 10,000 screaming supporters witness Ron Paul’s legendary moment, then we have a job for you.
We are dubbing the day of the Rally for the Republic “Take over the net Tuesday”. It is our chance to send a reminder to the mainstream media that a Revolution is brewing in this country, whether you want to cover it or not.
The Campaign for Liberty website will host a live webstream of the entire Rally for the Republic. You can watch it all live right here - www.CampaignforLiberty.com.
September 01, 2008 Permalink

In Government We Trust? Part 1

Many who agree with me on a lot of other issues, do not understand my enthusiasm for gold and sound money or why I spend so much time studying and talking about monetary policy. It's true that I talk about money differently than most, but the fact is sound money offers many benefits. For example – peace.
Can sound money really bring about peace? Actually, it plays a big part in peaceful international relationships. Money based on commodities, rather than paper, is not subject to government manipulation, and is a key component to free and honest trade. History shows that if countries engage in trade with each other, their governments tend to find ways to get along for the same reason you do not kill your customers at your place of business, even if they occasionally annoy you.
September 01, 2008 Permalink

Rally for the Republic to Continue as Planned

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Rally schedule in light of the RNC’s plans to suspend activities on Monday.
Well, we’re moving forward as planned. Too many people have traveled too far and worked too hard to stop now.
Dr. Paul is a great guy, but he knows his limitations - and even he can’t control the weather :) Our thoughts and prayers will be with our fellow Americans in Louisiana and East Texas, but there is nothing important that bureaucrats and elected officials can do in this type of emergency - other than get in the way.
September 01, 2008 Permalink

Ron Paul is coming to Target Center Tuesday

Shunned out of the upcoming GOP convention because he refused to endorse Sen. John McCain, Ron Paul took matters into his own hands, and with the support of thousands of young people and other concerned Americans, has prepared for this “counter convention” timed to coincide with the Republican National Convention, Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul. Paul’s message differs from both parties’ forerunning candidates. Paul speaks for limited government, a noninterventionist foreign policy, sound U.S. currency, closing our southern border, the right to keep and bear arms, promotes U.S. sovereignty over the U.N., bringing business and industry back to America, and restoring our Constitution and the rule of law once again in this nation, among other such necessary steps — before it’s too late for America.
September 01, 2008 Permalink