GD's Political Animal

OpEdNews - Article: Occupy Movement and Libertarians, Tea Partiers Find Common Cause in Fight Against NDAA

2012-02-13T18:26:00.000-08:00

OpEdNews - Article: Occupy Movement and Libertarians, Tea Partiers Find Common Cause in Fight Against NDAA - John Iacovelli:

February 12, 2012: "A coalition of three Southern Oregon Occupy Movements is joining forces with a local libertarian/Tea Party goup called Wake Up America Southern Oregon for a Monday February 13th protest in Medford against the National Defense Authorization Act. This is one of the first cooperative efforts between such groups. A statement noted that the joint action will 'show that united we can begin to stand up to the problems which face us as a nation and a people."

Read more: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Occupy-Movement-and-Libert-by-John-Iacovelli-120212-711.html
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Libertarian presidential candidates preach more freedom, less government in Orlando debate - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

2012-02-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

Libertarian presidential debate: Libertarian presidential candidates preach more freedom, less government in Orlando debate - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com - Stephen Hudak:

February 11, 2012 - "With little fanfare Saturday in Orlando, six candidates vying to be the presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party — a growing third party advocating 'more freedom, less government' — championed ideas that would make most politicians quake.

"Legalize drugs. Abolish the tax system. Slash the defense budget. Overhaul Medicaid....

"Gary Johnson, the former two-term governor of New Mexico and former Republican presidential candidate ... is the Libertarian Party's front-runner. 'I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think there was a possibility of actually winning. Maybe that just sounds crazy to everybody sitting here,' Johnson said....

"'Naturally someone who already has a certain amount of media appeal is going to be appealing to the delegates,' said Lee Wrights, 53, a lifelong member of the Libertarian Party and a rival presidential candidate who has made ending 'all war' a key plank of his platform. 'Gary Johnson is doing a good thing. But we still need to be Libertarians, stay on message, stay on point.…'

"The other candidates included Leroy Saunders, 42, a chauffeur in Georgia ... Bill Still, 64, an author and filmmaker; Carl Person, 75, a New York attorney who previously ran for Attorney General in New York; and R.J. Harris, 39, a native American from Oklahoma and a career Army National Guard officer."

Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-libertarian-presidential-debate-orlando-20120211,0,7339460.story
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Ron Paul Iowa Chairman to Head Iowa Republican Party - ABC News

2012-02-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul Iowa Chairman to Head Iowa Republican Party - ABC News:

"Ron Paul’s Iowa co -chairman A.J. Spiker is the new chairman of the Iowa Republican Party.

"The position had been vacated with the resignation of Matt Strawn.

"Spiker, a former Story County GOP chairman and the 4th Congressional District state central committee member, was elected to fill the remainder of Strawn’s term, which expires in January 2013."

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/ron-paul-iowa-chairman-to-head-iowa-republican-party/
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Mitt Romney wins Maine caucuses with narrow victory over Ron Paul | World news | guardian.co.uk

2012-02-11T17:38:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney wins Maine caucuses with narrow victory over Ron Paul | World news | guardian.co.uk - Ewan MacAskill:

February 12, 2012 - "Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has got his campaign back on track by winning the Maine caucuses, holding off a strong challenge from the outsider, Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

"Although Romney will be relieved to have chalked up a victory after losing three contests in mid-week, he saw a huge 31% majority from the 2008 Republican nominating race shrink to just 3%....

"With 95% of the votes counted – some caucuses had to be delayed by snow – Romney took 39%, 2,190 votes, to Paul's 36% with 1,996 votes. Santorum took 18% and Gingrich 6%. Neither Santorum or Gingrich campaigned in Maine.

"Romney won Maine by a large margin in 2008, with 52% of the vote, with Paul coming third on 18% behind the eventual Republican nominee John McCain on 21%. There are 24 delegates at stake in Maine."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/12/mitt-romney-maine-caucuses-victory?newsfeed=true
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Libertarian Presidential Candidate Makes Pitch to Florida Voters | NBC 6 Miami

2012-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Libertarian Presidential Candidate Makes Pitch to Florida Voters | NBC 6 Miami - Edward. B. Colby:

February 8, 2012 - "Gary Johnson ... promises to submit a balanced budget to Congress his first year in office. The Libertarian Party candidate views runaway deficits as 'the single greatest threat to our national security,' and says that he would end bloated stimulus programs and earmarks, do 'responsible entitlement reform,' and repeal the signature healthcare policies of the past two presidents....

"In December, after getting miniscule support and media attention in the Republican primary race, he left the GOP and launched his Libertarian campaign.

"He is the best-known candidate in the lengthy Libertarian field; the party will choose its nominee at its national convention in Las Vegas in May."

Read more: http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/elections/Former-New-Mexico-Governor-on-Florida-Campaign-Swing-Focuses-on-Balanced-Budget-138975479.html
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Libertarian Strategy Monthly » Libertarian Economist Endorses Wrights

2012-02-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Libertarian Strategy Monthly » Libertarian Economist Endorses Wrights- Jake Porter:

February 9, 2012 - "According to a press release issued by the Lee Wrights 2012 Presidential campaign, Ken Schoolland, a long-term board member of the International Society for Individual Liberty and associate professor at Hawaii Pacific University, has endorsed Lee Wrights and has also joined the campaign as economic advisor.

"Schoolland is ... the author of the animated video “The Philosophy of Liberty” popular on the Internet. He wrote ... “The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A FreeMarket Odyssey,” which has been translated into more than 40 languages.

Schoolland, who was Hawaii Libertarian Party chair for five years ... issued this statement:

"'I like Ron Paul. I like Gary Johnson.... But liking someone isn’t a reason to vote for them. When I became a member of the Libertarian Party back in 1976 I signed a non-aggression pledge. I take that pledge very seriously....

"'I simply don’t vote for anyone who compromises on that principle.... I applaud Ron Paul and Gary Johnson for promoting the libertarian program, but if people don’t grasp the underlying principle, then gains will turn to losses in an instant of mob passion. No compromise with principle....'"

Read more: http://libertarianstrategymonthly.com/2012/02/09/libertarian-economist-endorses-wrights/
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Ron Paul camp: We’re poised to win delegates - Election 2012 - The Washington Post

2012-02-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul camp: We’re poised to win delegates - Election 2012 - The Washington Post - Felicia Sonmez:

February 8, 2012 - "Paul’s national campaign manager, John Tate, writes in a memo Wednesday afternoon that Team Paul is 'thrilled' with Tuesday’s results....

Tate argues that there are three 'significant takeaways' from Tuesday’s trio of contests, namely that 1) Missouri’s primary was a 'beauty contest' that does not play a role in the delegate-selection process; 2) Paul 'will have good numbers among the actual delegates awarded' in Colorado and Nevada; and 3) Paul will 'also have a strong majority of the state convention delegates' in Minnesota, where he placed second Tuesday."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/ron-paul-camp-were-poised-to-win-delegates/2012/02/08/gIQAAFxVzQ_blog.html
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Libertarian Toronto-Danforth candidate talks election, issues (Includes interview)

2012-02-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

Libertarian Toronto-Danforth candidate talks election, issues - Andrew Moran, Digital Journal:

February 6, 2012 - "John Recker, a Libertarian candidate in the Toronto-Danforth federal by-election, wants to offer an alternative to the mainstream Canadian political parties. New to the libertarian philosophy, Recker is promoting a 'just and voluntary society'....

"Recker’s campaign approach will be grassroots by presenting a strong message, providing the facts and correcting the notion that the government has the solutions to all of our problems.

"'Small business in Canada has taken it on the chin for too long and is starting come to us because of the stifling interference in a variety of markets,' said Recker. 'There's also the average citizen who works hard, and deserves to offer their children a voluntary and prosperous community we can all be proud of. Canadians are demanding more than a growing government with diminishing returns'....

"Utilizing his education in criminology, Recker wants to end the criminalization of addiction, mental illness and poverty. He also wants to implement measures that would change the criminal justice system by using an 'evidence-based approach' to corrections. The present policy of tough on crime has created a monstrosity of costs and ineffectiveness....

"'Because political influence can be bought, it is very unlikely that legislation will compel corporations to act morally,' noted Recker. 'Only punishing irresponsible leaders directly can provide the necessary deterrent, and prevent corporations from engaging in the crony capitalism and back-room deals we see today'....

"Recker believes strongly in social services, but not through government. Instead, he wants to take a non-governmental and not-for-profit method because they have 'the best rate of return on helping end-users'....

"'These are the social service items to eliminate: bureaucracy, wasteful central planning and a one-size-fits-all program.'"

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/319111
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Rep. Paul: ‘Freedom Is a Young Idea’ - Washington Wire - WSJ

2012-02-06T17:45:00.000-08:00

Rep. Paul: ‘Freedom Is a Young Idea’ - Washington Wire - WSJ - Michael Crittenden::

February 6, 2012 - "ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Rep. Ron Paul made a plea Monday to Minnesota’s younger voters for support, attributing his popularity among 20-somethings to his focus on personal liberties.

“'There is a good reason why young people are more open to it … Freedom is a young idea,' Mr. Paul told a sizable crowd here. 'Young minds are not muddled up' by conventional wisdom and the media, he added.

"It was the first of two events Mr. Paul scheduled for Monday in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, which holds its caucuses Tuesday night. Polls suggest that the state might be competitive....

"Mr. Paul has been able to improve his campaign results from 2008 in every state that has held nominating contests this year."

Read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/02/06/rep-paul-freedom-is-a-young-idea/?mod=google_news_blog
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Ron Paul brings a breath of fresh air | mndaily.com - Serving the University of Minnesota Community Since 1900

2012-02-06T03:27:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul brings a breath of fresh air | mndaily.com - Serving the University of Minnesota Community Since 1900:

February 6, 2012 - "Tomorrow, Minnesota will hold its Republican caucus where the party will choose how to allot its delegates for a presidential nominee. The only candidate that really resonates with most students is Ron Paul. Paul’s inclusion in the very public nominee-selection process has been a breath of fresh air. Where most politicians calibrate their beliefs to their intended audience, stretch the truth and often lie outright, and are willing to do almost anything to get elected, Paul has proved honest and straightforward.

"Despite being the oldest candidate, he has proven to be the only one that has a grasp on a changing culture among young people that is increasingly anti-war, concerned about an expanding security state, accepting of homosexuals and aware of the damage that the War on Drugs has done, especially to minority communities."

Read more: http://www.mndaily.com/2012/02/06/ron-paul-brings-breath-fresh-air
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Gary Johnson Braves the ACLU - Reason Magazine

2012-02-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

Gary Johnson Braves the ACLU - Reason Magazine - Mike Riggs:

January 31, 2012 - "On January 29 ... the American Civil Liberties Union ... invited the GOP field to its annual staff convention in Orlando.... ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero introduced Johnson to a crowd of 100 or so ACLU staffers.... Johnson [has] dropped out of the GOP and joined the Libertarian Party, where he is, for the first time since his days as a gubernatorial candidate in New Mexico, a frontrunner. 'I’m polling at 73 percent among libertarians,' Johnson told me before his speech....

"Johnson started his speech the same way he starts most of his speeches: by describing his commitment to cutting federal spending by 43 percent. As a result, the ACLU audience barely made a peep for the first 12 minutes of Johnson’s speech.... It wasn’t until he got started on legalizing marijuana that the crowd (figuratively) lit up. A steady stream of applause followed Johnson’s declarations after that.

“'I support gay marriage equality. I support repealing the PATRIOT Act. I would have vetoed the Department of Homeland Security, because I think it’s redundant. I would’ve never established the department of—the TSA agency. I think we should end the practices of torture. Period. I can understand the complexities in the following, but I think we should end the practices of detainment without being charged. There is nothing I want to see the government come in and fix with the Internet.'”

"Johnson also made a point throughout the evening of highlighting the differences between himself and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who sought and received Johnson’s endorsement in 2008.

“'I don’t think that Ron Paul is going to win the Republican nomination. For the most part, we are talking about the same message, but we do have differences. And when he drops out, or finds an end to the Republican primary, I don’t see this agenda moving forward,' Johnson said."

Read more: http://reason.com/archives/2012/01/31/gary-johnson-braves-the-aclu
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Romney Wins Nevada Republican Caucuses While Gingrich Pledges to Press On - Bloomberg

2012-02-05T03:54:00.000-08:00

Romney Wins Nevada Republican Caucuses While Gingrich Pledges to Press On - Bloomberg:

February 5, 2002 - "Mitt Romney won yesterday’s Nevada caucuses, solidifying his front-runner status in the Republican presidential race....

"Romney had 43 percent of the vote, with 45 percent of precincts reporting, according to an Associated Press tally early today. Gingrich had 26 percent, followed by U.S. Representative Ron Paul of Texas with 19 percent and former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 13 percent....

"Entrance polls showed 26 percent of the Republican caucus- goers were Mormons, as is Romney, and he won 91 percent of that vote....

"Romney ... spent about $488,460 on broadcast ads in the state through Feb. 2, according to New York-based Kantar Media’s CMAG, which tracks advertising.... Paul, who finished second to Romney in the 2008 Nevada caucuses, spent $158,590 to air ads last summer and again in late January in the state."

Read more:
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Presidential hopeful Paul gets rock star welcome | Colorado Statesman

2012-02-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Presidential hopeful Paul gets rock star welcome | Colorado Statesman - Ernest Luning:

February 3, 2012 - "More than 1,100 passionate supporters crammed a hotel ballroom to welcome long-shot presidential candidate Ron Paul to Denver on Tuesday as the Texas congressman became the first Republican to land in Colorado ahead of next week’s caucuses.

"Vowing to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget during his first year in office, Paul said he would deliver on his promise of smaller government if elected president....

"It was the second stop on Paul’s whirlwind tour through Colorado on Tuesday. That morning, he spoke to an enthusiastic crowd on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins, and he finished with a rally at the Colorado Springs airport before boarding a jet for Nevada, which holds its caucuses Saturday."

Read more: http://coloradostatesman.com/content/993290-presidential-hopeful-paul-gets-rock-star-welcome
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Ron Paul on Donald Trump: ‘I was the only candidate who didn’t kiss his ring’ | The State Column

2012-02-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul on Donald Trump: ‘I was the only candidate who didn’t kiss his ring’ | The State Column:

February 3, 2012 - "With the exception of former Utah Republican Governor Jon Huntsman, all of Mr. Paul’s rival candidates held meetings with Mr. Trump in 2011. The meetings were viewed as each candidate’s attempt to obtain an endorsement from Mr. Trump.... Mr. Huntsman and Mr. Paul were also two of the most vocal critics of Mr. Trump, objecting to participation in a presidential debate ... that would be moderated by Mr. Trump. Following that refusal, Mr. Trump has continuously slammed Mr. Paul and Mr. Huntsman when asked about them....

"'I can’t imagine why anybody talks about him, why do you talk about him?' said Mr. Paul Friday in an interview with Utah based Fox 13 News. 'I don’t think he has that much credibility. I think I was the only candidate that didn’t ask for you know, a chance to kiss his ring. I never went up to see him. I don’t understand why people pay any attention to him.'"

Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/ron-paul-on-donald-trump-i-was-the-only-candidate-who-didnt-kiss-his-ring/#ixzz1lQSMKjz5
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Ron Paul Rallies Voters From Idaho, Nevada in Elko

2012-02-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul Rallies Voters From Idaho, Nevada in Elko - Adella Harding and Andrea Glover, Elko Daily Free Press:

February 3, 2012 - "A boisterous gathering of roughly 400 people cheered Thursday as Republican presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, said the middle class is under attack.

"Paul also told the crowd Nevada is a place where there are 'people who actually believe in liberty,' and he expects to do well in the Nevada Republican caucuses on Saturday.
Later, Paul told reporters he believed Western issues could best be tackled by returning public land to the states.
Stressing his theme that the United States needs drastic change, he said he would cut government spending by $1 trillion the first year....

“'We’re destroying the middle class. It’s shrinking and poorer. The wealth has transferred from the middle class to a select few. Who got the bailouts -- banks and big corporations. We’re self-destructing,' he said.

“'If I am elected president, I would be devoted to the rule of law and the Constitution of the United States. Why don’t we try obeying the Constitution and reduce spending?' Paul asked."

Read more: http://magicvalley.com/news/local/state-and-regional/ron-paul-rallies-voters-from-idaho-nevada-in-elko/article_f3aaa84a-7a41-517b-a3d0-61918b7e9984.html
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Ron Paul's Big Caucus Gamble Begins in Nevada | Fox News Latino

2012-02-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul's Big Caucus Gamble Begins in Nevada | Fox News Latino:

"'Our goal is to win. And you win by getting the maximum number of delegates,' Paul said at a news conference Wednesday in Las Vegas, where he is campaigning ahead of the Saturday's Nevada caucuses. 'I'm delighted Nevada makes it fair, where we can compete for the votes. When we get the delegates and build up momentum, we can win.'

"Eric Herzik, a political science professor at the University of Nevada-Reno, predicted Romney would win the caucuses but Paul would come out strong.

"'Nevada has a libertarian streak in politics. Our economy is based on gambling and drinking and low social service provision,' Herzik said. 'That speaks to this kind of limited government, individual liberty approach to politics that Ron Paul favors.'"

Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/02/02/ron-pauls-big-caucus-gamble-begins-in-nevada/#ixzz1lHaDv7nd
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Politics: Brevard Times Endorses Ron Paul For GOP Nominee

2012-01-29T11:54:00.000-08:00

Politics: Brevard Times Endorses Ron Paul For GOP Nominee:

January 28, 2012 - "There has been much talk by the candidates about American exceptionalism. But no candidate, except for Ron Paul, addresses the monetary and liberty issues from which that exceptionalism arose....

"The height of American optimism and futurism, embodied by the 1964 New York World's Fair song 'There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow' and pinnacled by the 1969 Apollo Moon landing, did and could only occur when the U.S. dollar was as good as gold and the U.S. economy was not shackled by the ever expanding corporate and social welfare state that exists today.

"Ever since Richard Nixon took the U.S. dollar off the gold standard in 1971, America has suffered volatile economic swings caused by inflation. The Federal Reserve's ability to dictate the value of the dollar presents an enormous headwind to business in the form of production cost uncertainty and steals wealth from ordinary Americans' investments and savings.

"Ron Paul is the only candidate willing to end this scheme where Florida fixed income seniors suffer the most due to increased food and energy costs while not being able to earn a sufficient return on their investments to keep up with the cost of living because the Federal Reserve artificially keeps interest rates low while at the same time devaluing the dollar."

Read more: http://government.brevardtimes.com/2012/01/brevard-times-endorses-ron-paul-for-gop.html
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Republican Ron Paul to campaign in Colorado on Tuesday - The Denver Post

2012-01-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

Republican Ron Paul to campaign in Colorado on Tuesday - The Denver Post - Kurtis Lee:

January 29, 2012 - "Ron Paul will make a series of campaign stops along the Front Range on Tuesday — one week before Colorado Republicans hold their Feb. 7 caucuses.

"Paul is slated to speak at Colorado State University's Lory Student Center at 10 a.m., before a noon rally at the Renaissance Denver Hotel. His day will end at 2 p.m. with a speech in Colorado Springs at the Colorado Jet Center....

"The Texas congressman is the first out of the field of Republican presidential hopefuls to campaign in the state this year."

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_19844794
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We pick Paul: Editorial Board endorses Texas congressman - The Independent Florida Alligator: Editorials

2012-01-28T21:14:00.000-08:00

We pick Paul: Editorial Board endorses Texas congressman - The Independent Florida Alligator: Editorials:

January 25, 2012 - "If you plan to vote in the primary, the Editorial Board of the Alligator encourages you to place your vote for Rep. Ron Paul....

"His ideas are why we believe he is an attractive candidate to college students of all political persuasions. Unlike the other Republican candidates, Paul believes in a non-interventionist foreign policy....

"Paul is the only candidate for president, including President Barack Obama, who has questioned the effectiveness of the war on drugs..... First, he believes the government does not have the right to tell us what we can and cannot put into our own bodies. Second, he believes drug prohibition has perpetuated the spread of drugs and the crime associated with it, similar to the prohibition of the 1920s....

"Finally, for college students who have grown up in the post-9/11 era, Paul is the only candidate concerned about the growing infringement of our civil liberties. Even President Obama recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that could lead to the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens. He also signed an extension of the Patriot Act.

"You may not agree with Ron Paul on many issues, but for college-aged voters in the Florida Republican primary, Paul should be your choice."

Read more: http://www.alligator.org/opinion/editorials/article_ffe61da4-470a-11e1-b4f0-0019bb2963f4.html
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Detroit Democrats Told To Vote For Ron Paul In GOP Primary | WCHBNewsDetroit - WCHB 1200

2012-01-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

Detroit Democrats Told To Vote For Ron Paul In GOP Primary | WCHBNewsDetroit - WCHB 1200:

January 27, 2012 - "Hundreds of Detroit Democrats met Thursday evening at the Triumph Baptist Church in Detroit to hear Mildred Gaddis, host of Inside Detroit on AM 1200/99.9 FM WCHB, strategy for Democrats to use in Michigan to ensure President Obama’s re-election....

"Gaddis told the crowd to vote for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul for president at the Feb. 28 presidential primary.

"By voting for Paul, a Republican, they hope to derail Mitt Romney’s primary performance in his native state and force Paul to stay in the race and run as an independent.

"Because Obama is the lone Democrat on the ballot, there’s no harm to him, and state Democrats plan to officially nominate him at caucuses in May."

Read more: http://wchbnewsdetroit.com/detroit/mildredgaddis/detroit-democrats-told-to-vote-for-ron-paul-in-gop-primary/
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The News Record : Iowa caucus result more than suspicious

2012-01-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

The News Record :: Iowa caucus result more than suspicious - Adam Croxton:

January 26, 2012 - "There are several mysterious happenings, perhaps coincidental, surrounding the Iowa Caucus.

"The first oddity is the fact that the Iowa GOP decided to move the final vote-count to an “undisclosed location”.... Another change in the normal Iowa Caucus is shown in the new rules created, allowing caucus-goers to vote and register without a photo ID....

"To see how the political process really works, and how far from a democratic process it actually is, one need only look to the radio interview by Republican strategist Dee Dee Benkie leading up to the Iowa Caucus.

"The host asks: 'Is it possible that the party apparatus here could be silently asking those District Chairmen to start swaying some important caucus members over to the anti-Paul side which may end up being Santorum? Do you see a scenario like that happening?'

"To which Benkie replied: 'I’ve talked to the party officials; I know they’re concerned about it […] Ron Paul doesn’t do us any good in Iowa, doesn’t do the country any good, will never get there, so let’s figure out what we need to do.'"

Read more: http://www.newsrecord.org/index.php/article/2012/01/iowa_caucus_result_more_than_suspicious
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Ron Paul aims to win Maine caucus, pundits agree he could take the state | Sun Journal

2012-01-26T17:34:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul aims to win Maine caucus, pundits agree he could take the state | Sun Journal, Kathryn Skelton:

January 26, 2012 - "Paul Madore ... a longtime Lewiston conservative activist and now state chairman of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul’s campaign, said it’s his candidate's intention to win here.

“'Maine is a very significant state; it always has been, in terms of how it affects the national mood,' Madore said Thursday, on his way back from scoring endorsements at the State House in advance of Paul’s planned visit. 'I think Ron Paul realizes that. He’s got a good organization in Maine and he believes in the fierce independence of Maine people. They’re patriots.'

"Jim Melcher, an associate professor of political science at the University of Maine at Farmington, said Paul could make a strong showing here.

"'I’d even give him a chance of winning (the Maine caucus) if he can get his supporters organized,' Melcher said in an email. 'Being the only major candidate to campaign here recently won't hurt, either.'

"Maine political observers Sandy Maisel and Mark Brewer echoed that: A win is quite possible."

Read more: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/city/2012/01/26/ron-paul-aims-win-maine-caucus-professors-agree-he/1146292
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Why Ron Paul is shivering in Maine instead of cavorting in Florida - CSMonitor.com

2012-01-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

Why Ron Paul is shivering in Maine instead of cavorting in Florida - CSMonitor.com - Peter Grier:

January 25, 2012 - "Paul is taking two days this week to ... be in Maine, speaking at Colby College on Friday and the University of Maine’s Gorham campus on Saturday.... The Texas libertarian is focusing on caucus states such as Maine and Nevada, where his fervent supporters can more easily out-organize the competition.

"But here’s something that has been little noticed in the press: Maine’s caucuses actually begin this weekend. So Paul may be pulling something of an end run about his rivals....

"Yes, ... the Maine Republican Party... has established a window of Feb. 4-11 for Maine Republicans to caucus and vote for a presidential nominee and delegates to the state convention [but] party faithful in some towns have ignored this guidance, and are meeting either before or after the February window.

"Lincoln, Lowell, Burlington, Chester, Enfield, Winn, and Howland are holding their joint caucus on Saturday, for example. Millinocket’s is on Sunday."

Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2012/0125/Why-Ron-Paul-is-shivering-in-Maine-instead-of-cavorting-in-Florida
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Boston Bruins goalie skips WH event in protest - CBS News

2012-01-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Boston Bruins goalie skips WH event in protest - CBS News:

January 23, 2012 - "WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama saluted the NHL's Boston Bruins for their 2011 Stanley Cup championship on Monday, but one key member of the team skipped the White House visit in protest.

'I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,' Goalie Tim Thomas said in a statement. The decision to stay away, Thomas said, 'was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.'"

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Ron Paul Suggests He Might Be Willing to Support Gingrich as the Nominee -- Daily Intel

2012-01-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul Suggests He Might Be Willing to Support Gingrich as the Nominee -- Daily Intel - Brett Smiley, New York magazine:

January 23, 2012 - "About 15 minutes into the NBC Republican candidate debate in Florida, Brian Williams ... asked ... if Newt Gingrich emerged as the GOP nominee, would Paul run as a third party candidate. Ron Paul said no. Then Williams ... asked Paul, 'Would you support Newt Gingrich as nominee of the GOP?'

Paul's response: 'He keeps hinting about attacking the Fed, and he talks about gold, and if I could just change him on foreign policy, we might be able to talk business.'"