Guest Post by Morbo
Like noxious bugs swarming over a crumbling tenement, followers of Ron Paul have invaded the blogosphere.
Their target is anyone who dares to criticize their hero. Bloggers have dealt with them in various ways. Some have tried banning them outright. Others allow readers to engage them in back-and-forth debates that can easily take a thread to several hundred responses.
I used to find the Paulites annoying, but recently I had a revelation: Far from being scorned, Paul’s rabid fans should be welcomed and encouraged. We should do everything we can to make certain they keep pushing their man, sending him money and moving Paul from the second tier into the first.
Here’s why: While I’m not one to believe Zogby “interactive” polls that show Hillary Clinton losing to the likes of Fred Thompson, I do believe she has some electability issues. But there’s one Republican candidate I know Clinton would make complete and utter mincemeat of even with one arm of her pantsuit tied behind her back. That candidate is Ron Paul.
Far from trying to stop Paul from getting the Republican nomination, we should be doing all we can to bring it on. Think of it: The GOP nominates a dumpy, uncharismatic paleo-con who wants to abolish Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the Postal Service, public education and numerous other public services, a guy who is lousy on the stump (yes, I’ve heard him), whose economic theory comes straight out of the 19th Century and who flirts with “Christian nation” claptrap to boot.
Imagine how much fun we’ll have when Clinton points out that “Dr. No,” who supposedly takes the bold stand of opposing government spending, is really just a hypocrite who immediately becomes “Dr. Yes” when it comes to funneling federal pork to his own district.
Visualize Clinton and Paul in a one-on-one debate. Imagine Clinton outlining the complexities of the United States finding its place in the modern global economy while Paul demands a return to the gold standard.
Imagine listening to him explain how a doctor should be sent to prison for performing an abortion. Imagine Paul trying to explain how the United States will lead the world once it has left the United Nations. Enjoy Clinton’s response when Paul asserts, as his website states, that federal environmental protection laws should be pushed aside because “individuals, businesses, localities, and states must be free to negotiate environmental standards.” (We all know pollution scrupulously respects geographic boundaries.)
And if Clinton does not get the nomination, I’m confident that Barack Obama, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson, et al could easily demolish Paul in a blowout the likes of which this nation has not seen since the Reagan-Mondale race. Heck, I think even Dennis Kucinich could flatten Paul — that is, if they’re not on the same ticket.
So to all you Paulites out there, I can only say keep at it. Keep sending your man big checks. Keep passing out that literature. Get your people to those caucuses and primaries. Stick him up on You Tube and tell all your Republican friends to climb aboard the Ron Paul Express.
And don’t say it’s impossible, that Paul will never get the Republican nomination. That’s defeatist talk. This race is wide open, and Paul has recently shown an impressive ability to raise lots of money. Remember, as recently as three weeks ago people were saying Mike Huckabee was finished. And if the GOP won’t give Paul the nod, the only principled thing for him to do is run as an independent.
So go, Ron, go! We progressives are excited about the possibility of regaining the White House (not to mention the possibility of electing the first woman or African-American president). To elect that president by a landslide would make it all the more special. Please, Ron Paul supporters, do what you can to help us.