Could Ron Paul 2012 Pave the Way for Rand Paul 2016 or 2020?

Reader Comments
Back to article

Thank you for being one of the few journalists who has actually factored Ron Paul into analysis of the republican candidate field.
With Ron Paul setting the agenda for the party and controlling a dedicated voter block there is a lot more to discuss than the usual "he can't win".
Even at the end of this process in 2012 there remains an excellent chance that Ron Paul will be able to do some sort of deal with another candidate, and one of the possibilities is that himself or even his son could appear as VP on a ticket.
You never know, Paul Paul 2012 is even a slim chance.
One thing's for sure, in 4 more years, if the same policies are pursued in the meantime, interest in Ron Paul's beliefs will have expanded even further.
Rand Paul is far more likely, unfortunately, to ever be President than his Dad. Any journalist who is not considering these trends (ie the vast majority) is not doing their job properly

William of AL 5:35PM August 24, 2011

he latest Ron Paul video from Kaphen DePriest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS5RD5YyGFk&feature=channel_video_title

consticon of TX 4:14PM August 24, 2011

gallup
perry "gov good hair" 29%
romney "the rino" 17%
paul "your boy" 13%
Bachman "wtf" 10%

keith of MN 3:41PM August 24, 2011

let's look at this in 2012 terms.....your $ is not worth the same as it was in 2002....your 2002 dollar is worth approx 20% more then than now...so the amount going to agency's would have to be more than you are calculating. however if you kill many of those departments you may have a shot at it (which ones)but...and this is the big but ...how do you get congress to do that? as you are well aware it is the house that controls the purse strings. about the only thing that a ron paul could do is dictate a foreign policy and rescind executive orders(a lot of bad ones out there) for what you want to have happen is change make up of congress
for that to happen folks need to be reeducated on the role of govt in our lives the same way as they did when they moved to a more socialistic educational system in the 70's.
good luck with that!!! the folks who know how to make $ are . they are not in the class room teaching etc.etc. we all know that the poor will always be among us no matter how much $ you though at the problem ie great society.
the tea party educates a ton of folks (and that is needed). i have been reading up and i found a group of libertarians that have moved to NH and are very active in an effort to further the ron paul liberty movement...ie constitutional conservative .
are you one of those guys?
still researching.....(ron paul girl from 2008 was cute)

keith of MN 3:24PM August 24, 2011

@keith - "explain how we get rid of the personal income tax......"
Here's how: 45% of the government's revenue comes from the individual income tax. http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/revenue.cfm
Federal outlays for 2010 were 3.455 trillion. Subtract 45% from that for eliminating the individual income tax and we're left with 1.9 trillion from other revenue sources.
With those numbers, the goverment would have to scale back their spending all the way back to the year... get this: 2002! http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/120xx/doc12039/HistoricalTables%5B1%5D.pdf
Now ask yourself this - Am I better off today then I was 9 years ago(assuming you're not a leech of the State)? And now ask yourself: How much better off would I be today if I paid no individual income tax?

stclair of TN 2:31PM August 24, 2011

Ron and Rand Paul have very similar beliefs and principles, but Rand is better at talking to mainstream Republican voters. He's more willing to compromise and less prone to using phrases like "militarism" or "empire" when talking about our overextended military deployments. I think Rand would have an easier path to the Republican nomination, but a tougher time winning the general election than Ron Paul would. Liberals like Ron Paul's libertarian stances on many issues, but they see Rand Paul as more of a hardline conservative.

Cal Elson of CA 2:29PM August 24, 2011

Good to see US news paying a little attention to the Pauls! Great article.

Dean of CA 2:05PM August 24, 2011

looks like hof supported him last time......so did the bunnies
explain how we get rid of the personal income tax......

keith of MN 12:49PM August 24, 2011

Please do take a look for yourself. He has a 12 term history voting for things that were constitutionally motivated. He offers sound fiscal options, a return to more freedoms and individual rights.
Again though.. Don't take anyone's word for it.. research it thoroughly for yourself.

Me again of VA 12:36PM August 24, 2011

well, with all of the media shunning the guy i will have a look at him. The others in the race seem very lack luster and contrived. I don't trust romney and bachman seems to make stupid mistakes about famous folks all the time elvis...john wayne etc. Why does she keep on doing that? seems like it's a quick look on the internet. but, as we all know the winner is the one with the best hair....or is it the tallest? can't remember.
is the object of paul to move the conversation in the libertairian direction or is it more than that? you guys seem genuinely excited about the guy and i don't see that from supporters of the other guys.......
what about gary johnson? isn't he part of the same philosophy?

keith of MN 12:24PM August 24, 2011