Who do Ron Paul supporters choose?

I am an ardent Ron Paul supporter. I share many of his views.

It is unfortunate that Dr. Paul refused to run as a third party candidate this year; but it begs the question: Who should I vote for?

I understand that Dr Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin, and I agree with many of his views, but I dont think I can get behind a candidate who is willing to base judgements off of a purely Christian standpoint. I believe in a God, but I do not believe that political decisions can be made with only this belief in mind.

Bob Barr is apparently shady (at least that is the impression I get). Sort of a wolf in sheep clothing, i guess. He did himself a huge disservice by failing to show up at the Rally For The Republic. Unless I can be strongly convinced that he is not a neo-con masquerading as a libertarian, I will not even harbor the thought of voting for him.

Ralph Nader. A Democrat... But does that even mean anything anymore? Hell, the Republican party (Ron Paul excluded) appears as nothing more than Democrats with different views on abortion. Anyhow, I could see myself voting for Ralph Nader, but only if there was a majority behind him already. Many people see him as a man on the fringe. He did collect a good number of votes during the Bush/Gore debocle, but what issues brought those votes his way? I need help with finding really good reasons to vote for Ralph Nader.

Im not even going to entertain Cynthia McKinney...

It should be obvious by now that I do not plan to vote for either of the primary party nominees. I would rather not vote at all, than become a part of the problem.

Of course there are those that will say "Write in Ron Paul!", and I would love to; but I think he has made it clear enough that he would prefer I use my vote somewhere else... Many states do not even honor write in votes if the candidacy was not declared before-hand. While I am all for making a statement (and I still may, if none of the third partys pan out), I would like to weigh all options first.

Please feed me information, people!

I need all walks of input!

Like what william cooper said.

"If you do not help prepare the meal, you cannot compain about the dinner."

But being from london, does not matter to me, but i cannot say i would support anyone of those two.

People say choose best of a bad choice, but who is that, both have massive negatives.

Personally I think everyone should research the 3rd party Candidates. My vote will be going to Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party.

Chuck or Bob are the way to go.
It will not be enough to give them a win, but it will be enough to show the republican party they lost the election because the ron paul vote went to 3rd party.

In effect this will, if done properly send them a signal that the republican party is broken. This will make them take a second look at the people they put to the side.

Maybe they will change, maybe not. Revolution can only come if we act. There will be no change to the R if we disregard everything Ron taught us and vote for a major party.

I am just going to write in Ron Paul. I can't bring myself to vote for any of the other candidates.

I fear for our country.

Originally posted by Karlhungis
I am just going to write in Ron Paul. I can't bring myself to vote for any of the other candidates.

I fear for our country.

same for me, I am am not voting for the lesser of two evils this time around. I did that before and helped with the mess that we are in now with old dubya. Not that he is the sole cause of the crap storm we are in now, but he sure didnt help it.

Given that my only issue is firearms I can't risk my very close state going to Obama so I'll be voting for Palin and hoping McCain dies before he can screw me over with some "common sense" measure.

If I wasn't in a close state I'd write in Ron Paul. At this point Bob, Chuck and Ron share about the same chance of winning any state. Nill to Zero.

More resources should be spent by the Paul supporters to get liberty candidates elected at the local level. Only then will we have a shot at the big office.

I'll be voting for the Libertarian gubernatorial and congressional candidates in my state.

Originally posted by Karlhungis
I am just going to write in Ron Paul. I can't bring myself to vote for any of the other candidates.

I fear for our country.

I supported Ron Paul through out his whole campaign. That being said, a write in vote for Ron Paul is truly a wasted vote. He dropped out of the race, he will not be on any ballots. Writing in a vote for Ron Paul at this point would be much like writing in a vote for Mickey Mouse.

I strongly urge everyone to not waste your vote. Research the Candidates that ARE on the ballot.

Well after Ron Paul dropped out I was going to vote for Bob Barr because he is the Libertarian candidate. But I'm not 100% sure that Bob isn't a trojan horse of sorts. And Ron Paul has endorsed Chuck Baldwin so now I may vote for Chuck.

reply to post by MrWendal


Aside from the fact that Ron Paul endorses Chuck Baldwin, why do YOU support him?

What are your thoughts on his mixing of religion and politics?

I have my absentee ballot sitting on the table next to me... I will not vote McCain, so thats out. I would like to vote third party, but I fear if I do then McCain will win. Not to say that my vote is the deciding vote, but I would truly kick myself in the a** if he won by one vote (I'm Irish, I have that kind of luck). So now I am in a dilemma. I wanted Ron Paul, he is not there, I don't want either major party, but I also would take Obama as the lesser of the two evils.. So what do I do?? Vote for Obama even though I don't agree with all of his views, or vote third party and chance McCain winning?

Its a shame that the third party don't get as much recognition as the two "major parties". Why couldn't Dr. Paul make my life easier and run lol. He would have had my vote, no questions asked.. I'm honestly to the point where I might not vote at all because I feel I have a lack of options at this point.

Instead of writing in Paul, why not be more creative and scrawl "NO MORE TYRANNY" on the ballot.

Maybe if all Paul supporters do this, the returning officers may take notice of it and call TV crews who may report it, reflecting the relative disenfranchisement of constitutionalists given the lack of a credible constitutional representative.

reply to post by KaginD



That is ABSOLUTELY the same dilema I have right now -- right down to the absentee ballot on the table next to me...

If it makes your decision any easier: I don't think that McCain is going to win either way. One of the above posters was probably right when he said that enough people voting third party would send a message to the GOP.

Most Ron Paul supporters would consider themselves fundamentally Republican, and that being the largest group whom I think would be voting third party, there is a good chance that you are ensuring McCain is not elected by proxy when you cast your vote. You don't even have to dirty your hands with voting for Obama.


On another note, I have been looking over Chuck Baldwin's stance on the issues, and I have to say that it sounds very familiar. While he lacks some of the substance that Ron Paul exhudes (sp), he is almost identicle on the issues. It worries me a little though to read his almost angry views on foreign policy. I agree with him -- but his tone makes it sound as if the US would not even participate in humanitarian missions under his presidency... I support tighter border control, bringing home troops from world policing deployments, our basic freedoms and bringing home more jobs; however, when speaking of these issues, there draws a fine line between national interest and isolationism. I worry that Chuck teeters near the edge.

He may end up having my vote after all, but let me hear what more of you have to say...

Originally posted by MyrTheSeeker
Who do Ron Paul supporters choose

I'll be trying to write in Ron Paul. If I can't do that then I'll either vote for Chuck Baldwin (endorsed by Ron Paul) or not bother voting.

McCain and Obama will both screw us over.
I know we'll be stuck with one of them.
Most likely that corrupt empty suit Obama.
But I still have to vote my conscience.
That's a Ron Paul vote (or Baldwin or no vote at all).

Originally posted by KaginD
vote third party and chance McCain winning?

I seriously doubt he's going to win.



[edit on 10/3/2008 by FlyersFan]

I cannot in good concience support Baldwin... entirely too much evidence that he will let his political decisions be driven by his religous beliefs, which has no business in a nation based on secular laws such as the US.

I may write in Ron Paul on the day... still working on that...

reply to post by Open_Minded Skeptic



Well, I've given the religious issues some more thought.

While I agree that Chuck seems to want to mix God and politics a bit to fervently; that doesn't change the fact that I still agree with 95% of his positions to a great degree. Seems like the influence that religion has had on his positions has swayed them in the right direction anyway. All faith aside: do you agree with his positions? (And I have now effectively worn out the word "positions")

On top of that, he has stated that he would bring Ron Paul in as Treasury Secretary if elected. Dr Paul would RULE that position. Even non-supporters realise this.

Originally posted by dlongwell547

Originally posted by Karlhungis
I am just going to write in Ron Paul. I can't bring myself to vote for any of the other candidates.

I fear for our country.

same for me

me three. I dont know enough about the other candidates that RP mentioned, and I sure as hell am not voting for Cynthia McKinney, although I do want her to remain politically active. Just not as a president.

reply to post by MyrTheSeeker


Vote for Chuck, of if you still want to vote with your conscious, then write in Dr. Paul.

reply to post by MyrTheSeeker


Well, just from a high level:

Abortion - I disagree with Baldwin

Budget/Economy - I agree with what I know of his position

Civil Rights - I have not gotten a clear picture of his position on this

Education - I have some problems with him on this, so a mix for me

Energy - He does not go far enough (that I've seen) to get away from fossil fuels.

Environment - Haven't seen much, I like his private property stance

Families and Children - I like his focus on good parenting, not so much his focus on church

Foreign Policy - He seems a bit isolationist. I whole heartedly support his "end the American empire" stand, other aspects not so much

Government Reform - I disagree with him here, although I may agree with his intent, but not his methods

Gun Control / 2nd Amendment - I fully support his stand on this

Health Care - I'd need to know more. I like the general idea, but I'm not sure he would address many of the problems in the current system.

Homeland Secureity - A mix, here. I agree we are in more danger from Washington than Iran, but some of his positions here seem to contradict his "end the empire" stand

Immigration - I largely agree. I'd like to see more enforcement of laws as regards employers who hire illegals

Jobs - I think he has the right idea, not sure I agree with his method

Principles and Values - I like what I see here, but again, I am not convinced he would not impose his religious beliefs in secular law

Social Security - I disagree. SS would be FINE if not for the fact it has been embezzeled from by pretty much every administration since its inception. I've paid into it all my life. I want my money...

Taxes - Again, I like his ideas, but disagree with his details

Overall kind of a mix. My big concern is his religion, specifically that I'm not sure he will NOT impose those beliefs in secular law. This is a big deal with me.

Note: I don't care about his religous beliefs, I strongly support his freedom to choose that. My concern has to do with the blurring of the line between religion and secular law.

For instance, Biden has come right out and said that he believes life begins at conception, but that he will not move to restrict individual choice in the matter. I'm not convinced Baldwin will take this same stand. This is one of my biggest problems with McCain/Palin as well.

Complicating all this is the reality that Baldwin, like Paul, won't win even if he wins. And I really do not like the direction Bush has taken my country, and I am convinced that McCain will continue this direction in far too many areas. So my conundrum is to vote my concience (Paul) and therefore remove a contribution to blocking McCain, or voting for Obama to help ensure there is SOME change in direction, even if still not what I'd really like.

No politician has ever truly even come very close to representing me, although the Libertarians are less far off than some others...


My Source for all this

ETA: On taxes, I prefer a Consumption tax, also called a sales tax. That puts the amount of taxes an individual pays securely under their own control. Low taxes? Live frugally. Luxurous life? Pay for it...

[edit on 3-10-2008 by Open_Minded Skeptic]

reply to post by Gateway


Any good reasons why you think I should vote Chuck, friend?

I can see why you disapprove of the two main party candidates based off of your signature