GRA onscene in Orlando for Republican Debate!!!

Originally posted by getreadyalready
I've noticed something very odd? There are a lot of gay men here, and I thought they were press, but I'm now figuring out they work for these campaigns where the candidates oppose gay marriage and gays in the military, yet their aids are happily working hard on their behalf?

My guess is the candidates value talent over sexuality and the aids value jobs over advocacy. I mean, the candidates may believe what they are saying but they know politics is a rough and tumble business and it helps to have the most competent people you can get working for you even if their ideology may not mirror your own exactly.

Latest results of the FOX debate poll...

Ron Paul 61.13% (11,885 votes)

Gary Johnson 11.15% (2,168 votes)

Mitt Romney 10.24% (1,991 votes)

Herman Cain 6.55% (1,273 votes)

Newt Gingrich 4.1% (797 votes)

Rick Perry 3.96% (770 votes)

Michele Bachmann 1.13% (220 votes)

Rick Santorum 1.12% (218 votes)

Jon Huntsman 0.61% (119 votes)

Total Votes: 19,441

foxnewsinsider.com...

Originally posted by lkpuede

Originally posted by MensaDude
Rarely do I read through 8 pages of posts, riveted and unable to focus on anything but the thread. But, in this case, GRA, all I can say is KUDOS!!! Awesome reporting! I am infinitely glad I joined ATS.

My only comment in regards to the debate is a quote from Einstein, "We all know that light travels faster than sound. That's why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak."

Great Job GRA!

you know what this is like to me? it's like sad is what it is.

what you are seeing here at ATS is the same as the hippies becoming politicians.

it's all fine and well when you are a counter culture and nobody is watching. but then all of a sudden you get a credential and you've be legitimized.

so you can kiss your wonderful ATS goodbye. i'll even make a prediction.

in 2 years ATS will be so mainstream it won't even bear a slight resemblence to what it is at this moment.

If that be the case, Ikp, then I have no doubt that someone, somewhere, on some obscure site, will pick up the mantle of the counter-culture and post conspiracies, off-topic and alternative news and information and the like just to get the truth out. I will then subscribe to that site.

I never did an 'introduction' post, but if I did, I would have said that the whole reason I searched for a forum like this is because I recognized, over time, that many people in power had agendas, some protective, some nefarious, some downright evil. I wasn't able to put a finger on exactly who these people or groups where, but in the back of my mind, I knew... I KNEW... that something was wrong. Something wasn't right in the world. Someone was lying and covering up news and events that the world needed to know. I also knew that the MSM was purposely hiding information, if not downright spreading disinformation. I had to find a place where there was unrestricted (or nearly so) discussions about anything and everything. ATS was and is that place. That's why I'm here. I have no doubt there are people who post lies and disinformation here, on this site, but with so many members seeking the truth, I (we) have a better than average chance to learn what's really happening in our world.

Sorry if this is going off-topic a bit. Just a micro-rant.

Originally posted by moonzoo7
I would have paid attention to this thread if you were an objective observer, but I see you support one of the candidates. In that light, any reporting that you do will be biased and skewed. I want to see reports from people who haven't bought into the lies and manipulations of the republican/democratic/"libertarian" political machinary.
Good for you and the people who think like you do, but for ATS, since you're one of "them", whatever you say here is pointless. In My Opinion, of course.

Earlier in the thread GRA stated he has politically supported Ron Paul but had started possibly changing his mind as he was very interested in Herman Cain. He has been completely fair in his coverage and has even stated his disappointment in Ron Paul's lack of being personable. Go back through and read the thread. GRA deserves applause. I rarely read every page of a thread that is beyond 4 pages because they're usually dull to me. This has been interesting though.

But for the record, Herman Cain was not only a former chairman of the FED, he was also VERY involved in the Midwest energy scandal. The guy likes to brag about not being a politician but his extreme devotion to "Israel can do no wrong" also makes me sick. He is a politician whether he wants to admit it or not. At least, he talks like one.

Personally, I would support Gary Johnson if Ron Paul wasn't there.

Apparently Hasner has won today's CPAC Straw Poll for Florida Senate to oppose Bill Nelson. Other larger polls show George Lemieux leadings that race.

I took pics with each of them.

Me with Adam Hasner


Me with George Lemieux

Originally posted by moonzoo7
I would have paid attention to this thread if you were an objective observer, but I see you support one of the candidates. In that light, any reporting that you do will be biased and skewed. I want to see reports from people who haven't bought into the lies and manipulations of the republican/democratic/"libertarian" political machinary.
Good for you and the people who think like you do, but for ATS, since you're one of "them", whatever you say here is pointless. In My Opinion, of course.

I support Ron Paul specifically because he opposes that big political machine and ever-expanding government. That said, it doesn't mean I can't be objective. How many Ron Paul pics do you see in the thread? I was a little disappointed in his lack of access. I ran into Mitt Romney at every turn. I probably said hello to him 6 different times, and hugged his wife once, LOL! I barely caught a glimpse of Ron Paul the one time. Newt Gingrich was hanging out a couple of times like he was part of the staff, lol. He didn't seem unapproachable at all. Michelle Bachmann actually introduced herself to me, LOL! I was trying to get out of her way as she went onto the Fox set, and instead of getting out of her way, she turned toward me, stuck her hand out and introduced herself.

I still love Ron Paul's stance on all the political agendas, but I have to honestly say, the other candidates are far better at connecting with the people, and spending time meeting their constituents. The overall best at that was Mitt Romney. His wife and his son were with him every step of the way, all 3 of them spent time talking and shaking hands. At midnight last night as they tried to leave the spin room, Mitt jokingly made a run for the door, once he had a chance, but then he stopped and turned around and made sure nobody else wanted one last word.

As I said early on, "politically" I still support Ron Paul, but likeability wise, Herman Cain and Mitt Romney have gained a lot of ground in my eyes.

reply to post by getreadyalready


I noticed in Paul's interview with Hannity, he seems to be VERY cautious of people who have insulted him or who have attacked him. He was in a hurry to get away from Hannity last night. I think maybe he is more comfortable when he's surrounded by his supporters. Anytime he meets people outside of the debates or away from the MSM people, he seems much more warm and friendly. (from what I can see)

I think it's like getting burned. He is protective of himself after seeing their schemes so many times. Unfortunately, that probably isn't in his best interest.

How was Gary Johnson? You may have said but I think I missed it. I really like the guy and if Paul wasn't running, Johnson would definitely have my vote.

reply to post by EagleTalonZ


Paul did seem extremely uncomfortable with hannity, and he also seemed frazzled at the event the day before. I'm afraid he is more of an academic and less of a hands-on type of guy. Cain was the exact opposite. Nothing he did or said seemed scripted whatsoever.

Gary johnson was warm and personable and kind of just happy to be there. I thought he nailed every answer at the debate, and in all the post debate interviews he was calm, cool, and collected. He is very feminine in some way though? Posture, handshake, etc. Very unassuming and he doesn't command respect like a perry or romney or cain.

On personality alone, the ones I would be comfortable taking orders from would be Romney and Cain. On policy and platform it would be Paul then Johnson/Cain tie.

I'm thinking my dream ticket now is a Cain/Paul with Cain headlining!

reply to post by getreadyalready


The only problem with that ticket is Cain is very pro-Israel while Paul is very non-interventionist. Cain thinks we should protect Israel and continue funding them. Cain/Bachmann would fit perfectly but that would be no different from where we are right now really.

While Paul doesn't have that authority type personality, he definitely has the best policies. Kinda sucks that we didn't catch him in his younger days. But since I believe he's the best there is to offer, I'll still vote for him on principle alone.

Kinda weird though, the media is pretty much ignoring Cain too. He received less time and questions than Paul did last night.

ETA -

I also have noticed Johnson's feminine qualities. His ideas are awesome but he is definitely feminine.

reply to post by EagleTalonZ


With paul's policies, there won't be a need to be pro-Israel. He wants to take the leash off and let Israel handle things over there. The US has been holding Israel back. NonVinterventioalism means Israel can use decisive force and end the threats against her!

Paul can't say that in so many words, lol!

Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by EagleTalonZ

 

With paul's policies, there won't be a need to be pro-Israel. He wants to take the leash off and let Israel handle things over there. The US has been holding Israel back. NonVinterventioalism means Israel can use decisive force and end the threats against her!

Paul can't say that in so many words, lol!

Very true! Is it weird that I find myself encouraged by the thought of other nations fighting their own battles? It's weird but when I think about Ron Paul being President and the drastic amount of changes that would take place, I picture the economy exploding, the power returning to the People and the world being a much better place. Perhaps it's too good to be true.

I have a feeling with the way things are heading right now, tomorrow won't be so beautiful.

reply to post by getreadyalready


With Cain's connection to the Federal Reserve I just can not trust him as he can be a clever pawn of the machine if he has been brought out as strategic element to erode the Paul support base. I think of him as one of the establishment anti-Pauls.

reply to post by getreadyalready


Also I can not help but think that Cain is a Koch product to dilute Ron Paul support. I think he is a well paid actor with some management experience. See this Source
i think the Koch Cain connection is pretty clearly established. He is a paid actor to dilute Paul's support base. Koch brothers do not like Paul.

This whole establishment effort had the under current of an Anti-Paul machine collective effort. Dilute and obfuscate was the mechanism of this deceit. Paul weathered it well but was harmed with a thousand little cuts.

reply to post by wayouttheredude


You could be right. This whole political machine is extremely layered and strategized and well thought out. It is probably cheaper to fund a campaign to dilute Paul (and all Tea Party) support, than it is to just fund a well-run campaign. Cain, Paul, Bachmann are probably all splitting votes among themselves.

Imagine where Paul would be if Bachmann and Cain and Johnson would bow out and give their endorsements to Paul!!!

Breaking News!

GRA gets BUSTED posting to ATS when he should have been schmoozing the candidates!

reply to post by lernmore




And folks wondered why my posts were short and sweet at certain times. Its not easy to post on ATS from a Droid in that crowd!!

Thank you so much for sharing that vid!!

For folks that don't know, that is me coming in from the right, with the sunglasses on my head and the phone in my hands. Those posts are probably back on page 2 and 3. This was the morning of the Faith and Freedom Coalition Event. Romney had just finished speaking and I had already shaken his hand as he passed by me. Folks were clamoring for photo ops and autographs and I was migrating to the back of the crowd at that point to post to ATS.

reply to post by getreadyalready


You know the fix is in with Cain. He dilutes the Tea Party vote and he is black. Just in case Republicans want to run a black man against Obama they have Cain but notice how they never say "Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City" which is the most prestigious and most recent management position he has ever held but instead they talk about his earlier achievement of being the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza.

This is crap. They call Paul Congressman Paul and not Dr Paul because a congressman is considered the higher achievement. If the media were at all honest they would always say Cain was the "Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City" but they do not because they know the Tea Party is out against the Fed.

reply to post by getreadyalready


Have you heard any news about how the Straw Poll is going? This is worse than waiting for Christmas as a kid!

reply to post by wayouttheredude


If you are really expecting the truth from the MSM then you really are way out there, dude.

Oxymoron: A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. You know, like military intelligence, honest politician or fair and balanced. A truthful press would be nice but we all know they can't exist any more than leprechauns, unicorns or Ron Paul (if you listen to the MSM he doesn't exist) .

Unfortunately, we are stuck with them.