Ron Paul's forces quietly plot GOP convention revolt against McCain

[truthpusher]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/05/ronpaulgop.html

Virtually all the nation's political attention in recent weeks has focused on the compelling state-by-state presidential nomination struggle between two Democrats and the potential for party-splitting strife over there.

But in the meantime, quietly, largely under the radar of most people, the forces of Rep. Ron Paul have been organizing across the country to stage an embarrassing public revolt against Sen. John McCain when Republicans gather for their national convention in Minnesota at the beginning of September.

Paul's presidential candidacy has been correctly dismissed all along in terms of winning the nomination. He was even excluded as irrelevant by Fox News from a nationally-televised GOP debate in New Hampshire.

But what's been largely overlooked is Paul's candidacy as a reflection of a powerful lingering dissatisfaction with the Arizona senator among the party's most conservative conservatives. As anticipated in late March in The Ticket, that situation could be exacerbated by today's expected announcement from former Republican Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia for the Libertarian Party's presidential nod, a slot held by Paul in 1988.

Never mind Ralph Nader, Republican and Democratic parties both face ...

... potentially damaging internal splits that could cripple their chances for victory in a narrow vote on Nov. 4.

Just take a look at recent Republican primary results, largely overlooked because McCain locked up the necessary 1,191 delegates long ago. In Indiana, McCain got 77% of the recent Republican primary vote, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, who've each long ago quit and endorsed McCain, still got 10% and 5% respectively, while Paul took 8%.

[Waya]

1. HA!!!

[redqueen]

2. I for one am hoping that it's an especially contentious and embarrassing revolt.

:evilgrin:

[Cheap_Trick]

5. maybe along the lines of the '68 Democratic Convention?

Rush's dream may come true after all...just not where he was dreaming.:rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch

LOL

[baldguy]

4. That would be sweet.

The MSM has done a bunch of phony hand-wringing and hair-pulling over the Obama-Clinton rift - and will be blind-sided with a wacko rebellion at the GOP convention.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Ron Paul signs still up around here

I think there are many who are disaffected with the GOP and will support Paul. If things get ugly at the GOP primary, I could see them jumping to the Libertarian Party or other third party, especially if Paul is ignored.

[MercutioATC]

7. Actually, Paul's supporters aren't especially "conservative"...

...they're essentially Libertarians.

Paul isn't the boogeyman, he's got a following because he believes in his version of the Constitution...which isn't so different from a lot of peoples' (including ours). Yes, he has some odd ideas...and some which I believe would be counterproductive...but he represents the Constitutional Republican's counterpoint to Obama...things are messed up and we need to change the entire paradigm to fix them.

If political power wasn't so firmly held by the two major parties in this country, Paul would be a force to be reckoned with.

[SoCalDem]

8. Too bad that Bob Barr & Ron Paul don't run together

That's a dream ticket to split the McCain vote..

[Yael]

9. I would go to Minnesota to help them

:rofl:

[anonymous171]

10. Ron Paul, please run in the GE.