I interviewed Rep. Ron Paul in his DC office a few weeks ago. Here's the video.

[WilliamPitt]

Note well: I am a crappy interviewer. Haven't done one on-camera for almost four years. Ergo, ignore me and listen to him...and pay close attention to the second paragraph below. Despite Rep. Paul's occasionally dizzying stances, and his mind-bending anti-choice record, we need to make this fellow (and Bob Barr, too) our bestest buddy before the GOP convention in September. Read on:

Interview With Congressman Ron Paul
Thursday 29 May 2008
by: William Rivers Pitt, t r u t h o u t | Interview

Despite what the mainstream news media choose to report, Senator John McCain of Arizona is not the last remaining Republican candidate for president today. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas never abandoned his run for the GOP nomination, and he fully intends to present himself before the Republican National Convention in September as a true conservative alternative to McCain's status-quo candidacy. In fact, according to a recent blog report published by The Los Angeles Times, Paul looks to do more than merely show up at the door.

"Largely under the radar of most people," reported the Times, "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. They hope to demonstrate their disagreements with McCain vocally at the convention through platform fights and an attempt to get Paul a prominent speaking slot. Paul, who's running unopposed in his home Texas district for an 11th House term, still has some $5 million in war funds and has instructed his followers that their struggle is not about a single election, but a long-term revolution for control of the Republican Party."

Representative Paul has been an iconoclastic presence within the Republican Party for nearly thirty years, beginning his political career in opposition to President Nixon's decision to take America off the gold standard. He secured the Libertarian Party nomination for president in 1988, running against Vice President George H.W. Bush and Governor Michael Dukakis. Primarily motivated by economic issues and a strongly held interpretation of the Constitution, Paul has become more of a political maverick within his party than John McCain could ever hope to be.

More, with video of interview, here:

http://www.truthout.org/article/interview-with-congressman-ron-paul

[KharmaTrain]

1. Yep...The Streets Could Be Fun To Watch

The Paulbots are very much alive and have quite a surprise in store. They want their man to have a prime time speaking slot at the RNC. Imagine him denouncing everything Gramps stands for right on prime time. :bounce:.

Not gonna happen? Probably. Well that's not gonna go well with the Paulbots...and I suspect we could see a replay of this...when Paul was shut out of the New Hampshire debates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vvEeuvOzvM

A friend who hangs with the local Paulbots keeps telling me these people are very pissed...if Paul doesn't run third party, many will support Barr (and 5% in swing states will make a big difference)...especially if Paul endorses him (rumor has it he will)...but first they're gonna make a statement to the GOOP.

This could be the real "Operation Chaos" going on. Gramps is gonna get Naderized.

Yes, fellow Democrats, be nice to your local Paulbot.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

2. They are well organized in my neck of the woods. Haven't seen

that first sign of support for McInsane but Ron Paul is everywhere. Has signs on all major intersections, lots of notices in the paper about Ron Paul events and clubs being formed. I go to see my mother about 45 miles away. One stretch of four-lane highway of about 15 miles long has a Ron Paul signs about every 500 feet in the median. I went one week and there they were. Went back a couple of days later and they were gone. Another trip and there they were again. They are removed and they appear again. I know the road crews trying to mow has got to be extremely pissed off but I am amazed at their tenacity and organization.

[KharmaTrain]

3. The Future Of The GOOP...

The Libertarians have been very active in this area for several years...co-inciding with the collapse of the state repugnican party. I see the same thing you do and have for several years as many former GOOpers feel the "mainstream" party has sold them out. While the corporate media loves to talk about how fractured the Democrats are, here's the real rift and one that's getting bigger. The corporate media sleeps on this one cause its not happening under their nose, but I suspect we haven't heard the end of the Paulbots or a shift to the Libertarians.

Cheers...

[EmeraldCityGrl]

7. The Repugs have been so busy appeasing the Christian Right Wing, Corporate

America, and the warmongers, they have failed the socially moderate, fiscal conservatives. I've been watching the Ron Paul phenomenon for some time
and they are not going away with a whimper.

This could prove to be very interesting.

[grantcart]

8. 5% in swing states

5% in most red states would have a dramatic impact.

McCain, for example is only polling 51% in Arizona. If he loses 5% in his home state it comes into play.

That would collapse his faltering effort to raise campaign money and end him back carrying his own suitcase.

[Virginia Dare]

4. I'd like to see them chase Hanshitty around the block again..

that was funny..:rofl:

The Paulbots are a weird bunch, but I hope they do organize their own little operation chaos.

[DinahMoeHum]

5. Anybody that takes votes away from McCain and the GOopers

is OK by me.

:kick::kick:

[LSK]

6. thanks, he sooooo gets it when it comes to the debt and the war economy

And how we always shoot ourselves in the foot when fucking around in everyones country. Even thou I strongly disagree with his free market/anti regulation stances and social policies, he is worth listening to and he has changed a few Republicans minds about the war.

[reggie the dog]

15. he is also good

about legalizing drugs.

[Time for change]

9. Very nice interview

This could be the most interesting and exciting Republican Convention since 1976. I'd love to see Paul get a lot more attention.

[berni_mccoy]

10. Will, that's a DAMN GOOD PIECE. Thank you. It also gives me some relief about our own Party's

internal strife. Theirs is far more sinister after reading your article.

McCain also has Bob Barr to deal with!

[pacalo]

11. Don't sell yourself short, Will. This was a most intelligent, interesting conversation.

And it was refreshing to hear a politician speak so candidly & thoughtfully, without the same tired talking points.

[lovuian]

12. Applause Will

:applause:

[cbc5g]

13. Good interview Paul is a smart man and hopefully will help to destroy McCain n/t

[reggie the dog]

16. we are lucky

that Paul is not the nominee.

[WilliamPitt]

14. .

[slipslidingaway]

17. Good interview and thank you for posting, I agree with him 100%

on some issues and disagree with him 100% on other issues. Too bad we will never hear a real debate and nobody will be held to account.


HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 10, 2003

http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr071003.htm


Neo – CONNED !

"...How did all this transpire? Why did the government do it? Why haven’t the people objected? How long will it go on before something is done? Does anyone care?

Will the euphoria of grand military victories—against non-enemies—ever be mellowed? Someday, we as a legislative body must face the reality of the dire situation in which we have allowed ourselves to become enmeshed. Hopefully, it will be soon!

We got here because ideas do have consequences. Bad ideas have bad consequences, and even the best of intentions have unintended consequences. We need to know exactly what the philosophic ideas were that drove us to this point; then, hopefully, reject them and decide on another set of intellectual parameters.

There is abundant evidence exposing those who drive our foreign policy justifying preemptive war. Those who scheme are proud of the achievements in usurping control over foreign policy. These are the neoconservatives of recent fame. Granted, they are talented and achieved a political victory that all policymakers must admire. But can freedom and the republic survive this takeover? That question should concern us.

Neoconservatives are obviously in positions of influence and are well-placed throughout our government and the media. An apathetic Congress put up little resistance and abdicated its responsibilities over foreign affairs. The electorate was easily influenced to join in the patriotic fervor supporting the military adventurism advocated by the neoconservatives.

There are many reasons why government continues to grow. It would be naïve for anyone to expect otherwise. Since 9-11, protection of privacy, whether medical, personal or financial, has vanished. Free speech and the Fourth Amendment have been under constant attack. Higher welfare expenditures are endorsed by the leadership of both parties. Policing the world and nation-building issues are popular campaign targets, yet they are now standard operating procedures. There’s no sign that these programs will be slowed or reversed until either we are stopped by force overseas (which won’t be soon) or we go broke and can no longer afford these grandiose plans for a world empire (which will probably come sooner than later.)

None of this happened by accident or coincidence. Precise philosophic ideas prompted certain individuals to gain influence to implement these plans. The neoconservatives—a name they gave themselves—diligently worked their way into positions of power and influence. They documented their goals, strategy and moral justification for all they hoped to accomplish. Above all else, they were not and are not conservatives dedicated to limited, constitutional government..."