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Scouting out the Republican competition in ’08While I’ve promoted my fair share of progressive politics over the past year, it seems that, in the spirit of primary season, it is time to give a nod to the folks across the aisle. 
Devan Barber Since all the presidential candidates’ campaigns have been heating up in recent weeks, I thought it might be fun to analyze the Republican contenders. So, here are some of the people who could be running this country in 2009 — well, in theory anyway. Rudy Giuliani: Poor Rudy. He started out so strong, and then for some reason his complete disregard for significant primaries occurring on days other than Feb. 5 seems to have squashed his presidential hopes. I honestly thought he had it in the bag, but at this point he’s being surpassed by Ron “Dismantle the Internal Revenue Service” Paul. I knew Republicans were having a hard time warming up to a pro-choice, cross-dressing non-homophobe, but this campaign has really taken a nosedive. Mike Huckabee: This man terrifies me a little. He sort of wants to revamp our Constitution to reflect the will of God and by sort of I mean he has stated that explicitly. I mean, I love God just as much as the next Southern Baptist minister running for president, but not so much in a “theocracy” way. To be fair, he is fairly consistent in his religion-infused politics. While he’s extremely anti-choice, he actually wants to “protect the unborn” once they’ve left the womb. You know, like, not polluting the environment and attempting to give kids an education. In the Jan. 28, 2007 episode of “Meet the Press,” he even said, “I think that real pro-life people need to be concerned about affordable housing, safe neighborhoods [and] access to a college education.” That sounds like crazy leftist propaganda, so he’s pretty much barred from winning the GOP nomination — which is really fine with me. John McCain: In my mind, McCain seems to be the least of five evils in this race. He doesn’t Bible-thump or rail about the “illegals,” and the whole campaign finance reform thing makes him seem less corrupt than, say, everyone else. Unfortunately, no level of maverick-style independence can erase the fact that he somehow still supports the war in Iraq (huh?) and is about 100 years old. Mitt Romney: I think Mitt Romney is probably a robot. His hair is too shiny, and whenever he speaks I feel like he’s trying to sell me overpriced, pre-owned vehicles. Maybe his untrustworthy nature stems from the complete political makeover that took place between his stint as governor of Massachusetts and his bid for president. Can’t say for sure. But I am sorry to say that his Mormonism will probably prevent him from winning anything, because it seems like the evangelicals are kind of finicky about that stuff. Ron Paul: There’s so much to say about this man. For one, he’s not really a Republican — or, rather, none of the other Republicans are actually Republicans. They’ve managed to turn the party into a socially conservative, big-government nuthouse (thanks, conservative Christian movement), so that “real” conservatives like Ron Paul are left shouting from the sidelines. Despite whatever Barack Obama’s been saying over and over again for what seems like forever, Paul would certainly bring the most “change” to Washington. Like, you know, tearing down the IRS, removing the United States from all international organizations and treaties and ending the war on drugs. Of course, this is also why he will never win the Republican nomination. That, and the fact that his supporters seem sort of rabid and cult-like. Devan Barber is a senior at the College. |
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It’s a sad day in America when “supporters seem sort of rabid and cult-like.” You know supporting such anti-American notions as peace, prosperity, and freedom.
— Warren Jan 26, 11:21 AM #
I don’t know if I should be heartened or just plain bummed out that the most insightful analysis of seen to date comes from a college kid. Thanks, Devan. You just convinced me that TV really IS makebelieve and none of it is real. Wait a second…Ron Paul ISN’T on TV. Does that mean he’s REAL?
— Cagey B Jan 26, 11:21 AM #
Strange,if you support the constitution,and the ideals this country was built on your a cultist….I sure hope the cult of the constitution continues to grow!!!Extremism on the side of liberty is no vise!!
— james Jan 26, 11:31 AM #
I think describing people as “rabid and cult-like” is hardly giving a “nod across the aisle”. To be honest, the level of invective and polemics tossed about (even casually) against R. Paul has got to be one of the most disappointing things about this election season. People take it for granted that a small-government, non-interventionist candidate can (and should be) casually slandered. It’s too bad.
There is no magic here – Ron Paul appeals to those of us who think that having a huge multi-trillion dollar government that maintains a massive world-wide military presence while maintaining it by debasing the currency and massive borrowing is a long-term strategy for ruination.
You really think the Obama/Clinton crowd (I see no policy distinctions between the two) will fix things, eh? Well, since they seem on the path to victory this cultist can only hope you’re right (to end on a slightly upbeat note).
— Dan Hansen Jan 26, 11:45 AM #
It’s funny, for most of my life I’ve heard nothing but contempt for the electorate who have dropped out of the political process for any number of personal reasons.
Then, when there’s finally a candidate worth getting excited about and thousands of previously disaffected and apathetic citizens take to the streets and the bandwidth in support of that candidate they’re labelled kool-aid drinking cultists.
Am I the only one who sees this irony?
Ta,
— Tom L Jan 26, 11:47 AM #
If we seem rabid and cult like it’s because we want our contry back. It’s been overrun by war mongers, corporate is in bed with the politicans, we have a banking system that is outlawed by the consititution, ect. ect.
We are patriots and real patriots are few and far between. Our civil liberties are under attack and you want us to sit idly by and watch it happen?
Our founding fathers were considered traitors by the English and we had to fight to make this country what it is. The quotes from the founding fathers are as much a concern today as they were then.
http://www.dojgov.net/Liberty_Watch.htm
“We, the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.” Thomas Jefferson
— Rosco1776 Jan 26, 11:55 AM #
Ron Paul is the only one that makes any sense.
— Mike Jan 26, 11:57 AM #
Tom I., irony surrounds this campaign. Heck, they’re calling us “radical” for wanting to follow the Constitution.
— Dan G. Jan 26, 12:00 PM #
You didn’t mention that Ron Paul is anti-war whereas John McCain wants to stay there for 100 years.
— Bert M. Jan 26, 12:08 PM #
Devan Barber, “his supporters seem sort of rabid and cult-like.” Spare me, this Ron Paul supporter is a 50 year old executive, married grandfather, and police reserve officer. Have a good afternoon living your judgmental life.
— tim, minnesota Jan 26, 12:14 PM #
As taken from a Time article called “The Ron Paul Revolution”:
“Representative Tom Tancredo, another long-shot G.O.P. candidate, tells me that after a debate in New Hampshire, one of his staffers walked up to a guy in a shark costume and asked him if he was a Ron Paul supporter. ‘No. They’re all nuts,’ replied the shark. ‘I’m just a guy in a shark suit.’”
— Just Saying Jan 26, 04:07 PM #
I think you just got your little college girl ass handed to you by “longshot,darkhorse, grass roots, nut case, tin-foil hat-wearing Ron Paul fanatics”
— Eric Jan 26, 04:23 PM #
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article http://mormonsarechristian.blogspot.com/ helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity’s comprehension of baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) adheres more closely to First Century Christianity and the New Testament than any other denomination. For example, Harper’s Bible Dictionary entry on the Trinity says “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the New Testament.”
One Baptist blogger stated “99 percent of the members of his Baptist church believe in the Mormon (and Early Christian) view of the Trinity. It is the preachers who insist on the Nicene Creed definition.” It seems to me the reason the pastors denigrate the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is to protect their flock (and their livelihood).
— Mormons Are Christian Jan 26, 04:28 PM #
Ah, well I was almost amused. The attempt at cuteness and cleverness left me feeling Devan is a bit of a drone. The message of this article is what? That she did part of her homework? Since McCain has called Ron Paul the most honest man in Washington, I fail to see how Dr. Paul can be considered evil or dishonest when compared to Anyone else. It’s obvious this is just one more article written by a semi-ignorant ill informed and lazy would-be journalist who truly believes she’s clever enough to write about her precious little feelings and opinions and not have to research or learn anything about the subject she covers. She should send her resume to Fox news.
— mgginva Jan 26, 04:59 PM #
Yes. Ron Paul supporters are whacko. And Obama will bring change. While Hillary will bring experience. Anything else you’d like to add to the table that helps perpetuate our presidential elections as nothing more than beauty pageants?
— Paul Jan 26, 05:23 PM #
Sad that you don’t recognize the illegal Federal Reserve and IRS.
Ron Paul is the only HONEST candidate!
— NH Jan 26, 06:08 PM #
I think someone (#14) telling Devan to send her resume to Fox News is probably the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.
— Matt Beato Jan 26, 07:15 PM #
Another utterly predictable article by Devan. Please do some research before regurgitating what your professors have told you.
— Ben Dover Jan 26, 11:38 PM #
Wow! How exciting for us! Another pathetic piece written by a trust funder, compiled completely from mainstream media sound bites. Could you at least help us to understand why the federal income tax is a good thing. or tell us why ending an illegal war and bringing our troops home right away is bad. Dr. Ron Paul is the best hope this country has had in over 100 years. You indicated that there was so much to say about Ron Paul yet you said nothing , at least nothing smart. Why not let your readers know that Dr. Paul has delivered over 4000 babies or that he has served in the military with honor or that he has never voted to raise taxes or that he has authored books on economics which are held in very high regard and often quoted.
What a sad attempt on your part.
— KERBOUCHARD Jan 27, 03:59 AM #
Used car salesman? Oh my Devan. You are growing up to sound just like a Democrat. Do your parents know what you are doing? KERBOUCHARD has it right. You are in college to learn to think for yourself.
— JLFuller Jan 27, 11:07 AM #
Hahahahaha
— Devan Barber Jan 27, 01:03 PM #
I’ve changed my mind: post #19 is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard, followed closely by #20.
— Matt Beato Jan 27, 06:15 PM #