He is a real contender?

I made a prediction a little while back on Facebook that Ron Paul just couldn't do it; that he wasn't a real contender. I was surprised at the flurry of responses I received letting me know that I was crazy and of course he's a real contender.


I'm reading all the posts and tweets and seeing lots of support for Ron Paul. Even when he was questioned by a reporter about articles that he either did or didn't see - but seems he did make money from - many of my FB friends rallied for him in a big way. I even saw several YouTube videos saying terrible things about the reporter and calling her a "media whore".


Even with the recent numbers he's getting and all the support I'm seeing; I'm still on the fence. I'm looking at this thing from the point-of-view of a general election and I honestly think the dynamics are different enough that he could never go up against the Obama machine.


Dig into how Obama won the election and watch the various YouTube videos questioning Obama voters about things he said and it becomes clear that they just weren't listening. It was simply a huge and very well targeted marketing campaign; likely one of the best ever put forth by a presidential campaign.


I mean seriously people; what did he do with he life previous to becoming President that made him a great candidate to lead us? Absolutely nothing!


Now, think about Ron Paul going up against a well played pop-culture marketing campaign. Do you really think he can pull it off and make it happen? I just don't. I'm going to be honest now and some of you won't like this. If you look at him - don't listen to him - just look at him; what comes to mind, what do you see?


Honestly, I see an old southern politician that would stand up for slavery and say it's a great thing. Is that fair? Is that Him? NO!! It's obvious that's not him. However, if people voted for Obama without listening to him; how do you think people are going to vote this time? It's a pop-culture era people and much of the voting public does so from an emotional place; not one of intellect.


Really, the only thing leading us out of this black-hole of popular-ism is the tea party and those finally willing to stand up and say enough-is-enough! I just don't think we have enough support to put someone like Paul through in the general election; not yet.


That's just me; what do you think?

Some Disturbing Changes - By Contributor Val

Politics seem to be a topic that many hesitate to broach due to it's volatile nature, especially in the current climate of economic meltdown and uncertainty.  My husband and I - during our 40 years of marriage - have been mildly interested in politics, however, it was not until 2008 that our interest piqued.  

We began watching the news and listening to radio commentaries; including both liberal and conservative programs.  We also had some heated "discussions" with each other and others during the campaign.  For the most part, discussions remained civil and friendly even when platforms were diametrically opposed.  It was OK to stand for individual beliefs.

As this campaign season has gotten underway, I see a couple of changes that disturb me.   One is the montra "both parties are the same...one is just as bad as the other". I agree that there are men and women in both (all) parties who might have less than honorable intentions.  However, each party has a different platform, with different beliefs as to how  this country should be run.  

It seems to me that trying to meld them into one size fits all - i.e., both are the same - is a very dangerous generality.  It (in my opinion) muddies the differences instead of embracing them.  Could it be that if they are all the same we don't have to stand for anything?

The other change is the intensity of personal attacks.  I am shocked at the hateful and demeaning dialogue I hear just about every day of the week on the news from the President to the political pundits to rants on Facebook!  It's about policies not personalities...sheesh!  

Two people come to mind...one a liberal Democrat and the other a right wing Conservative...James Carville and his wife Mary Matalin.  James who In 1992,  helped lead Bill Clinton to a win against George H. W. Bush in the Presidential election and In 1993, Carville was honored as Campaign Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants.  Mary a Republican political pundit, who worked for President George H. W. Bush on his 1992 reelection campaign.  

I loved watching them go at each other in very heated and  animated discussions, then when it was over they would talk about their kids, look at each other lovingly and sometimes they would even give each other a little kiss at the end of the segment.  They did it right... I think we can learn from them... http://youtu.be/LGL6eaIe3kM.

Your thoughts?