Ron Paul admits "conventional" defeat

[Tiberius]

Source: New York Times

In a message posted on YouTube on Thursday, Representative Ron Paul acknowledged that he would not be able to win the Republican presidential nomination.

“Though victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race, many victories have been achieved due to your hard work and enthusiasm,” Mr. Paul, of Texas, said in the video, which clocked in at over seven minutes long.

(snip)

He envisioned a bleak future, but ended on a hopeful note.

“At the rate our economy is slipping, we will likely see the disintegration of the American empire,” he said. But he later added, “Today’s events should be seen as a tremendous opportunity to change our country for the good.”

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/paul-admits-conventional-defeat/

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While I personally harbor no affection for Mr. Paul's efforts to strip away what little is left of the social net in America, I'm still happy to have heard his thoughts.

[laconicsax]

1. Run 3rd party Ron!

Do your part to ensure that there's no doubt that the Democratic nominee will win, big time.

[Windex]

2. He's still in - sort of

He's still in, giving speeches and trying to get more delegates but admits he can't win.

[Sherman A1]

3. Agreed

While I don't agree with him on pretty much every issue (except Iraq) he brings ideas to the debate and frankly we need to hear as many ideas as possible, even ones with which we disagree.

[eridani]

4. "Idea" candidates don't quit just because they can't win

They stay in to promote their ideas. Kucinich did that in 2004, when not faced with a serious primary threat.

[Ian David]

5. No, don't let The Paultards lose hope! Tell them they can win! n/t

[Ordr]

6. Ah well.

I respect Ron Paul immensely even though I disagree with him on some issues. He was excellent in the debates and certainly a breath of fresh air. Hopefully the Republican party will embrace some of his non-interventionist and economic ideals.

[ozone_man]

10. Notice that John Edwards is backing the Iraq/recession campaign.

This was really the main issue that Ron Paul was talking about. That our military escapades all over the world are not only senseless, but they threaten our economic security at home. The Democrats have been timid to talk about this, but are starting to, because they feel it is safe, now that the recession looms and Iraq war sentiment is negative.

But, before it was a safe topic to talk about, Ron Paul was talking about it. He didn't vote for the Iraq war or the Patriot Act. While I don't agree with him on social issues, on military and economic (anti-NAFTA, anti-corporate welfare) issues, he speaks truth to power like no other candidate I've heard, except for Nader of course.

[Ordr]

11. Absolutely.

He is a true conservative Republican in the spirit of Barry Goldwater. He has some balls on him, too, with the fearless ability to go up against the Neo-Conservative agenda. It's a shame to see what happened to that party. They were once respectable, even if you disagreed with some of their politics.

[theredpen]

13. At least Paul won the primary for his seat in Congress

It's either him or the Democrat in November to be elected to keep needling the neo-cons in Washington.

Also, Nick Lampson (D) looks like he'll hold on to DeLay's old seat. Keep your fingers crossed.

[YOY]

14. His economic ideals? The guy is a corporate anarchist!

Letting corporations control everything?

Complete lack of government intervention into the affairs of corporations???

You agree with that?

[rasputin1952]

7. "....tremedous opportunity to change our country for the good."

Now there is a sign of a great orator...:D

RP is a loon,never had a chance, but at least he spoke out against the carnage in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Ron Paul lawn signs are now heating homes across the Great Plains...:)

[underpants]

8. Freak

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=e2f15397-a3c7-4720-ac15-4532a7da84ca

[seasat]

9. Wow and he had appeal to such a wide base.

You'd think that a candidate that appeals to tin foil hat wearing antigovernment libertarians and survivalist types would have drawn more support. I'm shocked, I tell you.

:sarcasm: thingie in case it isn't evident.

Seriously, in examining his policies, most Repugs want to turn back our policies to the time of Hoover, Paul wanted to take the US back to the time of the Gilded Age.

[The Croquist]

12. Well at least we know he understands math.

I had my doubts after I saw him on "Meet the Press" and Tim Russert asked him to explain how he could eliminate the Income Tax and balance the budget at the same time.

It wasn't pretty...

[Tiberius]

15. Indeed.

Get rid of the income tax, as long as you don't care about roads, courts, schools, or the military.

There, I just defended the IRS.

[The Croquist]

16. Life sucks....

[jazzjunkysue]

17. "George Bush Admits Conventional Idiocy."

Now, give me a hard one.