How can Ron Paul be a 'Libertarian' and win the 'Police State Values Voters Summit' poll?

[MH1]

I saw this morning that Ron Paul won with 37%, the so-Orwellian-called 'Values Voters Summit' straw poll. Huh? How can a Libertarian (as if he actually were one) win a poll by people who want to invade everyone's bedrooms and doctor's offices?

Thoughts?

:popcorn:

[Raine1967]

1. A reporter on NPR suggested

that Paulites may have gone there to skew the votes.

I believe they did this during the 2008 election as well.

[MH1]

3. Ah. But still, a Paulite who isn't 'in the know' about that tactic,

should be a bit worried about their hero, don't you think?

(Paul does want Roe v Wade overturned, if I understand correctly. I don't believe he is actually a libertarian any more than my big toe is a libertarian. I think he just plays one when he thinks it's convenient. Disclaimer: long ago, before I knew anything about anything, I considered myself a Libertarian. Then I found out the Libertarian political party is only about eliminating regulation from capitalism, not social libertarianism. I got outta there ..)

[OHdem10]

2. You do what you gotta do to win votes., I guess.

The RR is the base of of the Republican Party. He
has to get some base support or at least appear to
have it.

He will never be the Republican Candiate. He is
growing his movement--or at least that is what
it appears.

Just some thoughts

[liberal N proud]

4. On the right - Hypocrisy rules the day

every day.

[NightWatcher]

5. The same reason they call Obama a socialist

Because these stupid idiots have no idea what they are talking about.

Repuke voters are only Talking Point Regurgitators who also believe whatever fairy tales are told them by authoritarian figureheads. (chocolate bunnies at Easter-good. Chocolate ghosts on Halloween-bad)

"Keep the government outta my Medicare"
"Abortion kills...execute the bastard"
See also: Flat tax bumpersticker on 1986 stationwagon or Chinese made-yellow ribbon magnet that says "Support the Troops", right next to their 9/11 and "kill em all let god sort em out" stickers

These people are ignorant idiot sheep being lead to the slaughter.

[Blue_Tires]

8. +1

[tularetom]

6. Because he really isn't a "libertarian"

What he actually wants is no regluations on business. He doesn't care if the government forbids abortion or gets in your face in a variety of other ways.

He spends a lot of time sucking up to people like the Voter Values crowd and he's not above denying things like evolution to get their support.

He's just another cheap politician who basically says what he thinks he needs to in order to get elected.

[MH1]

7. Yep, pretty much my take on it too.

Just wondered what folks were thinking about this here. And also of course, for any lurking Paulites who might still not understand what this guy is really about.

[flpoljunkie]

9. It was reported 600 Paul supporters registered just for Saturday so they could vote for him

It was perfectly legal, however. Tony Perkins said Paul's winning not 'reflective' of social issues voters.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/186435-tony-perkins-paul-victory-not-reflective-of-values-voters

Tony Perkins: Ron Paul victory not 'reflective' of social issues voters

By Meghashyam Mali - 10/10/11

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, downplayed GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul’s (R-Texas) win in the organization’s Values Voter Summit straw poll, saying the vote did not reflect social conservative support for his candidacy.

“I don’t think Ron Paul is truly reflective of where values voters stand,” said Perkins on CNN’s "American Morning on Monday."

Perkins described the Texas congressman’s top-place finish in the poll as an “outlier.”

“Ron Paul bussed in over 600 people not to attend the conference but to hear his speech and vote,” he said. “I give them credit for being organized.”

[Jack Rabbit]

10. We're talking about low information voters, aren't we?

Of course, infiltration by Paulistas is the more likely explanation.

[SanchoPanza]

11. He did it the libertarian way.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2011/10/08/ron_paul_wins_values_voter_straw_poll_cain_takes_second.html">He bought it.

In a post-vote press conference, FRC President Tony Perkins made sure to note that 600 people had bought tickets for Saturday only -- a none-too-subtle hint that Paul's supporters had over-represented themselves.

"Do the math," said Perkins. "Ron Paul and his campaign are very well organized."

The rule about straw polls: They only matter if someone's trying to win. In 2010, Rep. Mike Pence made an effort to take the straw poll, and he won it. And then he decided not to run for president. In 2011, the only campaigns with real victory strategys were Ron Paul's and Rick Santorum's. This was limited -- Paul's spin-off Campaign for Liberty organization bought tickets, but the presidential campaign didn't do anything. According to CFL's John Tate, between their efforts and the indepenent efforts of Paul fans -- "some guys rented buses and came down from New York!" -- there were 700 summit passes bought by and for the man from Lake Jackson, Texas.

You needed a ticket to vote. Between Campaign for Liberty and independent supporters, the Paul campaign essentially flooded a small poll (less than 2000 ballots) with their own people.