Difference between revisions of "Ron Paul"

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[[File:Ron Paul photo 2007.jpg|right|250x250px|thumb|Ron Paul]]
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{{Officeholder
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|name = Ron Paul
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|image = Ron Paul photo 2007.jpg
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|party = [[Republican]] (former [[Libertarian Party|Libertarian]])
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|spouse = Carolyn Wells
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|religion = [[Southern Baptist]]
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|offices =
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{{Officeholder/representative
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|state = Texas
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|district =14th
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|terms = January 3, 1997 - January 3, 2013
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|preceded = Greg Laughlin
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|succeeded = Randy Weber
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}}
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{{Officeholder/representative
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|state = Texas
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|district = 22nd
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|terms = January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1985
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|preceded = Robert Gammage
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|succeeded = Tom DeLay
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}}
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{{Officeholder/representative
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|state = Texas
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|district = 22nd
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|terms = April 3, 1976 – January 3, 1977
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|preceded = Robert Casey
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|succeeded = Robert Gammage
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}}
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}}
  
'''Ronald Ernest “Ron” Paul''' (born August 20, 1935) is a Republican 10th-term congressman, a former Air Force Flight Surgeon, a physician (M.D.) and a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination in 2008 and 2012.<ref>In 1988 Ron Paul was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States.</ref> He is from the U.S. state of [[Texas]]. As a [[Republican Party|Republican]], he has represented Texas's 14th congressional district in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] since 1997, and had previously served as the representative from Texas's 22nd district in 1976 and from 1979 to 1985.  He retires at the end of 2012.
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'''Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul''' (born August 20, 1935) is a [[paleolibertarian]] [[Republican]] former congressman, a former Air Force Flight Surgeon, a physician (M.D.) a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination in 2008 and 2012, and actor.<ref>In 1988 Ron Paul was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States.</ref> He is from the U.S. state of [[Texas]]. As a [[Republican Party|Republican]], he represented Texas's 14th congressional district in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from 1997 to 2013 and had previously served as the representative from Texas's 22nd district in 1976 and from 1979 to 1985.  He retired from Congress at the end of 2012.
  
In 2009 he has attracted over 300 votes for his bipartisan proposal to subject the [[Federal Reserve]] to unprecedented scrutiny by allowing the Government Accountability Office to audit all central bank operations, including its decisions on interest rates, lending to individual banks and transactions with foreign central banks. He has a separate bill to abolish the Fed altogether. (He is the lone sponsor.)  
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In 2009, he attracted over 300 votes for his bipartisan proposal to subject the [[Federal Reserve]] to unprecedented scrutiny by allowing the Government Accountability Office to audit all central bank operations, including its decisions on interest rates, lending to individual banks and transactions with foreign central banks. He created a separate bill to abolish the Fed altogether. (He was the lone sponsor.)  
  
 
Ron Paul is an outspoken critic of [[neoconservatives]] and their interventionist foreign policy.
 
Ron Paul is an outspoken critic of [[neoconservatives]] and their interventionist foreign policy.
  
In Congress he has proposed doing away with personal income taxes, federal antitrust laws and the minimum wage. He advocated pulling the United States out of the United Nations, NATO and the International Monetary Fund.
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In Congress, he proposed doing away with personal income taxes, federal antitrust laws, and the minimum wage. He advocated pulling the United States out of the [[United Nations]], [[NATO]] and the [[International Monetary Fund]].
  
Ron Paul advocates letting states decide how to handle social issues. He supports anti-federalism and therefore wants to leave the issues of same-sex marriage, abortion, and other social issues up to the decision of individual states. Dr. Paul has consistently espoused the pro-life position.
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Ron Paul advocates letting states decide how to handle social issues. He supports federalism and therefore wants to leave the issues of same-sex marriage, abortion, and other social issues up to the decision of individual states. Dr. Paul has consistently espoused the pro-life position.
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Paul made his acting debut in the third installment of the ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' film series titled "Who is John Galt?"
  
 
==Paleolibertarian==
 
==Paleolibertarian==
Paul is a [[pro-life]] states' rights [[libertarian]], also known as a [[paleolibertarianism|paleolibertarian]]. [[paleolibertarianism|Paleolibertarians]] advocate a limited role of government as well as supporting low taxes, free markets, strict construction of the [[U.S. Constitution]], and a return to monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He has earned the nickname "Dr. No" for voting against any bill he believes violates the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Paul is the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on Capitol Hill. He has never voted to raise taxes or congressional pay. He has always voted against the [[USA PATRIOT Act]], the [[Military Commissions Act of 2006]], and the [[Iraq War]].
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Paul is a [[pro-life]] states' rights [[libertarian]], also known as a [[paleolibertarianism|paleolibertarian]]. [[paleolibertarianism|Paleolibertarians]] advocate a limited role of government as well as supporting low taxes, free markets, strict construction of the [[U.S. Constitution]], and a return to monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He earned the nickname "Dr. No" for voting against any bill he believed violates the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Paul was the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on Capitol Hill. He never voted to raise taxes or congressional pay. He always voted against the [[USA PATRIOT Act]], the [[Military Commissions Act of 2006]], and the [[Iraq War]].
  
 
==Congressional record==
 
==Congressional record==
 
 
Ron Paul is noted for his authorship of the We the People Act, an act which removed the ability of the US Supreme Court to hear cases involving discrimination based on sexual orientation or religion.  He is also noted for submitting several bills banning [[abortion]], and somewhat controversially was the only person to oppose the Darfur Divestment Act of 2007, a bill which disallowed the US government, corporations, and individuals from sending money to or doing business with the janjaweed rebel group of the Sudan.
 
Ron Paul is noted for his authorship of the We the People Act, an act which removed the ability of the US Supreme Court to hear cases involving discrimination based on sexual orientation or religion.  He is also noted for submitting several bills banning [[abortion]], and somewhat controversially was the only person to oppose the Darfur Divestment Act of 2007, a bill which disallowed the US government, corporations, and individuals from sending money to or doing business with the janjaweed rebel group of the Sudan.
  
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==Political affiliations and support==
 
==Political affiliations and support==
Although a Republican, Paul remains on good terms with the [[Libertarian]] Party and addressed its national convention as recently as 2004.<ref>[http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator/vol-09-num-10.htm Liberator online archive] on Advocates for self-governing accessed at March 4, 2007</ref>
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Although a Republican, Paul remains on good terms with the [[Libertarian Party]] and addressed its national convention as recently as 2004.<ref>[http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator/vol-09-num-10.htm Liberator online archive] on Advocates for self-governing accessed at March 4, 2007</ref>
  
 
Paul served as the honorary chairman of and is a current member of the [[Republican Liberty Caucus]], a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party.<ref>[http://fl.rlc.org/ Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida] accessed at March 4, 2007</ref>
 
Paul served as the honorary chairman of and is a current member of the [[Republican Liberty Caucus]], a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party.<ref>[http://fl.rlc.org/ Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida] accessed at March 4, 2007</ref>
  
Unlike many political candidates, Paul receives the overwhelming majority of his campaign contributions (96.8% in 2005-2006), from individuals. <ref>http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00005906&cycle=2006/</ref>
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Unlike many political candidates, Paul receives the overwhelming majority of his campaign contributions (96.8% in 2005-2006), from individuals.<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00005906&cycle=2006/</ref>
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Paul has also founded the organization [[Institute for Peace and Prosperity]], which was criticized for its support of [[Barack Hussein Obama]]. A member of this Institute [[Eric Margolis]] compared Tea Partiers with Nazis.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/ron-pauls-board-includes-obama-lover-and-terrorist-supporter-who-compared-tea-party-to-nazis/</ref>
  
 
==Political Views==
 
==Political Views==
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Paul's desire to secure U.S. borders remains a key topic in his 2008 presidential campaign. He opposes the [[North American Union]] proposition and its proposed integration of Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada.  Paul voted "yes" on the [[Secure Fence Act of 2006]], which authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico. Paul opposes illegal immigration as well as amnesty for illegal immigrants.
 
Paul's desire to secure U.S. borders remains a key topic in his 2008 presidential campaign. He opposes the [[North American Union]] proposition and its proposed integration of Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada.  Paul voted "yes" on the [[Secure Fence Act of 2006]], which authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico. Paul opposes illegal immigration as well as amnesty for illegal immigrants.
  
In the May 3, 2007 GOP Debate, Ron Paul stated that as President, he would seek the immediate abolition of the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] and the abolition of the income tax. As Congressman, he has long fought for the [[Article_One_of_the_United_States_Constitution#Section_9:_Limits_on_Congress|prohibition of direct taxes]] by repeal of the [[16th Amendment to the United States Constitution|16th Amendment]] which created the [[income tax]]. Ron Paul supports a return to the [[gold]] standard of currency particularly newer theorized pure strain gold.
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In the May 3, 2007, GOP Debate, Ron Paul stated that as president, he would seek the immediate abolition of the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] and the abolition of the income tax. As Congressman, he has long fought for the [[Article One of the United States Constitution#Section 9: Limits on Congress|prohibition of direct taxes]] by the repeal of the [[16th Amendment to the United States Constitution|16th Amendment]] which created the [[income tax]]. Ron Paul supports a return to the [[gold]] standard of currency particularly newer theorized pure strain gold.
  
 
On March 5, 2008, Ron Paul was the only member of the house to vote against a bill "Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, and for other purposes"<ref>http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll093.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 93</ref><ref>http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=18214 Congressman Ron Paul's Statement on Gaza Bill</ref>
 
On March 5, 2008, Ron Paul was the only member of the house to vote against a bill "Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, and for other purposes"<ref>http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll093.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 93</ref><ref>http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=18214 Congressman Ron Paul's Statement on Gaza Bill</ref>
  
Paul supported [[WikiLeaks]]<ref>http://wlcentral.org/node/479</ref> and the legalization of Cannabis.
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Paul supported [[WikiLeaks]]<ref>http://wlcentral.org/node/479</ref> and the legalization of [[Cannabis]].
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Paul is a defender of [[Homeschooling]].<ref>http://www.ronpaul.com/2013-09-09/ron-paul-the-homeschooling-revolution/</ref>
  
 
=== On [[Libyan War|Libyan civil war]] ===
 
=== On [[Libyan War|Libyan civil war]] ===
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==2008 Presidential Campaign==
 
==2008 Presidential Campaign==
  
Paul formally declared his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential election on 12 March, 2007 as a guest on [[Washington Journal]] on [[C-SPAN]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA031207.paul2008.EN.74141d9.html | title = Paul formally launches presidential bid | first = Gary | last = Martin | work = San Antonio Express-News | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> <ref>[http://chbn.com/Clip.aspx?key=1CD9E3A0397BCBEC Ron Paul announcing candidacy on C-SPAN]</ref>. In regards to his candidacy, he had a 30-minute interview with online political analyst [[James Kotecki]] regarding foreign policy, Congress and the Constitution, and personal liberties. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/jameskotecki James Kotecki interviews Ron Paul]</ref>  
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Paul formally declared his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential election on 12 March 2007 as a guest on [[Washington Journal]] on [[C-SPAN]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA031207.paul2008.EN.74141d9.html | title = Paul formally launches presidential bid | first = Gary | last = Martin | work = San Antonio Express-News | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref><ref>[http://chbn.com/Clip.aspx?key=1CD9E3A0397BCBEC Ron Paul announcing candidacy on C-SPAN]</ref>  In regards to his candidacy, he had a 30-minute interview with online political analyst [[James Kotecki]] regarding foreign policy, Congress and the Constitution, and personal liberties.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/jameskotecki James Kotecki interviews Ron Paul]</ref>  
  
Paul participated (along with nine other Republican presidential candidates) in the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]]'s 2008 Republican Presidential Candidates Debate on May 3, 2007. Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate with 43 percent -- beating second place [[Mitt Romney]] by 5 percentage points.[http://www.ronpaul2008.typepad.com/]
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Paul participated (along with nine other Republican presidential candidates) in the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]]'s 2008 Republican Presidential Candidates Debate on May 3, 2007. Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate with 43 percent—beating second place [[Mitt Romney]] by 5 percentage points.<ref>[http://www.ronpaul2008.typepad.com/]</ref>
  
 
Paul seemed to have dropped slightly in the polls that followed the second Republican debate in Columbia, South Carolina, to 25 percent.  This was probably as a result of his suggestion that weekly bombing of [[Iraq]] following [[Operation Desert Fox]] in December 1998 may have contributed sufficiently to [[Arab]] anger at the United States as to make the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]] inevitable.  Paul was excoriated by [[Rudy Giuliani]], who said that this was the most bizarre explanation for the attacks he had ever heard.  Other Republican commentators sought to explain Paul's continued strength in post-debate polls as the result of multiple votes by his supporters or voting by non-Republicans. In response to Rudy Giuliani, the next day at the National Press Club, Ron Paul offered Rudy a book list to read regarding the issue of American foreign policy. These books are ''Imperial Hubris'' by Michael Scheuer, ''Dying to Win'' by Robert Pape, ''Blowback'' by Chalmers Johnson, and ''The 9-11 Commission Report'' by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks.
 
Paul seemed to have dropped slightly in the polls that followed the second Republican debate in Columbia, South Carolina, to 25 percent.  This was probably as a result of his suggestion that weekly bombing of [[Iraq]] following [[Operation Desert Fox]] in December 1998 may have contributed sufficiently to [[Arab]] anger at the United States as to make the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]] inevitable.  Paul was excoriated by [[Rudy Giuliani]], who said that this was the most bizarre explanation for the attacks he had ever heard.  Other Republican commentators sought to explain Paul's continued strength in post-debate polls as the result of multiple votes by his supporters or voting by non-Republicans. In response to Rudy Giuliani, the next day at the National Press Club, Ron Paul offered Rudy a book list to read regarding the issue of American foreign policy. These books are ''Imperial Hubris'' by Michael Scheuer, ''Dying to Win'' by Robert Pape, ''Blowback'' by Chalmers Johnson, and ''The 9-11 Commission Report'' by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks.
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Eric Dondero, a former Ron Paul staffer, declared himself a candidate against Paul in the 2008 Republican primary election to represent the 14th District of Texas in Congress.  Dondero (called "Dumbdero" by [[libertarians]]) dropped out shortly thereafter.  Considering the trouncing Paul ended up giving to [[Chris Peden]] in the 2008 Republican congressional primary, it was likely for the better.
 
Eric Dondero, a former Ron Paul staffer, declared himself a candidate against Paul in the 2008 Republican primary election to represent the 14th District of Texas in Congress.  Dondero (called "Dumbdero" by [[libertarians]]) dropped out shortly thereafter.  Considering the trouncing Paul ended up giving to [[Chris Peden]] in the 2008 Republican congressional primary, it was likely for the better.
  
Paul has garnered large amounts of support from activists, particularly on the [[Internet]]. Many have come up with creative ways to campaign for their candidate. For example, some Paul supporters, who are not officially affiliated with his campaign, purchased a blimp to fly overhead with the phrases "Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul" and "Ron Paul Revolution". <ref>http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/</ref> The [[neo-Nazi]] organization [[Stormfront]] also provided [[widget]]s on its internet site to enable people to electronically donate cash to Paul's campaign. Stormfront's founder, former [[Ku Klux Klan]] member Don Black, also gave financial support to Paul's campaign.<ref>[http://lonestartimes.com/2007/10/25/rpb1/ Lone Star Times] 25 October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2008.</ref>
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Paul has garnered large amounts of support from activists, particularly on the [[Internet]]. Many have come up with creative ways to campaign for their candidate. For example, some Paul supporters, who are not officially affiliated with his campaign, purchased a blimp to fly overhead with the phrases "Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul" and "Ron Paul Revolution".<ref>http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/</ref> The [[neo-Nazi]] organization [[Stormfront]] also provided [[widget]]s on its internet site to enable people to electronically donate cash to Paul's campaign. Stormfront's founder, former [[Ku Klux Klan]] member Don Black, also gave financial support to Paul's campaign.<ref>[http://lonestartimes.com/2007/10/25/rpb1/ Lone Star Times] 25 October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2008.</ref>
 
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He dropped out of the race on June 12, 2008, but will keep spreading his [[message]] by working to help elect [[Libertarianism|libertarian-leaning]] Republicans to [[public]] office around the [[United States of America|U.S.]] <ref>[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/12/ron-paul-ends-campaign-will-shift-gears/
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Ron Paul Ends Campaign, Will ‘Shift Gears’], [[Associated Press]], ''[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]'', June 12, 2008</ref>
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He dropped out of the race on June 12, 2008, but will keep spreading his [[message]] by working to help elect [[Libertarianism|libertarian-leaning]] Republicans to [[public]] office around the [[United States of America|U.S.]] <ref>[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/12/ron-paul-ends-campaign-will-shift-gears/  Ron Paul Ends Campaign, Will ‘Shift Gears’], [[Associated Press]], ''[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]'', June 12, 2008</ref>
  
 
=== Possible Campaign censorship by the Media ===
 
=== Possible Campaign censorship by the Media ===
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As 2012 approached, there was speculation as to whether Paul would run as a Republican candidate or a third party candidate.  This was in the context of a larger struggle within the Republican Party between an emerging [[Tea Party]] element and a more moderate Republican establishment.  Paul had gained a dedicated following among the Tea Party, idealistic young people and libertarians, and needed to translate that support into an effective Presidential campaign.  Paul also had to navigate between the expectations of his supporters, his strategic objectives and the possibilities that the Republican establishment could harm the future career of his son, Senator [[Rand Paul]].
 
As 2012 approached, there was speculation as to whether Paul would run as a Republican candidate or a third party candidate.  This was in the context of a larger struggle within the Republican Party between an emerging [[Tea Party]] element and a more moderate Republican establishment.  Paul had gained a dedicated following among the Tea Party, idealistic young people and libertarians, and needed to translate that support into an effective Presidential campaign.  Paul also had to navigate between the expectations of his supporters, his strategic objectives and the possibilities that the Republican establishment could harm the future career of his son, Senator [[Rand Paul]].
  
Leading up to the campaign, Paul appeared in the 2010 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) straw poll. Paul won the poll, defeating Mitt Romney, who had won it the previous three years.<ref name=CPAC>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/20/conservatives.meeting/index.html |title=Rep. Ron Paul surprise winner of CPAC presidential straw poll |publisher=CNN |date=February 21, 2010| accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Paul also won the 2011 CPAC straw poll with 30 percent of the vote. Following that, he also won the paid, online Arizona Tea Party Patriots straw poll on February 28, 2011 with 49% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20037196-503544.html |title=Ron Paul and Herman Cain lead the pack in Tea Party Patriots straw poll |publisher=CBS News |accessdate=September 18, 2012 | date=February 28, 2011}}</ref>
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Leading up to the campaign, Paul appeared in the 2010 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) straw poll. Paul won the poll, defeating Mitt Romney, who had won it the previous three years.<ref name=CPAC>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/20/conservatives.meeting/index.html |title=Rep. Ron Paul surprise winner of CPAC presidential straw poll |publisher=CNN |date=February 21, 2010| accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Paul also won the 2011 CPAC straw poll with 30 percent of the vote. Following that, he also won the paid, online Arizona Tea Party Patriots straw poll on February 28, 2011 with 49% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20037196-503544.html |title=Ron Paul and Herman Cain lead the pack in Tea Party Patriots straw poll |publisher=CBS News |accessdate=September 18, 2012 | date=February 28, 2011}}</ref>
  
In February 2011, Paul asked supporters to donate to his Liberty Political Action Committee to fund trips to explore a possible 2012 presidential candidacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libertypac.com/2011/02/23/dr-paul-thanks-grassroots-for-president%E2%80%99s-day-money-bomb/ |title=Dr. Paul Thanks Grassroots for President's Day Money Bomb |publisher=Liberty.pac |accessdate=Septmeber 18, 2012| date=February 22, 2011}}</ref> On April 14, 2011, Paul's spokesman, Jesse Benton, announced that Paul had formed a "testing-the-waters" organization, stating, "He remains undecided on what his plans will be, but as a final decision draws closer, his team has put the pieces in place for him to flip a switch and hit the ground running if he decides to run for president."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/14/ron-paul-2012-presidential-exploratory_n_849144.html |title=Ron Paul 2012 Presidential 'Testing The Waters' Organization Launches |work=The Huffington Post|accessdate=September 18, 2012 |date=April 14, 2011 |first=Elyse |last=Siegel}}</ref> Paul announced the formation of an [[exploratory committee]] in [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]], [[Iowa]] on April 26 aimed at seeking the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42770196/ns/politics-decision_2012/ |title= Ron Paul kicks off exploratory committee for 2012 bid |publisher=msnbc.com |accessdate=September 18, 2012 | date=April 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name=thehill>{{cite news |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/157817-ron-paul-officially-announces-2012-exploratory-committee |title=Ron Paul officially announces 2012 presidential exploratory committee  |work=The Hill|accessdate=September 18, 2012 | date=April 26, 2011}}</ref> On May 5, 2011, Paul participated in a debate in [[Greenville, South Carolina]] sponsored by Fox News with four other possible Republican candidates.<ref name=election-news>{{cite web | url=http://uselectionnews.org/foxsc-debate-features-just-5-of-2012-gop/853203/ | title=FOX/SC Debate Features Just 5 of 2012 GOP | author=Taylor, Alexandra | date=May 5, 2011 | accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>
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In February 2011, Paul asked supporters to donate to his Liberty Political Action Committee to fund trips to explore a possible 2012 presidential candidacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libertypac.com/2011/02/23/dr-paul-thanks-grassroots-for-president%E2%80%99s-day-money-bomb/ |title=Dr. Paul Thanks Grassroots for President's Day Money Bomb |publisher=Liberty.pac |accessdate=Septmeber 18, 2012| date=February 22, 2011}}</ref> On April 14, 2011, Paul's spokesman, Jesse Benton, announced that Paul had formed a "testing-the-waters" organization, stating, "He remains undecided on what his plans will be, but as a final decision draws closer, his team has put the pieces in place for him to flip a switch and hit the ground running if he decides to run for president."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/14/ron-paul-2012-presidential-exploratory_n_849144.html |title=Ron Paul 2012 Presidential 'Testing The Waters' Organization Launches |work=The Huffington Post|accessdate=September 18, 2012 |date=April 14, 2011 |first=Elyse |last=Siegel}}</ref> Paul announced the formation of an [[exploratory committee]] in [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]], [[Iowa]] on April 26 aimed at seeking the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42770196/ns/politics-decision_2012/ |title= Ron Paul kicks off exploratory committee for 2012 bid |publisher=msnbc.com |accessdate=September 18, 2012 | date=April 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name=thehill>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/157817-ron-paul-officially-announces-2012-exploratory-committee |title=Ron Paul officially announces 2012 presidential exploratory committee  |work=The Hill|accessdate=September 18, 2012 | date=April 26, 2011}}</ref> On May 5, 2011, Paul participated in a debate in [[Greenville, South Carolina]] sponsored by Fox News with four other possible Republican candidates.<ref name=election-news>{{cite web | url=http://uselectionnews.org/foxsc-debate-features-just-5-of-2012-gop/853203/ | title=FOX/SC Debate Features Just 5 of 2012 GOP | author=Taylor, Alexandra | date=May 5, 2011 | accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>
  
On May 13, 2011, in [[Exeter, New Hampshire]], Paul announced his decision to seek the Republican nomination in the 2012 election on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' program.<ref>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/13/breaking-rep-ron-paul-announces-third-bid-for-presidency/ Rep. Ron Paul announces candidacy for president]. CNN. May 13, 2011, Retrieved September 18, 2012.</ref> On July 12, 2011, Paul announced that he will not seek another term as the Representative of Texas's 14th District to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Cook |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0712/Ron-Paul-says-he-s-all-in-for-the-presidency-won-t-run-again-for-Congress |title=Ron Paul says he's all in for the presidency, won't run again for Congress |work=Christian Science Monitor|date=July 12, 2011 |accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>
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On May 13, 2011, in [[Exeter, New Hampshire]], Paul announced his decision to seek the Republican nomination in the 2012 election on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' program.<ref>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/13/breaking-rep-ron-paul-announces-third-bid-for-presidency/ Rep. Ron Paul announces candidacy for president]. CNN. May 13, 2011, Retrieved September 18, 2012.</ref> On July 12, 2011, Paul announced that he will not seek another term as the Representative of Texas's 14th District to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Cook |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0712/Ron-Paul-says-he-s-all-in-for-the-presidency-won-t-run-again-for-Congress |title=Ron Paul says he's all in for the presidency, won't run again for Congress |work=Christian Science Monitor|date=July 12, 2011 |accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>
  
Under Republican Party rules, delegates were selected in proportion to the results of state by state primaries.  The actual delegates were to be selected at either a Congressional District or state-wide caucus or convention based upon the primary results.  (In earlier times, delegates were either chosen by party leaders or awarded on a "winner-take-all" basis to the candidate that received the most votes in a particular state.)  Although delegates to the convention were "pledged" to vote for a particular candidate on just the first ballot, the delegate was free to vote for anyone on later ballots and could vote independently on other questions such as the [[party platform]].  By organizing people to vote in local caucuses or volunteering to serve as delegates in Congressional district conventions, the Paul campaign was able to elect its supporters as National Convention Delegates even though Mitt Romney had gained more votes in the primary of a particular state.
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Under Republican Party rules, delegates were selected in proportion to the results of state by state primaries.  The actual delegates were to be selected at either a Congressional District or statewide caucus or convention based upon the primary results.  (In earlier times, delegates were either chosen by party leaders or awarded on a "winner-take-all" basis to the candidate that received the most votes in a particular state.)  Although delegates to the convention were "pledged" to vote for a particular candidate on just the first ballot, the delegate was free to vote for anyone on later ballots and could vote independently on other questions such as the [[party platform]].  By organizing people to vote in local caucuses or volunteering to serve as delegates in Congressional district conventions, the Paul campaign was able to elect its supporters as National Convention Delegates even though Mitt Romney had gained more votes in the primary of a particular state.
  
 
On May 14, 2012, Paul made a statement on the campaign's website that he would no longer be actively campaigning in remaining state primaries, but would instead continue his presidential bid by seeking to collect delegates at caucuses and state conventions for the [[Republican National Convention]] in August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Ron|title=Ron Paul Statement on Campaign Going Forward|url=http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/05/14/ron-paul-statement-on-campaign-going-forward/|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> This left Mitt Romney as the only remaining candidate actively participating in the primaries.
 
On May 14, 2012, Paul made a statement on the campaign's website that he would no longer be actively campaigning in remaining state primaries, but would instead continue his presidential bid by seeking to collect delegates at caucuses and state conventions for the [[Republican National Convention]] in August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Ron|title=Ron Paul Statement on Campaign Going Forward|url=http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/05/14/ron-paul-statement-on-campaign-going-forward/|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> This left Mitt Romney as the only remaining candidate actively participating in the primaries.
  
In June 2012, a group of 132 Paul supporters filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the [[Republican National Committee]] and 55 state and territorial Republican party organizations for allegedly coercing delegates to choose [[Mitt Romney]] as the party’s presidential nominee. The suit sought to give all delegates the right to vote for Paul on the first ballot, even if they were "pledged" to another candidate.<ref name=suit>{{cite news|last=Roth|first=Caroline|title=RNC Faces Suit from Paul Backers|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/rnc-faces-suit-from-paul-backers-20120619|accessdate=Septmeber 18, 2012|newspaper=National Journal|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> The suit alleged that there had been "a systematic campaign of election fraud at state conventions," employing rigging of voting machines, ballot stuffing, and falsification of ballot totals. The suit further pointed to incidents at state conventions, including acts of violence and changes in procedural rules, allegedly intended to deny participation of Paul supporters in the party decision-making and to prevent votes from being cast for Paul. An attorney representing the plaintiffs said that Paul campaign advisor [[Doug Wead]] had supported the decision to sue.<ref name=suit/> Paul told [[CNN]] that although the lawsuit was not a part of his campaign’s strategy and that he had not been advising his supporters to sue, he was not going to tell his supporters not to sue, if they had a legitimate argument. “If they’re not following the rules, you have a right to stand up for the rules. I think for the most part these winning caucuses that we've been involved in we have followed the rules. And the other side has at times not followed the rules.”<ref name=CNNsuit>{{cite news|title=Ron Paul interview with Wolf Blitzer|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1206/19/sitroom.01.html|accessdate=September 18, 2012|newspaper=CNN (The Situation Room)|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> Later that month, a Federal District Court judge dismissed the complaint,<ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Matt|title=Try again, judge tells Ron Paul supporters|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/09/49160.htm|newspaper=Courthouse News Service|date=August 9, 2012}}</ref> but the plaintiffs refiled it and it was pending at the time of the convention.
+
In June 2012, a group of 132 Paul supporters filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the [[Republican National Committee]] and 55 state and territorial Republican party organizations for allegedly coercing delegates to choose [[Mitt Romney]] as the party's presidential nominee. The suit sought to give all delegates the right to vote for Paul on the first ballot, even if they were "pledged" to another candidate.<ref name=suit>{{cite news|last=Roth|first=Caroline|title=RNC Faces Suit from Paul Backers|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/rnc-faces-suit-from-paul-backers-20120619|accessdate=Septmeber 18, 2012|newspaper=National Journal|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> The suit alleged that there had been "a systematic campaign of election fraud at state conventions," employing rigging of voting machines, ballot stuffing, and falsification of ballot totals. The suit further pointed to incidents at state conventions, including acts of violence and changes in procedural rules, allegedly intended to deny participation of Paul supporters in the party decision-making and to prevent votes from being cast for Paul. An attorney representing the plaintiffs said that Paul campaign advisor [[Doug Wead]] had supported the decision to sue.<ref name=suit/> Paul told [[CNN]] that although the lawsuit was not a part of his campaign's strategy and that he had not been advising his supporters to sue, he was not going to tell his supporters not to sue, if they had a legitimate argument. “If they’re not following the rules, you have a right to stand up for the rules. I think for the most part these winning caucuses that we've been involved in we have followed the rules. And the other side has at times not followed the rules.”<ref name=CNNsuit>{{cite news|title=Ron Paul interview with Wolf Blitzer|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1206/19/sitroom.01.html|accessdate=September 18, 2012|newspaper=CNN (The Situation Room)|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> Later that month, a Federal District Court judge dismissed the complaint,<ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Matt|title=Try again, judge tells Ron Paul supporters|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/09/49160.htm|newspaper=Courthouse News Service|date=August 9, 2012}}</ref> but the plaintiffs refiled it and it was pending at the time of the convention.
  
 
===2012 Republican Convention===
 
===2012 Republican Convention===
Because Romney won on the first ballot, the exact number of Paul delegates will never be known.  However, Paul did receive 190 delegate votes at the convention.<ref>{{cite web|title=Complete 2012 RNC Delegate Roll Call Vote Results|url=http://ingotnews.com/post/30435195767/complete-2012-rnc-delegate-roll-call-vote-results|publisher=http://ingotnews.com|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>Because Paul did not gain at least a majority of the delegations of five states, his name was not formally placed into nomination, and he was not scheduled to speak at the convention.  Instead, he organized a rally on the Sunday before the Convention at the [[University of South Florida]] Sun Dome for his delegates and supporters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/08/21/ron-paul-pre-rnc-event-to-assemble-champions-of-constitutional-conservatism/|title =Ron Paul Pre-RNC Event to Assemble Champions of Constitutional Conservatism|publisher = ronpaul2012.com|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Paul declined to endorse Romney - Ryan Republican ticket, saying that he was as yet undecided and leaving open the possibility that he would consider endorsing Libertarian candidate [[Gary Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|title=Ron Paul: I'm an 'undecided' voter|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80301.html|newspaper=Politico|date=August 28, 2012}}</ref> His delegates sought to include a provision in the Republican Party platform for the auditing of the [[Federal Reserve]].
+
Because Romney won on the first ballot, the exact number of Paul delegates will never be known.  However, Paul did receive 190 delegate votes at the convention.<ref>{{cite web|title=Complete 2012 RNC Delegate Roll Call Vote Results|url=http://ingotnews.com/post/30435195767/complete-2012-rnc-delegate-roll-call-vote-results|publisher=http://ingotnews.com|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Because Paul did not gain at least a majority of the delegations of five states, his name was not formally placed into nomination, and he was not scheduled to speak at the convention.  Instead, he organized a rally on the Sunday before the Convention at the [[University of South Florida]] Sun Dome for his delegates and supporters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/08/21/ron-paul-pre-rnc-event-to-assemble-champions-of-constitutional-conservatism/|title =Ron Paul Pre-RNC Event to Assemble Champions of Constitutional Conservatism|publisher = ronpaul2012.com|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Paul declined to endorse Romney - Ryan Republican ticket, saying that he was as yet undecided and leaving open the possibility that he would consider endorsing Libertarian candidate [[Gary Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|title=Ron Paul: I'm an 'undecided' voter|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80301.html|newspaper=Politico|date=August 28, 2012}}</ref> His delegates sought to include a provision in the Republican Party platform for the auditing of the [[Federal Reserve]].
  
 
==Ron Paul Quotes==
 
==Ron Paul Quotes==
* on Congressman [[Larry McDonald]], passenger on [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]], shot down by the Soviets near [[Moneron Island]] on Sept. 1, 1983 -  "He was the most principled man in Congress"
+
* on Congressman [[Larry McDonald]], passenger on [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]], shot down by the Soviets near [[Moneron Island]] on Sept. 1, 1983 -  "He was the most principled man in [[Congress]]"
 +
* on [[gold]] - "Because gold is honest money, it is disliked by dishonest men."<ref>https://goldsilver.com/blog/101-best-gold-quotes-all-time/</ref>
  
 
==Telephone Hotline==
 
==Telephone Hotline==
Ron Paul runs a toll-free [[telephone]] hotline with a recorded message of conservative commentary.  It is updated every Monday. <ref>http://www.house.gov/paul/</ref>
+
Ron Paul runs a toll-free [[telephone]] hotline with a recorded message of conservative commentary.  It is updated every Monday.<ref>http://www.house.gov/paul/</ref>
 
==Criticism==
 
==Criticism==
Despite being honest and consistent, many conservatives have problems with some of Ron Paul's views. He is anti-war, anti-Patriot Act, believes the [[War on Drugs]] should end, supports legalization of marijuana, supports stem cell research, opposes capital punishment, gave support for the Occupy "movement" (although he supported the Tea Party as well), is against corporate welfare, and is supported by many liberals. On the other hand, he opposes public healthcare, abortion, and welfare so remains popular with libertarians and some conservatives. (Source http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/018652.html)
+
Despite being honest and consistent, some conservatives have problems with Ron Paul's libertarian-leaning views. He is anti-war, anti-[[Patriot Act]], believes the [[War on Drugs]] should end, supports legalization of [[marijuana]], supports stem cell research, opposes capital punishment, gave support for the Occupy "movement" (although he supported the [[Tea Party]] as well), is against corporate welfare, and is supported by some liberals. On the other hand, he opposes public healthcare, [[abortion]], and welfare so he remains popular with [[libertarian]]-leaning conservatives.<ref>(Source http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/018652.html)</ref>
  
 
==Books by Ron Paul==
 
==Books by Ron Paul==
Line 118: Line 149:
  
 
==Videos==
 
==Videos==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=lQQ--ju7Vxk  Ron Paul on [[Larry McDonald]]]
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=lQQ--ju7Vxk  Ron Paul on [[Larry McDonald]]]
  
== References ==
+
==References==
 
+
<references/>
* Gwynne, Sam (1 October, 2001).  ''Texas Monthly''.
+
* Gwynne, Sam (1 October 2001).  ''Texas Monthly''.
 
* Bernstein, Alan (May 23, 1996). “Newsletter excerpts offer ammunition to Paul's opponent; GOP hopeful quoted on race, crime”, ''The Houston Chronicle'', p. A33.
 
* Bernstein, Alan (May 23, 1996). “Newsletter excerpts offer ammunition to Paul's opponent; GOP hopeful quoted on race, crime”, ''The Houston Chronicle'', p. A33.
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
* "Ron Paul Background". Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: Religion & Politics '08. Pew Research Center. September 2007. http://pewforum.org/religion08/profile.php?CandidateID=15. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
 
* "Ron Paul Background". Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: Religion & Politics '08. Pew Research Center. September 2007. http://pewforum.org/religion08/profile.php?CandidateID=15. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
  
==External Links==
+
==External links==
 
===Official Sites and Publications===
 
===Official Sites and Publications===
 
* [http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ Official Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign Site]
 
* [http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ Official Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign Site]
* [http://www.house.gov/paul/ Official web site of Congressman Ron Paul] {{dead link}}
 
 
* [http://www.myspace.com/congressmanronpaul Ron Paul's MySpace page]
 
* [http://www.myspace.com/congressmanronpaul Ron Paul's MySpace page]
 
* [http://www3.webng.com/ronpaul Ron Paul Grassroots Campaign] <!-- I think this is official, but I'm not 100% sure -->
 
* [http://www3.webng.com/ronpaul Ron Paul Grassroots Campaign] <!-- I think this is official, but I'm not 100% sure -->
Line 137: Line 167:
 
* [http://www.counterpunch.org/paul03182004.html The Broadcast Indecency Act, An Indecent Attack on the First Amendment] by Ron Paul
 
* [http://www.counterpunch.org/paul03182004.html The Broadcast Indecency Act, An Indecent Attack on the First Amendment] by Ron Paul
 
* [http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2002/cr062702.htm Is America a Police State?], speech before the U.S. House of Representatives on June 27, 2002
 
* [http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2002/cr062702.htm Is America a Police State?], speech before the U.S. House of Representatives on June 27, 2002
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/rescueKAL007#p/c/FD3DE4F0642C350C/0/1c8v-kgLvhM Ron Paul's introduction to Video of Cong.[[Larry McDonald]] on ''Crossfire'' made a few months before  Larry McDonald went down with [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] brought down by the Soviet Union in 1983]
+
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/rescueKAL007#p/c/FD3DE4F0642C350C/0/1c8v-kgLvhM Ron Paul's introduction to Video of Cong.[[Larry McDonald]] on ''Crossfire'' made a few months before  Larry McDonald went down with [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] brought down by the Soviet Union in 1983]
  
 
===Positions and Quotations===
 
===Positions and Quotations===
Line 146: Line 176:
 
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ron_Paul SourceWatch Congresspedia - Ron Paul]
 
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ron_Paul SourceWatch Congresspedia - Ron Paul]
 
* [http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/BiosInd/Paul.htm Congressman Ron Paul and Medical Marijuana]
 
* [http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/BiosInd/Paul.htm Congressman Ron Paul and Medical Marijuana]
* "He was the most principled man in Congress" - On 2nd Chairman of [[John Birch Society]], Congressman [[Larry McDonald]] passenger on [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] shot down by the Soviets on Sept. 1, 1983
+
* "He was the most principled man in Congress" - On 2nd Chairman of [[John Birch Society]], Congressman Larry McDonald passenger on [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] shot down by the Soviets on Sept. 1, 1983
  
 
===Third Party Sources about Ron Paul===
 
===Third Party Sources about Ron Paul===
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?CID=N00005906 OpenSecrets.org - Congressional campaign contributions]
+
* [https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?CID=N00005906 OpenSecrets.org - Congressional campaign contributions]
* [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/candidates/paul.html Vote 2008: Ron Paul - Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer]
+
* [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/candidates/paul.html Vote 2008: Ron Paul - Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer]
 
* [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/P80000748 Federal Election Commission - Presidential campaign contributions]
 
* [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/P80000748 Federal Election Commission - Presidential campaign contributions]
 
* [http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/ron-paul.html Advocates for Self-Government profile of Ron Paul]
 
* [http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/ron-paul.html Advocates for Self-Government profile of Ron Paul]
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[[Category:United States Representatives]]
 
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
 
[[Category:2008 Presidential Candidates]]
 
[[Category:2008 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
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[[Category:Libertarians]]
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[[Category:Republicans]]
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[[Category:Conservatives]]
 
[[Category:110th United States Congress]]
 
[[Category:110th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Libertarianism]]
 
[[Category:The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most]]
 
 
[[Category:Texas]]
 
[[Category:Texas]]
 
[[Category:2012 Presidential Candidates]]
 
[[Category:2012 Presidential Candidates]]
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[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
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[[Category:Fiscal Conservatives]]
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[[Category:Conservative Authors]]
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[[Category:Libertarian Authors]]
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[[Category:Best Selling Authors]]
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[[Category:Patriots]]
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[[Category:Anti-establishment]]
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[[Category:Republican Anti-establishment]]
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[[Category:America First Agenda]]
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[[Category:Non-Interventionist Republicans]]
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[[Category:Pro First Amendment]]
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[[Category:Libertarian Republicans]]
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[[Category:Movement Conservatives]]
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[[Category:Libertarianism]]

Latest revision as of 17:43, September 1, 2021

Ron Paul
Ron Paul photo 2007.jpg
U.S. Representative from Texas's 14th Congressional District
From: January 3, 1997 - January 3, 2013
Predecessor Greg Laughlin
Successor Randy Weber
U.S. Representative from Texas's 22nd Congressional District
From: January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1985
Predecessor Robert Gammage
Successor Tom DeLay
U.S. Representative from Texas's 22nd Congressional District
From: April 3, 1976 – January 3, 1977
Predecessor Robert Casey
Successor Robert Gammage
Information
Party Republican (former Libertarian)
Spouse(s) Carolyn Wells
Religion Southern Baptist

Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul (born August 20, 1935) is a paleolibertarian Republican former congressman, a former Air Force Flight Surgeon, a physician (M.D.) a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination in 2008 and 2012, and actor.[1] He is from the U.S. state of Texas. As a Republican, he represented Texas's 14th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2013 and had previously served as the representative from Texas's 22nd district in 1976 and from 1979 to 1985. He retired from Congress at the end of 2012.

In 2009, he attracted over 300 votes for his bipartisan proposal to subject the Federal Reserve to unprecedented scrutiny by allowing the Government Accountability Office to audit all central bank operations, including its decisions on interest rates, lending to individual banks and transactions with foreign central banks. He created a separate bill to abolish the Fed altogether. (He was the lone sponsor.)

Ron Paul is an outspoken critic of neoconservatives and their interventionist foreign policy.

In Congress, he proposed doing away with personal income taxes, federal antitrust laws, and the minimum wage. He advocated pulling the United States out of the United Nations, NATO and the International Monetary Fund.

Ron Paul advocates letting states decide how to handle social issues. He supports federalism and therefore wants to leave the issues of same-sex marriage, abortion, and other social issues up to the decision of individual states. Dr. Paul has consistently espoused the pro-life position.

Paul made his acting debut in the third installment of the Atlas Shrugged film series titled "Who is John Galt?"

Paleolibertarian

Paul is a pro-life states' rights libertarian, also known as a paleolibertarian. Paleolibertarians advocate a limited role of government as well as supporting low taxes, free markets, strict construction of the U.S. Constitution, and a return to monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He earned the nickname "Dr. No" for voting against any bill he believed violates the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Paul was the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on Capitol Hill. He never voted to raise taxes or congressional pay. He always voted against the USA PATRIOT Act, the Military Commissions Act of 2006, and the Iraq War.

Congressional record

Ron Paul is noted for his authorship of the We the People Act, an act which removed the ability of the US Supreme Court to hear cases involving discrimination based on sexual orientation or religion. He is also noted for submitting several bills banning abortion, and somewhat controversially was the only person to oppose the Darfur Divestment Act of 2007, a bill which disallowed the US government, corporations, and individuals from sending money to or doing business with the janjaweed rebel group of the Sudan.

Early life and education

Dr. Ron Paul was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Howard Caspar Paul and Margaret Paul.[2][3] He graduated from Dormont High School in Dormont, Pennsylvania, in 1953. Paul attended Gettysburg College, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957, and the Duke University School of Medicine, receiving M.D. in 1961. He did his internship and residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, from 1961 to 1962, and was a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1968. He and his wife Carol moved to Texas in 1968, where he began his medical practice in Brazoria County. As a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Paul has delivered more than 4,000 babies. He and Carol, who reside in Lake Jackson, Texas, are the proud parents of five children and have seventeen grandchildren.

Paul is a Baptist.

Political affiliations and support

Although a Republican, Paul remains on good terms with the Libertarian Party and addressed its national convention as recently as 2004.[4]

Paul served as the honorary chairman of and is a current member of the Republican Liberty Caucus, a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party.[5]

Unlike many political candidates, Paul receives the overwhelming majority of his campaign contributions (96.8% in 2005-2006), from individuals.[6]

Paul has also founded the organization Institute for Peace and Prosperity, which was criticized for its support of Barack Hussein Obama. A member of this Institute Eric Margolis compared Tea Partiers with Nazis.[7]

Political Views

Paul wants to "reinstate the Constitution and restore the Republic." He rejects a welfare state or nanny state role for the federal government, and advocates a strong non-interventionist foreign policy.

He voted against the Iraq War in 2002 and has offered alternatives such as granting the President authority to grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and arming pilots. He is the only Republican presidential candidate to have voted against the Iraq War.

Paul's desire to secure U.S. borders remains a key topic in his 2008 presidential campaign. He opposes the North American Union proposition and its proposed integration of Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada. Paul voted "yes" on the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico. Paul opposes illegal immigration as well as amnesty for illegal immigrants.

In the May 3, 2007, GOP Debate, Ron Paul stated that as president, he would seek the immediate abolition of the IRS and the abolition of the income tax. As Congressman, he has long fought for the prohibition of direct taxes by the repeal of the 16th Amendment which created the income tax. Ron Paul supports a return to the gold standard of currency particularly newer theorized pure strain gold.

On March 5, 2008, Ron Paul was the only member of the house to vote against a bill "Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, and for other purposes"[8][9]

Paul supported WikiLeaks[10] and the legalization of Cannabis.

Paul is a defender of Homeschooling.[11]

On Libyan civil war

Why did the US intervene in a civil war in a country that has neither attacked us nor poses a threat? We are told this was another humanitarian intervention, like Clinton’s 1999 war against Serbia. But as civilian victims of the US-led coalition bombing continue to add up, it is getting difficult to determine whether the problem we are creating on the ground is worse than the one we were trying to solve. [2]

Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit, explained in a recent article that there is plausible reason to believe the rebels are current or former Islamist mujahedin, eager to engage in jihad. Indeed, Gaddafi has fought against Libyan Islamists for years and is seen by them as a bitter enemy. Astoundingly, it may well be that we are assisting Al-Qaeda in this new war! Ibidem

2008 Presidential Campaign

Paul formally declared his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential election on 12 March 2007 as a guest on Washington Journal on C-SPAN.[12][13] In regards to his candidacy, he had a 30-minute interview with online political analyst James Kotecki regarding foreign policy, Congress and the Constitution, and personal liberties.[14]

Paul participated (along with nine other Republican presidential candidates) in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library's 2008 Republican Presidential Candidates Debate on May 3, 2007. Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate with 43 percent—beating second place Mitt Romney by 5 percentage points.[15]

Paul seemed to have dropped slightly in the polls that followed the second Republican debate in Columbia, South Carolina, to 25 percent. This was probably as a result of his suggestion that weekly bombing of Iraq following Operation Desert Fox in December 1998 may have contributed sufficiently to Arab anger at the United States as to make the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks inevitable. Paul was excoriated by Rudy Giuliani, who said that this was the most bizarre explanation for the attacks he had ever heard. Other Republican commentators sought to explain Paul's continued strength in post-debate polls as the result of multiple votes by his supporters or voting by non-Republicans. In response to Rudy Giuliani, the next day at the National Press Club, Ron Paul offered Rudy a book list to read regarding the issue of American foreign policy. These books are Imperial Hubris by Michael Scheuer, Dying to Win by Robert Pape, Blowback by Chalmers Johnson, and The 9-11 Commission Report by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks.

Eric Dondero, a former Ron Paul staffer, declared himself a candidate against Paul in the 2008 Republican primary election to represent the 14th District of Texas in Congress. Dondero (called "Dumbdero" by libertarians) dropped out shortly thereafter. Considering the trouncing Paul ended up giving to Chris Peden in the 2008 Republican congressional primary, it was likely for the better.

Paul has garnered large amounts of support from activists, particularly on the Internet. Many have come up with creative ways to campaign for their candidate. For example, some Paul supporters, who are not officially affiliated with his campaign, purchased a blimp to fly overhead with the phrases "Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul" and "Ron Paul Revolution".[16] The neo-Nazi organization Stormfront also provided widgets on its internet site to enable people to electronically donate cash to Paul's campaign. Stormfront's founder, former Ku Klux Klan member Don Black, also gave financial support to Paul's campaign.[17]

He dropped out of the race on June 12, 2008, but will keep spreading his message by working to help elect libertarian-leaning Republicans to public office around the U.S. [18]

Possible Campaign censorship by the Media

Fox News has frequently excluded Ron Paul from its programs, even in at least one case removing him from Iowa Straw Poll results. Fox News' results left out Paul (as well as Tom Tancredo), even though they scored 9.1% and 13.7%, respectively.

Straw Poll results

Ron Paul was recently established as the most frequent winner of Straw Poll.

2012 Presidential Campaign

As 2012 approached, there was speculation as to whether Paul would run as a Republican candidate or a third party candidate. This was in the context of a larger struggle within the Republican Party between an emerging Tea Party element and a more moderate Republican establishment. Paul had gained a dedicated following among the Tea Party, idealistic young people and libertarians, and needed to translate that support into an effective Presidential campaign. Paul also had to navigate between the expectations of his supporters, his strategic objectives and the possibilities that the Republican establishment could harm the future career of his son, Senator Rand Paul.

Leading up to the campaign, Paul appeared in the 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) straw poll. Paul won the poll, defeating Mitt Romney, who had won it the previous three years.[19] Paul also won the 2011 CPAC straw poll with 30 percent of the vote. Following that, he also won the paid, online Arizona Tea Party Patriots straw poll on February 28, 2011 with 49% of the vote.[20]

In February 2011, Paul asked supporters to donate to his Liberty Political Action Committee to fund trips to explore a possible 2012 presidential candidacy.[21] On April 14, 2011, Paul's spokesman, Jesse Benton, announced that Paul had formed a "testing-the-waters" organization, stating, "He remains undecided on what his plans will be, but as a final decision draws closer, his team has put the pieces in place for him to flip a switch and hit the ground running if he decides to run for president."[22] Paul announced the formation of an exploratory committee in Des Moines, Iowa on April 26 aimed at seeking the Republican presidential nomination.[23][24] On May 5, 2011, Paul participated in a debate in Greenville, South Carolina sponsored by Fox News with four other possible Republican candidates.[25]

On May 13, 2011, in Exeter, New Hampshire, Paul announced his decision to seek the Republican nomination in the 2012 election on ABC's Good Morning America program.[26] On July 12, 2011, Paul announced that he will not seek another term as the Representative of Texas's 14th District to focus on his presidential campaign.[27]

Under Republican Party rules, delegates were selected in proportion to the results of state by state primaries. The actual delegates were to be selected at either a Congressional District or statewide caucus or convention based upon the primary results. (In earlier times, delegates were either chosen by party leaders or awarded on a "winner-take-all" basis to the candidate that received the most votes in a particular state.) Although delegates to the convention were "pledged" to vote for a particular candidate on just the first ballot, the delegate was free to vote for anyone on later ballots and could vote independently on other questions such as the party platform. By organizing people to vote in local caucuses or volunteering to serve as delegates in Congressional district conventions, the Paul campaign was able to elect its supporters as National Convention Delegates even though Mitt Romney had gained more votes in the primary of a particular state.

On May 14, 2012, Paul made a statement on the campaign's website that he would no longer be actively campaigning in remaining state primaries, but would instead continue his presidential bid by seeking to collect delegates at caucuses and state conventions for the Republican National Convention in August 2012.[28] This left Mitt Romney as the only remaining candidate actively participating in the primaries.

In June 2012, a group of 132 Paul supporters filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Republican National Committee and 55 state and territorial Republican party organizations for allegedly coercing delegates to choose Mitt Romney as the party's presidential nominee. The suit sought to give all delegates the right to vote for Paul on the first ballot, even if they were "pledged" to another candidate.[29] The suit alleged that there had been "a systematic campaign of election fraud at state conventions," employing rigging of voting machines, ballot stuffing, and falsification of ballot totals. The suit further pointed to incidents at state conventions, including acts of violence and changes in procedural rules, allegedly intended to deny participation of Paul supporters in the party decision-making and to prevent votes from being cast for Paul. An attorney representing the plaintiffs said that Paul campaign advisor Doug Wead had supported the decision to sue.[29] Paul told CNN that although the lawsuit was not a part of his campaign's strategy and that he had not been advising his supporters to sue, he was not going to tell his supporters not to sue, if they had a legitimate argument. “If they’re not following the rules, you have a right to stand up for the rules. I think for the most part these winning caucuses that we've been involved in we have followed the rules. And the other side has at times not followed the rules.”[30] Later that month, a Federal District Court judge dismissed the complaint,[31] but the plaintiffs refiled it and it was pending at the time of the convention.

2012 Republican Convention

Because Romney won on the first ballot, the exact number of Paul delegates will never be known. However, Paul did receive 190 delegate votes at the convention.[32] Because Paul did not gain at least a majority of the delegations of five states, his name was not formally placed into nomination, and he was not scheduled to speak at the convention. Instead, he organized a rally on the Sunday before the Convention at the University of South Florida Sun Dome for his delegates and supporters.[33] Paul declined to endorse Romney - Ryan Republican ticket, saying that he was as yet undecided and leaving open the possibility that he would consider endorsing Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.[34] His delegates sought to include a provision in the Republican Party platform for the auditing of the Federal Reserve.

Ron Paul Quotes

Telephone Hotline

Ron Paul runs a toll-free telephone hotline with a recorded message of conservative commentary. It is updated every Monday.[36]

Criticism

Despite being honest and consistent, some conservatives have problems with Ron Paul's libertarian-leaning views. He is anti-war, anti-Patriot Act, believes the War on Drugs should end, supports legalization of marijuana, supports stem cell research, opposes capital punishment, gave support for the Occupy "movement" (although he supported the Tea Party as well), is against corporate welfare, and is supported by some liberals. On the other hand, he opposes public healthcare, abortion, and welfare so he remains popular with libertarian-leaning conservatives.[37]

Books by Ron Paul

  • Challenge to Liberty. Lake Jackson, Tex.: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education
  • Gold, Peace, and Prosperity. Lake Jackson, Tex.: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education
  • Ten Myths About Paper Money. Lake Jackson, Tex.: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education
  • The Case for Gold. Reprinted by the Cato Institute, 1982; Ludwig von Mises Institute, 2007. ISBN 0-932790-31-3. ([3])
  • A Republic, If You Can Keep It
  • Mises and Austrian Economics: A Personal View. Auburn, Ala.: Ludwig von Mises Institute, 1984.
  • Freedom Under Siege: The U.S. Constitution After 200 Years. Lake Jackson, Tex.: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, 1987. ([4] Book distributed with permission in 7 parts in pdf-format)
  • A Foreign Policy of Freedom. Lake Jackson, Tex.: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, 2007. ISBN 0-912453-00-1
  • The Revolution: A Manifesto, Hachette Book Group USA, 2008. ISBN 978-0446537513

Videos

References

  1. In 1988 Ron Paul was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States.
  2. http://dailypaul.com/node/53
  3. http://www.wargs.com/political/paul.html
  4. Liberator online archive on Advocates for self-governing accessed at March 4, 2007
  5. Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida accessed at March 4, 2007
  6. https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00005906&cycle=2006/
  7. http://frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/ron-pauls-board-includes-obama-lover-and-terrorist-supporter-who-compared-tea-party-to-nazis/
  8. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll093.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 93
  9. http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=18214 Congressman Ron Paul's Statement on Gaza Bill
  10. http://wlcentral.org/node/479
  11. http://www.ronpaul.com/2013-09-09/ron-paul-the-homeschooling-revolution/
  12. Martin, Gary. "Paul formally launches presidential bid", San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  13. Ron Paul announcing candidacy on C-SPAN
  14. James Kotecki interviews Ron Paul
  15. [1]
  16. http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/
  17. Lone Star Times 25 October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
  18. Ron Paul Ends Campaign, Will ‘Shift Gears’, Associated Press, Fox News, June 12, 2008
  19. "Rep. Ron Paul surprise winner of CPAC presidential straw poll", CNN, February 21, 2010. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  20. "Ron Paul and Herman Cain lead the pack in Tea Party Patriots straw poll", CBS News, February 28, 2011. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  21. Dr. Paul Thanks Grassroots for President's Day Money Bomb. Liberty.pac (February 22, 2011). Retrieved on Septmeber 18, 2012.
  22. Siegel, Elyse. "Ron Paul 2012 Presidential 'Testing The Waters' Organization Launches", The Huffington Post, April 14, 2011. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  23. "Ron Paul kicks off exploratory committee for 2012 bid", msnbc.com, April 26, 2011. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  24. "Ron Paul officially announces 2012 presidential exploratory committee", The Hill, April 26, 2011. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  25. Taylor, Alexandra (May 5, 2011). FOX/SC Debate Features Just 5 of 2012 GOP. Retrieved on September 18, 2012.
  26. Rep. Ron Paul announces candidacy for president. CNN. May 13, 2011, Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  27. Dave Cook (July 12, 2011). Ron Paul says he's all in for the presidency, won't run again for Congress. Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved on September 18, 2012.
  28. Paul, Ron. Ron Paul Statement on Campaign Going Forward. Retrieved on September 18, 2012.
  29. 29.0 29.1 Roth, Caroline. "RNC Faces Suit from Paul Backers", June 19, 2012. Retrieved on Septmeber 18, 2012. 
  30. "Ron Paul interview with Wolf Blitzer", June 19, 2012. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  31. Reynolds, Matt. "Try again, judge tells Ron Paul supporters", August 9, 2012. 
  32. Complete 2012 RNC Delegate Roll Call Vote Results. http://ingotnews.com.+Retrieved on September 18, 2012.
  33. Ron Paul Pre-RNC Event to Assemble Champions of Constitutional Conservatism. ronpaul2012.com. Retrieved on September 18, 2012.
  34. Weinger, Mackenzie. "Ron Paul: I'm an 'undecided' voter", August 28, 2012. 
  35. https://goldsilver.com/blog/101-best-gold-quotes-all-time/
  36. http://www.house.gov/paul/
  37. (Source http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/018652.html)
  • Gwynne, Sam (1 October 2001). Texas Monthly.
  • Bernstein, Alan (May 23, 1996). “Newsletter excerpts offer ammunition to Paul's opponent; GOP hopeful quoted on race, crime”, The Houston Chronicle, p. A33.

External links

Official Sites and Publications

Positions and Quotations

Third Party Sources about Ron Paul

Articles and Editorials about Ron Paul