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Dennis Kucinich And Ron Paul?
Posted by newscoma | Posted in Tennessee | Posted on 26-11-2007
The Washington Post has a story about Ron Paul and why libertarians are just smitten with him.
That force is less about Paul than about the movement that has erupted around him — and the much larger subset of Americans who are increasingly disillusioned with the two major political parties’ soft consensus on making government ever more intrusive at all levels, whether it’s listening to phone calls without a warrant, imposing fines of half a million dollars for broadcast “obscenities” or jailing grandmothers for buying prescribed marijuana from legal dispensaries.
Paul brings a forceful argument to the table, however, I can’t get passed some of the stuff in the past. I do go back to a post I wrote last month about that I don’t think he can win the nomination, but would he be willing to run a libertarian ballot as he has done in the past?
News today has liberal darling (I’m not talking Democrat darling, but true liberal darling) Dennis Kucinich suggesting a Republican running mate. Let’s see what he has to say and then let’s break it down, shall we:
“I’m thinking about Ron Paul” as a running mate, Kucinich told a crowd of about 70 supporters at a house party here, one of numerous stops throughout New Hampshire over the Thanksgiving weekend. A Kucinich-Paul administration could bring people together “to balance the energies in this country,” Kucinich said.
I’m thinking. I’m thinking.
It won’t happen, I don’t think, but to be having this dialogue in 2007 is leaps and bounds ahead of both parties’ rhetoric of the last eight years. Actually, would an idea like this, in these times with two men on opposite sides of the fence (but have similar views on the war) be revolutionary in this day and age?
Could voters get behind this kind of balance? Raging Liberal hippie and curmudgeon conservative plain speaker?
I work in a rural college town, I’m hearing a lot about Ron Paul (not so much about Kucinich) and also see that he was only speaking to roughly 70 people when he said this. From a public relations perspective, I think that’s probably a great move on Kucinich’s part. Bring in the rebel Republican rock star’s name and you get national ink.
The article goes on to say that a spokesperson for Paul didn’t fluff it off although he agrees with me that it wouldn’t work in the long run:
It would create a stunning, if dizzying, blend of beliefs, wedding two politicians who hold different views on abortion rights, the role of government in providing health care, and the use of government in fostering — or hampering — the public’s greater good. Those are among the reasons it would never work, said a spokesman for Paul, a Texas congressman and doctor.
“Dr. Paul and Rep. Kucinich are friends and there is a lot of mutual respect,” Paul communications director Jesse Benton said in an e-mail when asked whether a running-mate spot on the Kucinich ticket would be attractive to Paul. “They have worked, and will continue to work, together on ending the war and protecting civil liberties.
“However, Ron wants to substantially cut the size and scope of the federal government. There are too many differences on issues such as taxes and spending to think a joint ticket would be possible.”
Kucinich and Paul are gadflies to their parties’ establishments. Kucinich challenges Democrats to stop cozying up to corporate interests, while Paul challenges Republicans to shed the trappings of big government.
Now, campers, this is getting a little bit more interesting. I sorta hope they keep talking about it, because it could make some of the slicker presidential candidates start giving some firm answers about stuff.
We want answers about stuff, don’t we?
Just saying.
I think it’s fascinating for the same reasons that you do. I like Kucinich but know that realistically he’s got virtually no shot. Just for the discussions that he’s creating by this statement, he deserves praise.
When he spoke of UFOs, I cringed. Not that I don’t believe in them, but b/c that only invited others to keep thinking of him as a “kook.” This stuff, however, gets people talking in maybe a constructive manner. Good for him. And good for Paul for replying honestly and respectfully.
I thought the same thing. I dig Kucinich too, but it goes back to that electability/not electable thing.
This going to be a long year getting to the White House, I’m afraid, but I like one thing about Paul and he does inspire a dialogue.
That’s good.
I’m not really in favor of this. But I’ll put it to you this way, If the american people are smart, it would be a Kucinich vs Paul general election. No doubt they are the most legit/honest from each of the “2 parties”. And thats the truth. I’d still be voting for Paul though.
Oh, and to clarify that, I mean they both understand what it means to be American and to have civil liberties, things which everyone agrees on, and where they differ is where the 2 parties should differ. These social and civil liberties issues should not even be a debatable issue, there is no authority for the federal government to do those things.
[...] Newscoma Ron Paul Is My Choice, But Shouldn’t We Be Supporting Kucinich As Well? Paul Kucinich 2008? [...]
Both Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel have suggested they would be open to having Ron Paul as their running mate… what does this tell us? Several things, first it means they believe their chances of winning would greatly increase with Ron Paul on the ticket. Secondly, it means they see common ground with the Paul that they don’t see with anyone else. Take these two things together and I would say Ron Paul is the best choice for UNITY 08 (see unity08.com).
I shudder to imagine this election playing out like the one in 2000. Imagine Kucinich or Paul running independent, taking 15% of the vote away from the dems and a rep being elected by default. I can’t stomach it.
Yeah, the dem and reps get their corporate views from the same campaign contributions, but at least the dems are less likely to run the middle class into the ground.
These two are in agreement on ending the empire, the biggest issue for restoring freedom and peace. I suspect that Ron Paul could educate Dennis Kucinich on economics (there is no money for anything!) and then he and Dennis could find NEW ways to assure that the needs of Americans are met. End the wars, call home the military, abolish the Fed = prosperity.
Great ideas spread by both of these folks. I voted for Ralph Nader last time and will support RON PAUL for the long haul this time. I have liked the ideas of a leftist social nationalism and who knows what these two could come up with together, certainly there is not one republican out there besides Dr Paul that isn’t bought and paid for, and the democraps are in the same boat. Perhaps a Paul/Kucinich ticket could do well to unite left and right against empire.
Since the President is not a dictator, and the executive branch is just one leg of the division of government, there is no way any person elected President can force his goals and policies upon the other branches. Maybe a third major ticket such as Paul / Kucinich, if they win, would be able to bring together enough members of both parties to break deadlock and return the country to constitutional government. I doubt this is a workable combination, as the philosophical differences are great, but it is fun to contemplate. The so-called mainstream of both major parties and the media elite would be in a state of apoplexy.