Will Ron Paul make an independent run in 2012?

The Daily Paul has the most wishful thinking opinion pieces up post-RNC:

So we all know Ron is making a special announcement on Jay Leno on September 4th. I know many of us are hoping it’s that Ron is running Indy or third party. Some are hoping he will endorse Johnson.

I just got off the phone with someone very close to Ron and want to tell everyone that a third party run is possible. At this point that is not what the announcement is going to be. It’s also not a Johnson or Romney endorsement, so says my well placed source. Again, take it worth a grain of salt, but I trust that this person is close enough to Ron to know.

Up until know I have believed that there was ZERO chance Ron would run third party. However, after my phone call I believe there is a glimmer of hope. It’s too late for Ron to get on the ballot as an Indy, however Johnson has said in the past that he would step aside for Ron.

Now for the bad news..Ron does not think the grassroots would fully back him because of all of the Rand and Benton bashing that has taken place, but RON would LOVE to make a last major push for Liberty in the presidential debates.

WE HAVE TO TELL RON BEFORE SEPTEMBER 4th THAT WE WILL SUPPORT HIM AND FUND HIM AND BACK HIM. If he knows that, there is still a chance he could change his mind, and if Gary really will step aside for Ron, Ron may take one final shot as a Libertarian. There is no chance Johnson will be anywhere near 15% and therefore no chance Gary is going to be in any debates. However, if Ron is the LP nominee and Gary as VEEP (as much as I dislike Gary, I could accept that) Gary would be debating Biden.

Sadly, Paul supporters (the ones that truly go full paultard) should properly educate themselves about the 50+ different ballot access hurdles before spouting off nonsense like this.

I love that little “not hype” at the end of the headline… pshaaaa!

But wait, there’s others:

I was wondering if Ron Paul is considering to run as in Independent.

If he did I believe he could gain 15% in the polls and be able to debate with Romney and Obama.

There’s plenty more of that, along with a 10,000+ signature strong petition floating around.

Now I’m not crapping all over Ron Paul and the grassroots’ triumphant interjection of libertarianism into our political debate this year by no means. What he’s accomplished is worthy of more praises than even this blog post can contain. Yet at this very late stage, Paul would be much better off wooing/accepting Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson’s open offer to apply for a cabinet position

I estimate a Treasury or Defense Secretary slot for Paul would certainly help give Johnson the needed organizational leverage to scale back any of those entrenched bureaucracies that prove to be difficult.

That is admittedly some wishful thinking on my part, but it’s more realistic than the prospect of Paul trying to rally his troops to pour countless more days and millions more donation dollars into merely getting on the ballot in only a few states this late in the game.

Here’s what Johnson has consistently said on the subject when questioned:

“One of my credos when it comes to politics is being reality-based and I just don’t think any of the above is going to happen” said Johnson. When asked in a follow-up question if Ron Paul would be considered for a cabinet position in a potential Gary Johnson presidential administration, Johnson was skeptical about the possibility even arising, but remained open to it.

“I go back to my experience as Governor of New Mexico. There was not one single commitment that I made to anybody for a job. It was all, apply for the job and I’m going to conduct an interview process. I don’t see Ron Paul as playing second fiddle to anybody and so, just the reality of Ron Paul, what he’s done, I don’t think he’s going to have any interest in a cabinet position and if he does, you know, terrific, we’ll deal with that if that actually comes into play.”

This is the reality those Ron Paul faithful ought to focus on.

Update: Someone over at the The Daily Paul kindly linked us up and started a conversation over there (the circle is complete, weeeeeee). I do not have an account over there to correct their errors, so I’ll point out that the “hyperbole” is squarely on the DP community.

Hammer of Truth can happily confirm that Ron Paul will be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Tuesday. Beyond that it’s pure speculation what he’ll be talking about.

Correction: The online petition for Ron Paul has not yet reached 11,000+ (it’s mighty close) and we’ve fixed that. We regret the error.

posted Sep 2nd, 2012 by vforvandyke · tags: , , , , ,
  • Scott Plough

    Please continue the fight for liberty, Dr. Paul. You are the only one that has a chance of winning a third party run, fixing the economy and bringing back prosperity.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jmb03 Jason Boyle

    I am hoping Paul endorses Johnson and Johnson takes Paul as Sec of State

    • IW 63

      I would love Paul as SoS!!! He would tell the UN to go get F***ed!! LOL

  • Darrell

    I’ll vote for Dr. Ron Paul. I plan to write him in anyway.

    • http://www.facebook.com/rookierick Rick Riensche

      You could just save the gas or stamp and write his name on a piece of paper and then throw it in the trash. That’s what happens to your write-in vote in the Presidential election. And that is NOT hyperbole. Go and do some research on how write-in ballots are dealt with. In many states they are not even counted/reported. A write-in vote for President is electoral masturbation. If you want to cast a measurable vote in favor of Liberty, Gary Johnson will be on the ballot in your state (unless the GOP is successful in removing him :P)

      • Serpentino

        This.

        Write in candidates are NOT COUNTED AT ALL in many states. Write it in all you want to make a statement, that statement will only be heard by a few ballot works who don’t post the results of the write-in vote count because they aren’t OFFICIAL candidates. Sad but true, know your local election laws.

        • Oscar_DeGrouch

          I second that emotion.

  • RELIC RELIC

    U deserve no respect the minute u resort to msm like name calling of His supporters. The fact is if u buy into believing that those who fight for liberty are “paultards” then ur obviously a self righteous moron, and yes I know ur excuse already, you’ll justify it in the same “because some of them do such and such” bs as your msm hack counterparts.

    • ENT

      Or maybe just don’t go “full paultard” and you’ll see the humor.

      • RELIC RELIC

        Keep using that word, that’s why everyone who supports Paul is called that because morons perpetuate the lie that fighting for what u believe in( even on the net) somehow makes u a paulbot/paultard, btw Gary Johnson is NOTHING like Dr.Paul. He wants to “improve the fed”, allow abortion always, as well as supporting the IRS/taxation without representation, not to mention this guy doesnt know anything about running a country, he’s put himself heavily in debt(not conservative), he also believes in being owned by isreal, this guy is a fraud when he try’s to act like he has anything in common with Ron Paul. Etc. the list goes on.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Swaringen/100000250965440 Jonathan Swaringen

          I’m not sure anymore that we shouldn’t just allow abortion..maybe not federally. Maybe every state should just allow it though. Someone pointed out to me the other day that even when abortion is illegal just as many abortions happen and with more harm done to those seeking them.

          They even said more happen…I’m not sure why that was supposed to be so but abortion being illegal is just one more prohibition like drug use that doesn’t work. People aren’t going to just stop trying to get abortions even if its illegal in every state.

          It’ll just get pushed under ground…cost tons more money and lead to violence and more harm possibly.

          I don’t know maybe I’m wrong but anyway.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jose-Mora/1574370712 Jose Mora

            Since murder is handled at the state level, abortion should also be addressed at the state level.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Swaringen/100000250965440 Jonathan Swaringen

            Yes, if it should even be addressed at the state level. The thing is its not the same as murder in far too many peoples minds. Telling them its murder isn’t going to stop them from wanting to do it because they can’t or won’t believe and can’t deal with the consequences.

            They can’t afford to take care of the child and finding someone to take care of the child also requires much effort. I agree that ideally everyone would consider it murder and it would be dealt with as such. People are not going to stop having sex and without a fool proof method of birth control everyone will actually use people will always want abortions.

            If the states decide you still push things underground and people get it done anyway. I don’t know…its a really complicated issue. One I’m still not sure on. At least with murder or taking of life besides those that not all consider life is almost a universal idea. I don’t know…

          • Barb

            The statistics actually show once a mother has murdered her child in the womb there is more of a tendency to abuse any further children. A coat hanger is not a very good argument against abortion. Murder is not complicated. Life is the highest form of personal owernership it should be protected. Gary Johnson believes in abortion until fetal viability. Which means absolutely nothing. You should read Ron Paul’s book on Abortion. We need to Abolish Human Abortion. The dismembering of babies in the womb is really not a idea people should be taking lightly!!!!

        • http://www.facebook.com/rookierick Rick Riensche

          I assume you can provide reputable sources for your claims but that you just forgot to include them….

          Or maybe not, as the Gary Johnson that I’ve been following for months has consistently been critical of the Fed, called for auditing and transparency of the Fed as well as proper government oversight of this body that takes on government functions, and has called for ABOLISHING the IRS, not “supporting” it as you claim.

          • RELIC RELIC

            Look into it yourself, he has said all of these things, it’s not my job to educate u, and u are wrong about what u think he believes, he has said he wants to fix the fed, not abolish it, and therefore automatically supports the IRS which is what makes the fed able to function at all, he supports federal intervention and stealing money from taxpayers to give to isreal. He believes in a federal law to allow same sex marriage rather than the government staying out of it. He says we should continue our isreal policy’s including funding they’re military. He believes in Herman Cain like tax plans rather than zero income taxes in favor of goods tax like Dr. Paul believes. The list goes on, I do admit he will be better than dem and republican douches but is inexperienced like obam-ney both maybe more so, not to mention enough people will never vote for him because he’s gay even though most have nothing against gays.

          • http://www.facebook.com/david.b.beaver David B. Beaver

            First off is your job is not to educate us (thus your inability to site sources) why post such long winded statements? Secondly Gary Johnson while managing his “poor state” which had did have a deficit of $1billion turned it into a surplus in the same amount. And he served two full terms as governor, and was re-elected by a larger margin than his first run. I call you out to be the liar you are.

          • RELIC RELIC

            Just because Wikipedia says something about his positions doesn’t mean they are he has flipp flopped on the fed, on isreal, and even on Ron Paul , I’ll post links just for your dumb ass when I get a chance, your right about the two term thing mixed him up with san Francisco’s gay mayor which he shares some liberally positians and appearance.

  • Darrell

    I’d like to join “Hammer of Truth”. Will someone send me an invatation code? ihtfp50@yahoo.com.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jeff.timpe Jeff Timpe

    Who is the CFR? You will find that every puppet that is placed on the political stage who is shown favorably in the media is always tied to this globalist group. CFR Council On Foreign Relations. They do not wish the world to have diverse sovereign nations but rather One Central Government, thus you see people and corporations with ambitions to rule the world and its markets marching to their tune
    … oh and while you are researching, you might wish to look up Agenda 21 as well…the playbook for a “beautiful world” :) Such a world was once at our doorstep, now it seems they walked in without a single knock :)

    Doug Turner was Gary Johnson’ general consultant, state director, and Campaign Manager for both his 1994 and 1998 election. Doug Turner is a member of the CFR and is listed as such on their website. He is currently listed on the “Leadership and Staff” page. This is Gary Johnson’s closest adviser. Its reasonable to assume he would be in the same capacity during a Johnson for President campaign. That is just a little too close for my comfort. At the very least Gary Johnson is under the influence of the CFR.

    Genuine Patriots do not dance with the CFR and so until further notice I continue to have serious questions about Governor Gary Johnson as he prepares his likely bid for President of the United States. So far, Ron Paul is the only one who has my trust to do what he has been doing for 30 years. Consistently defending our constitution while the status quo has been destroying it! This is plainly seen in his voting record for over 30 years! Gary Johnson still has a lot to prove before he gains my trust as a representative of the constitution and the people of the United States.

    • RELIC RELIC

      Exactly, Ron Pauls supporters need to learn just because he says he’s like Ron Paul doesn’t mean he is, This guys a puppet just like the rest, I’ll vote constitution party before him.

      • http://www.facebook.com/rookierick Rick Riensche

        So, because someone who worked on Johnson’s campaign 15 years ago later went on to spend a year as a member of CFR where it would seem he contributed a total of two blog posts as an “International Affairs Fellow in Japan, 2005-2006,” you actually think that means Gary Johnson (who, by the way, has most certainly NOT been a media darling) is a “puppet?”

        Your tinfoil hat is screwed on way, WAY too tight.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003526419876 KC Ted

          Thanks for that tidbit of info Rick.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Angelo-Manos/1290721991 Angelo Manos

          You know Rick, it’s nice you chime with this but what’s with the insult? Jeff shed some serious light on the otherwise ambiguous Gary Johnson (at least to me) and maybe it’s a stretch (I haven’t researched before posting this reply) but come on. The “tinfoil hat” comment, How can you try to characterize someone as some sort of paranoid “conspiracy theorist” and at the same time somewhat validate his concern with GJ being tied in with the CFR by explaining that the campaign worker in question worked wtih CFR “15 years ago,” and had “two blog posts?” Unless of course you entire motive was to discredit one of the only information comments on this article which is completely possible (oh, let me loosen my cap lol).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-L-Wright/1439074693 Jeff L. Wright

    This kind of stuff is just crazy talk. It’s both too late for all the filing deadlines and the “sore loser” laws in most of the states for RP to get on. He ain’t going to do it. Wise up and move on to taking over the Liberty movement yourselves for Pete’s Sake. Or maybe for Ron’s sake.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kem-Williams/100000451291928 Kem Williams

    He is going to announce he is no longer in the race, he has to publicly hopeful he will endorse Gary Johnson but even if he don’t endorse and drops out, I will vote for Gary Johnson but only if he drops out. and my vote is counted if he stays in,
    I would never in a million years vote for Romney. I refuse to vote for one evil over another.

  • Boum

    I hope so, though I am said he backed down during last elections. So I think not.

  • NadePaulKuciGravMcKi

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nmERuCXTyw

    Ron Paul is the Tupac of the Political World …

    he WON’T be punked he DOESN’T back-down

  • http://www.facebook.com/jason.albury1 Jason Albury

    Would be great to see RP and GJ on the same ticket , sure they have some differences we all do but being a democracy its a majority game so you have to give a lil to get a lot, option 2 is BO or MR. With RP & GJ on the same ticket a combined message with a better platform than the Repubs & Demo’s will be heard!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Life-Liberty-Property/100000387199619 Life-Liberty Property

    America, it’s over. Welcome to degeneracy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/wfazio Wayne Fazio

    Dr Paul for Pres, Gary Johnson VP, then Johnson would have 8 years after Paul. We would see a bright new country by then. Prosperous, and back wearing the white hat.

    • http://www.facebook.com/moneypennie007 Lauren Fazio Benedict

      If Ron Paul ran as libertarian, they would change the rules to require 20% in the polls in order to debate, then they would fix the polls to show he only gets 2%.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junart-Sodoy/100000250996895 Junart Sodoy

        Then that means America’s Political system is rigged and it’s time for all the smart people to leave the country before fascism is Reborn in America.

        • Oscar_DeGrouch

          congrats – we’re there

  • belowme

    Who is the a$$ cu#t who wrote this cowardly turd of a blog?

    • http://vforvandyke.com/ Stephen VanDyke

      Fuck off hater, I don’t come to your job and knock the dick out of your hand.

    • http://vforvandyke.com/ Stephen VanDyke

      After some careful deliberation, you get a HoT timeout of 23 days (or whenever I remember to flush the blacklist). Come back when you grow some manners on other people’s blogs.

  • wallace barry

    No one outside of the libertarians knows who Gary Johnson is.

    Only Ron Paul can pull in the left -center independents. GJ needs Ron Paul’s supporters behind him.

    So insulting them is pretty stupid.

  • zekemcmahon1944@yahoo.com

    I’ve been a “moderate” for years – a sincere believer that a democratic republic is the best government do far developed. In my opinion, voting along straight party lines is lazy or paranoid at best. The teatment of Ron Paul’s supporters has discouraged me from even considering most, if not, all of what the Republican Party has to say now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689392135 Richard Shepard

    Setting aside the political aspects of Ron Paul making an Independent run for the Presidency there are several practical problems, not the least of which is that the deadline for filing for the office has already passed in several states. In addition, several states have what is known as a “sore loser” law, which basically means that candidate who lost the nomination of one party cannot later run as a nominee of a different party, or as an independent. These laws have been on the books for decades and have been upheld as constitutionally valid.

    • Oscar_DeGrouch

      Technically, Ron Paul was never nominated. He lost nothing.

  • Swing State Republican

    Anybody but Romney! Keep an eye on the NY investigation into the tax fraud at Bain Capital. Wouldn’t it be great to see Mr. R-Money in the big house instead of the White House?

  • Toby

    I donated to all of the main money bombs for Dr.Paul and wrote him in in 2008,as did my wife and her family and a number of intelligent friends who care about the course of this nation and of the world. If Dr. Paul runs third party, I will do whatever I can to help him. Go Ron!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junart-Sodoy/100000250996895 Junart Sodoy

    Even if Ron Paul runs under the libertarian
    party or if he runs as an independent. Ron Paul still has a better
    chance against Obama than any other candidate in the GOP. Mitt Romney
    is being used to suppress the freedom movement within the GOP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37oxlAcgUNE&feature=share put a hammer to that.

  • Resa

    I certainly hope he does, I’m going for him all the way no matter what! If everyone who actually wanted him in voted he’d get in. But a lot of people think there is no point because they figure he won’t have a chance so they vote for someone they don’t actually want. This is too important to go halfway on, vote for who u truly believe in even if it seems unlikely, then you know you did your part and who knows? Maybe it will make a difference. : )

  • Bedr1

    Won’t vote for Gary Jofnson or a silly cabinet position for Gary, BUT would 100% give money, vot for and Push Paul if he replaced Johnson.

  • arbat

    IF Ron Paul is stupid enough to run as Independant or Libritarian I will forever write him off since that would/could ONLY help Obama. Ron Paul needs to JOIN the party that he ran under and NOT be a turncoat and LEAVE the party just because he did not win the nomination. YES, if he can get any position in the Romney Administration that would be good, particularily Sec of Def, or Treasury, etc. Surely Ron Paul will make the best decision for the country. May God Bless the united States of America.

    • Oscar_DeGrouch

      The GOP are the turncoats. They are the ones who changed their own rules when Paul was about to be nominated. Get the big picture here.

  • greg

    RON WE WILL SUPPORT YOU NOW AND ALWAYS. GARY JOHNSON, YOUR PRETTY GOOD TOO! RON PAUL 2012………..!

  • 007brendan

    I never understand why so many of my fellow Ron Paul supporters are so hostile towards politicians like Gary Johnson and Rand Paul. While they’re not exactly like Ron Paul, they’re easily the most successful libertarian politicians. I mean, you don’t even see that type of hostility towards pelosi or Reid, who are certainly far worse.

    • Ben

      Don’t lump Gary Johnson and Rand Paul in a single sentence. While GJ has impeccable integrity and honesty, whose opinions happen to differ slightly from Ron Paul’s, Rand is just another sellout.

      I do agree that more Ron Paul supporters need to get behind GJ.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Patricia-Neal-Moreno/1617333102 Patricia Neal-Moreno

    I don’t know if he’ll continue his campaign for president, but I hope so. Hubby and I will vote for him whatever he decides to run for. We need more honest men in politics.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000288415993 Tom Hanson

    I didn’t see it posted below, but how would Paul get past many of the state’s Sore Loser laws? Johnson even though he left the GOP before the first primary still is battling to get some some states with strict Sore Loser laws. The thing also, if Paul decided to do an independent run/3rd party run, the GOP would attack every attempt to get him on the ballot, and it would become painfully obvious that there is no point to being a libertarian in the GOP.

  • http://www.facebook.com/johnathan.overton Johnathan Overton

    We are the voice, the people will consider what we speak to each other about. We are all talking about Obama and Romney.. Even Obama and Romney are talking about eachother.. So our peers only think..”Obama and Romney.” Let’s stop talking about them and let’s talk about Ron Paul!

  • http://www.facebook.com/steven.rayos.1 Steven Rayos

    California is with you Dr.Paul don’t give up, Im with you my family and friends are with you as well…..Here’s a little motivation for all Please Listen:
    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6mh3i_barbara-jordan-s-1976-keynote-addre_news

  • Supernevadasmith

    Now more than ever, I know Ron Paul is right for this country at this time. Much More Importantly is what a Ron Paul Candidacy would do to make The Presidential Debates an argument of the important issues of our time. Even if Dr. Ron Paul establishes an Intellectual “High Ground” at those debates Ron Paul unfortunately and realistically has no chance of winning. That being said, if Defeating Obama is the goal, from the very start a Ron Paul third Party run was the only way this task can be accomplished.

  • Logical Me

    People…….PLEASE think when you vote. I too agree with many of Ron Paul’s politics, but a vote for any third party candidate will be a virtual vote for OBAMA. Presidential elections are not like other elections. There is no run off election. Whoever gets the largest slice of the presidential pie wins the WHOLE PIE.

    It works like this. Take three candidates……two candidates get 32% of the total vote and the other gets 36%…….Who wins the white house?……….The one with 36% even though 64% of the voters did not want him to win.

    I don’t care for either of the major candidates, but in order to clean the pool, you first have to get rid of the crap that is causing the problem no matter how bad the removal method is. Once you get the crap out, then you can set about the business of clearing the water up.

    I am faced this time with the same decision I had in 2008. I have to vote for the lesser of two evils.

    Ron Paul is a fine man and would make a good President. But…….can he beat out BOTH Obama AND Romney?

  • rob

    This is called sour grapes. There is not a snow balls chance in hell that you can win the presidency when you can’t even win the party nomination. There comes a time in life when one needs to accept that we might not get what we want. Suck it up and support the party nominee. Otherwise you are assisting the democrats in destroying the country that you love.