[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Back to the 80's

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Back to the 80's
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1196381234.shtml


   About half the audience at the Patriot's debate event Wednesday night
   were Ron Paul supporters. You have to admire their energy and
   dedication, setting up a booth and winning the straw poll with 48
   percent I believe. They were everywhere, noisy and proud, but also
   civil and polite.
   I found myself going back in time, to the 1980 election when I was
   working for the Libertarian candidate Ed Clark. I was a lot like the
   Ron Paul people of today, convinced I had all the answers in my more
   youthful exuberance having read a few books. Actually, I did have much
   of it right, one of those books being Milton and Rose Friedman's Free
   to Choose. What I didn't understand then is the race is not always to
   the swift, and that evolution usually works better than revolution.
   Ron Paul has a history with the Libertarian Party also, their endorsed
   candidate in 1988 I believe, but still a Republican, somewhat like our
   own Sue Jeffors. I therefore agree with him on many, probably most of
   his positions. Positions are not enough. I offer a little fatherly
   advice.
   First, I hope you understood what Minnesota GOP chair Ron Carey said.
   By all means, campaign long and hard for your candidate, but once the
   nominee emerges, that's where your duty lies. If you're perceived as a
   "take it or leave it" person, others will take their leave of you.
   Hard work in support of any of the other seven candidates will be
   noticed and appreciated, and make our own candidate more attractive in
   the next cycle. There are exceptions, of course, Prime Minister
   Pawlenty being my own personal example. But that's the only exception
   I've made.
   Second, you have to listen to others if you expect others to listen to
   you. In reading the literature I picked up at the debate, I see
   nothing that shows how Ron Paul is not an isolationist. Senator McCain
   really damaged Paul, asking how his non-interventionism is any
   different than isolationism, certainly ineffective in the 1930's and a
   dangerous game in post 9/11 America. With nukes, you only have to get
   close. Maybe I have it wrong. Maybe you can convince me, but you won't
   be able to do it with slogans and platitudes. Do your homework, then
   explain it to me.
   Third, keep your perspective. The 2008 election could be as
   significant to America as was 1980, my own "Ron Paul" year. The
   Democratic party candidate will almost certainly be the most
   left-leaning since George McGovern. Don't do their work for them by
   needlessly tearing into other Republicans. If you use "Patriot Act"
   like the Democrats use "Halliburton" you're hurting, not helping.
   What I understand now is that you will seldom get a great candidate
   and never get a saint. That doesn't mean you stop trying, like when
   public outcry sunk the latest amnesty bill. In fact, some candidates
   heard us on this and other issues and changed their position.
   So keep'em flying and let's work together to get the best result
   possible, not the best possible result.