Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
Joshua Riddle ·
September 7, 2011 at 7:42pm
Ron Paul released an ad that attacks Rick Perry for being a cheerleader/yell leader and Al Gore supporter, and that simultaneously paints Paul as the second coming of Ronald Reagan.
There is no way that Rick Perry could have realized the errors of the Democratic party and become conservative, right? Any politician who would do something like that simply cannot be trusted (except for the Gipper, who was a big government liberal before he went on to champion conservative principles.)
Who out there thinks we can trust Ron Paul like the video exhorts? I certainly have heard him say some good things, but I find much of what he stands for to be at odds with Reagan's rhetoric and actions.
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Comments:
Jan '11
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
Interesting. Here's a little more recent history concerning endorsements.
In September, 2008 Ron Paul gave what he termed an "open endorsement" to the candidacies and principles of 4 independents running for President. The quartet was
Paul specifically declined to give an "open endorsement" to the John McCain/Sarah Palin ticket of the party whose nomination he had campaigned for and lost.
In spite of that history, Representative Paul has been invited to appear at every GOP debate this go-around and has been treated with courtesy and respect by the very party he spit on in 2008.
But in light of this commercial, and Representative Paul's apparent suspicion of Rick Perry's loyalty to Republican principles and candidates, doesn't it seem apt to ask Ron Paul if he will wholeheartedly endorse and support the GOP nominee in 2012?
Even if it isn't him?
Elect no Democrat anywhere, ever.
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
I agree with you, Josh, that it's possible -- even likely -- Gov. Perry saw the error of his ways concerning liberalism, especially with regards to size of government and economic policy. But we also have to consider the sort of candidate that Al Gore was in 1988. No, he was no conservative, but he was portrayed by most as a "centrist" who "opposed federal funding for abortion. He favored a moment of silence for prayer in the schools and voted against banning the interstate sale of handguns."
Indeed, by 2000, Gore had become far more liberal, especially on "social" issues, but it is not entirely unreasonable for a pretty socially conservative Texan to support a pretty socially conservative Tennessean in a run for president. Ron Paul is being ridiculous.
Thanks, Freesmith, for pointing out some of the hypocrisies, as well, in Rep. Paul's statements.
Jan '11
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
Tony,
Your welcome.
The record also shows, but the commercial cleverly omits, that Ron Paul himself didn't support the Republican nominee in 1988, George H. W. Bush.
He supported himself, running for President on the Libertarian Party line.
Dec '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
I'm reading Perry's book Fed Up right now. In it he explains (as I expected) that he was a democrat by birth and changed parties when he could no longer reconcile his personal views with those of the party he grew up supporting. In rural Texas being a democrat is the default until one actually makes a choice.
Aug '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
Reagan was a Democrat in what - the fifties, sixties maybe? Dems were just a tad bit more conservative back then. By the 80s Rick Perry's Democrat party were full blown liberal kooks so the comparison with Reagan is not really applicable.
I want to see Ricky explain that he's a Reagan Republican despite supporting Carter and Mondale in the 80s - now that would be a neat trick!
Jul '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
I find it hard to fault the man for not endorsing H.W. or McCain, but endorsing McKinney and Nader is beyond foolish. And his foreign policy positions are a disaster. For me, the problem is not that his positions tend to be far from the beaten track, it is that some days he tries to go in down every other path at once. Principled men know how to stay a course.
Aug '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
Not that I agree with Ron Paul, but I am getting tired of people defending Perry due to a kind of celebrity he has or some sense of personal connection.
He's a politician. He changed parties in 1989, but still supported the Hilary Clinton health care plan after that time. His defense of his support sounds very "career politician" to me.
I'd love for someone to have a nice conversation with Perry discussing his decision to change parties and what his political ideology is, beyond campaign speeches and platitudes.
I don't want a radical to represent the party, but I don't want someone who changes positions just to gain glory either.
Oct '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
This is one of the reasons I think Paul is a hypocrite. He criticized Reagan for not even being a real conservative back in the '80s and now he wants to portray himself as Reagan's successor.
Great point, by the way, Freesmith. That's a very insightful point to mention that you can't not be a team player and then expect star quarterback treatment.
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
I will limit myself to the advertisement itself. It strikes me as more likely than not to help Rick Perry. It is an invitation for him to explain why he had to leave the Democratic Party, and that gives him an opportunity to invite others to follow his example. This is a time when centrist Democrats are very apt to abandon ship, and once they have voted Republican once, they can easily do so again.
Oct '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
As Freesmith point out, it leaves out the fact that by 1988, Ron Paul had abandoned Reagan.
Dec '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
Ron Paul = Dennis Kucinich. Nuff said.
Mar '11
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
I've seen too many blizzards to get too excited about another flake.
Oct '10
Re: Ron Paul Takes a Jab at Rick Perry
For some perspective, I recommend watching this episode of Firing Line from 1988, where Ron Paul was the guest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VIvqyrxbL8
I have to say, the doctor is fairly compelling. His big problem with Reagan are the deficits. He also argues that Reagan actually raised taxes, because tax revenues went up. Worth watching.