Comments on: Still Waiting http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2009/11/23/still-waiting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=still-waiting n. the principle of good order<br /><br /> "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:25:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: BJT http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2009/11/23/still-waiting/comment-page-1/#comment-34311 BJT Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:32:52 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/?p=10320#comment-34311 M.Z. Forrest, I don't think you observed the enthusiasm that Dr. Paul inspired. I was there. In spite of the *innumerable* gaffes of the official campaign, people rallied around this candidate with more creativity and vigor than I've ever seen around a "winning" candidate. Paul's advocates were the ones who coordinated record-breaking fundraising days, traveled across the country to focus campaign efforts in New Hampshire, and even got the campaign a blimp. All on their own. No, Paul's campaign didn't translate into a lot of votes, but you should at least recognize that what he tapped into was some Americans' desperation for a non-statist candidate. M.Z. Forrest, I don’t think you observed the enthusiasm that Dr. Paul inspired. I was there.

In spite of the *innumerable* gaffes of the official campaign, people rallied around this candidate with more creativity and vigor than I’ve ever seen around a “winning” candidate.

Paul’s advocates were the ones who coordinated record-breaking fundraising days, traveled across the country to focus campaign efforts in New Hampshire, and even got the campaign a blimp.

All on their own.

No, Paul’s campaign didn’t translate into a lot of votes, but you should at least recognize that what he tapped into was some Americans’ desperation for a non-statist candidate.

]]> By: Norwegian Shooter http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2009/11/23/still-waiting/comment-page-1/#comment-34307 Norwegian Shooter Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:11:33 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/?p=10320#comment-34307 Agreed with MZ Forrest, how much did Paul advance any substantive policy positions while he was in the majority? Did he get any Fed regulation out of committee? Remember that would still be the case if Alan Grayson didn't co-sponsor the current bill. And even this bi-partisan measure has a tough road ahead to passage. Like most committed libertarians, Paul has as many kooky ideas (see health issues) as sensible ones. Because Paul has a deal breaker position for virtually everyone in the Republican Party, he will never go far in its presidential politics. Agreed with MZ Forrest, how much did Paul advance any substantive policy positions while he was in the majority? Did he get any Fed regulation out of committee? Remember that would still be the case if Alan Grayson didn’t co-sponsor the current bill. And even this bi-partisan measure has a tough road ahead to passage.

Like most committed libertarians, Paul has as many kooky ideas (see health issues) as sensible ones. Because Paul has a deal breaker position for virtually everyone in the Republican Party, he will never go far in its presidential politics.

]]> By: M.Z. Forrest http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2009/11/23/still-waiting/comment-page-1/#comment-34304 M.Z. Forrest Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:01:10 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/?p=10320#comment-34304 <i>What seems worth noting is that Rep. Paul inspired this enthusiasm on the strength of his substantive policy positions, which also tapped into some existing currents of public distrust of government.</i> No, he didn't. <i>It is fair to say that this did not translate into much electoral success, but ultimately the same is true of Palin and Huckabee.</i> It is not only fair, it is the most relevant measure to use. Shall we compare the electoral votes Huckabee received versus Paul? Paul didn't lose by a little. He wasn't in the same league as Huckabee. And while we admittedly lack evidence for Palin, I think one could make the argument that she would have been in a different league as well. That Ron Paul has a popular piece of legislation is making something unexceptional into something exceptional. Such isn't to claim that he can't have influence or can't offer ideas. I will however claim that citing someone that has had difficulty translating ideas into political success as a counter to Douthat is to miss the point of his column. What seems worth noting is that Rep. Paul inspired this enthusiasm on the strength of his substantive policy positions, which also tapped into some existing currents of public distrust of government.

No, he didn’t.

It is fair to say that this did not translate into much electoral success, but ultimately the same is true of Palin and Huckabee.

It is not only fair, it is the most relevant measure to use. Shall we compare the electoral votes Huckabee received versus Paul? Paul didn’t lose by a little. He wasn’t in the same league as Huckabee. And while we admittedly lack evidence for Palin, I think one could make the argument that she would have been in a different league as well.

That Ron Paul has a popular piece of legislation is making something unexceptional into something exceptional. Such isn’t to claim that he can’t have influence or can’t offer ideas. I will however claim that citing someone that has had difficulty translating ideas into political success as a counter to Douthat is to miss the point of his column.

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