Politics

AP: Ron Paul‘s Nonprofits Push Law’s Limit

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The passionate support of an eclectic group of libertarians and young people has Ron Paul in contention to win the Iowa caucus. So has the work of two well-funded nonprofits that for the past three years have kept his aides employed, his volunteers organized and his ideas afloat.

Those nonprofits, including Paul’s flagship Campaign for Liberty, blur the line between his presidential campaign and issue advocacy in a way experts say runs afoul of the spirit, and perhaps the letter, of federal tax and campaign finance law.

But unlike a political campaign organization, whose finances are tightly regulated and made public, such advocacy nonprofits can raise unlimited sums of money and aren’t required to disclose where it came from or all the details about how it was spent.

“It sounds like it was a way to maintain a permanent campaign,” said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonpartisan watchdog group. “These groups were never supposed to be political organizations, but more and more, we’re seeing them used that way. All of this is leading to our elections getting more and more out of control with fewer regulations.”

Paul, a 76-year-old Texas congressman, finished fifth in the 2008 Iowa caucus and abandoned his long-shot presidential campaign that summer. As he left the race, he urged his supporters to continue their fight for libertarian principles by joining his new group, the Campaign for Liberty. He called the transformation of his presidential campaign into the nonprofit a “legal formality” that would allow him to continue building his famously energetic network of volunteers, online activists and college students.

The Campaign for Liberty and Young Americans for Liberty, a separate group formed to spread his message to high school and college students, were organized as “social welfare organizations” under U.S. tax law. That means they cannot make politics and promoting candidates their primary activities.

The groups quickly found a home in the tea party movement, hosting conferences, training activists and distributing petitions asking members of Congress to support one of Paul’s signature policies — a plan to audit the Federal Reserve. The Campaign for Liberty raised more than $13 million between 2008 and 2010 that paid for direct mail, telemarketing, staff salaries and other expenses. The group claims more than 600,000 members and more than 170 chapters of Young Americans for Liberty at high schools and colleges.

Drew Ivers, who founded the Iowa chapter of Campaign for Liberty, said the nonprofit‘s goal was never to lay the groundwork for Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign. Organizers were careful to separate political work from the work of advocating Paul’s ideas, he added. But he acknowledged the organization has helped Paul in Iowa, which will hold its first-in-the-nation presidential nominating caucuses on Jan. 3.

“It kept the ideas alive. And as people who were involved in the Campaign for Liberty liked the idea of limited government, they look at the field of presidential candidates and say, ‘You know, I think Ron Paul is serious about this idea,’” Ivers said.

The other candidates from 2008 who are again running in 2012 also took steps between campaigns to build their political clout. President Barack Obama formed his “Organizing for America” group at the Democratic National Committee, while Republican Mitt Romney used a political action committee to raise money, shower donations on lawmakers and pay for his travel to key states. Paul had a PAC, too.

But the finances of both the DNC and political action committees such as Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC — unlike Paul’s nonprofits — are regulated by the Federal Election Commission and subject to financial disclosure rules.

Paul’s presidential campaign is thoroughly intertwined with the nonprofits. The Campaign for Liberty calls itself a lobbying group for “individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets and a noninterventionist foreign policy” — a tidy summation of Paul’s campaign platform. Young Americans for Liberty’s support of Paul is even more explicit, calling itself the continuation of the Students for Ron Paul wing of his 2008 campaign, coordinating his visits to campuses and publishing a magazine in which he laid out his “agenda for a freedom president.”

Between the 2008 and 2012 campaigns, both nonprofits were stocked with Paul aides and relatives. Ivers served as Paul’s Iowa campaign chairman in 2008 and holds the same position again this year. The Campaign for Liberty’s president, John Tate, was paid a total of $338,000 by the group in 2009 and 2010. He is now Paul’s national campaign manager. The nonprofit’s senior vice president was Jesse Benton, who is now Paul’s campaign chairman; its vice president was Debbie Hopper, who is now Paul’s assistant campaign manager.

Lori Pyeatt, Paul’s daughter, served until recently as the Campaign for Liberty’s part-time secretary and treasurer, earning $34,000 for her work last year. Her daughter is married to Benton. Paul‘s son Ronnie is the group’s unpaid chairman.

In all, nine out of the 16 staff members at the Campaign for Liberty are on leaves of absence from the group to work for Paul’s campaign. The nonprofit’s executive director, Matthew Hawes, said the group is still able to function and is an active advocate on state and federal issues unrelated to Paul’s presidential campaign.

Paul campaign spokesman Gary Howard — who for 18 months served as the Campaign for Liberty’s spokesman — said Paul resigned as Campaign for Liberty’s honorary chairman when he joined the presidential race and believes the nonprofits complied with Internal Revenue Service rules. Still, like Ivers, he acknowledged the nonprofits have indirectly aided the campaign by training activists and raising his issues.

Paul isn‘t the first to use such a strategy to keep his name in the public’s view between bids for the White House. Democrat John Edwards did the same between the 2004 and 2008 campaigns by founding a nonprofit center dedicated to fighting poverty, his central campaign issue.

Federal investigators later issued a subpoena for information about Edwards’ nonprofit, according to details previously provided to The Associated Press. An attorney for Edwards has said the nonprofit paid money to Edwards‘ mistress’ video production firm, and the former senator from North Carolina was later indicted on campaign finance charges related to payments from wealthy donors that were used to help hide the woman.

Marcus Owens, a Washington lawyer who headed the exempt organizations division at the IRS from 1990 to 2000, questions whether such nonprofits were truly designed to serve the “social welfare purpose” as required by law.

In Paul’s case, the groups also helped his son’s political career. At least two aides from the Campaign for Liberty left to help Rand Paul win election to the U.S. Senate in Kentucky last year.

“Any family campaign seems to draw them out. It’s not conclusive, but it tends to suggest a private, not a public, purpose behind the organization,” Owens said. “It’s not a social welfare purpose to keep a campaign staff together and to promote the personal ideas of one individual.”

Comments (66)

  • All Pro
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:15pm

    Another hit piece! LOL! Ron Paul is going to win and all of the progressives are throwing a fit including Glenn Beck and Pat Gray. Glenn, Pat, your progressive corporate, fascism is showing. You might want to see a doctor about that.
    Ron Paul 2012
    Say yes to Dr NO!

    Report Post » All Pro  
  • Watcher11
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:18pm

    I love how they work they scurt around the issues with inuindo‘s and suggestions of wrong doing but fail to explain he did nothing wrong or illlegal all politicans have the same game plans to prepare for the coming elections of the future but now Ron Paul’s tactics are questionable and should raise eyebrows, such phony hypocritical behavior by people calling themselves journalist!

    Report Post » Watcher11  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:03pm

      I don’t see it any differently than Tea Party groups, Freedomworks, or any group you care to mention that discuss politics. It goes for CHURCHES as well.

      Report Post »  
  • ddg7
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:51pm

    Why haven’t I seen a Santorum bashing story on the Blaze? Not much about Bachmann either. Is someone trying to tell us something………Glenn?

    Report Post »  
  • TheCalvinistPastor
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:24am

    This is great! as a college student/pastor myself. I will be joining this group as well

    Report Post » TheCalvinistPastor  
  • Roaran
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:29am

    Why on earth would we want politicians controlling elections?? Let them raise money any which way they want from any source they want, if prosperous and freedom living people don’t match it towards a candidate that deserves it, allowing governments to directly control them amounts to a capitulation to tyranny.

    Report Post »  
  • teacherbil
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:01am

    @ Spyder
    Sometimes the leaders need to be lead. So….

    Dear Glenn,
    Ron Paul 2012!
    Sincerely,
    Teacherbil

    Report Post »  
    • teacherbil
      Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:03am

      *led* :-/

      Report Post »  
    • mimitweetin
      Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:05am

      Obama has 95% of the media covering for him so what about Ron Paul. Seems to me Ron Paul is the last chance to save America. Maybe we should all get our priorities straight. Every one of these politicians are screwing America, Ron Paul is true to his word and you all need to stop worrying about Iran and Israel. First off Ron Paul does support Israel and he will DEFEND THIS COUNTRY! Make no mistake, HE’S A CONSTITUTIONALIST and would go to war according to the Constitution. You are a Hypocrite if you think he can just go blow up Iran in defense of Israel. Either you are for “ALL” of the Constitution or “NONE” of it. Sorry, you can‘t have you’re cake and eat it too! RON PAUL 2012!

      Report Post »  
  • ejbonk
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:05am

    Cry Babies,The Left is whining,because something they have done for Years successfully,is now being used against them. Poor George Soros and others are upset by ron paul beating them at their own game plan. Shut Up and Grow up you Commie Liberal Bastards.

    Report Post »  
  • numberonetruth
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:44pm

    Ron paul will win no dout
    and all the fema camps can be dismateled
    and all the crooks can go to jail
    the troops will be home
    the fed will be no more
    and america will have a dollar worth a dollar

    seems neg comments can not be replied to here
    these are the paid shills

    Report Post »  
  • MOTHERLAND
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:03pm

    Ron Paul is destined to reunite the Democatic-Republican Party. Democrats should be happy that Ron Paul makes them realize how much they have in common with Ronald Reagan and GW Bush. And Republicans should realize that Obama makes a good Conserative Republican compared to Ron Paul.

    Ron Paul represents some bizarre anti-establishment revolutionary agenda that died with George Washington.

    The King is Dead! Long Live the King!

    Report Post »  
  • THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:56pm

    The establishment is getting desperate! What choice do they have!.lol..Ignoring Ron Paul hasn’t worked, lying about him hasn’t worked, twisting his words haven’t worked, calling him a nut and crazy hasn’t worked, THIS IS ALL THEY HAVE! The tactics they have perfected over years to keep Americans dumbed down and corraled..no longer work! This election is not about Ron Paul per se, this election is about ignoring the progressive terrorists and voting for our Constitution and our freedoms!

    Report Post » THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE  
    • Simonne
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:47pm

      Who cares as he won‘t get the nomination as there’s too many common sense people who would never vote for this guy. He is also a bigot in case you care.

      Report Post »  
  • WAKEUPUSA2012
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:49pm

    Paul raises his money from the PEOPLE. The establishment raises its money from Goldman Sachs. Hell yeah they hate him.

    Winning

    Paul 2012

    Report Post » WAKEUPUSA2012  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 5:10pm

      I know they’re lying, I’ve been sending Ron Paul money in small increments… he even forces you to disclose who you are, your address, and everything, even for donations as small as $20, when the Federal law says he only has to report individual donations OVER $250!

      Those non-profit campaigns are promoting the idea of LIBERTY and if that HAPPENS to mesh with the congressman’s stances and policy views, then so be it!

      Sounds to me like everything is legal and AP is trying to cast aspersions on perfectly legitimate activity. I don’t hear the people complaining, only SORE LOSERS who can’t get those SOUR GRAPES.

      Title says it pushes the limit of the law, but doesn’t break the law. So …why are we even talking about this?

      ANOTHER NON-STORY ON THE TEFLON CANDIDATE. LIBERTY IS A TEFLON IDEA.

      The “Dear Satan, Anybody But Ron Paul” Campaign has failed miserably.

      The “OMG PAUL’S GONNA WIN, DO SOMETHING” Campaign is in effect.

      *********************************PRESIDENT RON PAUL 2012!!************************************************

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Confederate Abolitionist
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:39pm

    This article research paid for by MEDIA MATTERS curtesy of George Soros INC.

    Report Post »  
  • UrbanCombatSurvivor
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:07am

    Aww, is the AP getting worried that the only Individualist in the race might actually beat out their Collectivists? Poor little AP, you just keep running your hit pieces, and we’ll believe you :)

    Report Post »  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:27am

      “The Campaign for Liberty calls itself a lobbying group for “individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets and a noninterventionist foreign policy” — a tidy summation of Paul’s campaign platform.”

      It’s also a tidy summation of the Constitution, morons.

      All of it:

      1. Individual liberty
      2. Constitutional government
      3. Sound money
      4. Free markets
      5. Non-interventionist foreign policy

      All of these are mandated by the Constitution – yes, even the last one, which is kept in check by the limit of two years on the raising and supporting of armies.

      Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:32am

      You can rest assured that the AP and the rest of the Western Media has our best interests at heart.

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • spankadonkey
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:08pm

      Ron PORKY Paul is a liar, a hypo-hypocrite, constant complainer, and apparent cult leader with absolutely no SIGNIFICANT accomplishments. If you don’t believe me, just try to find some accomplishments (other than all the talk he gets credit for which is no accomplishment).

      Report Post »  
  • goodwater
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:47am

    It’s time for the Fair Tax. The 501 c(3) law instigated by Lyndon Johnson was designed to silence the Churches and other non-profits, such as the Campaign for Liberty, in the political arena. The Fair Tax buries the IRS and the 65,000 page Tax Code with its special interest social engineering regulations. No one or the members of an organization should be denied their 1st Amendment right of free speech. Go get’um Ron Paul and Rand Paul.

    Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:47am

      I changed my mind about the amount of money that each candidate is allowed to receive from any one donor..I would vote for them to receive an unlimited amount from any donor. At first I thought it would be fair for them to only be able to receive $100 from each individual..by that would be unfair.because that would enable the rich and the dishonest to fair the best..This needs somewhat of an equal footing.. so I say no holes barred.. Go Dr Paul.!!.we are behind you and Rand 100%

      Report Post »  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:03am

      @ash
      Merry Christmas !

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:09pm

      @RECOVER Why thank you..you don’t know how much that means to me..Merry Christmas to you too!!

      Report Post »  
  • Treaty
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:23am

    I‘m an active member of the Tea Party and I’m very dismayed that my fellow Tea Partiers would support Gingrich. It just seems unreal to me. This Tea Party member will support Ron Paul even if he runs Independent and even if it means Obama may win again. I will NOT vote for Gingrich or Romney. We need a Constitutionalist – PERIOD!

    Report Post » Treaty  
    • Ballot_Box_Revolution
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:44am

      I am with you there, but rest assured Obama will not win again. Obama doesn’t have a chance, the only supporters he has are the ones who are paid to be his friend. If Paul runs 3rd party it will come down to 3rd party and the republican, I have no doubt in my mind.

      And i say if Paul runs 3rd party because he is appealing to both sides…..If Trump or anyone else runs 3rd party people are just going to vote R vs D and then it is very possible the election will be handed back to Obama….

      Report Post » Ballot_Box_Revolution  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:05pm

      I’m Tea for Ron Paul! My local Tea Party chairman is also pro-Paul!

      Report Post »  
  • myptofvu
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:44am

    Found this on Zerohedge. It got me to thinking ….which other of the candidates have quotes like these.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/quotes-day-ron-paul-edition

    Report Post »  
  • Spyder
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:55am

    I still don’t understand why Glenn has not boarded the Ron Paul Train. Ron Paul, like our founders, is all about the Constitution, and yet Glenn shuns him. Actions speak louder than words and so I’m now questioning whether or not Glenn actually believes what he is saying. If so, his ties to Israel should have no bearing to what happens to the U.S. as a nation, and yet Glen doesn’t like Ron Paul for his stance on Israel and the fact that Ron Paul believes that Israel can more than adequately defend themselves. And According to Netenyahu, Ron Paul is absolutely correct.

    “Glenn, actions speak louder than words and your record is in question. You constantly portray yourself as a Constitutionalist and yet you won’t back the one person, Ron Paul, who agrees with what you are supposedly saying. So which is it? Are you a Freedom-Loving Person who respects the Constitution, or do you just say those things to keep your ratings up?”

    Questioning with Boldness is what you taught, and now it is aimed at you. So what do you do?

    Report Post » Spyder  
    • loriann12
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 5:52am

      First, I’m not a Paul supporter. BUT, it abhors me that they didn’t say boo about him until he started leading in a poll. And I have to wonder, since it’s only the primaries, is the establishment Republicans, or the Democrats digging up dirt? If it’s the Republicans, what have they sunk to? Y’all need to look up guided democracy.

      Report Post »  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:45am

      I say we Conservatives do a thorough examination and investigation of the Ron Paul Revolution from A-Z. It’s only fair…

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • wilson38115
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:56am

      Because Ron Paul’s foreign policy is disastrous plus his stance on the drug wars by making drugs legal and pardoning the ones who have been imprisoned.

       He believes that Bush was gleeful about 9/11 just so he could attack Iraq  “Think of what happened after 9/11, the minute before there was any assessment, there was glee in the administration because now we can invade Iraq, and so the war drums beat,”“Extremists have taken over, and they’re the ones who run the foreign policy and have convinced us to go along with all these wars,”
      He also thinks that  no country would want to attack us, so 9/11 wasn’t an attack on the US. Then on the fox debate dec 15th. He talked about countries getting more respect when they have nukes. Oh, okay so if everyone has nukes  nobody will attack each other, how naive.

      Just because you disagree with someone does not mean you hate them. I don’t hate Ron Paul I love it when he talks about monetary policy, but we need a president that is more well rounded in all policy maters and not just in fiscal matters. Ron Paul is not the only one to support the fair tax, Michelle Bachmann does too.

      Report Post » wilson38115  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:02am

      @yepimachristmasmorningpaulhater
      I agree 100% with you on this one. The more he is vented, the bigger the donations and support. Please keep the Dr. in the Headlines. The interview with CNN was Priceless.

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • Veritas Libertas
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:21am

      @Loriann: Little doubt these assaults are directed by the RNC. They’re dismayed that support for Dr. Paul hasn’t faded, and that they have been unsuccessful in co-opting part of his message.

      @Yep: it’s vetting. It‘s fair game and if there’s dirt, people (especially Dr. Paul’s supporters) deserve to know.

      Report Post »  
    • Spyder
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:04am

      @loriann12
      I am sure they are trying, which is why you have people attempting to drudge up old, racists newsletters that were posted in his name 30 years ago, but not written by him. And he’s already answered questions regarding the letters through 2 other election cycles, so it’s kinda beating a dead horse.

      My guess is that the R and D parties are having a hard time finding anything new to use against him because they used all of their tactics to disqualify him from previous elections. But again, that is just a guess.

      I know people don‘t like Ron Paul’s foreign policy either. I constantly hear people say that Ron Paul has no foreign policy, but that is not true at all. He, like our founders, believes that other countries need to take care of themselves. We are not the police force of the world; nor should we be. Saying we need to occupy places, such as Afghanistan and now our new embassy in Iraq, because they might attack us is like saying that we (The people) all need to go to jail because we MIGHT commit a crime at some point in our lives. Ron Paul also believes that we should never interfere with another nations sovereignty unless we are attacked and WAR is actually declared by Congress; as it should be according to the Constitution. In other words We DO NOT send troops until it has been approved through an act of Congress where the States and more importantly the people footing the bill have a say. The US Government is not a 1-man show; nor should

      Report Post » Spyder  
    • Ballot_Box_Revolution
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:12pm

      First to the original post. Why do you attack Glenn? I agree with the “meat” of your post, but to try to tear down Glenn because of it is just ridiculous. If you understood Glenn you would kinda grasp why he takes the stance he does on Paul. I do not question whether he believes what he says, I know he does. Glenn is a good man. His Ron Paul view stinks to high heaven but he is good. And I can argue his stance with manifest destiny vs. divine providence.

      Your avatar says a lot about who you are.

      Report Post » Ballot_Box_Revolution  
    • Ballot_Box_Revolution
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:13pm

      @Wilson

      “His foreign policy and drug war stance.” Foreign policy: Which is better Manifest Destiny, or Divine Providence? Drug war: Why did God put the Tree INSIDE the garden of Eden, and not place it outside of the garden just to make sure, Adam and Eve did not make the wrong choice?

      9-11 comment: I could see it, there is no way to prove it one way or another, but I can see it. And to say the Government would not let a crisis go to waste…well we know they wouldn’t by now. But that doesn’t mean Paul was saying the Gov. played a hand in orchestrating it.

      The Nuke thing: He has a point, the only difference is that “immaneedajob” is a nut. But I believe he is a puppet and his string pullers would not allow him to get them all killed. Not all extremist want to die. Why didn’t Bin Laden ever strap a bomb to himself and become a martyr??

      Report Post » Ballot_Box_Revolution  
    • Spyder
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:29pm

      @Ballot_Box_Revolution
      First off, my Avatar says nothing about me. It’s a picture and there are millions of people out there who use the same one and it all means something different to each person. You know, stones; not bricks. (Watch Glenn‘s ’Tower of Babal‘ episode if you don’t get the reference) Yet I know exactly where you stand when you make a completely ungrounded remark like that, and it comes from the media programming you to see the image as they want you to see it. Bravo, your a sheep.
      Secondly, you misunderstand. I am following Glenn’s edict of “Questioning with Boldness,” since I am also a fan and have been for years. Glenn is a very influential personality these days and that puts him in the same light as a leader to some. Question leaders with boldness because it is your right, as well as your duty, to do so. I have noticed Glenn saying one thing and then preaching another and I am curious as to why? Pretty simple really. I think logically and hear Glenn talk about bringing this country back to the ways of the founders, and yet he still not siding with the one person who is speaking the same language and instead trying to choose between the Globalist-sponsored elitists who are also running for President.
      Glenn is a good man. I never said otherwise now did I? But that doesn‘t mean I can’t question him. If YOU, sir, understood Glenn as well as you think you do, then you would support me “Questioning with Boldness” because that is how

      Report Post » Spyder  
    • Spyder
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:40pm

      (Cont.)
      dialogue begins.

      Report Post » Spyder  
    • spinwizard
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:59pm

      @SPYDER
      I couldn’t have said it better, myself. I don’t understand it either. Dr Paul, is everything Glenn is looking for. He IS our George Wasington of the 21st centry. Is he blind, or, does he have his own agenda? Every other canidate running, is more of the same thing. Progressive. All of them.
      Give me my Constitution back!
      If Glenn doesn’t see it, then he’s just looking in the wrong places. We don’t need Romneycare, or that “Good ole boy” “pay to play”, the Texas way. And Newt? please! Nuff said.
      Ron Paul 2012!

      Report Post » spinwizard  
  • ZengaPA65
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:06am

    The rest of those bastards in DC sit on Capitol Hill and PA Ave with some delusion that they’re gods and kings over the rest of us doing whatever they feel like with impunity despite what the people want. Since Paul is a Congressman he can do as he pleases as well. Screw them.

    Ron Paul 2012

    Report Post » ZengaPA65  
  • West Coast Patriot
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:03am

    The establishment is freaking out as more people start truly understanding what has been going on.This will give even more attention to Paul and these organizations. More people will learn from them and will wake up, and more will throw their support to Paul. Paul is the frontrunner and is gaining steam. Ron Paul 2012.

    Report Post » West Coast Patriot  
    • Opino1984
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:17am

      Exactly. The establishment thinks that the same tricks they’ve been using for the last century or so will keep working, the idea that they are two different teams vying for our support and that they will keep their promises when they get elected. Even though, looking at the voting records and statements of the likes of Romney and Gingrich indicate that they will be fundamentally no different as President than Obama.

      Yet the establishment makes us think it’s important to nominate someone who can beat Obama. But why bother nominating someone who will push the same agenda as Obama? We’re going to nominate someone who will ostensibly beat Obama just to continue America down the same path Obama started us down?

      Americans are waking up, on all sides of the spectrum. If not this election, it’ll be the next one where true conservatives and true liberals may unite in overturning the current corrupt system to nominate and elect people who will practice what they preach instead of tossing out sound bytes to be elected and then ignore their Oaths when they get to DC.

      My prediction is that we have less than a decade to fight for the Constitution before we lose it forever. We can either keep playing into their game fighting one another and allow them to destroy the Constitution or unite to ensure we preserve our freedoms for ourselves and our posterity.

      Report Post » Opino1984  
    • countrysideflair
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:09am

      Anyone else notice the extreme lack of “dirt” media coverage of Romney? Seems like someone is trying to get shoved down our throats.

      Report Post » countrysideflair  
    • ArmedPrincess
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:54am

      Just when you thought the media might start a fair and balanced reporting, you were wrong. But hey it’s not all bad, at least Fox is letting you know what they think of their faithful viewers. Check out Fox’s Christmas card:

      http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/fox-news-zings-cnn-msnbc-holiday-card-just-164515834.html

      They can’t stop the Ron Paul Revolution. This will go nowhere, Ron Paul supporters are not fanatical about Ron Paul. They are fanatical about Freedom & Liberty, and God help us we just have the coolest messenger ever.

      You know what else I can’t get over. That people think that Rand will become a good little Rhino. Ron Paul raised that boy right.:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvl961uDoEg

      Thank God for the holly light of Liberty.

      Report Post » ArmedPrincess  
    • loriann12
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 5:56am

      @countrysideflair – look up guided democracy. That‘s exactly what they’re trying to do, shove Romney down our throat. “Romney is the only one who can beat Obama” my toe. Romney is the only one who will make it appear as if we still have free elections but won‘t change Obama’s policies. We can appear to have won when if fact, our feet will be on the exact same path, only getting there slower.

      Report Post »  
    • novelator
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:38am

      Weren’t we all saying a few months ago that if the media, left and right, wasn’t freaking out over the candidate, then we’ve got the wrong guy?

      Well, the media’s certainly freaking out now. Maybe they‘ve finally talked to a few Americans who aren’t liberal or RINO sheep and discovered that the majority of the country is ENRAGED with BOTH PARTIES. And the harder they try to sell us their fecal smears on Ron Paul, the more we’re going to push back and vote for the one guy standing up for God, Country and Constitution over PARTY.

      That’s really the choice here for all American Patriots–Is PARTY (R or D) ABOVE GOD, COUNTRY AND CONSTITUTION?

      There’s only one choice for any true American. And it ain‘t what the media’s pushing.

      Neither I or my neighbors, family and friends are a sheep wearing a brand (R or D). We‘re Americans first and we’re enraged over the actions of both parties.

      The further Congress and the White House and all the establishment candidates wander away from the Constitution, the madder we get. And no amount of propaganda can assuage the anger.

      Report Post » novelator  
    • Veritas Libertas
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:31am

      Just an observation… I have no idea if any of you guys consider yourselves TEA partiers, but you express the very core of what that organization was from it’s inception. It’s a good thing to be proud of your countrymen and respect their voices, even in times of disagreement.

      Merry Christmas. The Republic might just weather this storm after all.

      Report Post »  
  • Opino1984
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:01am

    Well, fighting for liberty and to preserve the Constitution from government encroachment SHOULD be a permanent campaign, not just something we care about every 4 years.

    And besides, Ron Paul is the only candidate from either party fighting for “individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets and a noninterventionist foreign policy” – The rest of the field would have to fight for attention from groups dedicated to “bigger government, bigger corporate welfare, bigger deficits, greater restrictions on Constitutional freedoms, and larger and more widespread wars for empire”.

    I’m sure if Mitt “Flip-Flop“ Romney or Newt ”Big Government“ Gingrich or Barack ”Corporatist-Socialist” Obama cared about the ideals championed by Campaign for Liberty, they’d get support from that organization too.

    Report Post » Opino1984  
  • BonnieBlueFlag
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:19am

    So, just what exactly is “Organizing For America” aka barackobama dot com? Is that not a permanent campaign? Where are the AP’s watchdogs when it comes to Emperor DingleBarry? Are Ron Paul’s organizations legal? Yes. Are they in line with his principals? Yes. Ron Paul wants to eliminate Big Brother’s control over what sovereign individuals and assembled groups do with their time and money. Dingle Barry on the other hand, wants the government’s reach to be ever increasing, whilst himself flouting the law at every possible chance.

    Don’t you just love American “Journ-o-lism” ? It’s great!

    Report Post » BonnieBlueFlag  
  • AxelPhantom
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:43am

    When who we have as President is so heavily weighted in favor of those with the biggest war chests, we will never even hear the messages of those who would be great leaders. They are all corrupted scoundrals and if we ever want that to stop, things need to change.

    Changing the way money is raised and how much can be spent would force voters to look into the real positions of the candidates rather than the 30 second artificial messages produced by candidates about themselves and others. It would also eliminate the dependence on corporations, special interest groups (these super-fund raisers are often just special interest groups under another name) and other big donors and give them a reason to talk directly to “us” the common man again.

    Report Post »  
  • goodinohio
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:33am

    Racism isn’t working so they try this. Try the Kennedy family if you want to see abuse of nonprofits.

    Report Post » goodinohio  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:39am

      Whatever it takes to smear and malign Paul, is okay with me!
      I don‘t even care if it’s true at this point!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • RonPaul
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:33am

      Rational man, I hope you’re being a poe. If you’re serious, then you name truly is ironic.

      Report Post »  
    • Go-rin-no-sho
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:33am

      First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

      Report Post » Go-rin-no-sho  
    • Go-rin-no-sho
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:41am

      Up above, a bitter man waits.

      Report Post » Go-rin-no-sho  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 7:03am

      @RonPaul

      My rationale is simple. Paul would be a terrible president and do more harm than good.
      Therefore, whatever it takes, (short of assassination), to keep him out of the White House is fine with me! No matter how underhanded or dishonest the tactic. I won’t lie about him, but I don’t care if someone else does. The truth is bad enough!
      Seems rational to me!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:13am

      This should be proof responding to Rational man is useless

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • Veritas Libertas
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:39am

      @Rational: And then the masks all come off. How very Alinskylike of you with your “the ends justifies the means” comment. At least you‘ve outted yourself as a progressive even if you hadn’t realized it before. Good for you and Merry Christmas.

      Report Post »  
    • sambachico
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:09pm

      @RATIONAL

      I guess we know where your loyalties lie, not with God!! To bear false witness against one’s neighbor is against the 10 commandments and is abhorrent to God. Read your bible and clear your head buddy. Your comment shows how truly lost and delusional you are. Are you a Christian? When Christ was asked what his purpose was, it was to proclaim the truth. Those of us who are Christian’s on theblaze should actually pray for you. Obviously bitterness has taken root within your heart, not just against Paul supporters, but against God’s law.

      Report Post » sambachico  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:01pm

      Oh woe is me………………

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:07pm

      recoveringneocon
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:13am
      This should be proof responding to Rational man is useless

      That is the most intellegent statement I have ever seen from a Paulistinian!
      Not really saying much, but it’s a as close to a compliment as I can get.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 30, 2011 at 12:38am

      @sambachico

      You can troll me all you want. You don‘t make me feel the least bit guilty because I don’t care if someone else lies about Ron Paul. I won’t lie about him, but if someone else does and helps keep that little freak out of office, I can live with that. Thats how bad for America I think Paul and his cult are.

      So tell me, how do you as a Christian reconcile with all the ideas Paul has that would destroy America from the inside out on social issues??????????????????

      Do I have to look up some “love your neighbor” scriptures for you???

      Can you respond without lying about me, calling me names, making false accusations, “baring false witness”??

      If there is anything I can’t stand, it’s a phoney Christian that tries to use the Bible to get someone to come to the dark side. You just made the list!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 30, 2011 at 12:41am

      @sambachico

      So how do you reconcile your Christian beliefs with Ron Paul’s beliefs on homosexuality?

      Many Christians who have fallen for Ron Paul’s carefully crafted words, often continue to support him because he loves to quote scripture and founders of our nation. For those with discernment, it is clear that he is constantly selectively quoting The Word of God out of context to try to persuade those who cannot see through his games. When called on his views, he will change the subject to try to make it sound like he is for State’s rights and the constitution and carefully avoids where his radical immoral views lead him.

      Ron Paul says homsexuality is not a sin, they are born that way.
      Ron Paul says God is wrong in declaring homosexuality a sin.

      In his own recorded words;
      http://patriotstatesman.com/2011/06/ron-pauls-homosexual-surprise-causes-exodus-of-faithful-followers-of-christ/

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • Vunks
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:30am

    LOL come at us IRS you wont win.

    Report Post »  

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