Though the national convention where the candidates for President will officially be chosen is almost a year away, what Ron Paul supporters do in the next three months will be critical to determining how far he goes in the race. As many supporters are new to politics, this is a crash course on what you can do to ensure that the Republican national convention chooses Ron Paul next September.
Most of us here at Homeland Stupidity are hardcore, vocal, active Ron Paul supporters. I have contributed over $500 to his campaign so far and plan to contribute as much as I can in the near future. I believe that Ron Paul is our last best hope for saving the country from not only the far-left socialists who would take us into social and economic ruin, but the far-right neocons who would take us into economic and social ruin.
While this message is directed at Ron Paul supporters, if you aren’t yet one, I’d like to invite you to find out why Ron Paul supporters are the most loyal, dedicated and hardworking campaign volunteers of any presidential campaign, so much so that none of the other candidates can even pay for support like this.
The two most important things to be done between now and the end of 2007 are fundraising and getting the word out to undecided, eligible voters.
Fundraising, arguably, is the most important of the two, depending on which state you live in. This will allow the campaign to pay for the production and airing of television and radio ads in the all-important early primary states. But because it takes much more time to produce TV-quality video than to just throw something up on YouTube, the campaign also needs enough lead time to produce them. Therefore it’s important to make your donations as soon as possible, even if they aren’t much money. You can always donate again later, until you reach the federally mandated maximum of $2,300.
So donate as much as you can as soon as you can, even if it isn’t that much. Every little bit counts.
The next most important thing at this stage of the campaign is to spread the word to as many qualified voters as you can. Voter registration deadlines are fast approaching in many states, and in New York, have already passed. If the deadline hasn’t passed in your state, then get the word out to anyone and everyone who may be receptive to the message, making sure that registered Democrats (and in some states, independents) know that they need to re-register as a Republican if your state has a closed primary.
A word on primaries and caucuses is in order here, since it’s confusing even for people who have been around the block a few times. These are the two main methods which the political parties use to choose delegates to represent them at the party’s national convention, held a few months before the general election. It’s the votes of the delegates at the national convention which will decide who the party puts forward to run for president and vice-president.
While there is some variance from state to state, the processes generally run this way: In states using a caucus system, on that day registered Republicans show up at each precinct and hold straw polls to choose delegates for the party’s state convention, and then those delegates choose delegates to go to the national convention. In states using a binding primary, the delegates to the national convention are chosen directly by the voters. The number of delegates for each candidate can either be proportional to the number of votes, or winner take all, depending on the state. (New Hampshire’s GOP delegates are assigned proportionally.) In a non-binding primary, the delegates to the national convention do not have to vote according to the outcome of the primary.
The Holy Grail, of course, is to become one of these delegates yourself, especially in caucus and non-binding primary states. If you plan to follow this process, you may have to keep your support for Ron Paul quiet, lest party insiders who would rather see someone else nominated derail the process for you. I would recommend it only for people who enjoy working behind the scenes, since that’s where you will be.
After the voter registration deadline passes in your state, you should focus your efforts on voters who are already registered and eligible to vote in the Republican primary or caucus. To be sure of reaching everyone, coordinate with other supporters in your area, obtain voter registration lists and canvass the neighborhoods, spreading the message of liberty, prosperity and peace to everyone on the list who is qualified to vote in the primary or caucus. This may take you from now until primary day, and you might not even complete it as it’s a huge undertaking, but the results will show on election night!
But to spread the word more effectively, target influential Republicans in your area who will almost certainly be receptive to the message. I attended a GOP business meeting here and was surprised to not only hear the local party chairman say the party has lost its way and needs to get back to its conservative roots, but to observe general agreement among the crowd. This, of course, is exactly what Ron Paul has been saying. These are not only the people most likely to vote in the primaries, they’re also the people who are likely to know everyone in town, and if they’re on board, they’ll bring many more people with them. In states which use a caucus, or a non-binding primary, it is absolutely vital to reach these people as they will have a lot of influence on who the final delegates are which your state sends to the national convention. It’s also important to remember that most of these people are conservative rather than libertarian and should be approached with some sensitivity with respect to various controversial issues.
While Iowa and New Hampshire lead the pack and will give us all early indications of how the race might go, nothing is set in stone until Super Tuesday, February 5, when two dozen states will have their primaries on the same day. From now until Super Tuesday, our efforts must be focused on two things: giving the official campaign the money it needs to reach voters, and reaching them ourselves.
Please feel free to share your corrections, observations and experiences regarding getting Ron Paul, or any other political candidate, elected.
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Join the members of the Liberty Conspiracy as they discuss issues ranging from the "Incorporation Doctrine" and gun rights, to the NBA, to protests conducted at military funerals, protests that are being challenged by government, and which will be heard by the philosopher kings in the U.S. Supreme Court.
When neoconservative Ben Stein accused Congressman Ron Paul of being antisemitic for merely wanting to ask WHY Islamic terrorists want to attack the civilians living under western governments that have meddled in the Mideast, the members of the Conspiracy could not sit by silently.
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Lloyd Danforth
Oct 15, 2007
Everybody should watch the interview with Dr. Paul on CSPAN last Friday.
Jane Aitken
Oct 15, 2007
Thank you darlin’! Wonderful article as usual.
Elizabeth
Oct 15, 2007
Two thumbs WAY up!
Anonymous
Oct 15, 2007
I think you may have convinced me.
Ron
Oct 15, 2007
Please help us to build an ARMY of volunteers for Ron Paul by getting the following information into the hands of every restaurant manager/owner in America:
Introducing the Tax Free Tips Act of 2007 (HR 3664)
Ron Paul Speech to Congress
September 25, 2007
Madam Speaker, I rise to help millions of working Americans by introducing the Tax Free Tips Act. As the title suggests, this legislation makes tips exempt from federal income and payroll taxes. Tips often compose a substantial portion of the earnings of waiters, waitresses, and other service-sector employees. However, unlike regular wages, a service-sector employee usually has no guarantee of, or legal right to, a tip. Instead, the amount of a tip usually depends on how well an employee satisfies a client. Since the amount of taxes one pays increases along with the size of tip, taxing tips punishes workers for doing a superior job!
Many service-sector employees are young people trying to make money to pay for their education, or single parents struggling to provide for their children. Oftentimes, these workers work two jobs in hopes of making a better life for themselves and their families. The Tax Free Tips Act gives these hard-working Americans an immediate pay raise. People may use this pay raise to devote more resources to their children’s, or their own, education, or to save for a home, retirement, or to start their own businesses.
Helping Americans improve themselves by reducing their taxes will make our country stronger. I, therefore, hope all my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring the Tax Free Tips Act.
*************************************************************************
Take action now! Call your congressman toll-free at 1-800-614-2803. Urge him/her to cosponsor and support the Tax Free Tips Act which was introduced by Congressman Ron Paul. The suggested message is: “If you have not cosponsored this bill by the 2008 primary date, I will NOT support you in your re-election campaign.” Then, go to www.RonPaul.MeetUp.com and join your local Ron Paul Meet Up Group. Ask everyone you know to follow this procedure!
Ron Paul for President website –
Ron Paul Online Library website –
Anonymous
Oct 16, 2007
Smart delegates will know that there is no way that a pro-Iraq War candidate will be able to win the general election against Hillary Clinton or any other democrat.
Anonymous
Oct 16, 2007
Hillary is pro-war.
Heather in WI
Oct 16, 2007
WOW! Great video. Thanks for sharing it!!! :-)
~Heather
William
Oct 16, 2007
People who oppose Paul’s candidacy only do so with invalid arguments such as, “He can’t win.”
We have to get them to stop trying to “pick the winner” and vote for who they like.
Good luck
Oct 16, 2007
May he win, change things and build a better freerer America to protect us all from the Nut house laugh things have become.
Donnie
Oct 17, 2007
O.K. I am in North Carolina so our primary does not count for pres. election so what can we do to help in NH
Help
Oct 18, 2007
Why does’nt everyone tell everyone about this sight allover the country. It is very helpful and it is sure to bring about the right amount of changes we need. People have to stand up for true justice and get our country back before it is too late.
Richard in Austin
Oct 18, 2007
Great article!
May I post it on my blog to help get the word out? I’ll link back to you as well.
Thanks!
MikeT
Oct 18, 2007
Remember, if you live in an open primary state like Virginia, you can just show up and vote for him.
Save us Ron...
Oct 19, 2007
Please save us Ron, these criminal cops are destroying our lives. We need to stop them. Please be our hero and help keep them in line before they kill us all.
Save us Ron...
Oct 19, 2007
Please save us Ron, these criminal cops are destroying our lives. We need to stop them. Please be our hero and help keep them in line before they kill us all.
Freedom
Oct 22, 2007
Everyone vote for Ron Paul to bring back America to the free country it once was. We need a good man in office not the maffia or other organized crime just out for number #1 them. Free the people Ron!!!
Kris Overstreet
Oct 24, 2007
I refuse to vote for or support any Republican or Democrat whatever- especially not someone who supported Bush not once but twice for President.
Not that it matters: Ron Paul is an anti-war candidate seeking the nomination of a party which is still overwhelmingly pro-war. For that alone his candidacy is doomed- no matter how much money non-Republicans throw his way.
Simply untrue.
Oct 24, 2007
There is still hope. WE have seen tons of people supporting his efforts out today. The war is costing this country $330 million dollars a day. Children, families and everyone is suffering. WE are in an economic recession. That money could be used to better the US with more jobs, housing development that is now a big mess, better education and to prevent more spread of the flesh eating staph bacteria that killed that 17 year old boy at his school. The life that could be saved could be yours. War is not the answer compromise is. Many of our relatives and friends have died all for oil money. It is a crying shame. Good luck America and please vote for Freedom for all.
Seamus Ruah
Nov 01, 2007
I wish Dr. Paul luck, but he will NOT be allowed to win the GOP nomination. The powers that be will block him any way they can, legal or illegal.
I’m writing him in in 2008, F**K the GOP and the DNC.
forstand
Nov 01, 2007
I am back to work temporarily and so have a few extra dollars, $200 to be exact. I donated it to Ron Paul’s campaign last night. I hope to donate more as time goes on.
Upon reflection it is more than the total I have ever donated to a political cause. More than twice as much. I am 59 years old.
As ugly as it sounds, I expect an assassination attempt in the next few months to silence this gentle (-man). I hope that I am wrong.
Peace
Nov 05, 2007
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.
How long will you wait…. before you donate?
Speak Up For Ron Paul!
Dec 08, 2009
Misc. News Headlines -16-OCT-2007 « 0DayNews.org