Libya Proves Ron Paul Right

One of the key arguments for America not being the world’s policeman is that constant intervention leads to too many unintended consequences.

Libya is a perfect example.

President Reagan was right when he called Muammar Gaddafi the “mad dog of the Middle East,” and yet in recent years many in Washington have gone out of their way to support the Libyan dictator.

What kind of American “leader” would do such a thing? How about 2008 Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain. Reports The American Spectator’s Doug Bandow:

“It turns out that (McCain) was for dictatorship before he was against it… Two years ago Sen. McCain was hanging out with the ‘Colonel’ he tweeted about as ‘interesting’ urging arms sales.  According to a new cable released by WikiLeaks:

‘In the meeting, Muatassim Qadhafi, the Libyan leader’s fifth son and national security adviser, requested U.S. assistance in obtaining military supplies, both lethal and non-lethal… The cable indicates that McCain was the dominant voice among the congressional delegation in a push for military hardware for Qadhafi.’

‘Sen. McCain assured Muatassim that the United States wanted to provide Libya with the equipment it needs for its … security,’ according to the cable.

McCain said that he understood the need for Libya to upgrade its existing ranks of C-130 Hercules aircraft. Libya had bought eight of the military cargo aircraft in the 1970s, but as bilateral relationships with the United States deteriorated, a ban of arms sales prevented the aircraft from being moved to North Africa. McCain pledged to do what he could to move the issue forward in Congress.”

No doubt, McCain would have considered those in Congress who opposed strengthening Gaddafi’s military capabilities “isolationists” for not wanting to aid our Libyan “ally”—just as McCain today considers those who opposed Obama’s intervention in Libya to topple Gaddafi “isolationists.”

For McCain (and Presidents Bush and Obama) the worst thing the US could do is not get involved. And yet our recent help in overthrowing Gaddafi might have actually helped Al-Qaeda. Reported CBS News in March:

“Former CIA officer Bruce Riedel (told)… the Hindustan Times: ‘There is no question that al Qaeda’s Libyan franchise, Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, is a part of the opposition. It has always been Qaddafi’s biggest enemy and its stronghold is Benghazi. What is unclear is how much of the opposition is al Qaeda/Libyan Islamic Fighting Group – 2 percent or 80 percent.”

Why would we ask the U.S. military to help people in Libya that we ask them to fight in other countries? Vice President Dick Cheney once said that if there was a 1% chance Iraq had WMDs the US must attack. If there is even a 2% chance the US is helping Al-Qaeda in Libya, why would we do it?

Rebel leaders themselves have admitted that Al-Qaeda is among their ranks. The Telegraph ran the headline in March “Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links,” reporting:

“Mr al-Hasidi insisted his fighters ‘are patriots and good Muslims, not terrorists,’ but added that the ‘members of al-Qaeda are also good Muslims and are fighting against the invader.” 

This is foreign policy schizophrenia. From the very beginning, Ron Paul has consistently said we should not get involved in Libya’s internal affairs because nothing good can come of it. Nothing good continues to come of it.

So who was right about intervening in Libya? The Bush administration? President Obama? John McCain?

Or Ron Paul?

AP Poll: Frontrunners Paul, Perry, Romney

Reports Yahoo News:

“In yet another sign that perhaps the news media ought to think about treating his presidential campaign more seriously, Ron Paul was viewed about as favorably as Rick Perry and Mitt Romney by Americans in a new poll.

In an Associated Press-GfK telephone survey of the general population, 37 percent of the respondents said they have a positive view of the libertarian-leaning representative from Texas, while 36 percent said they did not.

Perry, the Texas governor, and Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, invoked similar favorable/unfavorable ratings that also fell within the poll’s 4.1 percent margin of error. Romney was viewed favorably by 39 percent of Americans, and Perry was viewed favorably by 33 percent. Another 41 percent said they viewed Romney unfavorably, and 36 percent viewed Perry unfavorably.”

Source: Ron Paul Campaign

TIME Magazine: Ron Paul ‘The Prophet’

The September 5th edition of TIME declares Ron Paul “The Prophet.” Writes Alex Altman:

“But in the four years since (the last presidential campaign), the world has changed in mostly grim ways that seem to affirm Paul’s worldview. His vision of an eroding Constitution and a Washington — Wall Street cabal helped spark the Tea Party movement. Conservatives who once sneered at his foreign policy… have grown weary of war. His call for a more accountable and transparent Federal Reserve has morphed from quaint obsession to mainstream Republican talking point in Congress and on the campaign trail.”

Whether addressing the financial crisis, bad Fed policy or questionable foreign policies, TIME rightly notes what Paul supporters have long known and even many Paul critics now grudgingly concede–Ron Paul was right.

Source: Ron Paul Campaign

New FEC ruling permits Ron Paul to speak and raise funds for Super PAC

Alexander Burns of Politico recently reported on a new FEC Ruling that creates a stunning opportunity for Ron Paul to put his weight behind the Revolution Super PAC. In the article Burns quotes Peter Stone’s report from the Center for Public Integrity:

“The FEC in its advisory ruling last month reaffirmed that members of Congress and presidential candidates can attend and speak at events hosted by independent super PACs, but they are personally not allowed to solicit the unlimited funds, only contributions up to $5,000 per year.”

This revelation was also affirmed recently by Politico’s Kenneth Vogel:

“Under the ruling, they can even attend fundraisers for them at which unlimited checks are collected “so long as the officeholders, candidates, and officers of national party committees restrict any solicitations they make to funds subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements” of federal campaign laws.”

Restore our Future, the Super PAC formed by Mitt Romney supporters, raised over 12 million dollars when Romney simply stood behind his PAC. Ron Paul now has the opportunity to challenge Romney’s Super PAC by simply speaking and soliciting support for the Revolution PAC. The question remains, will he?

In a quote to Vogel, Jesse Benton, Ron Paul’s Campaign Chairman took a hard line against any communications with the PAC, “The expert legal advice I received was that all contact must be avoided, and failing to do so would put Dr. Paul, our campaign and the PAC organizers in jeopardy of civil and criminal penalties.”

The FEC issued a press release on the Ruling known as “Advisory Opinion 2011-12” that explicitly concluded:

“Federal candidates and officeholders and officers of national party committees may solicit contributions up to $5,000 from individuals and federal political committees on behalf of the PACs.”

The Commission further concluded:

“Consistent with current Commission regulations, that federal officeholders and candidates and officers of national party committees may attend, speak at and be featured guests at fundraisers at which unlimited individual, corporate and labor organization contributions are solicited to make contributions to the PACs, so long as they restrict any solicitation they make to funds subject to the limitations, prohibitions and reporting requirements [under section 441(e)] of the Act.”

FEC law prohibits the Ron Paul Presidential Campaign to have “coordinated communication on independent expenditures” with the Revolution PAC, meaning they can’t tell the PAC how to spend money they raise. However this ruling opens the door for communication to begin, allowing Ron Paul to fully support and solicit contributions for the Revolution PAC’s efforts.

Given the weight of this ruling “contact” would certainly occur between the Campaign and the Super PAC to coordinate solicitation of contributions and speaking engagements. This ruling removes any legal restraints that Benton has been advised on absolving him of the need to enforce his “all contact must be avoided” position.

Source: Revolution Super PAC press release

Ron Paul Receives Most Military Donations

Ron Paul continues to get the most military donations of any candidate, but of particular note is the wide disparity. Also note that although Rick Santorum claims to support the troops, they sure as heck don’t support him. Reports Digital Journal:

“Although Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul may be ignored throughout the mainstream media, one report shows that the presidential candidate may have strong support from the country’s military personnel.

Dr. Paul was able to produce $36,739.79 in donations from U.S. military personnel. His closest Republican competitor was Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain, who raised $6,223.

The complete breakdown can be found below (in alphabetical order):

- Rep. Michelle Bachmann: $2,550

- Herman Cain: $6,223

- Rep. Newt Gingrich: $1,025

- Gov. Gary Johnson: $0

- Rep. Ron Paul: $36,739.79

- Gov. Tim Pawlenty (dropped out of race): $250

- Gov. Mitt Romney: $5,000

- Sen. Rick Santorum: $250

*Texas Governor Rick Perry was not included in the tallying.”

Source: Ron Paul Campaign news release

Ron Paul to Appear on Fox News Sunday

Also makes the rounds at the Fox Business Network

LAKE JACKSON, Texas– Ron Paul, 2012 Republican candidate for president, will appear on the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

The appearances will occur over the next few days beginning today, Wednesday, August 24th and ending Sunday the 28th.

Details of the appearances are as follows.  All times Eastern.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Lou Dobbs Tonight

Fox Business Network

Thursday, August 25, 2011

10:00 a.m.

Varney & Co.

Fox Business Network

Sunday, August 28, 2011

9:00 a.m. (check local listings)

Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace

Fox News Channel

Source: Ron Paul Campaign news release

Gallup: Ron Paul in Top 3

The three frontrunners according to Gallup are now Rick Perry with 29%, Mitt Romney with 17% and Ron Paul with 13%.

There are two major stories here. First, Republican primary voters are so dissatisfied with the establishment candidate choices that someone like Perry is able to swoop in and take the lead from Romney almost immediately.

Second–and most important–unlike Perry or Romney, Ron Paul’s solid support remains unshakeable and continues to grow far beyond establishment expectations.

Source: Ron Paul Campaign new release. Image in the public domain.

CNN Cafferty – Is Ron Paul the only grown-up running for president in the GOP?

By Jack Cafferty

“As the race for the Republican nomination heats up, there’s one candidate who’s been largely ignored by the mainstream media.

But Ron Paul is talking sense and more people ought to listen to him. “

“In politics as in life, it’s often the timing that makes the difference. In the case of Ron Paul, it seems events over the last four years have finally caught up with the candidate.

Paul’s message hasn’t changed – but the urgency of what he’s saying has increased. And it seems like this time, more people may be listening.

He came within an eyelash of finishing first in the Iowa straw poll. Less than 200 votes behind Michele Bachmann out of nearly 17,000 cast.”

Read the entire article: http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/16/ron-paul-only-grown-up-running-for-president-in-gop/

Source: Ron Paul campaign

Gallup Poll: Ron Paul trails President Obama by 2 percent

Texas Rep. Ron Paul trails President Obama by just 2 percentage points, according to the latest Gallup Poll released Monday.

The poll, which finds former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Texas Republican governor Rick Perry as the leading candidates to challenge Mr. Obama, shows Mr. Paul trailing Mr. Obama by just two percentage points, 47 to 45 percent.

Mr. Romney matches up to Mr. Obama the best out of the 2012 presidential candidates, challenging the president 48 percent to 46 percent while Mr. Perry ties Mr. Obama with 47 percent each.

“This push for true leadership over the status quo is gaining more support,” said Paul Campaign Manager John Tate. “In poll after poll, Americans are eager for real change and looking for a leader who stands for individual liberty and limited government, and who follows the Constitution.”

Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/gallup-poll-ron-paul-trails-president-obama-45-to-47-percent

Source: Revolution SuperPAC

Gallup: Frontrunner Paul in Dead Heat with Obama

By Jack Hunter

Ron Paul is arguably the most conservative Republican to ever run for president. Paul’s limited government principles cannot be swayed and his long and consistent record is a testament to his unique integrity.

Many people believe that such a thorough constitutionalist is far too pure to ever become president. Gallup says they’re wrong:

“President Barack Obama is closely matched against each of four possible Republican opponents when registered voters are asked whom they would support if the 2012 presidential election were held today. Mitt Romney leads Obama by two percentage points, 48% to 46%, Rick Perry and Obama are tied at 47%, and Obama edges out Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann by two and four points, respectively.”

Read the full story

Source: Ron Paul Campaign

Ron Paul Moneybomb Pulls in Over $1.6 Million

By RonPaul.com on August 21, 2011

Over the weekend, 2012 Republican presidential contender Ron Paul has scored another major boost in his campaign’s momentum with a fundraising haul of over $1.6 million in small individual donations.

“Our campaign is surging, and today’s money bomb results show the strength of our grassroots support,” said Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton. “We’ve just come off of an impressive finish in the Iowa straw poll, and our growing poll numbers and strong fundraising proves that our message is resonating with people.”

Read more: http://www.ronpaul.com/2011-08-21/happy-birthday-ron-paul-moneybomb-pulls-in-over-1-6-million/

Pledge your support the the Ron Paul Super Money Bomb September 19^th at revolutionpac.com/superbomb

Source: Revolution SuperPAC