Where is the 2012 "Ross Perot"?

1. 69

   Perry Fenderposted 12 years ago

   For those who do not remember Ross Perot, he was the true Independent candidate who bucked the system and ran one of the most effective campaigns without support of either party label (and his first run was sabotaged by a GOP operative threatening to release compromising photoshopped lewd photos of his daughter prior to her marriage - so he withdrew).  He was also the first to purchase "infomercial" airtime to get out his message due to mainstream media's refusal to include him in campaign debates.  He supported some Republican fiscally conservative views and Democratic socially liberal views.  For a "run down" of his political stance see: http://www.ontheissues.org/Ross_Perot.h … +_Economy.
   
   My question is, where is the 2012 candidate that does not owe loyalty to a party that bucks partisan politics?  Where is the "people's" candidate?  And if they did rear their heads, would they be given the opportunity to run on the issues without being socially sabotaged and smeared?  Where is "our" candidate?

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   1. 61

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Have you been under a rock the past 4 years? Ron Paul has repeatedly criticized his own party AND the Democrats.
      
      Ron Paul is the independent: he's just using the (R) to his advantage.
      
      For example: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ … tator.html

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      1. 69

         Perry Fenderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Oh, the "curmudgeon" -- he's entertaining in that he gives the GOP a right nice verbal beating -- but I disagree with him on too many issues.
         
         Try: http://www.ontheissues.org/ron_paul.htm

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2. 61

   larry1488posted 12 years ago

   Vote Ross Perot  2012

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   1. 69

      Perry Fenderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If only.... Perot refuses to talk Politics today.  If ever there should be a "write in" campaign - I'd vote Perot (for a 3rd time).  Unfortunately for the U.S. - he'd decline due to his "experience" in politics (not to mention he'd be smeared again for his use of immigrant workers).

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3. 77

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   He was scamming medicare!!!
   Gettin RICH off that gubmint he despises.
   
   So, if that's what you want, any of the R's or Tea-Baggers will do!

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   1. 69

      Perry Fenderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No - he developed software (kind of like Microsoft) that dominated the market (was the only one of its kind).  He made his billions selling the rights and the company to Dell. 
      
      The "smear" was a GOP campaign to discredit him.  Any candidate that supports the "liberal" view of social liberty is smeared in similar campaigns.  The "fiscal" is the "hot topic" to which to further the social constrants of freedom. 
      
      As for the Tea-Baggers -- not a chance in hell.  They are the Republicans in "patriotic" garb.  No thanks!

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4. 93

   habeeposted 12 years ago

   Maybe Ron Paul will pull a Perot in 2012.

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   1. 61

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If Paul switches to a third party (after everyone ignores him for another year), He'll get about 10% of the total electorate, and thus create a federally funded third party.

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5. 0

   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   Not to be the perpetual harbinger of dismal pessimism; but a change of politics for a president does not change business as usual in Washington. Without a House and Senate committed to cleaning up the pollution of corruption within the halls of Congress, we're all dead in the water.
   
   A  presidential candidate outside of the system is just that. Outside of the system. He has no political base. No built in tacit approval. He would have to build a consensus by asking members of two behemoth structures to be willing to step outside of them. You think Washington is stagnant and posturing now? Multiply that by ten to the tenth power and you might come close to the circus we'd see.
   
   We'd  need someone with vision enough to help us stay committed, as a nation, to live through the insanity while we waited for the opportunity to boot out every Democrat and Republican as they each came up for reelection. We'd need a long term plan bold enough to envision yet simple enough to  understand that would bring us together.
   
   Outside of the system is a great start, only if it has a new system riding its coattails.

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      lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Ralph Nader has tried this NUMEROUS times!
      
      He has been Green and Independent....never gets very far. But he does fight to have all parties included in the process!
      So far, I know of these:
      
      Republican
      Democratic
      Green
      Independent
      Constitution
      Rainbow
      
      I know I'm forgetting some.....but we in Mass, had a Green candidate get pretty far....at least she made the debates on TV!

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      1. 69

         Perry Fenderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Libertarian
         Progressive
         
         And I did vote Nader the first time --
         
         As for Ron Paul - I'll have to give him another look - but as I remember, he's one of the religious that wants prayer in everything.  No offense to the religious, but there are churches on every street corner (literally in the south) for that specific purpose.  Everything has a time and place.  I believe religion belongs in the halls of santuary - not in the halls of politics.  It's only used as a voting tool and it's wrong.

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         Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         So there may be hope? It's hard for me to see, I've become so jaded by watching the political process dig our collective grave. I just wish the American public would wake up and smell the roses before we are so buried that we can't see the top of the pit.

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