Will Ron Paul supporters end up voting for Romney?

1. 87

   livelongerposted 12 years ago

   It strikes me that there are 2 distinct types of people voting in the Republican primaries and caucuses: partisans and libertarians.
   
   The partisans are about 80%; they might have their favorite candidate, but in the end, they'll vote for whoever is up against Barack Hussein Ali Baba Mohammad Obama.
   
   The libertarians are another breed altogether. They are as critical of the other GOP candidates as they are of Obama.
   
   As it looks like Romney will clinch this (surprise, surprise), will Ron Paul fanatics end up pulling the lever for Romney, writing in Ron Paul's name, or sitting the general election out?

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   1. 65

      Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think Ron Paul should run as an independent.

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      1. 91

         habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Many of his supporters are begging for that. I wonder, though, if that would hurt Rand's future in the GOP.

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         1. 60

            Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Rand has been mostly playing along in the government. He isn't nearly as epic as his father. I still like him, don't get me wrong, but he's just not where his father is.

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      2. 60

         S Leretsehposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         "I think Ron Paul should run as an independent."
         
         It would certainly bleed votes from the Republican candidate.   This is how America got STUCK with the sex fiend (Bill C.) and his megalomaniac wife.
         
         Paul would fundamentally change America (I believe for the better).  Time is running out....

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         1. 60

            Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Paul has already fundamentally changed America.
            
            Even though he's going to win the Republican nomination, for the sake of argument we can presume he MIGHT not win.
            
            In this case, if he were to run third party, and we assume no voter fraud (which is happening en masse in this primary season), we will finally have a third party in the united states.

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   2. 91

      habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I've talked to some RP supporters in the South, and from what I can tell, they're split. Some say they'll back the GOP nominee, some say they'll write in RP, and some say they'll stay home. A few others say they'd back Romney (or the GOP nominee) IF RP gets promised a cabinet position or something.
      
      Of course, there's also the ABO crowd down here. Their hatred of Obama trumps their lack of trust for Romney.

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   3. 57

      WhoBeYouBeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There are three different groups currently in the Republican Party, Progressives(Social moderates), Conservatives, and Right-wing Libertarians,
      
      And we are fighting to regain control of the Party from the Progressive wing, the RNC EST.

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   4. 91

      habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Remember, too, that some of RP's supporters are registered Democrats - especially college students.

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   5. 77

      robie2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting question-- Ron Paul is definitely the joker in the deck.  I've lost my crystal ball and we are still too far from  election day to make any meaningful predeictions, but I'd say Ron Paul supporters are a split as the rest of the electorate -- some will vote for Romney( who I agree has got the nomination nailed at this point), some will write in Paul, and some will ( gasp) vote for Obama.  I don't think Ron Paul will run as a third party candidate-- but then I thought Kerry would win in 2004 so what do I know LOL

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   6. 60

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!!
      
      NO!!!
      
      NONONONONO!
      
      The Republicans need Ron Paul, Ron Paul doesn't need the Republicans. This is the absolute GLORY in being a determined, freedom loving rock-star. You need them, but they don't need you.
      
      There is NO torture you could use that would make me vote for Romney OR Obama
      
      UNLESS - Romney (or Obama) pick Paul for VP.
      
      But the reality of the situation is that Ron will pick someone else for VP.

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2. 85

   rebekahELLEposted 12 years ago

   Interesting thoughts.
   
   Also keep in mind there are registered Republicans who often vote Democrat. They use the primaries to vote against the GOP frontrunner. In that case, Ron Paul could pull in votes because we all know there is no way he would ever be elected.

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   1. 69

      Jed Fisherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ron Paul '12!
      End hypocracy!
      NO, I ain't voting for Romney.

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      1. 60

         mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I am a Ron Paul supporter who will NOT vote for Romney.  I am a registered democrat, but if the last decision is between obama and romney, I will not vote.
         
         Writing in a name is essentially the same as not voting.
         
         I too, am from the south. Here it is generally a republican base, and folks are pulling for Paul.
         
         My thought is this, if those that follow Paul do not get the chance to vote for him, what would happen if NONE of them voted?

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         1. 69

            Jed Fisherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            My choice is between Dr. Paul and O'Bamma. Really. No nomination for Paul? I'll vote for O'Bama. Again, just like I did the last time Paul was ignored.

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            1. 60

               mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Mr Fischer,  if I could have one wish granted it would be that obama not get elected.
               
               I strongly feel another 4 years of his rule would be a very dangerous one for this country.
               
               This country is at a turning point. I am sure if you follow the happenings and or the news, you can see where it is easily headed.
               
               I don't endorse conspiracy theories, however, I have yet to find any untruths coming from them.
               
               There just isnt a lesser of the two evils in this race.

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            2. 60

               Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               You must really be torn between right and wrong.

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               1. 69

                  Jed Fisherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Give me liberty or give me....O'Bama!

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                  1. 60

                     Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     It's not O'Bama.
                     
                     It's Obomba. The only thing that Obomba has been able to achieve in his presidency is to pacify the anti-war left.

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               2. 60

                  Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  It's not "right vs. left", it's the state vs. you.

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            3. 60

               Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Driving to a voting station in order to vote for either one liar or another isn't worth the gas.

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         2. 60

            Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Testify!

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   2. 84

      kerrygposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My dad and I do that, but to vote against the loonies, not against the frontrunner (unless he is a loony, of course!) Since Huntsman remains way down in the single digits, I may vote for Paul this year, though. As I've said before, I wouldn't want him to win the general, but I think an Obama vs Paul campaign could result in much more national debate and soul-searching than an Obama vs Romney one, and that's something I'd like to see.

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      1. 60

         Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Respect!

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3. 60

   Moderndayslaveposted 12 years ago

   NO!

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4. 0

   icountthetimesposted 12 years ago

   I definitely don't think Ron Paul voters will vote for Romney. They're cut from a different cloth. Ron Paul won't be president but what he has done is inspired a movement and planted seeds of a different way of living in the minds of the electorate. He's the only candiate who is consistent and actually believes the words coming out of his own mouth.

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   1. 60

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Everyone keeps saying "he can't win"
      
      He already has.

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      1. 60

         steveamyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         not according to the numbers .... winning means getting more votes.

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         1. 60

            Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Your definition of winning needs alteration.

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            1. 60

               steveamyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               how could not getting more votes be something other than winning...?? Sounds like rationalizing losing to me ..

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5. 81

   Wesman Todd Shawposted 12 years ago

   My answer is a simple "no."
   
   I've nothing against Mormonism that I know of - I'm practically ignorant concerning Latter Day Saints, but I do know some very intelligent Mormons, and none of them support Romney, as he's not someone to seemingly possess any of the core values of Mormonism.
   
   It's sort of like George W. Bush, and his "Christianity;" there was none evident, as actions suggest a system of values.
   
   Obama....ditto.
   
   I'm not an economist or economics comprehension guy, and I'm not a Libertarian - I support Ron Paul for moral reasons.  I'm beyond sick of charlatans claiming to be this or that - and then proving that they were never anything but some corporate or banking shill.
   
   I'm sick of the USA being bankrupted and used for international corporate profits....murdering Arabs and stealing their resources for banks and corporations.
   
   So people tell me, "butt Todd, Ron Paul's policies would only increase the power of corporations!"
   
   Well, I dunno, but what I do know is that I believe Ron Paul when he says something - he seems to have a huge degree of personal integrity.
   
   IN other words - he actually does what he says that he'll do.....and he's anti War.
   
   That's good enough for me.

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   1. 60

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ron Paul was able to predict the collapse thanks to Austrian Economics. Start your journey with the very easy to read "Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt.

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6. 52

   Sgianposted 12 years ago

   Scenario 1) Romney GOP nominee, Ron Paul not running.  Paul supporters votes go 20% to Paul write-ins, 4% for Romney, 4% to Obama, 16% stay home, 55% to Gary Johnson because his Libertarian views more closely align with Paul's.  Obama wins the election.
   
   Scenario 2) Romney GOP nominee, Ron Paul gets AmericansElect.org nomination (not 3rd Party).  Paul Supporter votes go almost unanimously to Paul.  This hurts both Romney and Obama, but Romney moreso than the President.   Obama wins the election.
   
   Scenario 3) Ron Paul GOP nominee, Romney AND Trump stay out of it.  Paul Supporters unanimous for Paul, but GOP faithful stay home or vote elsewhere.  Obama wins election.
   
   Scenario 4) Ron Paul GOP nominee, Romney and/or Trump run.  Obama wins election.
   
   Scenario 5) Ron Paul GOP nominee, Romney and Trump stay out and GOP backs Paul.  Obama has a fight on his hands. 
   
   There is no scenario of Paul supporters getting behind other GOP candidate significantly.  Just not going to happen.  
   
   Soooooo, if GOP says the most important thing is beating Obama, there is only one scenario to follow.  Nominate Paul and back him fully.  Sorry, GOP party faithful; you're in a pickle.

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   1. 87

      livelongerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Scenario 1 seems the most plausible.

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7. 74

   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   Support Romney? Never!
   
   I may as well vote for Bozo or Ronald McDonald.
   
   A vote for Romney is a vote for Obama. A vote for Obama is a vote for Romney. Want to know how? Because they're not the real candidate. A Rockefeller-Rothschild puppet is still just a puppet, no matter who is wearing the mask.
   
   I'd really like to give Ron Paul a chance. Looking at his track record, he seems to be the only one we really can trust.
   
   Please! People! Look at their track record. That tells you tons about their character, their values and their motivation. Wishy-washy = telling lies = doing what is convenient for selfish ends. That's just human nature.
   
   If Ron Paul is a wolf in sheep's clothing (a sleeper waiting to be activated), then we're all screwed.
   
   I believe in America. I believe the people could save this great country, but the window of opportunity is quickly closing. With things like the un-Patriot Act, SOPA and PIPA, we are losing our liberty. With things like "national security" secrets, we are headed for the Gulag -- the United Socialist States of the Republic (U.S.S.R. of America).
   
   Ron Paul for 2012. Stop bickering and debating. Make it happen. Imagine what it would take to do it and then simply do it.

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