News & Analysis
Ron Paul: Buchanan or Reagan?
If he's lucky, Ron Paul could be the Pat Buchanan of 2012. Pat Buchanan's spirited 1996 campaign could provide a blueprint for Ron Paul in 2012 ... Right-wing pundit Pat Buchanan is back in the news ... I've spent two years trailing Pat, writing the biography of a man whose life I think best summarises the history of the American conservative movement: speechwriter for Nixon and Reagan, instigator of the culture war and (some people believe) inspiration to Sarah Palin. This week he launched a new book called Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive Until 2025? It's a stunning Jeremiad on America's decline, written with characteristic muscle and wit. Pat's opinion matters because he ran for the presidency three times and, in 1996, won the New Hampshire Republican primary. His story offers some clues on how the 2012 GOP contest might play out – and the news is particularly good for Ron Paul. – UK Telegraph/ Tim Stanley
Dominant Social Theme: This crazy man, this loony man ... perhaps he has something to offer after all ...
Free-Market Analysis: This article, comparing Pat Buchanan's presidential effort to the presidential candidacy of Republican-Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas), is noteworthy because it treats Ron Paul seriously; however, we tend to disagree with it because of the sneaking suspicion that Ron Paul STILL isn't being taken seriously enough.
We tend to believe that Ron Paul may – just may – be someone who could end up as President of the United States. We believe if he does so, it will be with the elite's acquiescence but not with their endorsement. As with Ronald Reagan, the powers-that-be would resign themselves to the inevitable and then attempt to control the impact of Ron Paul once in office.
While we are pro-Ron Paul from a presidential standpoint, the scenario whereby he becomes president and then is undercut by the Anglosphere power establishment makes at least SOME sense to us, though admittedly he is not currently perceived as being able to win. He is also being ignored now by the mainstream media, however, if it becomes apparent that his "time has come," those who are the Kingmakers in America (behind the scenes) may resign themselves to the inevitable.
This is not what Tim Stanley thinks. He has a different perspective of Ron Paul's role. He believes the candidate that Ron Paul might emulate most effectively is Patrick Buchanan rather than Ronald Reagan. Here's some more from the article:
Ron Paul isn't against free trade, unlike Pat Buchanan. But Paul does command a similar coalition motivated by similar issues: economic decline, horror at the growth of the military industrial complex, fear of a coming New World Order. As Pat and Ron's critics would frame it: "Different decades, same crazy." The genius of Buchanan's 1996 campaign was that it targeted its few resources on motivating a small but loyal band of voters. He never diluted his message or tamed his style (once, when asked whether or not he supported gun control, he replied, "I think it's important to have a steady aim").
While Dole and Forbes dragged each other down, upping their negative ratings with devastating attack ads, Buchanan quietly worked on getting his people out to vote. In January 1996, he pulled off two shock wins in the little contested caucuses of Alaska and Louisiana. Then he placed second in Iowa with just 23 percent (to Dole's 26 percent and Forbes' 10 percent). A week later, he won New Hampshire with a slim 27 percent (Dole took 26 percent) ...
Buchanan is an example from history of how a charismatic ideologue can break through into the top tier. The media is drawn to candidates with profiles that yo-yo dramatically up and down the polls: the rise and fall of Bachmann, Perry and now Cain makes for a good story and will continue to dominate headlines. But in a crowded field, contenders with solid, consistent numbers can still make a difference. That's why Pat Buchanan mattered in 1996 and Ron Paul still matters today.
Stanley seems to discount Ron Paul's chances at winning the presidency. But the US citizenry is very angry now and none of the candidates seem to be capturing that anger very well or offering solutions that people can understand and gravitate toward en masse. Of course, the more we observe of the larger political process in the era of the internet, the less sure we are that government holds any solutions at all. The system itself may simply have to unwind fully before people begin to build up again, hopefully in a more humane and individualistic way.
Of course, there are numerous scenarios that can play out. But what cannot be gainsaid is that Ron Paul has already had a larger impact on this race than the last one, and his rhetorical genius has shifted the entire national debate toward libertarianism. The idea of "ending the Fed" is something that would have been inconceivable even a decade ago. In a sense Ron Paul, more than any other candidate, captures the angst of the age.
It is unclear whether Ron Paul even wants to be President. Perhaps a position as a Patrick Buchanan, influencing the race without winning it, suits him the best. Some have commented he would far prefer being a change-maker to a titular leader. A change-maker he surely is. More than almost any other public figure, he captures the current rise of the Internet Reformation and its impact on every facet of American – and Western – existence. We still see no real evidence that Ron Paul has been co-opted by the elite or is working with them in some promotional capacity.
If Ron Paul is truly his own man and his message continues to resonate, he may find himself quite by accident as the lone survivor of a Republican nomination process that has shaken out everyone else. If this is the case, the elites that run the US behind the scenes may decide not to fight what they can control in other ways.
When Ronald Reagan was running for office, he made a campaign pledge to avoid bringing the Council on Foreign Relations crowd into his administration. But that changed after Henry Kissinger supposedly visited him on the night he was to receive the nomination. Reagan's administration ended up being riddled with one-worlders.
If Ron Paul ends up being the logical candidate to oppose President Barack Obama – and if Obama continues to decline in the polls – then Ron Paul might indeed be in a position to win the presidency, even at his relatively advanced age. If he did, it is also quite probable that the powers-that-be would launch an aggressive campaign to sabotage his administration by blaming his libertarian and anti-government ideas for everything that is currently wrong with the system.
In fact, this may be the plan, or at least a plan. First, other candidates are trotted out and abandoned, and then Ron Paul becomes the inevitable, logical candidate. Is this actually a promotion in play now? Romney, Perry and now Cain – on the Republican side – have all received the spotlight one at a time. It is all somehow ... ritualistic.
Conclusion: We're not very certain of the American electoral process these days, what with easily hacked voting machines deliberately deprived of a paper trail. Even if he were by some chance to win the presidency, we're not at all sure that would be desirable. The presidency, if Ron Paul did by some chance win it, could prove a poisoned chalice.
l 
|
You must be a site member to submit suggested edits or post feedback. In addition to submitting edit suggestions and posting feedback, your Free Membership to The Daily Bell gives you access to our Member Zone where you will discover a plethora of other member benefits. Want to learn more? click here |
|||||
|
|
||||
 |
Posted by Hugh on 10/25/11 08:50 AM
A companion piece to your linked article and a re-affirmation that we are in serious trouble. Something must be done to halt these maniacs!
Click to view link
 |
Posted by David_Robertson on 10/24/11 05:20 PM
Here is another article that supports the position that the elites are planning to destroy the present global monetary and trading system and in the midst of a global war to accomplish this end they will call for a cessation of the conflict to save the planet and set up the NWO.
Click to view link
Here is an excerpt:
"According to both Chinese and Russian Intelligence Sources, the US and NATO plans include among others, the deliberate implosion of the US- and EU Economies, destroying the worlds financial systems, and the launching of a massive conventional war throughout North America, Africa and Asia, as well as the Middle East.
The war plans include the release of biological warfare agents designed to kill millions if not billions of people. The NATO strategists rely on their ability to sue for peace when the coming conflict is at it's highest, to call for the establishment of a 'New World Order' under the pretext of preventing the destruction of the planet and civilization as we know it."
 |
Posted by steve on 10/24/11 04:25 PM
"If Ron Paul ends up being the logical candidate to oppose President Barack Obama - and if Obama continues to decline in the polls - then Ron Paul might indeed be in a position to win the presidency, even at his relatively advanced age. If he did, it is also quite probable that the powers-that-be would launch an aggressive campaign to sabotage his administration by blaming his libertarian and anti-government ideas for everything that is currently wrong with the system."
Undoubtedly, this is exactly what TPTB would do if Dr. Paul won the presidency. However, I do not believe they wish to put this to the test if at all possible. It would be a goal line defense which is not really a strategy that one goes into the game with.
Why do I say this? Why wouldn't they take the opportunity to discredit free markets once and for all? Because like Dr. Paul, they know that they work. What they don't know is how much Dr. Paul could actually implement given political constraints or how quickly the economy would respond.
I believe they will calculate that the danger of another demonstration of the shining city on the hill is too great of a risk to take. I expect they would take other extreme and maybe even risky actions to prevent this test from taking place.
|
Posted by David_Robertson on 10/24/11 02:25 PM
Of course it is entirely possible that the Crash will happen before the Presidential elections and all of these choices will be moot. In that case there will indeed be a "stooge at the wheel" and he will have to carry the can. There is much to support this scenario. We shall see.
|
Posted by David_Robertson on 10/24/11 01:41 PM
Why would "imploding with a stooge at the wheel" obviate any legal repercussions for the elites? Because then he/she could have the albatross hung on his/her neck and the usual obfuscations employed to divert attention away from the man behind the curtain, is that it?
I have a hard time imagining "a stooge" being able to do anything to ameliorate the situation should it simply get out of hand and end in a dissolution of the entire central banking system. In this case the "stooge" would have to be a puppet like Obama and that would mean that the Oligarchy had hand picked someone to carry the can for the collapse. If so then giving Ron Paul that honour would be more logical don't you think?
Personally I am convinced that the Oligarchy have intended from the beginning to create a total collapse of the global monetary and trading system. America and the Fed with the big banks are the linchpin in the system so pulling that pin would bring about the collapse I believe. Having Ron Paul at the head would be an added bonus for them. Their desire for revenge may well blind them to the possibility that he will use the situation to advantage.
I do not believe that Ron Paul would do anything to prevent or to halt the collapse so on that count alone he would be a better pick for the Oligarchy. From the People's point of view it would be best to have someone of RP's knowledge and character in the driver's seat when the Crash happens. Then he would easily gain the Congress' support since they would be in a state of shock and willing to look to anyone take charge.
Any way you look at it Ron Paul is probably the designated winner for 2012.
|
Posted by DickFitz on 10/24/11 01:35 PM
Dr Paul is definitely NOT an agent of TPTB. His consistent message of liberty is so anathema to their plans that I cannot imagine that he would go so far.
His VP will be young and as consistent. Judge Napolitano, Karen Kwiatowski, maybe even Tom Woods. If they do something to Dr Paul, they will have to go all out. An obvious assassination- even an "accident" or natural causes would enrage his supporters, and the duplicity of the gov't has been bad over the last 100 years that nothing could dissuade them from calling for revolution. His greatest contribution will be as teacher and leader of the freedom movement, and his ideas- win or lose- will change the future for the better.
|
Posted by laceja on 10/24/11 01:08 PM
Frankly, unless a very large majority of congress is replaced, along with electing Ron Paul, I can imagine the only result will be disastrous economic problems, brought on by the elite. Ron Paul, without a super majority in congress, will be at the mercy of those elite... and we all know they have no mercy for anyone.
 |
Posted by TimurTheLame on 10/24/11 10:50 AM
@ David Robertson
I understand your views on this and if you were to be correct then it would be only through otherworldly phenomena. This perspective obviously is not going to be embraced by many.
I personally cannot see, absent some supernatural assistance any logical way that RP can make any difference if he were to assume the office. When the ball of string known as the FED stars to unravel, where does it stop? Will the American people (or their families) get reparations from 1913? How about the rest of the world?
Will Greenspan (and many others including Presidents) get the gallows for high treason? I could go on and on but I am trying to illustrate that there can be no end to the legal recriminations in undoing such a monstrous fraud.
So better to implode with a stooge at the wheel.
|
Posted by kenn on 10/24/11 10:28 AM
Ron is far more a problem to the PTB than Reagan was ever thought to be. That is why he will not be nominated (IMO)... ... unless he is some kind of PTB secret weapon :-) Pretty radical but not unthinkable these days.
Since they control the elections and the machines and so many Americans are so dependent on government I seriously doubt he'll get even close. But...
If Ron is the real thing and was to somehow get nominated than I personally would have serious concerns for his life! And if they did put him down,,, serious trouble would ensue.
Too bad though... It would be great entertainment to watch RP and Con gress go at it.
|
Posted by David_Robertson on 10/24/11 10:13 AM
Perhaps one should not "misunderestimate" as Bush 43 would say the power of an idea whose time has come - Victor Hugo I believe.
Perhaps the Oligarchy may accept the inevitable and permit a Paul landslide Click to view link If they do then they may find that they have miscalculated. On the other hand they may have no other choice.
There are greater powers in the universe than the financial oligarchy. They have been given a certain latitude but they are under orders just like everyone and everything else.
It is absolutely true that history is directed but the real Director is not the people we call the elites. It may well be that this is THEIR day of judgement.
"Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all." (Longfellow)
The Oligarchy have been consolidating their power and control in one final push for the past ten years and especially in the past four years. This is why Goldman and Morgan were formed into bank holding companies. They may be the designated "last man standing" if and when they amalgamate. Bank of America and Morgan have had their derivative losses covered by the FDIC but even then they may be pushed together in a penultimate merger.
This is either a circling of the wagons or a concentration of power to accomplish the coup de monde.
Ron Paul's election will defeat these manoeuvres since he is the only candidate who has the knowledge and character to stop them in their tracks. However it is critical to remember that he is the People's President. He will divest the Presidency of the powers it has accumulated since 1861 and give them back to the People. This is why the task of teaching the People what that means must be emphasised.
Given his age and the strains placed upon the President it is important that the Vice President and the Speaker of the Senate be freedom fighters.
If Ron Paul were to shirk the task set him he would not be the man chosen for this role. He was a track champion in high school so he knows what it means to aim to win. I believe on this occasion he has determined to break the tape.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Interesting perspectives here, thanks.
|
Posted by DwightMann aka Simpleton on 10/24/11 09:48 AM
The electoral process is tainted, and a paper barcode receipt of your votes, should be handed to each voter, holding all pertinent info on it, just in case of a recount.
Then computers could retally the vote.
You have to give RP some real credit for his tenacity, for ethical and constitutional government.
You guys at the DB are awesome. . .
|
Posted by TimurTheLame on 10/24/11 08:07 AM
I hope nothing drastic happens and the elections take place in the normal fashion I would concur with Mr. Berwick's concerns that if by whatever process Dr. Paul was successfully elected, it might be the end of him in one way or another.
Unless it is ego or some form of mental illness I can't think why anyone in their right mind would want to aspire to the presidency in the present times.
I have changed my views somewhat about Dr. Paul in that yes, he is providing a most valuable function in opening many eyes. A personal friend of mine, residing in the USA proved this to me and him being generally a non reader has acquired and read several books on the FED after being inspired by Dr, Paul's message.
It also didn't hurt my friend's awakening when a personal friend, his small independent bank manager told him that the small banks were being audited , having the credit scores of loans arbitrarily adjusted down and being subsequently shut down for not meeting the proper criteria (Minnesota).
The presidency will be a poisoned chalice to whoever wins it. Let's hope that it is taken by a stooge and not a good man.
