CNN

Jon, Sacramento

Please DO tell Eric, since you're the self-proclaimed expert on "real conservatives" and others like me are "hacks"… WHERE has ANY conservative (non-libertarian) called for the elimination of the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security?

Conservatism is about small government. Since when is adding a giant bureacracy conservative? How is increasing the size of government conservative?

Ron Paul ran for President in 1988 for the Libertarian Party. Ron Paul is an isolationist of the Patrick Buchanon brand (all military brought back to the US shore, withdraw from NATO, opposes the WTO, etc).

He's not an isolationist. He's a non-interventionist. He only supports military action if we have a REAL threat or in self defense. He doesn't suppor nation building, or getting involved in other countries' internal affairs. Haven't you learned anything from history? Our foreign policy has MANY unintended consequences.

We supported and funded both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden initially! They were enemies of our enemies, and now they are our enemies. We make ourselves less safe, and we destabilize the world. And we can't keep fighting terrorism forever... we need to eliminate the root causes of terrorism.

Ron Paul is staunchly against Capital Punishment and opposes our countries efforts with the War on Drugs.

The War on Drugs is horrible. Morally AND financially. First of all, what right do YOU have to tell me what I can and can't do, when it has no effect on you whatsoever? There's no moral basis for it.

Secondly, IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY. Regardless of the drug issue... we are spending tons of money with zero results. Drug use has not gone down. We are simply giving drug dealers and gang members HUGE profits from the sale of drugs. Brilliant.

And secondly, we actually HARM people with a medical problem (addiction). Why should we throw all these productive Americans in jail? What do we gain from penalizing good citizens who happen to smoke marijuana? Nothing. It harms our society.

In 1992 Ron Paul's newsletter said Bill Clinton fathered illegitamte children, used cocaine, called Representative Barbara Jordan a "fraud" and "half-educated victimologist". Further is said, "95% of black males in Washington DC are semi-criminal or entirely criminal."

Something to be proud of?

He didn't write those. It has already been debunked. Sorry. And I find it sad that that is the only thing you can cling to to try to damage Dr. Paul's message of libery and peace. What do you have against the man? All he wants to do is restore your liberties.

Habeas Corpus is dead. The Fourth Amendment is dying. The government can wiretap you without warrants. They can detain you without charge.

Why do you sacrifice all of your liberties like this? Do you really think it makes you safer? Do you think you'll ever get them back? Do you think one day, the government will say "okay, we won the war on terror! Terrorism is done forever! Here you go, you can have your rights back."

No. Getting back your civil liberties is significantly more difficult than surrendering them was. And once you give a little bit, the government will just try to take more and more. It started with the PATRIOT act, now warrantless wiretapping and spying on Americans... when does it end?

This is to James in Az and the likes. Look, if we vote any but Ron Paul what are we gonna get? A lot of the same old same old bs. Our administration is totally blind by greed and power. The C.I.A and F.B.I are the ones who terrorize our own citizens you idiot. I guess giving military personell LSD was ok right? Or doing drills where we all are imprisoned in internment camps is the american way right? Taking our guns aways must be okay too right? Dead Wrong buddy. You are just like all the rest who are to blind to see the writing on the wall. Its time for a change, a change for the better. Are we going to sit by and let more of our god given liberties be taken away in the name of fear mongering??? No body in their right mind would pass unconstitutional laws who truely love their country. I guess being a world police is okay too. Hmmm. At least Ron Paul hasnt forgotten we have a bill of rights and Constitution. GW suffers from memory loss and disregard for our laws. Because as he once said "Dictatorship wouldnt be so bad, as long as I was the dictator" Say no to the status quo, Vote Ron Paul 08'. Peace to all and all a good day fools.

I would like a President who always follows the Constitution because it's what keeps us "one nation under God." He/She would believe as I do that our government's role is to protect us with a strong defense and enforced borders. I would like a President who is not isolationist, meaning one who would trade with other countries. I would like a President who wants to eliminate wasteful FEMA-like government agencies. I would like to live free with my habeous corpus rights restored, the ones my Dad fought to defend. I want the children of this nation to know what habeous corpus is, and maybe thank me someday for voting for a President who would restore those rights. Maybe you already know who I'm voting for...

"Eliminating the FBI and the CIA would be great for this country. Its organizations like those that get the world to hate the US in the first place."

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So Aaron – you would like to dismantle the agency which prosecutes the Mob, Drug rings, home-grown terrorists like Tim McVeigh and the Unibomber, etc?

You would rather Operation Bullpen – which brought down one of the largest network of forgers, authenticators, wholesalers and retailers – didn't happen. Instead we could have organized crime running circles around local law enforcement agencies.

Yeah – I'm SURE you'll get tons of support for removing the FBI, CIA and Homeland security so that Al Qaeda likes us more!

Eliminating the FBI and the CIA would be great for this country. Its organizations like those that get the world to hate the US in the first place.

Selling weapons to various groups, getting them to fight each-other, will totally backfire once they realize what we are doing to them. The CIA even admits-REPEATEDLY-that this meddling in foreign affairs is why these grops wanna blow us up.

Since when did non-interventionism and keeping our troops at home to protect your border become a bad idea?

Currently, things in this world are going very badly. A vote for Hitlary/Obama or a vote for Fred/Mitt/Rudy will bring more of the same: bad news for the US.

Time for change. Time for hope. Time to try something a little different. Some people think that Ron Paul's ideas are crazy, but if you look at whats happening today, its clear that its the STATUS QUO that is crazy.

There is NOTHING crazy about constitutionalism. There is NOTHING crazy about sticking to the principles envisioned by our founding fathers, and no more.

Ron Paul is the only candidate who ISNT crazy, who doesnt capitulate to public opinion, and who doesnt take his orders from God or from lobbyists or from opinion polls or from his father or from his spouse or from anyone else.

He gets his orders from the constitution.

Its been too long since we had a president who did that. Time to give it another shot.

Time for Ron Paul! Say yes to Dr. No!

Eric, Sacramento

You wrote, "Jon, Sacramento you are a HACK. You need to look up what a real conservative is before you criticize Ron Paul."

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Please DO tell Eric, since you're the self-proclaimed expert on "real conservatives" and others like me are "hacks"... WHERE has ANY conservative (non-libertarian) called for the elimination of the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security?

Ron Paul ran for President in 1988 for the Libertarian Party. Ron Paul is an isolationist of the Patrick Buchanon brand (all military brought back to the US shore, withdraw from NATO, opposes the WTO, etc). Ron Paul is staunchly against Capital Punishment and opposes our countries efforts with the War on Drugs.

In 1992 Ron Paul's newsletter said Bill Clinton fathered illegitamte children, used cocaine, called Representative Barbara Jordan a "fraud" and "half-educated victimologist". Further is said, "95% of black males in Washington DC are semi-criminal or entirely criminal."

Something to be proud of?

Ron Paul – when unknown to the American People was a 2nd tier wanna-be. As America hears Ron Paul they UNDERSTAND why he is a 2nd tier wanna-be.

He wants to "protect" our country by eliminating the FBI and CIA.

Ron Paul is a nut!

Ron Paul is a spineless turd who came running back to the Republican party when things got too hard for him.

Ron Paul's message is spreading. People are gathering anywhere he goes and places he isn't even at. Down here in Englewood, FL, over 120 Ron Paul Patriots joined together over Labor Day for a parade and picnic. Watch the YouTube Video. It is no surprise that NH is rocking as well.

From what I have seen thus far, Ron Paul has changed my way of thinking of what a Republican truly is. In regards to the issues, he is very consistent and does not flip-flop. Definitely this election year, if he continues to stay consistent throughout the campaign, he will have more than just my vote, but my support.

It was during the first and second Republican debates that he caught my ear. I researched almost everything he said, and sure enough, he was on the money or at least consistent with what he said. You hear all these candidates speak on how they wish to represent our country, but yet, you never ever hear them about upholding the Constitution as Ron Paul has. You never hear a peep out of any of the candidates about upholding the very things that make our country the greatest country on Earth, our Constitution.

Jon, Sacramento you are a HACK. You need to look up what a real conservative is before you criticize Ron Paul. You are just another Neo-con and a Wilson Democrat.

Way to go Papa Mike!!! His supporters are so obnoxious, it's a turn-off. They cannot take criticism, they spam, and they pad the voting. He's a good man, but he has no chance.

[...] Theorist Who Can Save America. Don’t be thrown by the applause for Paul; his groupies turn out en masse for these events to try to create the impression that he’s doing better than 2% in the [...]

Ron Paul...idiot idealist for the idiot voter. He's the man for the job alright, just not sure what job that is just yet. Maybe he could write material for Alex Jones.

I know what job he isn't the man for. And, with his impressive 2%, so do most other voters.

Ron Paul = Loony Libertarian that takes his marching orders from Al Qaeda.

Eliminating the CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, Department of Education, etc??

He has NO chance of ever getting the Republican nomination.

The problem with Ron Paul getting more and more attention... people begin to understand this guy is a kook! He's NOT a Republican – he's a libertarian.

Ron doesn't want smaller government. He wants NO government (eliminate FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, Dept of Education, etc).

Ron has as much chance of getting the Republican Party nomination as does Ralph Nader or Dennis Kucinich.

CNN is finally realizing Ron Paul's more than just some second rate candidate. He is the only man for the job. Hes gotten my vote. He isnt afraid to tell it like it is. As proven last night on faux er I mean Fox's debate. Great job Dr. Paul. Throw out all the Neo Cons. Vote for change, Vote Ron Paul!!!

Wow! Ron Paul gets acknowledgement from CNN! Thats better then nothing i guess. Im glad Ron Pauls supporters are out in full force. He is founding father material and we as a country have forgotten that our allegance is to the constitution of the United States, not to corporations, ideologies, a bankrupt forigen policy and rhetoric from a bunch of "Me too" republicans with flip floping stands and spotty voting records. At least Ron paul has the comon sense to speak the truth as only a true patriot can.

BRING THE TROOPS HOME!!!!

Woohooo,, OMG.. an article about Ron Paul on Cnn!?? I never thought I'd see the day~!

Not just the internet anymore I see.

I admire the ferver his supporters display. Alas, all the cheerleading in the world can not change a flawed candidate that sounds more liberal than conservative. The only conservative area for Ron Paul is fiscally – lower taxes at the cost of practically ALL government agencies.

He is too extreme to be taken seriously.

Isn't it interesting that the oldest candidate has the most young supporters?

Ron Paul has pointed out that this war should have been declared by congress, which is the only lawful way to go to war, authorized by the constitution. Now, there were other candidates who finally began using Paul's language about their oath to uphold the constitution, witch Paul has reminded us all of repeatedly. Why didn't Chris Wallace bring that up or question the other candidates about that fact rather than erroneously trying to accuse Paul of taking our marching orders from Al-Qaida? Paul responded perfectly, "NO" he said " We should take our marching orders from the costituion"! Did we declare it constitutionally? Please, other candidates, answer this. Ron Paul is steering the debates. Huck, we should stand together as one nation, remember 70% of the American people want a change. More troops gave to Ron Paul's campaign than any other candidate. Next time lets declare the war the way we are supposed to and get a mandate from the people. Lets all stand together as Americans, no matter what your party, or which candidate you are, lets all stand for the
constitution.

Ron Paul makes some very strong arguments against the mainstream republicans. I really like the fact he offers an opposing view to these clones that follow the ever failing Bush administration. I think we need to echo the last elections and send republicans another message from the american public.

We are always out in force Thanks for covering it!

That is awesome to see. He is gaining more and more support everyday. People can see his integrity every time he speaks.

I was there with the other Paul supporters. Romney's people came in second for numbers and Huckabee's came in second for zeal. Paul's came in first on both.
New Hampshire does love Ron Paul. This is the Live Free Or Die state. Our GOP leans libertarian and I have met many people who will vote for Dr. Paul.

You can't deny Ron's support any more!! He clearly was the front-runner tonight, out witting/arguing anyone in his path. He especially destroyed Huckabee and his sentimental BS.

GO RON!!!

This is truly great to hear. Ron Paul Awareness needs to increase. I know exactly what to expect from Ron Paul, he sticks to his values. American needs change, American needs Ron Paul.

Thank God for Ron Paul. I will be casting a vote for a Republicrat for the first time in my life. Go Ron Paul!

Dear CNN thank you for your positive view on things and fair news unlike fox! They attacked Ron Paul Tonight and this was all staged!!!

RON PAUL 2008!!!!

Ron Paul is the people's President.

His support is shocking. Just within the last few weeks the Ron Paul Meet-up volunteers has grown from 37,000 to over 40,000 and 5,000 more interested.

Ron Paul has finished in the top three in 17 straw polls held in states all across the country. He had six first-place finishes as well as five second-place finishes. He won Maryland yesterday and yet the main stream media ignore his victories and his growing legion of supporters. I hope it continues because the more he's ignored... The more we roar!!

This revolution will not be televised... it will be downloaded!

It was extremely refreshing to see that members of my generation were exerting their voices through cheers and applause for Rep. Paul.

I was pleased to see Ron Paul, who was the only candidate making any sense on Iraq and the only one who stands for the true wishes of the American public. He stood strong and was a great presence in the debate amongst a number of truly foolish candidates.

Englewood Florida held its 51st annual Pioneer Days Parade on Labor Day. Over 150 people and 25 vehicles and floats participated in the parade in support of Dr. Paul. His message of freedom, liberty, and prosperity for all American citizens rings true in Florida as well as New Hampshire.

I hope no one is fooled by these Ron Paul supporters. He's polling at between 1-2% among Republicans. Just being loud and frequently posting on the internet is not going to win the nomination.

I love Ron Paul for many reasons. He's a great example of the renegade Texas spirit. But in the end, I think the American people are afraid of that spirit and liberty. They really do want to be led around by the nose by their party, and sadly I don't think we'll see an independent candidate win in our lifetimes.