December 23, 2007
Posted: 03:55 PM ET

GOP hopeful Ron Paul on NBC's Meet The Press Sunday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Texas Rep. Ron Paul refused to rule out a third party bid Sunday if he fails to win the Republican Party presidential nomination.

When Tim Russert of NBC’s 'Meet the Press' asked the Texas congressman if he’d consider an independent bid, he replied: "I have no intention of doing that."

When pressed by Russert to state unequivocally that he would not, Paul demurred. "I deserve one weasel wiggle now and then, Tim!"

Paul lost to Phil Gramm in the 1984 Texas Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Four years later, he ran for president as the Libertarian Party nominee.

The Republican presidential contender — who has an intensely loyal national following — is pulling in record fundraising sums, prompting speculation that he may continue his White House bid even if he does not fare well among Republican primary voters.

Paul is currently averaging single-digit showings in most recent surveys of GOP voters nationally and in early-voting states.

During the Sunday interview, Paul criticized the Civil Rights Act, pointing out that Barry Goldwater opposed it. But he would not say he whether would vote against the legislation today. "I get more support from black people than any other Republican candidate, according to some statistics," he added.

Paul also contended that the Civil War had been unnecessary because the United States would have gotten rid of slavery eventually.

–CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

Filed under: Ron Paul


Jeff   January 16th, 2008 2:36 am ET

I hope all of you Ron Paul backers actually are registered & informed on how to vote for him, instead of hoping he will make a 3rd party bid for President.

John Martin   December 30th, 2007 3:21 pm ET

Abraham Lincoln proposed several times throughout his political career that the U.S. government should pay money to the slave states and export the slaves to Liberia, Africa, because he believed that slavery was morally and ploitically wrong. Congress would not pass his proposals to pay the slave states, and after he met with several promenent free blacks including Frederick Douglass, found that blacks abhored the idea of being shipped back to Africa. President Lincoln discussed with his cabinet the idea of paying the Confederacy to set their slaves free in early January, 1865, but they all rejected it. In January of 1865, the Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens along with others proposed to Confederate President Jeffreson Davis that the South send a peace commission to negotiate with President Lincoln. Davis endorsed the idea provided that the South could keep her slaves and still susceed from the Union. Vice President Stephens along with two other commissioners passed through Union lines near City Point, VA, General Grant's headquarters on Jan. 28, 1865, and requested Grant to arrange a peace conference with Lincoln. Lincoln consented and arrived at City Point on Jan. 30,1865. Lincoln proposed his famous FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR PLAN to the peace commision. He would pay the Confederacy that amount to be apportioned to the southern states by the number of slaves each held IF THEY WOULD FREE ALL THEIR SLAVES, AND LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS, AND RETURN TO THE UNION. Vice President Stephens said that Jefferson Davis would not approve it, and the conference ended. SO YOU SEE THAT LINCOLN TRIED TO SET THE SLAVES FREE BY PURCHASING THEM, BUT THE CONFEDERACY REJECTED IT.

J. Francisco, Yakima, WA   December 28th, 2007 3:20 am ET

You pittifull Ron Paul backing saps have shoddy reasoning skills!

The piece was fair, you Paul supporters just refuse to conform and adapt to reality. Your issues are with truth and facts, such stubborn things.

Anonymous   December 27th, 2007 10:26 am ET

Again, another example of why we should not trust the word of CNN. This is just another cheap shot against Paul and his message of liberty…something that MSM fears.

DM, somewhere, Illinois   December 27th, 2007 10:19 am ET

"That is why we have a Constitution that advocates a strong federal government."

And in what section would you find this? No, madam, I think you are wrong.

G   December 27th, 2007 5:43 am ET

HEY BECKY, WILL YOU PLEASE GET RID OF
THIS. IT'S A BAD REFLECTION ON CNN,
NOT ON RON PAUL. THE VIEWERS KNOW THE
TRUTH SO, EASE UP ON THE EDITORIALIZING

Luke, Tyler TX   December 26th, 2007 8:44 pm ET

Yes, the interviewer pushed him into saying that he was not 100% sure he would not run as an independent. He said he didn't really want to and was 99.99% sure he would not.

The story also does not mention Ron Paul's reason for opposing the civil rights act. It's not because he dosen't believe in civil rights. He had a problem with the way it was written.

I wish CNN's reporting was as honest and consistent as Dr. Paul.

Ajay Jain   December 26th, 2007 5:48 pm ET

Ron Paul will be the 2008 "spoiler" and responsible for a Hillary win (12/26/07). You may quote me on this in January 2009 if not before (wink, wink)!!

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

Fred, TN   December 26th, 2007 10:39 am ET

Any lame criticism of Dr. Ron Paul has only served to strenghten our support of the most noble of candidates.
Mr. Russert and the other corporate spinmeister critics have to bring up ancient questions such as the Civil War in a feeble attempt to trip Ron Paul. It does not work and only shows Dr. Paul's character and integrity.

TFS, Texas   December 26th, 2007 9:39 am ET

I would hope that my representative would work for SOME projects that would benefit his constituents. Isn't that what we elect them for? Dr. Paul is against pork barrel legislation that only benefits large corporations and not the people.

Jose Card - Independent   December 26th, 2007 3:47 am ET

Dr. Ron Paul knows he has the responsibility to run to serve our country.

John, Westfield NJ   December 26th, 2007 3:23 am ET

Rebecca, do you have an agenda against Ron Paul? Ron criticized the Civil Rights act NOT because of race issues, but because it was an act that had certain points that gave up certain private liberties. Why would you leave out the he specifically stated that it was NOT a race issues but an issue of personal liberty?

And then Rebecca, you leave out Ron Paul's comments on the civil war, in which he states that 600,000 people shouldn't have died. Is it wrong for Paul to try to imagine a way to free slaves rather then war?

Rebecca, this is a biased article and it should be corrected and adjusted to portray Ron Paul's real views. Instead its tightly edited to hide the truth, and to reveal your personal views. Luckily smart American voters will see through this.

Anonymous, Somewhere, MI   December 25th, 2007 11:01 pm ET

After talking around with people of all stripes I've started to reconsider Ron Paul's overall viability in a general election. I'm starting the think now that Paul might be able to put together a winning coalition around the issues of isolationism and immigration. With Hillary Clinton's inability to make a firm stand on the illegal immigration issue, and her unwillingness to commit to a withdrawl from Iraq, Paul can draw on the one popular GOP strength while pinning Hillary into the GOP's greatest weakness (immigration and Iraq respectively). It's tentative, and I still doubt he'll survive the primaries, but Ron Paul could prove to be a formidable candidate.

From The North   December 25th, 2007 8:20 pm ET

I just have one comment.
Where did this Fruit Cake come from?

GRACE   December 25th, 2007 5:29 pm ET

AS SOON AS SOMEONE DOES WELL IN THE
CAMPAIGN, HE GETS A TARGET ON HIS
BACK. RON PAUL WAS JUST AWARDED HIS
TARGET. HE HAS GRADUATED FROM "TO BE
IGNORED", TO "WATCH OUT FOR THIS GUY.
MAKE HIM LOOK BAD OR HE WILL WIN".
HE CAN'T BE BOUGHT. HE WANTS TO
PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY (SEE H.R.219).
HE WANTS YOU TO KEEP YOUR WHOLE PAY CK.
HE WANTS TO END THIS WAR AND BRING ALL
TROOPS HOME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT'S COSTING A TRILLION A YEAR. AND
HE WANTS TO CLOSE OUR BORDERS.
SOMETHING NEITHER THE REPUBS OR THE
DEMS HAVE DONE WHILE IN CONTROL.
READ THE CONSTITUTION. THE FEDS ARE
INVOLVED IN TOO MUCH UNCONSTITUIONAL
STUFF. RETURN STATES RIGHTS. WE ARE
FACING BIG BROTHER.
VOTE FOR RON PAUL TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY.

Brian Glenn Strawberry Plains, TN   December 25th, 2007 3:14 pm ET

Having read many comments from regular Americans about Ron Paul I believe there is no doubt the Ron Paul revolution will prevail. The majority of the comments are pro Paul and that makes me ecstatic to realize how close we are to being the America our forefathers intended us to be. Ron Paul will get the nomination!

God Bless Ron Paul

Brian Glenn

Ajay Jain   December 25th, 2007 2:47 pm ET

Ron Paul will be the 2008 "spoiler" and responsible for a Hillary win (12/25/07). You may quote me on this in January 2009 if not before (wink, wink)!!

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

Cody Harding, Kinsley, KS   December 25th, 2007 11:07 am ET

Let me say one thing, for everyone who has looked at this and cried 'bad journalism'…

There is a thing called the Associated Press Stylebook. For every person who decries this article, I suggest you do some research on the topic. Her article is clear, concise, and does not break any of the fundamental principles. And with the way he said it, I heard Weasel. Unless there was a transcript after the show, or the show was scripted, she was not in the wrong.

As for the rest of it, she did what any actual reporter would do. She gathered, disseminated, edited, and produced a piece, and for something that probably won't go any farther than the Ticker. And she did it within reasonable boundaries and with integrity.

Do your research before you cry 'hit piece'. Oh, and while you're at it, do your research on your favorite candidate, and stop acting like children. And please, if you want to say something is 'bad journalism', learn some grammar and proper usage, you hypocrites.

Jacky   December 25th, 2007 7:17 am ET

Rebecca Sinderbrand, I understand the difficulty of reporting Paul's comments clearly in a short space, but this is shoddy. Instead of writing "would have gotten rid of slavery eventually," it would have been more accurate to write, "could have gotten rid of slavery another way."

Joe, Bellefonte PA   December 25th, 2007 6:53 am ET

Does Ms Sinderbrand still have a job as 'Associate Political Editor'?

Allen, Atlanta, GA   December 25th, 2007 12:29 am ET

Actually any third party venture by Ron Paul would be pretty much irrelevant. Because of his unrealistic stance on Iraq and his irrational isolationism, he would take just as many (if not more) votes from the democratic candidate as he would the republican candidate. Do you really think all of his internet donations are coming from republicans? HA! The lion's share is coming from anti-war democrats trying to sabotage the republican nomination process. However, when you look at the polls, it doesn't appear to be working very well. Right now the only candidate that Ron Paul is probably depriving of supporters is Dennis Kusinich.

eric gregory alert bay b.c.   December 24th, 2007 11:23 pm ET

thank god for ron paul

William Drake, Binghamton NY   December 24th, 2007 5:04 pm ET

Disgusting.

The strike-through on the word "weasel" was cute. Does anyone mention the word "weasel" when Clinton fails to commit to a stance on the issues?!?!

Cant offend those who sign your paycheck though. If you actually engaged in journalism, you wouldn't have the pretty title of "Associate Political Editor," would you Rebecca?

If I wanted to be as cute as you, I would have put a HTML tag to make that read: ASSOCIATE

Ted Turner blah blah   December 24th, 2007 4:02 pm ET

Nice intentional misquote with the strikethrough fascists!

Dave, NY, NY   December 24th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

All we need to complete the circus of a Ron Paul third party bid would be a Al Gore Green Party run and a Mayor Bloomberg run. Hopefully his constituents will do the world a favor and not re-elect this clown.

azi, cincinnati, ohio   December 24th, 2007 3:52 pm ET

What blatant lies!!! Ron Paul did NOT say the US would have gotten rid of slavery eventually, in fact he said the US was the ONLY westernized country who still had slaves at the time, which is quite an embarrassment. What he said was that there was a better way to end slavery than to have 600,000 Americans killed. He said it would've made more sense to buy the slaves and then SET THEM FREE. CNN, you need to take this completely inaccurate story off the ticker.

Chris, Middletown, CT   December 24th, 2007 3:51 pm ET

He could…its called the Libertarian party…which he has always been a member of….remember - take in his whole message - eliminating the CIA, the FBI…the Department of Education - 90% of his ideas are good…10% are insane….yes…exactly what this country doesn't need

UsuallyCensoredByCNN, Roxboro, NC   December 24th, 2007 3:22 pm ET

If you voters want a guy who espouses smaller, less invasive government,, take a look at what Ron Paul supports. I've never been a republican, but this guy has what it takes to make me reconsider.

To the rest of you folks who are comfortable with the goverenment doing your thinking for you and don't mind paying the price of OUR freedom,,,Go ahead on,, support one of the other power grabbing weasles running.
As an example,, housing prices are declining all over the country. What does government do? They access properties at higher than before the mortgage crunch and tax accordingly! Is this what government is supposed to do? I've read the constitution and bill of rights and I think not.

JB Boston MA   December 24th, 2007 3:06 pm ET

Mark-

I am saying the South at that time was not willing to cooperate with the North period. Whether it be Kansas as a Free State or "buying slaves".

Even many in the North were uncommitted to freeing the slaves. Did you know the Emancipation Proclamation came about as a result of the North getting their butts whipped time after time? It was a last ditch effort by Lincoln to win the war.

Regardless, this is the least of Paul's problems. Personally, I was disappointed. I wish someone with this message could communicate it and implement it successfully. Paul is not that guy.

And to whomever said that they are voting for Paul to "save the Republic", is doing nothing but wasting their vote.

Find a candidate with similiar ideas. The only guy I know who has the "original" Reagan philosophy, prior to him becoming a "traitor" (I know he said he never called Reagan a traitor, and I believe him)is Thompson. He is all about weak federal and strong state governments.

sean Metamora,IL   December 24th, 2007 3:05 pm ET

why should he rule it out?
democracy isn't the sole property of the democrat and republican cartels

Anonymous   December 24th, 2007 3:04 pm ET

why should he rule it out,
the democracy isn't the sole property of the democrat and republican cartels.

Max, Boston, MA   December 24th, 2007 2:49 pm ET

This was an awful piece of journalism. You actually work as a journalist professionally?

Please find a new career.

Phil, PA   December 24th, 2007 2:40 pm ET

I feel bad for the people that write these tickers. Are they really too stupid to report accurately? Or are they just doing their job?

thevoicesofstuart   December 24th, 2007 2:18 pm ET

thank you cnn for your unwaivering support in providing execellant motivation to the ron paul supporters by continuing to misquote him at every turn. these attempts to place him in a bad light serve as an inspiration to his supporters to re-double their campaigning efforts. it is laughable at this point and you serve the campaign well by providing comic relief to the grassroots supporters working every day to get the word out about ron paul. keep up the good work cause everyone needs a good laugh every now and then.

localjim, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl   December 24th, 2007 1:34 pm ET

Finally a blog on Dr. Ron Paul on CNN. unfortunately its all misquoted and taken out of context. Also CNN only brings up the sam old reaped question over and over again. Why not mention what he discussed on foreign policy issues CNN? I really do like you guys but you pick and chose some of the lamest things to right about. Please dont make me remove you from my Home Page.

Michael Spears, Charlottesville, VA   December 24th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

Who edited this tripe?
If you are going to go after Dr. Paul, at least use facts.

Paul Denver, Colorado   December 24th, 2007 1:01 pm ET

Rebecca Sinderbrand this is a totally unprofessional "article" and is an insult to the standards of journalism.

Putting the word "Weasel" and crossing it out is a lowlife tactic. Cherry picking out of context and outright slander.

You should be ashamed. You are clearly biased.

Wouldn't you like to know?   December 24th, 2007 12:55 pm ET

Gee, when did CNN start hiring fourth-graders who flunked Listening 101 to do political blogs? Must be because the public child indoctrination camps are not in session for the annual violation of the separation of church and state called Xmas.

Go watch the interview and decide for yourself. This article is so incorrect that it belongs in the "fiction" department. My 4-year-old can write better, and he can't write yet!

Brock d'Avignon   December 24th, 2007 12:51 pm ET

I showed my daughter what Meet the Press used to be in its 60 year retrospective. Honest liberals, not dishonest character assassins like the one who mis-paraphrased virtually every significant point the guest (Ron Paul) made in summaries misquoted everywhere. An executive producer should relook at the broadcast and then fire the hit-piecer; all other media should note the audience response below and call for a re-write of what was really asked and answered in news briefs. Emphasis news.

Mark, Pasadena, CA   December 24th, 2007 12:51 pm ET

JB from Boston:

Brazil had a massive slave population and did not have to go to war to end it. In their case, the geography was inverted - the North used the slaves for sugar cane production while the South was the industrial center. Today, the country with the largest population of African origin is Nigeria, followed by Brazil. Are you saying that the US is less capable than Brazil?

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 24th, 2007 11:39 am ET

i really hope he does not run as an independant. if he wins the republican nod it would be great. but if he loses then he wont win the independant and he would just take those votes from the democrats. we cannot have another republican in the white house unless it is ron paul.

Brad, Stockton, CA   December 24th, 2007 11:00 am ET

The trouble is that Americans tend to see only two valid parties with no real differences between the candidates of either. Anyone who runs as neither a democrat or a republican is a serious contender for my vote.

John, Ponte Vedra, FL   December 24th, 2007 10:45 am ET

Posted by Jon Anderson: "For the good of the GOP, please throw your support behind someone who can really beat the Dems in a general election: Romney, Giuliani, or maybe McCain."

What you don't understand is that "beating the Dems" in the general election is not our primary goal. Our primary goal is Saving our Republic. Supporting the likes of Romney, Giuliani or McCain aint gonna help us achieve our goal!

MS, Jacksonville, FL   December 24th, 2007 10:12 am ET

I understand that everybody has their own opinion, but when reporting on an actual interview, your opinion really doesn't matter. Be lucky that I'm not running because I would make the media responsible to the people and not the big corporate interests that you people represent. You and your brethren of terrible journalists should be deported to Antarctica where the only living beings that you can affect are penguins. Go Ron Paul!!! You don't just have to beat the other candidates, you have these people to beat as well.

Nashville, TN   December 24th, 2007 9:31 am ET

CNN, thank you for at least correcting the "weasel" issue, and for taking off the sarcastic quotations on the word "eventually" at the end of the article. Putting quotes on that word, as you know, implies that Dr. Paul did not have a solution for quickly ending slavery without a civil war, and he most certainly did. You, however, chose to end the article there, in a poor attempt to smear the good doctor. Shame.

karissa, santa rosa, ca   December 24th, 2007 9:29 am ET

That is one of the worst hit pieces I have seen to date. Watch the video if you haven't yet. This piece misrepresents Paul. Even if you don't agree with everything he says, he speaks the rare truth.

Phil Memphis, TN   December 24th, 2007 9:06 am ET

Such honest is refreshing? So if i honestly say I would stand by and watch while Americans are abused and just "let the situation work itself out", that is refreshing? This guy is either crazy as a loon, or, worse yet, the most dangerous threat in the race.

JB Boston MA   December 24th, 2007 8:27 am ET

All of you Paul supporters are a joke!

So, let me get this straight. The North was supposed to simply offer to buy all the slaves in order to stop slavery. Slavery was legal! The south did not want to sell their slaves. How would the farms function?

Idiotic! It would have enabled slavery to exist for many many more years. And not like it existed thru the mid 1900's. We would have continued to use slaves for many more years before a) the North had the money to buy the slaves b) The South would allow something like that c) The people of the South would recognize blacks as being free.

The United States cannot be compared to other european countries because we were so reliant on slavery. And, there was a true belief that blacks were inferior. And, there was a great divide between the North and South, with the South being very concerned about what the North was up to.

This guy said we should do away with Public Schools.

Legalization of ALL drugs. He clarifies that by saying he thinks drugs are bad and teaches his children that they are bad. Good for his children, but what about the children that don't have hands on parents???????

Again, the message of small federal government and strong state governments is a great message. This guy is a kook!

What is most amusing with all of this, if a Ron Paul fan addresses my post (which I doubt anyway) they won't address the issues I bring up. Because they cannot address issues. They mention the macro view (small federal government, sticking to constitution) but never explain how to actually implement that. Why? Because you can't! Paul tried yesterday and failed miserably!

NEXT LIBERTARIAN PLEASE

Cody Harding, Kinsley, KS   December 24th, 2007 8:10 am ET

I keep hearing the phrase 'Wake Up' associated with the Ron Paul 'Devolution', yet all of his supporters seem to be asleep.

Because you have to be asleep to believe the version of the American Dream they're pedaling. His financial policies would make our current economy seem utopian, his foreign policy would get a positive grin from the Tokugawas, the Caliphates, and the Roman Empire from earlier years. Oh, and wait until he destroys the federal reserve and the Board of Education. With the FBI in close behind, because he doesn't want a 'government policing everything'.

Go ahead and vote for him. I, however, will vote for reason.

Terry, El Paso, TX   December 24th, 2007 8:09 am ET

I say, "Go, Paul, go." A third party on the Conservative side will split the Republican vote a little and help more rational candidates to be elected. However, I suspect that Paul will be persuaded that splitting the right-wing nut vote is contrary to his own interests.

Darryl Schmitz   December 24th, 2007 7:21 am ET

Major polling organizations and major media, you need to do some SERIOUS soul-searching. Your soul.. you know, that thing you sold to the devil.

JB Boston MA   December 24th, 2007 7:17 am ET

As I said last week, MTP will determine the men from the boys. Paul is a toddler.

All you Paul fans are mistaking the message for the messenger. The message is a good one. Unfortunately, the messenger is incapable of putting two coherent sentences together.

Gary, Oshkosh, WI   December 24th, 2007 7:08 am ET

Dear Rebecca, Just remember one thing when your writing your articles on people or things you don't agree with. 1. "What goes around comes around" and your day is coming……"Thou Shall Not Lie"

Todd Seible   December 24th, 2007 6:29 am ET

This article is biased!

You Mis-Quote the Congressman!!

Dr. Paul said wiggle.. over a non-issue, and you scratched through the word weasel. How sad you are!

Your show lack of integrity as a journalist with this article.. so sad.

Ron Paul is a man who votes No on any bill that is against the Constitution.

This voting record is real.. and if you understand the Constitution you would know this!

Please Read the Constitution!

Dr. Ron Paul served 5 years in the military as a surgeon, a 10 term Congressman, and has delivered over 4000 Babies!

He is a man of great Integrity and has been in public service for 25 years.

Please dont disrespect a true patriot with misquotes and half truths!

As a journalist.. you should honor the oath you took, and have some of your own integrity!

Nick, Los Angeles CA   December 24th, 2007 5:32 am ET

Whether or not you support Ron Paul, and I'm sure many many journalists do not, when you continue to lie about and misrepresent him, you only legitimize his campaign and make his followers more fervent.

The Meet the Press appearance was on national television for goodness sake! Do you honestly think it's so obscure that you can simply say whatever you want about it and that no one will notice that you're deliberately and blatantly distorting it, or is it that you feel the American public is so stupid as to not be able to watch the interview themselves and actually comprehend what was said?

dk   December 24th, 2007 5:14 am ET

Though I do find myself agreeing with some of what Mr. Paul says it is far outweighed by the things I disagree with. I hear him talk about abolishing Social Security and Medicare. I'm just curious if he were to do that what happens to all the money we have put into the system for years? Does he refund it? DO we just lose it? What happens Ron?

It's easy to say lets abolish this program and that program but that fixes nothing. How does he make reparations to the trillions of dollars working people have put into those systems? Lets have some real answers Mr. Paul. I've paid in for years and if it gets abolished then I want a refund and I don't think that is too much to ask. I'd love to know how he pulls that off without bankrupting the country.

Glen, Arp, Texas   December 24th, 2007 4:29 am ET

I thought that Dr. Pauls idea of paying for the slaves instead of having a Civil War that cost this country 600,000 dead was spot on.
If you do any research you would know that the Civil War wasn't about slavery any way, It was about States Rights vs a centralized government.

John, California   December 24th, 2007 3:45 am ET

This headline in incredibly misleading. Shame on you Rebecca Sinderbrand. Also, adding the word "weasel" and crossing it out; Classy.

Readers please check out the full interview on youtube.

Tim   December 24th, 2007 3:44 am ET

This is a pretty bad respresentation of the actual interview. Watch it on YouTube yourself to get a better idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saDw03JXigA

John, California   December 24th, 2007 3:37 am ET

Dr.Paul said we should have abolished slavery peacefully like every other country.

"…buy the slaves and release them. How much would that cost compared to killing 600,000 Americans and where it lingered for 100 years?"

D Montoya, El Paso, TX   December 24th, 2007 3:26 am ET

If its any of the front runners I hope you do run Ron. Try hooking up with Hagel another progressive REAL republican… What a ticket….

The Grinch in America   December 24th, 2007 3:22 am ET

Uh joze46 you wrote a very insightful comment about obambi - but whoops it posted in the wrong topic :)

does that sometimes…

dave, salina, ks   December 24th, 2007 3:21 am ET

Pathetic.

Grinch in America   December 24th, 2007 3:13 am ET

While I'm not on the Ron Paul bandwagon yet - I watched Meet the Press and what Ron Paul said was:

"The Civil War was unnecessary BECAUSE it did not have to be fought in the 1st place. INSTEAD in Paul's opinion there was a better option which would have not only saved 100,000s of lives but would have ended up costing less in the long run as well!! He proposed that all of the slaves could have been purchased and then given their freedom. Lincoln allowed the tensions to build up to the point where the South felt war was the only option - without his even trying to offer them other alternatives!!! — He feels Lincoln was as inexperienced as obambi ;) "

Word has it that if Obama doesn't get the Dem nod that he will declare himself Independent2 and run with Bloomberg… (He wants to be in the White House soooo bad.)

John Boyer   December 24th, 2007 3:09 am ET

"Paul also contended that the Civil War had been unnecessary because the United States would have gotten rid of slavery eventually."

that is not what he said. eventually? he proposed that there were other methods to get rid of slavery. why not state that.

and you people were going to spin his answer for running again no matter what. If he said he wouldn't and he did, you would call him a hypocrite. If he said he wouldn't run no matter what, it would be an "early" message to his supporters that he wouldn't follow through or consider running, despite the odds and their support.. If he leaves a small "wiggle room" its that he "refused" to rule out the possibility. Refused? Paul new exactly what you people were trying to do.

and lets be serious, the only reason this question KEEPS being posed in nearly EVERY interview (ITS ALREADY BEEN ASKED, WHY DO YOU KEEP ASKING IT IF YOU DONT HAVE AN ANGLE?) is to assert that he doesn't have a chance, giving reason for doubt with potential supporters. its not so much a question as it is an accusation.

your use of colorful language must have garnered an A+ in english.

Ron Ferrara   December 24th, 2007 2:58 am ET

How we twist and turn and only show what CNN wants to show to fill their agenda. what sham of reporting this columist should be fired! She is probably a Hillary supporter. And it shows.
Ron Ferrara
Crown Point, Indiana

Tony, Mpls, MN.   December 24th, 2007 2:50 am ET

People must realize that the civil war wasn't as much about slavery as it was about European bankers wanting to destroy the US by dividing it.

The US didn't have a central bank like the federal reserve at the time and were a prosperous country. The financial powers of Europe, namely the Rothschilds couldn't allow our country to continue or it would threaten the international bankers domination of the worlds money.

Here are two interesting quotes. One from Lincoln about slavery, the other by Otto von Bismark on the European bankers and our civil war.

“My paramount objective is to save the Union and it is not either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it.”
–Abraham Lincoln.

“The division of the United States into federations of equal force was decided long before the Civil War by the high financial powers of Europe. These bankers were afraid that the United States, if they remained as one block and as one nation would attain economic and financial independence, which would upset their financial domination over the world.
–Otto von Bismark

Chris, Boston MA   December 24th, 2007 2:46 am ET

For those who are bashing Ron Paul, please just take a look at his voting record and read what he has actually said throughout the 20 years he's spent in Congress. Compare his voting record and speeches made by the candidate you are thinking of voting for. I wouldn't ask if I hadn't done the same.

thegreatland   December 24th, 2007 2:40 am ET

This article and the Meet the Press interview were total hitpieces! SHAME!

Logic is lost on some people.
***
Join Dr. Paul - the leading Republican fundraising candidate, recently named a Time magazine "Person of the Year," and the only candidate from ANY party who will tell us exactly when he will end the war.
***
Others have done fabulous jobs of refuting much of the allegations regarding race. As Ron Paul will tell you, liberty knows no color.

I want to address the issue of Dr. Paul's earmarks for his district. First, you must realize that Dr. Paul does not vote for unbalanced budgets, nor tax increases, nor even salary increases for himself. If we had more of this type of principled leadership, we wouldn't have such a problem in Washington.

While Paul opposes taxes, he realizes, unlike Tim Russert and some of the couch potato pundits here, that his district pays taxes. Dr. Paul inserts earmarks into spending bills in an effort to get the taxes his district paid BACK to his district. Its his way of creating a temporary fix until YOU realize how good he could be for the United States. I plead with you… please don't be misled by those who marginalize Dr. Paul. He has principle. What's so wrong about that?

Join Dr. Paul - the leading Republican fundraising candidate, recently named a Time magazine "Person of the Year," and the only candidate from ANY party who will tell us exactly when he will end the war.

Google Ron Paul with key words: "Hope for America" "john stewart" and "franklin pierce" for some great HONEST coverage of Dr. Paul

DENISE NY/ORLANDO   December 24th, 2007 2:03 am ET

RON PAUL IS ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE HE IS NOT TAINTED YET. TO MAKE IT IN WASH. DC, YOU HAVE TO BE TAINTED FOR THE MOST PART AND THOSE WHO AREN'T DON'T GET THE EXPOSURE. I MIGHT NOT LIKE OR AGREE WITH EVERYTHING RON PAUL SAYS, BUT I RESPECT HIS RIGHT TO PLACE HIS CARDS IN YOUR FACE, PLAY THEM OR LEAVE THEM, OR FIGHT AGAINST THEM…..BUT HE'S NOT ON THE TAKE OF LOBBYISTS AND ELITEST LIKE THE OTHERS. IMMIGRATION UNWANTED IS A BIGGER ISSUE AND IS HURTING THE HILLARY'S AND OBAMA'S BECAUSE NOT ONLY CAUCASIONS DON'T LIKE IT, ALL GROUPS WHO EARNED LEGAL STATUS EITHER THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND OR BIRTH RIGHTS (72%) DON'T LIKE IT, AND DON'T WANT IT.

reagan2008   December 24th, 2007 2:00 am ET

To Lynn (Reno):

Regarding Earmarks: Ron Paul puts the earmarks in because as a congressman, he believes he has a duty to represent his district. He also votes against the earmarks he puts in.

Regarding the Constitution: Amendments are part of the constitution. Our founding fathers had the foresight to see that we may have to alter the document as times changed and wrote a procedure in to do so. It is perfectly within the strict construction of the constitution to advocate for an amendment. What is NOT okay is to "reinterpret" the constitution "in light of modern times." Ron Paul also advocates a repeal of the income tax amendment. Russert was really reaching on that question and came out looking like a fool for asking it.

"Ron Paul's whole agenda is set up to let corrupt corporations have free reign"
Ron Paul is against corporate welfare. Lobbyists don't even bother visiting Ron Paul's office at the Capitol, because they know he can't be bought. It is the "regulators" and those who want the government to micro-manage the economy who are in the pockets of big-business. Large corporations don't want a truly free-market, as that would force them to actually compete. Through regulations they can limit competition and create a barrier to entry that ultimately leads to you receiving inferior products and services.

Your comment about the Articles of Confederation and such is just entirely ludicrous and I had a lot of trouble controlling my laughter. However, I would like to point out that if local control leads to local tyranny (which we already have with such fun concepts as eminent domain), then what stops Centralized federal control from leading to national tyranny?

Protect your freedoms. Keep the government out of your life. You will be a happier person if the government stopped trying to micromanage and just worried about protecting your rights.

Jake, San Diego CA   December 24th, 2007 1:58 am ET

His supporters can crow about Ron Paul, but on Meet the Press we saw the real man. He speaks against corruption and then rationalizes his use of earmarks for his district. He waffles just like John Kerry as well on a whole host of issues that Russert brought up. He says he loves the Constitution and is a strict constructionist, but then thinks it is fine to advocate amending the Constitution in the places where he doesn't like it. Ron Paul's whole agenda is set up to let corrupt corporations have free reign, and reduce this great country to corrupt fiefdoms like in Afghanistan where warloads hold the power because there isn't a government strong enough to deal with them. Ron Paul has a terrible vision for this nation. It was tried under the Articles of Confederation and failed. It was a civil and economic disaster for our new nation. That is why we have a Constitution that advocates a strong federal government. We need power in both the states and the federal government, not just in the states. Local control will just bring local tyranny.
Posted By Lynn, Reno, NV : December 23, 2007 1:37 pm

Amending the Constitution is constitutional. So I don't see how that isn't strictly constitutional.

As far as earmarks, how would you feel if you paid taxes and got none of the money you paid in return? Paul doesn't support the system but he still has to represent his district, that is what a congressman's job is, to represent the people, not do what's best for yourself.

Turn a blind eye to the truth if you want but this is the only candidate that will speak it whether you like what you're hearing or not.

I'd much rather vote for a man who won't pander for my vote than just another phony who makes empty promises and then does whatever he or she wants. At least you know what one of them will do.

William A, Cedar Rapids, IA   December 24th, 2007 1:53 am ET

Whoever wrote this article should seriously consider returning to journalism school (assuming that he/she went at all). I'm an undecided, but I watched the interview and I thought Dr. Paul had some good things to say and justified some very difficult positions.

I've always felt that the Political Ticker is a bit simplistic and trite, but really CNN folks? Really?

The discrepancies between the interview and the article are apparent to anyone who has seen both. It'll be a real shame if this article influences those who didn't get a chance to see the real deal this morning but had to read this pathetic write-up instead.

This will the last time I visit this page.

reagan2008   December 24th, 2007 1:49 am ET

Thank you for your biased hate-filled post, Rebecca. Maybe you should listen more closely though.

Paul also contended that the Civil War had been unnecessary because the United States would have gotten rid of slavery eventually.

Ron Paul never said, "eventually." What he did say was this: (Paraphrased)

Lincoln's solution to the problem got a lot of people killed. In Europe, slavery was ended without wars. The government could have offered a peaceful solution. He then suggested that we could have followed the model of some European nations, where the government bought (and immediately freed) all of the slaves, providing the slaveowners with a cash infusion that would help them to afford a transition to employing people to do the same work.

He didn't propose that America should've waited for slavery to end on its own. He said that the way we ended it was not ideal, and he was correct.

Is it better to end slavery by killing thousands of Americans, or without anyone having to die?

Furthermore it wasn't even the slave owners who died in the Civil War for the most part, it was the poor whites, blacks, and even some of those slaves we were fighting to save who were gunned down for the cause.

Slavery could've been ended without waiting and without killing. THAT is what Ron Paul believes.

Jake, Vail Co   December 24th, 2007 1:43 am ET

This is really the most relevant part of Paul's interview. 100,000 Meetup Supporters, 100,000 Myspace friends, 125,000 donors, 10 million raised between 2 days this quarter and you want to know… if he's going to switch parties?

David, Shawnee Mission, KS   December 24th, 2007 1:27 am ET

This gross misrepresentation of Ron Paul really should be deleted. I am not even a Ron Paul supporter, but I watched the interview on Meet the Press and can't help but notice that this article is completely off the mark. I hate to agree with Paul's people, but they're right, it's a biased piece.

Jon, San Francisco, CA   December 24th, 2007 1:19 am ET

Ms. Sinderbrand,

This article is so heavily biased that it doesn't even pass the giggle test for journalist integrity. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Ron Paul did not say that the United States would have eventually gotten rid of slavery. He said we should have done what other nations did and simply bought all the slaves, set them free, and then outlawed slavery. This would have avoided a war that cost the lives of 600,000 Americans and seeded resentment that still lasts today between the Northern and Southern states.

You also misrepresented what he said on every point in your writeup. You do an incredible disservice to the American people, but we know you're just part of the corporatist fascism taking over the country. Luckily, Americans are waking up and this is why Ron Paul is breaking every campaign fundraising record in history.

Estelle Edwards, Riverhead, NY   December 24th, 2007 1:16 am ET

Some folks on this forum have a poor understanding of the reality of the federal government as it has evolved today. They think the government is there to protect them. Then why is everything breaking down? - schools, the dollar, etc. Better question: how come the government stands in people's way when they try to exercise alternative choices to the status quo? (To Lynn in Reno, Nevada) What exists now is not a federal government that watches out for us. There is a collusion between the government and big business. You can see it with such policies as eminent domain, for example. The problem is a lot of people who have come through the public school system have been fed a lot of misinformation about the Civil War and other key historical events, and you can thank the so-called liberals and progressives for that. So now when people are told the facts that were left out of those history books, they think it's some group trying to practice 'revisionism'. Maybe it would help if people come to grips with the primary purpose of the public school system, and it's not to educate people. The purpose is to indoctrinate them!

Joanna, Buda Texas   December 24th, 2007 1:13 am ET

You guys should be sued. Dr. Paul DID NOT say that "the United States would have gotten rid of slavery eventually". He said that slavery could have been abolished without the cost of 600,000 U.S. Citizens lives. Just as the British did, the U.S. government could have purchased the slaves and then released them. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! At least TRY to have honest journalism.

Paul Jay   December 24th, 2007 1:10 am ET

I don't usually curse but whoever did this is a blanka dee blank blank blank blank.

You accuse us of being uncivil, yet your lies only push people away from you.

I will only get my news from the internet from now on.

Al Jazeria has more credibility then you guys!

Liz C, Dover NH   December 24th, 2007 1:00 am ET

Did you actually go to school for journalism? That was the laziest piece of junk article I have ever read. And it was slanted and inaccurate. Find another job, Rebecca. That stunk.

Jeff, Dallas Texas   December 24th, 2007 12:55 am ET

Your article quotes Ron as saying, "I deserve one 'weasel' (then corrected) wiggle now and then, Tim." And THIS is what you call "journalism?!" You are just PROVING Ron's point about the mainstream media's move to fascism with rhetoric as contemptable as this.

Li, Chillicothe, Ohio   December 24th, 2007 12:48 am ET

I watched the video and I think this article is trying to mislead. In my understanding, what Dr. Paul meant was that Civil War was not necessary because other Western Nations have abandoned slavery without going to war.
Yes, Dr. Paul did not rule out third-party run, but that conclusion should never stand alone without 'with less than 0.01% chance'.

Fuzzy - Chicago, IL   December 24th, 2007 12:37 am ET

I have a dream, that one day soon, Republicans and Democrats. Independents and Liberterians will be able to join together and vote for a candidate based not on his party affiliation, but by the strength of his character and convictions to uphold, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution.

Vinny, Dale City, Va   December 24th, 2007 12:30 am ET

I watched this video! He did not say we would have eventually gotten rid of slavery. He said there were many better options like purchasing their freedom. This entire story is biased, I even know that and I don't plan to vote for him. The constitution was SET UP to be amended because it must be flexible. How could you possibly try to put that in negative light. I have never been more disappointed in CNN.

Mick, Los Angeles, CA   December 23rd, 2007 11:52 pm ET

Dr. Ron Paul is the only candidate that can SAVE the United States of America. Most people, even the intelligent ones, do not fully understand the problems we face. If most people did understand the problems with our government today, more and more Libertarians would be in office, not Democrats or Republicans. Ron Paul has a wonderfully optimistic vision for our country. I support it 110%. In order to help you understand better, read "Restoring the American Dream" by Robert J. Ringer, or "Constitutional Chaos" by Andrew P. Napolitano. We are being forced to pay unconstitutional taxes, forced to fight unconstitutional wars, and provoking foreign radicals causing terrorism. We have to stop the fascism and socialism and vote for Libertarians or main party candidates that have the same platform as Dr. Paul. If Dr. Paul does not win this election, may God have mercy on us all.

Jim, Kansas City, MO   December 23rd, 2007 11:31 pm ET

Lynn, the main problem with your comment is that corupt corporations already have free reign. The Federal goverment does very little about corporations expoitation of consumers as that is where are large portion of campaign contributions come from. And how can you possibly assume reducing federal involvement in our daily lives will drive this country into fiefdoms? You still have law enforcement. Laws will still be enforced. Leave the fear mongering to the Bush administration.

Besides, the only reason the warlords have such influence in Afghanistan is due to us driving out the Taliban. As much as you may dislike their extreme religious beliefs, it is those beliefs that kept the opium trade under control. We removed that control and now the opium business flourishes.

You best re-read the Constitution as well. It doesn't even come close to supporting a strong federal government, if fact just the opposite. It was written to keep federal govenment out of our lives.

Ignorance is a poison.

Allen, Atlanta, GA   December 23rd, 2007 11:20 pm ET

Incredible! The media is absolutely determined to keep this guy's campaign alive. Tom Tancredo had to drop out of the race last week because the media was successful at "starving" his campaign. Why? Because he had a "politically incorrect" message. But because Ron Paul trashes the Iraq war
effort and the nation's foreign policy in general, the media showers him with accolades and keeps his campaign alive artifically. If the Tancredo campaign
had gotten one third the publicity Ron Paul and his nutty supporters have received, not only would he still be in the race, but he would probably be polling near the top. I hate it when the media abuses its role as gatekeeper in order to further its own biased agenda. In order to break into the top tier of American politics, you have to be a "media darling" (either the right rhetoric, the right hair,
or the right pedigree). And this is reflected in the sorry group of "frontrunners" in both parties. I wonder if we dumb media consumers will ever wise up and start doing our own thinking instead of relying on the Anderson Cooper and Bill O'Reilly types to do it for us.

Paul, Tampa, FL   December 23rd, 2007 11:03 pm ET

PLEASE RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT!!!

Nothing will make a Democratic victory more secure than for this crazy Texan to split out the fiscal conservatives from the sanctimonious, racist and xenophobic conservatives.

Will Pitts, Jacksonville, FL   December 23rd, 2007 10:59 pm ET

Russert asked "Who in Israel wants to attack Iran?"

Excerpt from "US Must Reevaluate Its Relationship With Israel"
by Scott Ritter(UN Weapons inspector) written December 17, 2007 has the answer Dr. Paul was looking for.

"The statements by Israeli officials concerning the recent National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran and its nuclear program are perhaps the best manifestation of this reality. Avi Dichter, Israel's public security minister, has condemned the NIE as a flawed document, and in terms that link the American analysis to a cause-and-effect cycle that could lead the Middle East down the path of regional war. Like many Israelis, including the prime minister, Dichter disagrees with the American NIE on Iran, in particular the finding that Iran ceased its nuclear weapons program in 2003. The Israelis hold that this program is still active, despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reached a conclusion similar to the NIE's based upon its own exhaustive inspection activities inside Iran over the past five years.

In threatening the world with war because America opted for once to embrace fact instead of fiction, Israel, sadly, has become like a cornered beast, lashing out at any and all it perceives to threaten its security interests. The current Israeli definition of what constitutes its security interests is so broad as to preclude any difference of opinion. Israel's shameless invocations of the Holocaust to defend its actions not only shames the memory of those murdered over 60 years ago, but ironically dilutes the impact of that memory by linking it with current policies that are cruel and intolerant. The message of Holocaust remembrance should be "never again," not just in terms of the persecution of Jews, but in terms of man's inhumanity to man. The birth of the Israeli state, as imperfect and controversial as it was, served as a foundation for the pursuit of tolerance. However, Israel's current policies, rooted in ethnic and religious hatred, are the antithesis of tolerance."

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/ritter.php?articleid=12064

J. Francisco, Yakima, WA   December 23rd, 2007 10:56 pm ET

Ron Paul appologist are NUTTY!

One is free to hold on to his/her opinion, but people do not have free reign wiggle/weasel with facts! [facts/truth: universaly/majority accepted and respected "worldly" truths, empirical information]

Will Pitts   December 23rd, 2007 10:46 pm ET

Dr. Paul refers to European solution to end slavery

In the interview with Tim Russert, Dr. Paul referred to the successful method of ending slavery in Europe.

Judge Andrew Napolitano also speaks of this in his book Constitution in Exile. In order to abolish slavery, Lincoln was presented with a solution that would prevent war. This method was successfully utilized by the governments in Europe without war. They purchased (justly compensated) the slaves from the slave owners and then gave the slaves their freedom. The European governments then outlawed slavery.

The cost of this purchase by the US Government would have been insignificant as compared with cost of funding the Civil War and the loss of American lives.

During the Civil war, many southern civilians that had no part in the war, other than living in the south, and did not own slaves, had their homes burned to the ground and their entire life savings taken from them during the looting of southern banks by the US Army. As a result, many southerners developed a deep seated resentment and unfortunately much of it focused against our black brethren. The tremendous loss of life and property and the unconstitutional acts committed under Lincoln’s administration against southern civilians were the root cause of the bad race relations between the southerners and blacks.

But 140 years later…I would have to ask Russert, "What does this have to do with the price of tea in China?"

Phil   December 23rd, 2007 10:26 pm ET

http://www.paulunteer.com/ron-paul-supporters-in-their-own-words/russert-searches-for-gems-cant-find-the-dirt/

Bob Tanchero   December 23rd, 2007 10:25 pm ET

Hey Rebecca Sinderbrand, are you purposefully leaving out Dr Paul's explanation for why he did not like the Civil Rights Act? Paul criticized the Civil Rights Act because it is a clear violation of private property rights. You left this out of your article. Perhaps to insinuate that Dr Paul is a racist? That's a very cheap shot. Dr Paul literally said, "This is a private property issue… it has nothing to do with race." Your piece is very misleading, and you should be ashamed. I hope your editors catch wind of this.

Archie, Madison, WI   December 23rd, 2007 10:17 pm ET

What I find very odd, is that the author, Rebecca Sinderbrand, seems to share many of Ron Paul's stances on issues.

Primarily, I point to this article she wrote concerning Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0605.sinderbrand.html

I would have hoped that Rebecca would have taken the time to read up on the target of her attack, Ron Paul, before spewing such stilted nonsense.

My suggestion, to her, would be to read Ron Paul's issue stances on http://ronpaul2008.com . After that, I would suggest googling "Ron Paul", filtering through the rabid support and opposition, and learn the "Real" Ron Paul.

I would also suggest, very much, watching the "Candidates@Google" interview, which can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCM_wQy4YVg

Thanks

Bryan, Denver, CO   December 23rd, 2007 9:59 pm ET

Lynn—

Amending the constitution is a built in constitutional process for changing thinks that you "don't like" about the constitution, or to be more accurate that are not working as the founders intended. Someone advocating the use of this process (Which, by the way, has been done on several occasions in the past) is not anti-constitutional. Perhaps, it would sever you well to do some more studying of the constitution before criticizing a candidate's position on it?

Anyway, arbitrarily making changes on a whim because you're the President is the problem. One that none of the other candidates even care to address. Ron Paul understands the need for the balance between federal and state power, that's why he's not advocating a return to the Articles and is a constitutionalist. The key part of that word is "constitution."

What seems to have escaped you is that there is no balance between power between the states and the federal government. The Federal government has all of the power. You can't take a medicine made in your state, that your state has legalized, and that your doctor prescribed you in your state if the Fedgov doesn't approve.

Walt, Belton, TX   December 23rd, 2007 9:55 pm ET

He'd even be willing to pull a Perot and turn the election into a minority Presidency so another "Clinton" could get elected. Not worthy of supporting such a fiasco again and Perot was a smart man. Can't say the same about Paul.

Pastor Marvin, Indiana   December 23rd, 2007 9:46 pm ET

I am a black minister with a congregation of over 500 people and one of my members mentioned to watch the Meet the Press interview with Presidential hopeful, Ron Paul, and after church, they had a copy of the interview they recorded on a DVD and played it in front of nearly the entire church while we enjoyed our post-Sunday service meal. I find this characterization of Ron Paul to be quite absurd by not only the questions issued by Tim Russert, but after reading the news articles such as CNN, I am convinced that our media are the ultimate sinners by misrepresentation. This next Sunday, I plan on giving a speech to support Ron Paul and I challenge the IRS or any governing agency to strip away our non-profit status because I will lead the charge to the streets in my community. We have seen enough of the destruction of the United States by elected demagogues while each year they promise us another solution but fails to even scratch the surface to that of such a fine distinguished man in Ron Paul. I pray everyday for Dr. Paul's safety as it is a very rare time in our history when men like him and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr who come to our nation to teach us tolerance, love, and integrity.

Lee   December 23rd, 2007 9:32 pm ET

I did not see the interview today with Meet the Press, but I remember Rep. Ron Paul completely avoiding the question when asked during one of the debates if he would endorse the Republican nominee if it wasn't him.

I hope that Rep. Paul does not try to run as a 3rd party candidate. The fact is that the last two Presidents started there administrations with less than 50% of the popular vote as a result of Ross Perot and Ralph Nadar. The legacy of that has been a divisiveness that seems to have no end in site. If you can not win in the primary, how can you win the general election when you have to please the whole nation instead of just one party? I am glad to see Rep. Paul in the race, but hope he accepts the will of the people and drops out if he doesn't translate that money into votes in the primaries. Otherwise we are domed to 4 or 8 more years of bitterness in America.

Greg, Barrington, IL   December 23rd, 2007 9:28 pm ET

It is the ability of candidates such as Paul to get substantial support that is the really scary thing about the American consciousness, its level of decency and sense of justice. There is this huge portion of American people that are ready at a moment's notice to reject all the hard-fought progress we have made concerning the rejection of barbarism and savagery that lurks just beneath the surface of most conservative's beliefs. What a contradiction we are to support equality and justice (supposedly) and yet embrace the traditional attitudes of our Jim Crow era fathers..

david, fort wayne, indiana   December 23rd, 2007 9:20 pm ET

Hats off to Dr Paul for once again effectively confronting a hostile media talking head. How laughable that Mr Russert imagines that wanting to amend the Constitution makes one a non-Constitutionalist! Is he this stupid? Or does he think his listeners are? Russert was clearly in way over his head, and resorted to talking over Dr Paul in order (I suppose) to appear to have the upper hand. Newflash, Tim…Dr Paul ruled and you came across as a waterboy for the status quo. A giant was in your midst, and you had not the sense to realize it!

Zac, Wilmington NC   December 23rd, 2007 9:16 pm ET

Holy God this is perhaps the worst excuse for an article I have ever read in the history of reading articles! What the hell is wrong with people that write things like this? This is THE MOST SLANTED, BIASED, WRONG ARTICLE I HAVE EVER SEEN. How the heck does the author have a job? Seriously? If you actually WATCHED the interview this morning you would realize how WRONG this article is. It just makes me laugh and the obvious bias in the media at this point, it makes them seem realllllly stupid.

Steven   December 23rd, 2007 9:03 pm ET

This is an absolutely abysmal piece of reporting, from a so-called reputable news source.

He didn't say eventually, he proposed a peaceful alternative to the bloodiest war in American history like every other nation was able to do.

I strongly encourage anyone with interest to youtube the interview and see for yourself the truth. This is just a hit piece.

DF Nathaniel Sand Lake, MI   December 23rd, 2007 9:00 pm ET

Spinning wheel, go to go 'round, I guess. When a candidate draws support from Americans across the board, who cares about his stats among GOP likelies. And who cares about spin pieces like this? He's the only true antiwar candidate. Meanwhile he's got the military voters. They know he doesn't view them as pawns on his global chess board. If the media actually let him present his platform (rather than defend out of context quotes from the 80s), he'd have a landslide victory. As it is, he might just make it to the Oval Office despite battling the Perpetual War Propagandists!

Adam, Milwaukee WI   December 23rd, 2007 8:50 pm ET

I don't normally reply to internet blogs/stories, but this one proves that anyone can become a journalist. I watched the same interview and you forget to include Paul's argument points, which are essential to understanding his viewpoints on the issues discussed on Meet the Press. This is just really lazy journalism.

Dale Legan   December 23rd, 2007 8:48 pm ET

"Ron Paul says the civil war was unecessary because the US would have gotten rid of slavery eventually." This is inaccurate. He said the US should have bought the slaves and freed them like Europe and not killed 600,000 Americans and divide the country for a hundred years by the war of Northern Agression.

His position would have ended slavery sooner without the war and hate. You made this quote up or have a serious hearing problem.

by the way Months ago in the Washington Post Ron Paul said he wanted Walter Williams for VP.. Walter Williams is black. Nice try…

Jesse, Redmond, WA   December 23rd, 2007 8:41 pm ET

Nice Hit Piece CNN. Way to totally mis-represent what Ron Paul said on MTP. He didn't say eventually, he was pointing out there were other ways to end slavery without all of the dying.

Fabian, Brooklyn NY   December 23rd, 2007 8:39 pm ET

wow .. what a twist of the words and meanings of the real interview…what a hit piece … go and watch the real interview … idk who put weasel in there that's retarded … and no Dr. Paul isn't racist and against the civil rights act and the civil war … he said things could have been done more sensibly … every other country in the world got rid of slavery without having the go to war over it

M Fisher of Clarkston, MI   December 23rd, 2007 8:39 pm ET

The entire interview (~30 minutes) is up on YouTube. If you want news, watch it yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saDw03JXigA

Articles like this one communicate zero genuine information other than how the writer's boss currently feels about the candidate.

David, Arlington VT   December 23rd, 2007 8:38 pm ET

"Paul also contended that the Civil War had been unnecessary because the United States would have gotten rid of slavery eventually."

This statement is libel. It is a malicious distortion of Ron Paul's views. Fix it. He said they should have paid for the slaves and then set them free, as Britain had, instead of starting a war that took 600,000 lives.

Because of this slander, you should fix this as well:

"During the Sunday interview, Paul criticized the Civil Rights Act, pointing out that Barry Goldwater opposed it. But he would not say he whether would vote against the legislation today."

First of all you make it sound like he is the one that brought it up. Should be: "When asked about the Civil Rights Act…" Further, why not be honest and state he was against certain parts of the act that invaded private property rights, instead of leaving room for readers to think he might be racist. Ron Paul rejects racism whole heartedly. It is reprehensible that you could let one of your "journalist" slander an honest man like this.

As for one of the comments above, Ron Paul is the only one who can beat Hillary or any other Democrat for that matter.

TO Crow Lyman, SC   December 23rd, 2007 8:37 pm ET

If you want to know what Paul said on the Russert program, all you have to do is go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3898804/ and watch the program. Then you won't have to be mad at the reporter for his article.

Bob Ficalora Montauk NY   December 23rd, 2007 8:35 pm ET

I incorporated a new political party in 2005 using a Charter under the laws of the State of Washington - The Republican Democracy Party (RDP). I have since gotten two trademarks for the party: "Democratic Republican" and "The Democratic-Republican Party" both of which are now ready to be used.

The beauty of the idea is the RDP Charter and plan - to hold quarterly caucuses in the precincts followed by state legislative district assemblies restricted to caucus participants.

The charter can be reviewed at http://www.republicandemocracy.us.

The Ron Paul campaign can run with this program. I have attempted to approach him in the past. There is no force more powerful in our constitutional republic than the resolve of the people assembled. I believe that we can create that force behind Ron Paul!

Brian, Los Angeles, CA   December 23rd, 2007 8:35 pm ET

Rebecca,

Do you just pick and chose any words so you can do a nice slander job, or do you not know any better? Either way, you don't belong in the New Media. I am appalled by your "reporting." Would you put the weasel word in any other candidate article? If you are going to quote Paul voting against the Civil Rights Act, why don't you do yourself a favor and explain why he did it.

There are things I would like to say to you, but I won't because I would go to your level or writing. You should be ashamed of yourself

Republicae, Charleston, SC   December 23rd, 2007 8:31 pm ET

Mike said: “Ron Paul…. a Republican only in name just dug himself a hole if anyone was actually watching him on Meet the Press.”

Mike, let’s look at what the real Republicans look like…take a look at the 1952 Republican Party Platform..tell me who it sounds like: Ron Paul or the other so-called “republicans”.

1952 Republican Party Platform excerpt:

“We maintain that man was not born to be ruled, but that he consented to be governed; and that the reasons that moved him thereto are few and simple. He has voluntarily submitted to government because, only by the establishment of just laws, and the power to enforce those laws, can an orderly life be maintained, full and equal opportunity for all be established, and the blessings of liberty be perpetuated.

We hold that government, and those entrusted with government, should set a high example of honesty, of justice, and unselfish devotion to the public good; that they should labor to maintain tranquility at home and peace and friendship with all the nations of the earth.”

Kyle, Huntsville Alabama   December 23rd, 2007 8:31 pm ET

As much as you try this will all blow up in your faces when Ron Paul wins. You can't stop people from thinking for themselves.

Republicae, Charleston, SC   December 23rd, 2007 8:24 pm ET

Matt said: “Ron Paul is a blatant opportunist and populist. He is using vague Republican ideals to gain support. Does anyone know exactly what he stands for?
Right, eliminate all government run organizations like the IRS. Wouldn't that put many thousands out of work? And pull the USA out of all alliances and treaties. No one should even give him any serious thought.”

Obviously Matt, you haven’t read very much. I suggest you go to the Ron Paul Library, there is absolutely no vagueness in the positions that Dr. Paul takes or the policies he advocates.

Jay, Tucson, AZ   December 23rd, 2007 8:21 pm ET

Where do you find the clowns that write your articles? I'd like to hire a few for my son's birthday party. Hopefully I can find one with better grammar skills, though. I'd hate to set a bad example for the young ones.

Republicae, Charleston, SC   December 23rd, 2007 8:19 pm ET

I find it interesting that so many seem to either twist or ignore what Dr. Paul says. Concerning "earmarks" he stated that he submits all "earmarks" that come across his desk from his constituents and rightly so, it is his job to represent his constituents however, he also stated that in all his life he has never voted for one "earmark" even those of his constituents. It is amazing that a politician in Washington can maintain his principles and the transparency of his office. I applaud him!

Republicae, Charleston, SC   December 23rd, 2007 8:13 pm ET

Strange, did you see the same interview that I saw, because it doesn't seem like you did from your commentary.

Elaine McKillop, Esq.   December 23rd, 2007 8:11 pm ET

Rebecca, Ron Paul will be the nominee of the Republican party and will be the next president of the United states, so why would he have to run as anything bur a Republican? Remember, our candidate will raise 20 million this quarter, and those Old Media polls, are using out dated information and out dated methods. You folks from the Old Media are a bit slow, just to get you up to speed, we are having a Revolution. Every one is invited, you just have to get with the program, read the Constitution, it's a libertarian manifesto. We are taking our country back with a message for liberty that is being heard around the World. Your misguided ramblings remind us of just how irrelevant you are. l

joze46   December 23rd, 2007 8:08 pm ET

The funny comment made about all those former advisors Hillary Clinton had and now work for Obama, also as advisers, is largely tossed around with every Mainstream Media commentator as Obama makes a great snit against Hillary Clinton. Here, Hillary makes a chuckle and said she would like to hear about that one. Then Obama makes the snit, that he would also like her as an advisor too. Many chuckles from everyone. Here, Hillary had an opportunity to fire back however she didn’t. One could respect Hillary’s silence, yet recognize Obama’s comment as an arrogance of deficiency, leading the country by advisors other than his own vision. Something he always says about change but obviously doesn’t know how or know were he is going. And so clear that’s the funny part.

But here, most every commentator, Journalist gives Obama the edge about this snit remark. From my prospective Hillary’s comment fired back is on target and shows Obama’s sallow “reasoning”. Many of the electorate in the country don’t realize the only reason Obama won big in Illinois is because he ran against Allen Keyes who scared the day lights out of everyone in the state. The Republicans most likely gave the election specifically to help Obama win. I personally saw Keyes at a rally and am convinced he is way too weird.

The troubling thing to me is when I talk to many Blacks I hear different responses about Obama’s religion. Obama is supposed to be a Christian. Yet, Obama appears to keep his Islamic name. Well, I wonder about that and how committed is he. Just as he votes present most of the time in the Illinois Senate, is Obama just presently a Christian? If he was baptized why not take a Christian name? Why is he on the fence with his religion? Will he be on the fence with his changes? That’s all I’m asking Barrack Hussein Obama.

Ed,Ellenville,New York   December 23rd, 2007 8:04 pm ET

Ron Paul is a very valuable asset to the republicans and they're not smart enough to use him. The right-wing theocrats are so entrenched that he has no chance. Even when he agrees with their religious views, his libertarian outlook is too damaging to their war-mongering christian nation jihadist crusades. He can only help the republican party shed their subversive anti-democratic wing,even if it means driving the bus off a cliff. There is no "electable" republican besides him. It's him or nobody. '08 is a Hillary/Edwards year.

GoPaul, Davenport IA   December 23rd, 2007 7:58 pm ET

What's with the word 'weasel' crossed out in body of the article. Perhaps, the author is a 'weasel' for putting it in the article. Ron Paul never said 'weasel' in the interview. Is this author biased? Probably.

Ron actually did very well in the interview. This article is misleading. Watch the interview on youtube to form your own opinion.

shatari   December 23rd, 2007 7:54 pm ET

Amazing…The Lame Stream Media actually believes it can get away with such crap. Rebecca wake up to reality!!! Please tell me you didn't waist all your time and money in school to produce th