January 10, 2008
Posted: 04:05 PM ET
 This is a copy of one of the Ron Paul Political Report newsletters, which has stirred controversy.
This is a copy of one of the Ron Paul Political Report newsletters, which has stirred controversy.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A series of newsletters in the name of GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul contain several racist remarks — including one that says order was restored to Los Angeles after the 1992 riots when blacks went "to pick up their welfare checks."

CNN recently obtained the newsletters — written in the 1990s and one from the late 1980s — after a report was published about their existence in the New Republic.

None of the newsletters CNN found says who wrote them, but each was published under Paul's name between his stints as a U.S. congressman from Texas.

Related video: Paul: 'I'm not a racist'

Full story

– CNN's Brian Todd

Filed under: Ron Paul


Cody Harding   January 16th, 2008 8:34 am ET

Well, well, well.

Google Ron Paul, find a white supremacist. How fitting.

To every supporter who has defended him, and continues to defend him: Direct your boundless energy to something more productive. Use your money for something better.

The truth is out. Now it's Ron Paul running for cover.

Jose Card - Independent   January 11th, 2008 11:37 pm ET

CNN, a big establishment, is very afraid of what Dr. Ron Paul stands for so CNN won't post anything positive about Dr. Ron Paul. It's either racism or endorsement by chicken ranch brothel in Nevada.

I saw Dr. Ron Paul's interview on PBS.
Being a runner all his life and at his age, he can speak faster than I can.
What's most impressive are his ideas. Nobody in today's politics can convince me in their sincerity, character and integrity more than Ron Paul can. He returns his House annual budget leftover to the Treasury every year. He respects your hard-earned money and your liberty.

Dr. Ron Paul is running to serve, not for any ambition for power. He treats everybody the same. He wants to protect every American citizen's liberty.
He was an OB-GYN doctor and all for legalizing prostitution and no taxes on tips.
His intelligence shows through as common sense. I would say he has King Solomon's intelligence. Fair and square. He will bring about the real change for the better for us all.

Hillary's so-called change is dwarfed by Ron Paul's in less than a second.
She has yelled for change and I see nothing changed in her standing on issues.
She is all superficial when it comes to change and experience.
Check out

http://www.ronpaul2008.com

and you will find lots of golden ideas for our nation.
He is already a legacy for American history.

chaos45i   January 11th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

To: pam Eugene OR

What information average Americans report should be not discounted. People such as myself reporting first hand knowledge of a candidate should never be put into the category of mudslinging or, a dirty tricks. Especailly when such reporting was being made on blogs before the subjects were even candidates. That is the case with Barack Obama. The truth is Barack Obama himself will not willingly tell America has been aware but has done about race discrimination against Americans in Illinois. If knowing there is a story that needs to be investigated bothers you blame your perspective candidate that is guilty and not the messengers that have the verifiable truth on there side.

valerie summer   January 11th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

I am just amazed that CNN has seemingly refused to print anything about Dr. Paul and what he stands for, but they will print this garbage when it is old information and the explanation is certainly plausible and believable. Just as bad as FOX! PAUL 2008 !!!!!!!

pam Eugene OR   January 11th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

I will not be voting for Ron Paul, never was. That being said I am sick and tired of the same old dirty tricks and smear tactics. Once we find out where this came from, I will not vote for that person either. When will you stupid dirty candidates realize we, the people do not want to hear this crap. No more dirty tricks. No more fake shows of emotion, not more finger pointing lies by Bill Clinton, no more talk about Mitts religion.
I want to hear about the issues and the plans to fix things.
From herw on out every time I see one of these backstabbing stories I will cross the person off my list who started the lie. I may be left with no one to vote for except possibly McCain or Obama but that's OK by me. All of you are making me sick with your he said she said bull. Please speak for yourselves and CNN and Faux please stop reporting on this bull. It is NOT news.
There are so many issues this election and I would like to hear about them without the hate and dirty tricks. No more mud slinging.

chaos45i   January 11th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

To: Anna, I have been posting this since longer than Barack Obama has decided to run for president. No one is more to blame for me having to report this information more than Barack Obama as you know he is my Senator and still nothing has been done.

MARY, KATY ,TX   January 11th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

I saw Ron Paul on the Bill Moyers Journal and the man is decent and caring and not at all the kind of person who would be racist. I also think he would make a great president. be he with whatever party , i am sick of partisan politics sick of republicans trying to scare people that democrats only care to raise your taxes and give flowers to those who would wish you harm. I am sick of people of the other party saying republicans are all racist , bible thumpers.
can we talk about the real issues facing americans without trying to label those who disagree on how to fix the problems and work togeather for a good solution.
Americans need health care more then insurance companies and drug companies need unprecedented profits.
god help us what do we stand for as Americans? We have lost the high ground in the world.

CD   January 11th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Republicrats are what's wrong with the country–not Ron Paul. If you would take the time to look into this story (rather than listening to the blurb the "pundits"–who said Obama would win NH by 10 points) you would see Dr. Paul is not a racist. The sad thing is, because he challenges the status quo people think he is crazy or bad. What is crazy AND bad is continuing down the same course. Which, is exaclty what Romney, Thompson, Giuliani, Clinton, Edwards, McCain and Obama all offer.

Why can't people see how the country is moving towards Socialism and we're letting the politicians have their way? Everyone saying that those who support Ron Paul are bad for America, those who support bigger, stronger government and less adherence to the Constitution are the ones who are bad for America.

Chris, Middletown, CT   January 11th, 2008 10:54 am ET

Two things wrong here…

1 -Ron Paul was NEVER a Republican…always been a LIbertarian

2 - The Democrats have convinced their supporters that Republicans are evil - when we are the only party running a moderate…Giuliani….

Democrats….describe yourselves as "socially liberal and fiscally conservative"??? (join 70% of the US population) - all Democrats are socially liberal….but which are fiscally conservative?? (give up…none of them….their entitlement programs will cost us trillions….and they don't end….the war will end….)

Make the moderate choice….vote the only moderate running GIULIANI

saul`   January 11th, 2008 10:50 am ET

Even more disturbing that these revelations is the refusal from the campaign to deal with this head on. This is not "old-news" for most of us out here and you will pardon us if the fact that it is "old-news" for some of you is not sufficient to put us at rest.

I am a twice donor to the Ron Paul campaign and I find it extremely aggravating that the campaign is treating this as if there is nothing to explain. What has been put out so far does not qualify as an explanation — it is closer to an insult to people's intelligence. It is the kind of response I would expect from the White House. As if lending your name to nutjob writers for over a decade is just not so a big deal, Well, it is a big deal and no, we cannot just move on. No.

Dr. Paul's refusal to capitulate on this matter is equivalent to George W. Bush's refusal to explain his wherabouts when he was supposed to be in the National Guard. Down to the response by hardcore supporters that there is nothing to explain. Please.

If it were to be true that he indeed lent his name for over a decade and never once took the time to check in on what was being said, then he should drop out of the race today. If it were to be true that he ever had even a vague idea as to what being said and he allowed it to continue, then he should drop out of the race today. What are we left with?? I am desperate for an alternative scenario. RON PAUL CAMPAIGN, SPEAK NOW OR THIS GIG IS OVER!

The principles that Dr. Paul is running on: liberty, small government, a sensible and affordable foreign policy, fiscal responsibility, respect for the Constitution, are the best hope for the Republic at this time in its history, and no other candidate has stood for this principles the way he has during this campaign. But this does not exempt him from having to explain when explanation is called for. Af of today, Dr. Paul is doing more damage than good to the principles of his campaign, by association if nothing else.

Dean, New York   January 11th, 2008 10:40 am ET

When people have let the media change their minds, they've let the machine win.

G.H.   January 11th, 2008 10:31 am ET

These newsletter statements are disturbing, but I think Ron Paul has dealt with this honestly for years. I don't think anyone has ever claimed to have witnessed Paul making any actual statements that could be construed as racism. However, I have seen multiple televised comments by other candidates during this campaign that seem blatant. For instance, last night John McCain responded to a plan for middle east foriegn policy change by claiming that "they" are only interested in exporting birkas. I assume he was refering to muslims.

Steve S   January 11th, 2008 10:20 am ET

It seems ironic that people are abandoning a candidate who has consistently opposed the historically oppressive, racist, and violent policies of government because of a newsletter which he clearly did not write. Since he has already addressed the issue in the past and taken responsibility for not better watching what got published in his name the only way this could be "news" today is because corporate news boards felt this time was best to gain attention and good ratings. Historically speaking, neither powerful government nor profit seeking corporations have acted for the equality of racial minorities. Perhaps a guy who opposes the coercive forces of war, opposes racist drug policies, opposes the same govt intrusion and spying on it citizens that was used against MLK , and opposes today's well fair systems that keep minorities in systematic poverty should not be so easily written off.

BCOOL   January 11th, 2008 9:59 am ET

This article had perfect timing everyone is out to get RP

Vote RP in 08

Anna   January 11th, 2008 9:51 am ET

chaos45i

CHAOS451

YOUR LETTER SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER CLINTON DIRTY TRICK. THE RACISTS ARE IN THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN.

SAY NO TO BILLARY CLINTON. YES TO ANYBODY BUT BILLARY AND BUBBA.

Richard, West Palm Beach, FL   January 11th, 2008 8:59 am ET

"This is like the most blatant, stupid LIE. "
—————————————————————————————————
Even if it turned out to be a lie, this whole situation looks really bad for Ron Paul. Assuming it's a lie, how incompetent can Paul be to let newsletters go out in his name and have no idea what they say? His excuse is that a lot of people worked on it and he doesn't know who might have done it. This is not a new story. It is even worse that Paul has heard about this before and didn't care enough to find the guilty party and clear his name. When asked about it, his spokesman said that there would be no attempt to find who did it and that it was time to move on.

Ron Paul's supporters may not care about it, but most people care enough about their own reputation and integrity to identify and expose people who nationally distribute lies about you. His embarssing refusal to try to clear his name indicates a logical possibility that he did indeed support those statements at the time, but has since changed his position.

Fred, TN   January 11th, 2008 8:59 am ET

Don't let them stop us now! Peace, Prosperity, and Freedom. Go Ron Paul

charlotte   January 11th, 2008 8:38 am ET

Twenty years ago we all said things we don't say today. Stir the pot, and you get a new chance to spoil the progress.

Mary, Beaver, PA   January 11th, 2008 8:11 am ET

Strange that this "news" regarding "Ron Paul" newsletters has come from the left-wing media (from folks who wouldn't even pick up Ron Paul literature, let alone keep it for a decade). Strange that it took 15 years for a newsletter dated from 1992 to surface. Strange that these lefties just now "managed" to get their hands on these newsletters. Strange that Paul's enemies hadn't "discovered" this sooner. Strange that this "news" came out just as the primaries are heating up.

I smell a rat.

eOpinion   January 11th, 2008 7:58 am ET

You have got to be kidding me. This is like the most blatant, stupid LIE. Obviously someone wants to discredit a politician with a LIE and STUPID PEOPLE (lemmings) fall for the trick.

OH, this document surfaces from nowhere in the middle of a political campaign of a politician who is showing stronger than expected numbers. People have a choice:

Believe that a document with someone's name on it must be credible especially considering the timing.

OR

Ron Paul is telling the truth and who knows who wrote this document.

If this gains any traction, I have a letter that Rudy Guilliani wrote that has racist remarks in it. Oh! And I have letters from Mitt Romney and John McCain with similar remarks. The letters even have THEIR NAMES ON IT.

McCain, Guilliani, & Romney all will deny it but the letters have their names on it and I don't know exactly where these letters came from but they have their names on it.

Is that all it takes to play into the hands of dirty political (and not really creative) masterminds?

DON'T FALL FOR SUCH STUPID POLITICAL TRICKS.

freetobeme, Rochester, PA   January 11th, 2008 7:47 am ET

The timing of this "revelation" seems mighty suspicious. I'm not surprised. Anyone who supports the Constitution is bound to be attacked with the same dirt that was used to attack another conservative, Barry Goldwater, in 1964.

The Establishment wants Americans to forget that there is a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. That is why they work so hard to make certain that someone who believes in individual liberty is branded as a "kook" or a "racist."

Libertarians believe what our Founding Fathers believed. If you think that belief in individual liberty is old-fashioned or "kooky," maybe your ancestors did you a disservice when they immigrated here.

Don't believe everything you read or hear. Especially from the mainstream media.

Mark G., BBH, ME   January 11th, 2008 7:34 am ET

This is the operating procedure of the elite. They always claim racism, they always claim anti-black rhetoric

Listen to peace and individuality. Who wants to control you cradle to grave, who wants freedom, civil liberties returned? Seems to be that we should give peace a chance. Stop running about the world espousing how great our way is, when we are not so great anymore.

We are not free, the dog and pony show, coming to a state near you. Listen up America, you have been duped, you are not free any longer, time is not on your side. Every child born in the US owes 175,000 dollars of debt and more each minute.

How long are you gonna sleep while the wolves chew on your carcass?

Mike, Fox River Grove, IL   January 11th, 2008 7:14 am ET

I challenge any person that posted in this blog, including all those who said "I was going to vote, but won't now" to find ONE SINGLE SOLITARY SPOKEN WORD of Ron Paul that is racist. In fact, I dare you to find any word he has said that isn't fully and completely about the equality of all people, that all people are based upon the individual. There are things printed about all the candidates that put them into some sort of bigoted light, but they aren't making the press. The newsletters, long discounted and already examined by the people who have elected Paul for the past ten years to Congress, have no basis in truth.

I also challenge anyone to find anything in his voting record that is racist or that has in any way done anything other than protect the rights of individuals. Ron Paul has been a solid supporter of his convictions from the very beginning and has never wavered.

Plus, consider, CNN has but once or twice had headlines about Ron Paul, concerning the money bombs. But suddenly this makes big news and its up there, how can one not think "smear campaign", especially for someone that CNN has claimed hasn't a chance? I do give props to Blitzer for letting Ron Paul speak and even Blitzer said that in the years he's known Ron Paul that those writings did not at all sound like the Congressmen.

Those who were seriously considering voting for Ron Paul, please do research, you will not find a more honest, truthful, and conviction bound person who loves this great nation than Ron Paul.

Independent in IA   January 11th, 2008 7:02 am ET

Ron Paul may or may not be a racist. I don't really care what he espouses.

The fact that he lent his name to the publication vilifies him beyond repair, and his angry and destructive rhetoric does little but stamp him as a total looney-tune. That he embraces the Libertarian doctrine whole-heartedly says volumes about his mental competence.

RP   January 11th, 2008 5:38 am ET

Phil in Memphis, as soon as Ron Paul found out that people were writing bad things under his name he fired them and issued an apology. Let me ask you this. In last nights debate McCain said that he doesn't want to talk or trade with Al Qaeda because they only want to sell Burqas and Thompson said that if the patrol boats had gotten any closer to that they would be sent to the virgins that they always talk about. These are obvious wise cracks about the Muslim religion. So tell me, who is the real racist? Ron Paul has a solid voting record for 30 years that is the complete opposite of what was written in the newsletters. If you can't understand that then YOU are truly the person with his head in the sand. Huckabee talked about causing Iran to see the gates of hell. I agree that Iran has a crummy government, but the people of Iran are not all bad. They are innocent people just like us Americans. So if we hate the Iranian government, we should kill thousands of Iranian people? Isn't that the same thing Al Qaeda did on 9/11. They hate the American government so they killed innocent American people? Your view of foreign policy and the other republican candidates view is not much different than Bin Laden's.

n   January 11th, 2008 5:14 am ET

ddsf

Chris in Silicon Valley   January 11th, 2008 5:03 am ET

Folks on this blog can argue & argue, but how many are willing to look him up, listen to his ideas, and evaluate this?

George, Billerica, Mass.   January 11th, 2008 3:46 am ET

He may not consider himself racist today, but if he truly objected to this stuff back then, he could have, should have, and certainly had every legal right to have his name removed from the newsletters or have the editors and/or writers replaced. That he did not do any of those things at the time speaks volumes.
There is no media or electoral conspiracy against Rep. Paul. All the candidates who polled in single digits got less attention than the others. He has participated in debates, has been interviewed frequently, has had phenomenal fundraising which got lots of press attention, and he gets about 10% of the votes.
If he and his supporters really believed there was a national movement toward libertarianism, then stop using the Republican Party as the vehicle for it and focus your efforts on creating a viable Libertarian Party. I'll believe candidates are truly libertarian when they stop putting an "R" next to their names.

yeah man   January 11th, 2008 3:11 am ET

Discredit the man and kill his ideas. The founding fathers were the most brilliant men of their era and their words are timeless wisdom. Of course with a corporate controlled government those words are a threat to order.

Bukky, Balt MD,
"order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks."
I hate to say it but that was a fact, everyone in LA seen it. The only thing most of the rioters were illegal aliens not blacks. View the footage if you don't believe it.
Not that Dr Paul wrote that useless racial attack on blacks.

Jm, LA Ca.

Charles   January 11th, 2008 2:33 am ET

Regarding Memphis Paul's comment; Ron Paul's twenty year history in congress as well as his countless speeches and comments show him to be anything but racist. He has answered the questions relating to these controversial published comments many times. People in Texas believe him. I believe him, and more importantly, I believe in him. I researched his congressional voting and somments. Everything I have found show Ron to be colorblind in his actions and beliefs. He is a true representative and a true American Patriot.
As far as his being just another Republican…I don't think so. Ron is an enigma. We are witnessing attack after attack on Ron by "fellow" Repunlicans and corrupt main stream media. Why? Because he is a Libertarian at heart. Ron Paul threatens all the ill gotten gains they've worked a century to steal from the American people. The Republicans do not want to lose their power. The Republicans do not want give back the LIBERTY they have stolen from you and I, especially the Patriot Act. Do you honestly realize what Bush/Cheney and his ilk have done to the American People? So, in truth, Ron is a Libertarian and a REAL Republican. I hope he runs as a Libertarian. The Neocon Republican base will not allow Ron Paul to get the nomination. He is not part of the "Big Club"; (Youtube search:"George Carlin-The American Dream"). .
The U.S. Constitution is not an archaic historical relic. It is an amazingly well thought out idea for this country. This document has been chipped away at and ignored with grave consequences beginning approximately one hundred years ago. President Eisenhower, a Republican, warned us all about the shadow government and the military industrial complex. In my eyes, Ike was the last decent Republican President we've had. I do not like any of the Republican candidates, except one. I trust none of them, except one. And the candidate I trust will not get the Republican nomination.Not with powerful & corrupt media like fox news and now the same bastard who owns fox and my space , just bought the Wall Street Journal.
These evil entities have taken over our country. Only Ron Paul can put a stop to it, and give this country back to, "We the People" Please, research this man. He is a good and honest man. I have not voted in the last four elections, I have given up. I am cynical. I discovered Ron Paul in the first debate. I asked, who is this guy…I researched him..He Is the REAL DEAL! A true representative of the people AND the U.S. Constitution.> So, please Paul,research Ron Paul, I feel you will be a believer. He is our last hope.

Steven Bengtson Sr.   January 11th, 2008 2:20 am ET

Bummer about Bill Richardson, he has a lot to offer! I hope he stays involved with national politics, I value his experience. We would all benefit if he becomes involved in the Clinton Administration.

Daniel   January 11th, 2008 1:53 am ET

Republicans are all so full of crap. America this, America that, but only if your a W.A.S.P.

jeremy   January 11th, 2008 1:52 am ET

We are entering a very interesting era. Ron Paul may very well not win this nomination or election, however, his polictial stance may very well light up many of this generation who are sick of the same old "4 more years" garbage.

In the long run these comments will make little difference either way. If the younger political base become more energized about making this country better and takes up the flag that Ron Paul will leave us; then it is quite possible that in the next 20 year there could be a huge libertarian swing, creating a 3-party system and a return to the founding ideals of the nation.

Obviously, Ron Paul wants to win this election. These comments are old and if they don't reflect his point of view, then it really should matter if he knew about them or not. Of course, its up to everyone to determine for themselves exactly what they beleived happened, which creates room for doubt and is therefore the basis for political attacks.

It would be great to see Ron Paul win, but I think his compaign is a well-thought, well-timed complex move to invoke intelligent thought among today's younger voters and to open the path to change in the relatively near future.

Of course, you are free to view these comments as a way to stop thinking and vote for whomever the media deems best.

Dale Davis, Glendora, California   January 11th, 2008 1:14 am ET

THE RON PAUL SUPPORTERS ARE EQUALLY AS CREEPY. I MEAN REAL SCARY.

Steven Bengtson Sr.   January 11th, 2008 12:42 am ET

Too bad they think there is not an issue, would Mr. Paul be responsible as president for the actions of the justice Dept. or would he tell us he is not sure who they are?

Mrs. America   January 11th, 2008 12:34 am ET

And Larry Craig is not gay. What are we to believe anymore?

SAM, Raleigh, NC   January 11th, 2008 12:15 am ET

I don't see why CNN is doing this unless Ron Paul has a bigger chance then they will admit.

M, Jacksonville, FL   January 10th, 2008 11:54 pm ET

People you make me sick, you buy into something with the tagline "racist" without even researching, yet when the "first-tier" candidates make some of the dumbest comments known to man you ignore them as they didn't happen. Here's the point you idiots (yeah I hate political correctness, let;s be honest you really are idiots! You know who you are…) if you want to move down the path of socialism go ahead and vote for a democrat this year. If you enjoy allowing the government to take away your personal freedoms then by all means support Rom-ucke-cain-son. BUT, when you have to spend $15,000 to buy a Big-mac and gas is $50,000 a gallon do not even start crying about what has happened because you caused it. American is home of the truly ignorant these days, I am ashamed! By the way Huck-ster, the Founding Fathers were not all clergyman (another idiot, Jefferson and Franklin were Diests so they did not believe in the Divinity of Jesus.) and McCain you probably wouldn't have got shot down had you not been in Vietnam in the first place (another idiot, let's fear Communism then take steps to get as close as possible to it by increasing the size of our Federal Government). G-man I could care less what emotions you had on 9/11. I was shocked, now I understand why it happened and if you don't then you are another idiot. People wake up, I typically give people the benefit of the doubt when they choose candidates, but if you don't support Ron Paul's stances then you need to hand in your voter registration cards. Have a nice day folks, oh and CCN be happy that I don't control the FCC because you, MSNB…. and F0X would be off the air for taking part in fraud, slander and defamation of character. Peace out idiots!

Brent, Gulfport MS   January 10th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

Phil from Memphis, TN:

Please quit trying to smear those on the other side of the aisle simply because their political viewpoints differ from yours. I'm as sick of hearing from ignorant people "You're a Republican, so you must be a heartless racist" as I'm sure you are of hearing "You're a Democrat, you must hate America and love terrorists" or "You're a waffling, indecisive Independent," whichever the case may be.

The point I'm trying to make is that to say that your statement that every Republican has a skeleton in his or her closet is every bit as ignorant as if I were to say the same thing about the other party. Fact is that just as many Democrats as Republicans, both currently seated and past, have skeletons in their closets. I can get specific if you need me to, but that'd just be more mudslinging, and I'm not interested in that.

What we need is to quit hating those whose ideology differs from ours. Our differences make us stronger, until we turn them into attacks. Then they destroy us.

Tim, Mn   January 10th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

Karl Rove

Fanner 50   January 10th, 2008 11:20 pm ET

Man the decks! Here come the NEOCON SWIFT BOATS out to attack any one that might alter the numbers or Agenda they want..Their torpedoes are lies and slander.Its strange the Captain of the crew comes out of the wood work the same day,the biggest LIAR OF ALL CARL ROVE.

Walt, Belton, TX   January 10th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

Sounds like the mormon ex-governor and Huckleberry have hired some of Hillary's henchmen to do their dirty work! Slick Willie was pretty good at that stuff, I wonder……………………………………………

Seam, Philly, Pa   January 10th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

I know you Paul supporters hate the fact that CNN took issue with this at such a "timely" manner, but you can't just expect people to brush it to the side. Paul has to explain.

Seam, Philly, Pa   January 10th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

The fact of the matter is that his name is on the article. Whether he wrote it or not, he is still responsible. When will Paul stand up and take ownership, and provide an apology? There is no excuse for him not knowing what was written, or who wrote it, especially with his name tied to it. I don't think he should be accused of being a racist; however, he needs to explain a lot more. He can't just brush this aside as a non-issue.

Phil Memphis, TN   January 10th, 2008 10:35 pm ET

OK, I'll try this one more time. First, CNN did not report this first. It was all over the liberal talk radio shows yesterday and before. 2nd, these newsletters were written over many years (over 10) so it wasn't one unedited newsletter that was retracted the next month. 3rd, we hold candidates responsible for knowing what is in their commercials and what their staff do, but Paul supporters don;t think we should hold him responsible for a newsletter he sponsored, in his name, for over 10 years that supposedly espoused his views and beliefs. It slandered blacks on numerous occasions, and made thinly veiled references about Jews at other times.

Finally, when did the Ron Paul campaign ever get a foothold? He had no chance of being elected before this was put out and still has no chance afterwards.

Dan   January 10th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

Amazing to me how this becomes news. It is news and political foder that Ron Paul is a "racist", Mitt Romney is a Morman. These stories are the media's way of controlling the election. They have not reported on Obama's own form of "reverse racism" by religion. His religion is more of a question mark for this Democrat than those afore mentioned. If you visit the website for the church which Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting.

If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. This guy desires to lead America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa! I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers.

To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary.

This is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to: http://www.tucc.org/about.htm

If you choose not to post this blog, please check the validity and report on the facts of Obama's religion and racism as you would other "candidates" for the presidency of the greatest nation of the world.

Jonathan Davis   January 10th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

Why don't you show the newsletter in it's entirety. When I see excerpts superimposed over a blurred image of the newsletter, I have got to wonder why the reporter doesn't want me to see the whole thing. Am I a child? Do I need to have the highlighted version? How can any of you comment on this with no real evidence of anything?

Dave   January 10th, 2008 9:37 pm ET

The preceding article was brought to you by:

F O X

VCV, Bowdoin, ME   January 10th, 2008 9:36 pm ET

Ron Paul supporters will never be happy unless Paul is on the news 24 hours a day. He gets an appropriate amount of media coverage given his ranking in the polls. Quit acting like spoiled children and spamming the Ticker simply because a post about Bill Richardson doesnt reference Ron Paul in every sentence. Its ok to support Paul, just dont cram his name into every hole out there on the internet.

Dan   January 10th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

No surprise here. All the pro-establishment (Republicans AND Democrats) sheep line up to take shots at the man who truly believes in the Constitution, individual liberty, and a free America.

Take a good hard look in the mirror if you want to see the real threat to the United States. It's not the left-wing socialists or the neocons - it's you. The same mindless sheep that vote them into power for "bread and security."

Americans have learned nothing from history.

aa   January 10th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

I don't get the Paul supporters. Mike Huckabee faced the heat for his part in the release of a serial rapist and Rudy Giuliani faced heat for his ties to Kerik. What's the difference? Is CNN or the media out to get them too?

The fact is: Ron Paul's oversights, like Mike's and Rudy's, ARE newsworthy.

There is no plot. There is no conspiracy.

Get over it. Do your damage control and get on with your campaign, as have Huckabee and Giuliani. Stop whining. Stop tossing up "it's a conspiracy" foolishness when in reality the problem with Paul's campaign is that most people don't embrace his ideas. Period.

Have the honesty your candidate has. Ask Paul and he'll tell you that he WISHES the public would embrace his ideas but he realizes many don't. Ron Paul knows and tells the truth about his candidacy. He KNOWS he doesn't have popular support, nor votes to go with it.

Unlike his supporters, Ron Paul IS honest about why his candidacy trails.

Jason   January 10th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

Tell me this: If Ron Paul is such a racist, than why is he the only candidate who opposes the racist War on Drugs which systematically hurts blacks?

This stuff only really works if you're a frontrunner, which Paul isn't. It would hurt Giuliani or McCain or Romney worse.

Secondly, if any of this were true, than where are the people ready to make that claim? Where are the people who are trying to capitalize on the guy ready to admit they've heard him say racist things?

It's all a hitpiece that came out the day of the primary in New Hampshire because there are some mainstream, status quo people out there who were afraid of his message. He's resonating with a lot of people, and with Thompson not doing well in South Carolina, there is still a shot that Paul can make a mark in the south with those conservative voters.

Nate   January 10th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

When people say they are black/white/hispanic or whatever race or ethnicity they may be, it doesn't add any weight to your argument. Frankly, who cares what race you are–make your point, and if it's good we'll acknowledge it.

David-Paul Niner   January 10th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Last evening I was watching one of CNN's roundtable discussions. Anderson Cooper, Jack Cafferty, and Wolf Blitzer were present along with at least three other pundits.

Someone (maybe AC, maybe one of the pundits) posed the questions (I'm paraphrasing here: "With the race being so condensed does anyone notice that we're not really reporting on the candidate's positions…but more on personal issues."

Almost immediately Jack Cafferty responded (and I don't know whether this was intended to be heard, because he said it in a low voice) "well, that's partly our fault."

So even the commentators themselves are aware of how trivial this campaign coverage has become. Very interesting confession.

I do give Wolf some credit for allowing Dr. Paul to have his say this evening; he deserved at least that much. Dr. Paul was angry, and with good reason, and did a fine job of defending his integrity. I feel that both he and Richardson have a tremendous amount of class, and both have handled themselves very well recently.

Evan   January 10th, 2008 9:15 pm ET

I wouldn't be surprised if the newsletters were being rehashed by the Romney campaign. It's the only way they can stop Ron Paul's momentum because apparently his money and good hair can't.

The media refuses to allow this guy air time to get an intelligent argument out there to be debated. Know why? If he did that, all the pundits who picked Obama to win in New Hampshire would be out of a job.

Go figure…

Derek   January 10th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Anyone who thinks that CNN 'only' just found out about these papers is a fool. They knew about they a long time ago and waited until the perfect moment.

Jose Card - Independent   January 10th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

Now Ron Paul got some people really worried and here comes the smear.
Dr. Paul is making history, which makes the establishments very uncomfortable.
This is understandable.

But this is our chance for real, I mean REAL CHANGE for the better.

Tyler Andrews, GA   January 10th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

This is disgusting. Who does David Gergen think he is? This guy should be thrown out for implying that we "need to get to the bottom of this". David - this is TRASH! You want to get to the bottom of it, you go right ahead. Don't be surprised when you get your hands dirty and sully the good name of a good person. When/if that day comes you better give a hearty apology.

Anyone who knows Dr. Paul and has seen him in public knows that he is not racist. This is a smear campaign. End of story.

WeTheSheeple   January 10th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

Nicely timed hit piece and one of the few times CNN has even mentioned Ron Paul in their "Political Ticker". Not to mention Fox News is now inviting him to the debate tonight now that they have something to slander him with after barring him from the previous debate.

Ron Paul defended himself well enough on Wolf Blitzer's Situation Room today. Correctly pointing out that these newsletter comments do not match his writing, character or his well documented philosophy in any way. Anybody that has been paying attention to Ron Paul knows that he doesn't have a racist bone in his body. This is the establishment destroying a real man of integrity and people wonder why we only ever end up with corrupt sleazebags in office. Why is it that the good leaders are the one's that end up being assassinated by a loner with a gun or character assassinated by a smear campaign?

His entire libertarian philosophy is staunchly anti-bigotry. He has always been the most humble, honest and polite candidate never stooping to the lows of personal attacks like the others. Never laughing in the background while another candidate states his opinion.

He is firmly against the "War on Drugs" which is a truly racist system. Throwing minorities into prison for an addiction problem? How civilized.

He is firmly against the "War in Iraq" which is a truly racist invasion of a Muslim nation that had nothing to do with terrorism or national security.

Meanwhile, the media hypes the war and never addresses the real inequality in America today. Yet they have the gall to associate Ron Paul with racism.

Disgusting.

Amanda Kay   January 10th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

What's really amazing about this story is not what was written, but how long ago it was. Ron Paul is not a racist. He made a mistake by not having someone he trusted oversee those newsletters. However, ALL the canidates have made some slip of the tounge ON CAMERA. There is no proof that Ron Paul said those things, none at all. You have Romney call Obama, Osama several times. You have Huckabee saying AIDS patients need to be quarantined… No one is perfect. If we never move forward in this country, we will never return to greatness. Watch Ron Paul defend himself to Wolf Blitzer, his passion is overwhelming. If you can not respect that, they you yourself are small minded, not Ron Paul.

GO RON PAUL!!!

Joe, SoCal   January 10th, 2008 8:37 pm ET

Ron Paul is a loser, and good for America that most people, except these wacko Ron Paul bots, don't take him seriously.

Rafi, NY NY   January 10th, 2008 8:37 pm ET

Ron Paul "really won" in New Hampshire?

Come on. Support is one thing; blind, truth-denying, cult-like fanaticism is something entirely different.

Bill Culver, Covington,LA   January 10th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

As much as I hated to I was going to vote for Ron Paul, but now that I find he did not write the comments I have to find another candidate. What a waste

JK   January 10th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

No surprise here. As soon as his campaign started getting a foothold, the political assassins would be coming out of the woodwork. If it hadn't been this, it would've been something else, or they would have started in on his age, or found some other way to dean scream him out of the way.

Let's face it - the corporations that run this country just will not stand for a Ron Paul presidency. Pull all the troops out of Iraq and take away their meal ticket? Not a chance. Eliminate all these do-nothing bureaucracies sponging our tax dollars and make all in them look for real jobs? Dream on.

So now, Paul will go from the guy warning us about our fiscal and foreign policy Hindenburgs to the guy having to spend all his airtime defending himself against a bunch of ghost-written newsletters made over a dozen years ago. Priorities and all that.

Now we can go back to our regularly scheduled programming, where we choose the democrat most likely to spend us into oblivion and the republican most likely to turn the hornets nest in the middle east into a mushroom cloud and then wonder aloud where all the worthy leaders have gone right before we exercise our right to the evil of two lessers.

CensoredByCNN, Roxboro, NC   January 10th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

I for one am sick of voting the most likely winning candidate in the party of my choosing. It typically is simply the lesser of two evils. This time, I'm voting my conscience whether I think my guy has a chance of winning or not. At least that way I'll feel like less of a fool.

BTW,,,Ron Paul is the only candidate who thinks the Constitution is to be followed and honored.

J P   January 10th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

Sadly enough, this is the best thing that has happened to paul. With his face on page one of cnn.com he finally received some decent coverage.

And everyone knows that he is not racist. He is the opposite of racist, fighting for the every individual.

It's not hard to believe that he had no idea these comments were made under the name of his newsletter. It happened while he was a practicing doctor and on a busy schedule giving speeches. He even owned up to the fact that he should have more carefully watched them.

A real man owns up to his mistakes, and Ron Paul is 10x more a man (or respectable person, as not to be sexist against Hillary) than any other candidate.

Melanie   January 10th, 2008 8:09 pm ET

Old news, and he denounced this sooooo long ago. Fired the ghostwriter/staffer who ACTUALLY wrote it and started writing his own personal letters to avoid that happening EVER again.
Oh, a presidential candidate who can actually learn from his past mistakes. Not like the lot that is up there now. I guess that means that the mainstream IS starting to sweat it. Bad press is still press.

curtis in WI   January 10th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

We'll soon know one way or another if this is a real newsletter of his or not. You can be sure his staff, his supporters and every reporter out there is looking for archived copies from another source to compare and contrast. The truth will come out and soon.

It could be an attempt at a smear job - but why? He's no threat to anyone. Yes, he has been getting some money and gaining some support but not enough to be a viable candidate. And frankly - he's got some way out ideas that make that unlikely to change.

chaos45i   January 10th, 2008 8:06 pm ET

Thats nothing concrete if you are looking for proof racism look no further than Illinois and Barack Obama.

This is the basic text of a letter that I faxed today to Senators Harry Reid and John Kerry after hearing about his endorsement.

Notice, January 10, 2008
Regardless of the fact you US Senator Harry Reid are a longtime friend of IL US Senator Dick Durbin(as reported in the public domain). A record exists that shows you US Senator Harry Reid and you US Senator John Kerry in August 2006 were made aware by me,————-, that presidential candidate/Illinois US Senator Barack Obama and co-chair Obama 2008/ Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin had been placed on prior formal written notice that when I a Hispanic American citizen reported incidents of race discrimination towards me by Hormel foods Corp., UFCW, and Target Corp. the agencies the Illinois Department of human rights and the equal out employment opportunity commission(for instance, but not limited to) refused and are still refusing (even to this date) to afford me, a US American-born Hispanic citizen from the state of Illinois, the same full and equal protections under title VII, initially attempted to dissuade me from filing, continues to treat me in a clear biased, unequal, and discriminatory manner, is to this date continuing to cover up their misconduct, and intentionally misrepresenting what are the known true set of facts and circumstances in my particular situation. There can be no dispute that my civil rights are continuing to be violated, because I happen to be Hispanic. When non-Hispanics are allowed to assert race discrimination unimpeded. And todayyou US Senator Jhon Kerry endorsed presidential candidate/Illinois US Senator Barack Obama. I listened to your speech Mr. Kerry. You have made your discriminatory position on what is happening to me right now inIllinois abundantly clear. Unless you US Senator John Kerry, since you have full knowledge and understanding of my particular situation, pull your endorsement for presidential candidate Barack Obama. Immediately, you will be just as accountable & Guilty of racism against Hispanicssuch as myself in Illinois and elsewhere in this country. And to you US Senator Harry Reid I ask that you put aside your friendship/loyalty to anyone such as co-chair Obama 2008/ IL, US Senator Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate to in fact investigate this clear & ongoing race discrimination against Hispanics/Latinos in the state of Illinois and finally do your job. You US Senator John Kerry should be exposing this racism right now so other US Senator colleagues will not be able to sell out Hispanics/Latinos. As you have in this election. This is a demand that no US Senator be allowed to endorse US Senator Barack Obama for the most important office in the US, unless they are first made aware of my particular situation. And that an endorsement for presidential candidate Barack Obama such as yours, US Senator John Kerry would be condoning this form of racism.
—————-

Chaos45i in Illinois

Tom   January 10th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Ron Paul supporters are always begging for attention. This is what increased attention brings, and if you can't take the heat, go back to Texas.

Ed,Ellenville,New York   January 10th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Ron Paul's message is foreign policy and economics. Even if these allegations are true,it's not really relevant because his socially conservative views are bigotry in their own right. At least he's willing to discuss the crumbling dollar. The rest of the republicans think the entire world uses our dollars.

Eric   January 10th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Ron Paul is the best candidate on EITHER side of the political fence right now.

He has the best platform and will make the United States respectable again, as President.

I hope he will continue his campaign, and do very well in the upcoming primaries!

This whole "newsletter" nonsense is political hackery at its worst. Are we far from someone pinning the presence of trans-fats in McCain SuperFries on a certain namesake Arizona senator ???

Jerry, LA, CA   January 10th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Bye bye Ron Paul…

Stephen   January 10th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

The truth will set us free.

Ron Paul = 100.0% Hot Air

CS   January 10th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Ron Paul, whether you agree with him or not, is a gentleman and a patriot. This is simply not his style. He is not my candidate, but i agree with Freda.

CMS, SoCal   January 10th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

Buh-Bye.

MIke Dickson   January 10th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Give me a break!!! Every candidate says that we can all be good little slaves to the wonderful nanny state…..except Ron Paul. So Ron Paul gets attacked. I heard someone say it well. If you have a good argument, pound the argument. If you don't have a good argument, pound the table. This is pounding the table. The media and the weak attack but do not argue substance. They only attempt to smear. I cannot stomach another presidential primary or race choosing the lesser of two evils. There are two world philosophies. You can tell where your candidate stands by their actions and words. 1) Government is a force for good, therefore when I get into office I will force everyone to do what I think is good. This requires smugness, condescension and elitism. (Huckabee, Rudy, McCain, Fred, Romni, Clinton, Obama, Edwards) 2) Government is a tool of restraint, ie. restrain evil. You the individual alone or in coordination with others freely choose to be charitable and meet needs. This requires humility. (Ron Paul). Some hide behind a bible which is shameful and manipulative while others hide behind bravado which is incensing. Ron Paul stands behind the truth. All men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Will you stand!?

Anonymous   January 10th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

I recall watching the news and hearing blacks calling them "paychecks."

Duncan, Richmond, VA   January 10th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

"even if he didn't write it, it's hard to believe that it went on for so long under his name and he had no idea"

You really think he knows everything that is written about him or even under his name? Bush says he does not even watch TV or read news papers. How would he know when something is published.

fred-tn   January 10th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

Get online for yourself to see and hear what Ron Paul has to say. His message is one of hope and guided by the the constitution. This is not radical philosophy, only authentic patrioticism. Ron Paul's message demonstrates a commitment to the people, rather than the current system which freely spends trillions of dollars fighting a host of never-ending wars that promote so many disastrous economic policies while ignoring the basic needs of its citizens, like healthcare.

Our country needs to pull out the history books and retrace our steps to a time when the constitution and liberty for all still existed. As citizens we have been asleep at the wheel for many decades. Thanks to Ron, many are starting to awaken.

Ron Paul inspires so many with his authenticity and integrity. This is a trait that is so lacking among the other Republican candidates.

Don't let them stop us now!

justwonderin   January 10th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

Odd how this reporter doesn't bother to interview Ron Paul or check his website. I'm afraid Paul's popular message threaten the powers that be and the media does as they're told.
It appears the media are also not to report on possible voter fraud in New Hampshire that distorted the outcome of the primary on January 8. There is clearly some funny business going on.

K-Romeo   January 10th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

If you havebeen apart of the past, you havebeen apart of the problem. The change we need isn't that of a black president but and honest president with new ideas and visions, and that candidate is, Obama. I would be ashame if I was Hillary or any of the other candidates to say they have experiece and have served time in the office making changes. What I'm trying to say is, look at our world today and were it stands, and listen to the candidates bragging about being apart of bringing it to this place. A lot of people just don't get it, especially the other candidates. If Obama was white or any other race I would support him for his belief, his vision, and most important of all, his inexperience. I really wouldn't support him if he had the kind of experience that have our country in the state its in today. New ideas, new visions is what we need and if a white, black, mexican or other can bring this about, I'm all for him. K-Romeo Southfield MI

Jason W in Memphis   January 10th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

I so appreciated the interview I viewed with Ron Paul this afternoon. You allowed him to respond to these concerns and affirmed his character rationally. Ron Paul has cured my political apathy and CNN news is on its way to cure me of my television apathy. I appreciate your increased coverage of candidates typically marginalized by television media.

Jayson   January 10th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Come on now he isn't responsible for checking whether or not the KKK wrote him campaign checks so why would he bother checking to see what was printed involving his name.

Thomas I would suggest you start dreaming. Between his extreme isolationist views and his views on the Civil War he has proven himself to have too many extreme right wing conservative views. Plus I don't think how he though running as Republican candidate would do to improve his piss poor support this time around in the vote for the next president. He doesn't even have the same name recognition as Ross Perot even though this isn't his first run at the White House.

S. Wright   January 10th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

Look, Mr. Todd, I know that Rep. Paul is nuts, but you must think I'm nuts to believe this crap you consider news.

I'm supposed to believe the following: you recently got this stuff, you don't know who sent it, or who wrote it, but I should attribute that Rep. Paul signs on to this nonsense because it is under his letterhead. And by some form of mystical osmosis, I'm supposed to believe that there is any shred of credibility to your story.

This is the kind of "news" that isn't so. Kinda like what Reagan said about liberals and ignorance.

Look it up, Mr. Todd. Do some research for once.

Savanah   January 10th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Mike shut the hell up!! Why would you try to sugarcoat such racist slurs? You are a slimeball just like Republican ass Ron Paul. Instead of writing on paper and on a website, why don't you and him try saying these things in somebody's face!

Jeff   January 10th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Does a piece of the truth matter less because it is old? If there is something that should be reported which allows us to question the motives and opinions of a candidate whether they are doing well or poorly should be shared with the electorate. While this may not be favorable to the many internet constituents of Ron Paul doesn't mean it isn't relevant and newsworthy. This isn't an unnamed source throwing dirt this was a publication created for Ron Paul by his own staff with his approval, it is in fact news.

Adolf H.   January 10th, 2008 7:19 pm ET

Ron Paul is a source of inspiration to us all. Paul/Duke '08

Seekster   January 10th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Hmm I never really liked Paul, but im not buying this stuff. Paul has never struck me as a racists, a nut and a appeaser yes but not as a racist. This is somebody kicking a dead horse.

Gedwards   January 10th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

You've got to be kidding me! There is no way this is real. No politician is stupid enough to do that anywhere. Anyone could have made that and put Paul's name on it.

I give props to whoever did this. This is an old school smear campain!

Richard   January 10th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Most of Ron Paul's supporters could care less about the racism in the newsletters. They'll just attack the report as a "political hit piece" and totally ignore the content of the articles.

Do you guys honestly expect me to believe that Ron Paul wasn't aware of a newsletter that he himself started?

jim   January 10th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

people get real!!!! if this is the worst you can do to ron, im amazed.you can trash talk him all you want, thats not going to change the fact that he is the number one person for the job. people he will free us of the over whelming government, that does nothing but supress its people. this man is our answer to a real free America

DAVID MARTINEZ   January 10th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Hey, I was seriously thinking of voting for this guy….I won't be now.

Mike   January 10th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

Anybody who believes Ron Paul actually wrote this does not know who Ron Paul is. He is a libertarian, and thus believes that the individual takes precedence over the collective, and as Ron Paul has explained, racism and sexism are forms of collectivism, which imply that people have rights because they belong to specific groups. If you want proof, look no further than his voting record from his 10 terms in congress, where he has maintained the exact same message of freedom and liberty for the individual. These articles are completely off base and out of character. Ron Paul did not write those articles.

George   January 10th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

All you have to do is read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul and you will know Ron Paul is an impressive, kind, and honest man. He was always involved as a congressman, but that sloppy newsletter happened while he was out of office. He was in his own private practice at the time and clearly not looking out for his political career. The difference between Paul and the rest of them is that he CAN do something else as a career, he doesn't need to be a politician and leech off US citizens.

Aaron Smithsburg, Maryland   January 10th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

The animals are coming? What's racist about that? If you rob and steal and cause mayhem in society, your an uncivilized animals that should be euthanized or kept in a zoo. A majority of inner city violence is perpetrated by black males, that's a fact. It is your duty as a citizen in a supposed free country to protect your life, liberty, and prosperity. These far left and right whackos that preach anti-gun propaganda are all either scared of a free country, or openly support a police state, authoritarian government like Israel. I personally assume my responsibility as a private citizen to protect my property, I don't need a security camera in my living room linked to a local police department, just in case something bad happens. Why do you think the black communities have so much violence? They take care of their own problems and they don't like cops. I can't blame them. If this piece isn't a distorted hunk of zionist propaganda crap I don't know what is. The New World Order always keeps us down this way. It's not black and white, it's haves and have nots. We are being overrun by a corporate surveillance apparatus, that is jackbooting it's way into popular culture and is already considered a social norm through media conditioning. S.W.A.T. teams dressed in all black with ski mask and machine guns at sports events and political rallies is not normal and it's not American. If your a cop reading this: Quit your job, become an EMT or a firefighter you are doing your country a disservice because of who and what your protecting.

Ken, Suitland MD   January 10th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Oh no! The wing-nuts who'd like to hide from their Bush votes by supporting the fake "I'm for change" candidate R. Paul, really have to run for cover now. The secret's out….most of the wing-nut elite are racists.

What made you kooky supporters think Paul's kooky past wasn't going to come out? You and your candidate are no different that the Bushies; you hide your head in the sand, and everything that goes wrong for you is blamed on the media/dems/hollywood/europe/trial lawyers…….anybody but you, right? This from the party of personal responsibility! You are pathetic.

Bill   January 10th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

He already apologized for the comments years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_paul#.22Ron_Paul_Report.22_newsletter_controversy

Chris   January 10th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

You dig this garbage up yet fail to report on all of the "mistakes" made in New Hampshire and Iowa. CNN is starting to resemble FOX. MSM as well as our Industrial War Machine must really fear Mr. Paul and the good he could do for our country.

Mike - Phoenix, AZ   January 10th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

This is pretty weak on CNN's part…

This has been resolved for YEARS.

Sam   January 10th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

"Ron Paul really won New Hampshire, but the MSM is working along with others to rig the election."
————————-

People, get a grip.

Steve   January 10th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Urging people to know how to use a gun…. yet he doesnt own any. Yeah "of course" he wrote that. Obvious hit piece people. Nothing to see here….seriously. Nothing in any video or verbal recording to back any of that article up -at all. So duh. An obvious "smear now and retract it weeks later on page 15B". Whatever.

Jason, Chicago, IL   January 10th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

This is so sad to me. I was a huge Ron Paul supporter and contributor to his campaign. In my research I saw one mention of Paul being a racist but I wrote it off as random, unsubstantiated ramblings. Boy was I wrong.

I still love his message, but there is no way he didn't know about the writings. He may not of written these things, but he had to know of their existence published under his name and that makes it the same thing. Not to mention the fact that he profited from the newsletters. These writings might help explain why some of his supporters are supremacists and fringe groups.

As irony would have it, the day this story got released the Ron Paul shirt I bought from his campaign was shipped. I just picked it up today. What a waste of money.

Walter   January 10th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Ron Paul's response today was strong. He took moral responsibility for such nonsense being in a newsletter with his name on it, and at the same time clearly explained his ideas on race and racism in America. Even Wolf admitted that those words don't sound like the Ron Paul he knows. Paul pointed out that never has he been caught or seen saying anything like that garbage. The reason is that he doesn't say, and more importantly, doesn't support or hold such ideas.

He had some idea that some such nonsense was printed in the newsletters and he had addressed the issue in his district before, as he pointed out, no one there believed because it has no merit. He did say some of the specifics of what was written was new to him. That what exactly was written, verbatim, he didn't know isn't in the least surprising.

In the end, Rep. Ron Paul is, categorically, not a racist. He explained this quite clearly. Racism is a form of Collectivism, that is, of grouping people by some sort trait, economic status, or some such thing. As a libertarian republican these two views are incompatible. Libertarian-Republicanism does not treat/deal with people as groups but as individuals, thus, a libertarian-republican can not be a racist.

Bill   January 10th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Such comments represent the perspectives of many Americans who are afraid to express them for fear of being labled "racist" or some other epithet from the political correctness chefs.

RM   January 10th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

The truth is irrelevant. The point is to affect the vote. If people keep screaming 'racism' eventually the voters will believe it.

Personally, I'd rather have a racist (not really, but for arguements sake) than someone who has, or is willing to, kill hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis for their OIL. Think about THAT.

John   January 10th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

Mr Wells - are you serious? Can you please start ranting about the Loch Ness Monster and Yeti while you're going on about conspiracy. Please, it would make my entire lifetime. And yes, the rest of the country will go on ignoring "Dr." Paul, thank you for your permission. :-) (All in jest my friend - free speech lives on)

Bukky, Balt MD   January 10th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

"The controversial newsletters include rants against the Israeli lobby, gays, AIDS victims and Martin Luther King Jr. — described as a "pro-Communist philanderer." One newsletter, from June 1992, right after the LA riots, says "order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks."

Another says, "The criminals who terrorize our cities — in riots and on every non-riot day — are not exclusively young black males, but they largely are. As children, they are trained to hate whites, to believe that white oppression is responsible for all black ills, to 'fight the power,' to steal and loot as much money from the white enemy as possible."

Wow how do you not know that this is what is being attributed to you!!! The fact that he's think "its not big deal because I didn't write it " is shocking.

Also this is not the first report of things like this from Ron Paul. A few weeks ago there was an article on here about him taking donations from White Supremecists

G   January 10th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

DON'T YOU USUALLY VERIFY YOUR INFORMATION OFF THE AIR?
YOU SMEARED RON PAUL'S NAME FOR THE ENTIRE HOUR ONLY
TO ASK HIM *IF* IT'S HIS WORDS. THE ELECTION IS RIGGED FOLKS.
THE U.S. MILITARY IS BEING USED AS MERCENARIES FOR ISRAEL.
THE ESTABLISHMENT WILL NOT ALLOW AN ANTI-WAR CANDIDATE
TO WIN THE ELECTION OR THE NOMINATION. BOYCOTT!!

Lorenz, Queens, NY   January 10th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

January 8, 2008

Today, as New Hampshire voters headed to the polls, The New Republic published an article carefully timed to hurt Ron Paul.

This article rehashes an old issue of quotations from newsletters published under Dr. Paul's name, but not edited by him. Dr. Paul takes full responsibility, as he has for over a decade, for failing to adequately monitor the words that went out under his name.

You and I know that Dr. Paul's message of freedom is about individual liberty, and that liberty is the best antidote to racism. If anyone has doubts, I would encourage them to read Dr. Paul's issue page on racism.

Dr. Paul's response to the article is posted here. As you would expect, Congressman Paul denounces racism and embraces instead, the hopeful message of freedom — the message he has championed for decades.

Sincerely,

Kent Snyder
Chairman, Ron Paul 2008

Liam   January 10th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

They were his newsletters. Who did he hire to write them, David Duke!. Ron Paul would have you believe that none of his staff or family saw them or mentioned them. Well I do not believe him. I think he is an out and out racist, but should one tend to believe that he did not know what was being send out in his own newsletters then isn't he far to detached and incompetent to be The Chief Executive of a Lemonade Stand, never mind the entire USA!.

Daniel   January 10th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

It's easy to see how he didn't notice these at first. If he wasn't reading/writing this racist material in the first place, it is hard stuff for someone to just "run into". THe only people who would have read things like this would be people with related thoughts or people doing research.

s.positive   January 10th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Guys America is bigger, greater and wiser than this, lets stay focused on the real issue here and that is electing our next leader. The black and white folks will tell you that this is a distraction

Michelle   January 10th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

How is this any different than what Huckabee does about Mormons?

Jeremy   January 10th, 2008 6:27 pm ET

It didn't go on "for so long without him knowing about it". He's known about it since he had to deal with it when he was voted back into the senate. (Yes, it's come out before in the exact same format)

What would be REALLY interesting, is to see who the subscribers were when this stuff was being circulated.

Democrat   January 10th, 2008 6:23 pm ET

I bet he will be dropping out of the race within a few days lol.

Ken King   January 10th, 2008 6:21 pm ET

CNN neglected to mention that not only did Ron Paul denounce these racist writings in the 90's, retractions were issued in the newsletter the following month.

Tucker Carlson had a guest on suggesting that Paul wrote this stuff himself, including calling MLK a gay pedophile.

In some contries the MSM pundits could be sued under libel and defamation laws for this sort of thing.

Anyone who looks into this story for 5 minutes will see that it's actually a non-story.

This is a good example of a political hit piece that lies by omission.

Most trusted name in news eh?

anonymous   January 10th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

I believe these are authentic. What's fishy about these is that Ron Paul or his people didn't know about them. This is an example of an election surprise - wait until October!

Russ   January 10th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

I want some of whatever Thomas Wells is smoking. If Ron Paul can't even be an absentee newsletter manager without having his name used to crack jokes about blacks and welfare checks, how effective a President could he possibly be?

Ron Paul - bad for America.

Ron Paul's supporters - worse for America.

Proud Texan   January 10th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Seems like Ron Paul should be in with the McCain/Huckabee anti-Mormon/anti-black/anti-jew crowd :( …why can't decent people leave others who aren't a spitting image of themselves alone? We are ALL human and we are ALL AMERICANS, and we ALL would like to have equal rights, and an equal voice in OUR country! Vote Romney or Obama in 2008!!! Say NO to bigots!!!

R   January 10th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

Why does this story keep getting rehashed? It has been proven time and again that he did not write any of that. It is not even his writing style.

What ever happened to responsible journalism?

Chris   January 10th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

Ron Paul didn't write these newsletters. He had nothing at all to do with them. Its unfortunate that the super right wing survavilist conservatives took advantage of his successful republican congressional campaigns to promote their bigotry. Ron Paul is an outspoken admirer of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandella, and Rosa Parks. He's the least racist presidential candidate out there!

Darth Vadik, CA   January 10th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

Just because sombody "sounds" different, doesn't mean its a good different.

Different ant terrible at the same time.

Ron Paul shoul belong to the whig party of the 1840's

Freda   January 10th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

I am African American with some Native American heritage. I do not believe Dr. Ron Paul is a racist.

I lived in his district in a suburban neighborhood called Chasewood in Missouri City, Texas, for over ten years and I have nothing but respect for Dr. Ron Paul.

On one occasion, when Dr. Paul was campaigning in my neighborhood, I was outside talking with one of my neighbors and he stopped to hand some campaign literature to us. We talked for at least an hour and he was interested in us.

Later, after the election, I received letters and updates from him. I have a few signed letters from him somewhere. I kept them for probably over thirty years

Phil Memphis, TN   January 10th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

20 years of racist comments under his name that he admits he was aware of but will not even try to explain, but this is a plot against him? Shallow people might believe it? IT IS 20 YEARS OF DOCUMENTED BIGOTRY AND HATRED. people with their heads in the sand might NOT believe it.

Freda   January 10th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

I am African American with some Native American heritage. I do not believe Dr. Ron Paul is a racist.

I lived in his district in a suburban neighborhood called Chasewood in Missouri City, Texas, for over ten years and I have nothing but respect for Dr. Ron Paul.

On one occasion, when Dr. Paul was campaigning in my neighborhood, I was outside talking with one of my neighbors and he stopped to hand some campaign literature to us. We talked for at least an hour and he was interested in us.

Later, after the election, I received letters and updates from him from time to time. I still have a few signed letters from him somewhere.

samuraimohel   January 10th, 2008 6:02 pm ET

This is disturbing stuff

even if he didn't write it, it's hard to believe that it went on for so long under his name and he had no idea

I don't buy that,

Sheila   January 10th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Ron Paul received almost as many votes as Guliani and more votes than Thompson in New Hampshire. Suddenly, and after he was snubbed from participation in the most recent Republican debate, he finally bears mentioning in the news. I believe Ron Paul when he says he didn't endorse these statements and he wasn't aware of them. I do believe him when he says that he has Libertarian beliefs that place all importance on an individual's character rather than his color. Ron Paul is the most patriotic American currently on the ballot for either party. He is the most practical and the most courageous. What he is saying may not have yet captured the attention of all Americans, but the words he speaks today will hang heavy in the air in the not to distant future when his current proposed platform becomes a national emergency - and it will.

Bill   January 10th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Well you knew it was just a matter of time (with South Carolina and Michigan primaries coming up) that the cheapest shot out of the corporate media arsenal would shoot over the bow of Ron Paul. Tonight's venomous racism blast is ironically the same play made back in the 2000 campaign that Patrick Buchanan had to answer at the alter of big media, just when momentum was building for him too. What's nice about the racist "ordinance" as it doesn't matter what the target does to avoid it, the damage is done. Congratulations !

Robin   January 10th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

True, he has no chance to win. This crap comes from the right wing dirty tricks machine because they want him out. Liberals want him to stay in because he is sucking the fiscally conservative, pro-life, anti-war vote. He's a GOP Nader.

Take it all the way to the mat, Ron Paul! The GOP despises you!

Geoff   January 10th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

You nutbar supporters making us legitimate (many formerly RP) supporters look like cranks really do a great job of campaigning in the worst possible way.

Alexander   January 10th, 2008 5:57