June 10, 2008
Posted: June 10th, 2008 05:23 PM ET

(CNN) - Ron Paul, the Republican presidential candidate who has said he does not plan on backing John McCain, is planning on holding a day-long rally at the University of Minnesota during the same week the Republican Party is set to hold its convention in Minneapolis.

The news was first reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. A spokesman for the university confirmed to CNN that Paul has “tentatively” booked the venue.

Paul and his legion of supporters disagree with McCain's support of the Iraq war.

Filed under: Ron Paul


Independent Voter   June 10th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

I don't know a lot about Ron Paul, but one thing that registered with me was his apparent appeal to young voters – everybody under 30 is not an obama fan. Who Knew???

Reading about Jim Johnson and his cozy loan deal from Countrywide reminds of me Barack's back room house purchase with the help of recently convicted felon, Tony Rezko. Obama has some really sleazy friends!

Then I read Dems attacking their own again, first by recommending that the party in an unprecedented move actually refuse to help pay a losing candidate's campaign debt. If they do that, they'll have a lot less candidates willing to run next time. Who gets hurt by that? The voting public, of course, not the Dems!

Next the Dems are attacking Kucinick (sp?) for bringing a resolution to impeach Bush.Really nasty comments-read them here on CNN blog tonight. Odd, I think. What would serve them better than to run a campaign for Obama in the middle of Bush's trial? I've read all of these things on the various pages right here at CNN.

Oh, and also attacking a Dem representative who will not endorse Obama. I thought the Dems embraced a wide range of views. Jim Webb (VA) was a Republican until last year or so. Suddenly one dares to represent the views of his district, so they toss him under the bus. Wow! Lot of conservative Dems out there. The attitude I see here will drive them to Bush or Paul.

About Paul. How is he different from McCain, as they are both Republicans? I take it the Republican party is more inclusive than the Dems any more, since these two are both Reps and hold, I gather, very different views, and yet I see no one advocating tossing Paul under the bus.

Who would have thought the Reps would be more inclusive than the Dems after all the bleating and screeching I've been hearing from Dems, especially about anyone who does not take a loyalty oath to Obama on the spot. (They're getting more than a little weird with the Obama or you-can-drop-dead attitude, don't you think? A bit creepy now because it doesn't seem to be fading at all-actually getting worse every day.) Also, I notice a total lack of race and gender discrimination among those "backward" Reps. What' going on?

It all makes me

Chris Mau   June 10th, 2008 10:27 pm ET

I think it's clear that, in this century at least, the Democrats have been more the defenders of civil liberties than the offenders (although neither party has been willing to stick their necks out very far to defend liberty). Obama has been pretty forceful in his insistance on due process. I'd give him the edge over McCain.

Michael   June 10th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

Excuse me but Ron Paul disagrees with John McCain on quite a bit more than the war. Pick up a copy of his book and you'll be surprised at how much you agree with Dr. Paul.

faye   June 10th, 2008 10:23 pm ET

ATTN———–ATTN——–O B A M A B O T S

follow ur candidate ,s message of one country and (fake) unity

he said “`umm uu uhhh republicans have good uh um ideas in past 10-15 ummm yrs“`

so pls come join us in our effort to elect a republican .

(We belive in unity and freedom of speech ,and we tryst obama on just only one and one thing which is his compliment on REPUBLICANS)

Rave   June 10th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

I am sure Paul and his supporters are much wiser than the Hillary folks. Please support Obama in this race all of you.
McCain is nothing but dumb talk... he needs some head repair.
OBAMA (2008 -16)

Over Turn It Roe V Wade   June 10th, 2008 10:19 pm ET

Hillary supporters welcome to the right side. We will have a push this time to stop the MURDER of babies. Glad that you have seen the light and will vote McCain this time. Obama is for gay rights and we need to keep marrage between a MAN and a WOMAN. They want to uphold Roe V Wade but we will shoot it down now. It is my hope that with your help we can overturn some of this left wing stuff.
Vote Life Vote McCain08

tre   June 10th, 2008 10:17 pm ET

I'll be there!

We are going to prove to the world that the Republican primaries were a total sham!!!

Want real change? It's time for Americans to live the dream that our forefathers and ancestors sacrificed so much for...

RON PAUL 2008!!!

Mark   June 10th, 2008 10:02 pm ET

Wow!
I do not think neither Obama or McCain would sell themselves for a million (plus or minus) votes.
Paul should be an independent candidate and ... take at the million votes with him home.

Glad to be an Independent   June 10th, 2008 10:02 pm ET

Ron Paul has every right to hold a separate rally. He fundamentally disagrees with John McCain on the Iraq war. The Republicans during the Reagan era were against National Building. The Iraq war is National Building. The military is not designed to build a nation. The goal of a war is to win it and not to impose a democracy on three warring factions. Bring our troops home. Let the Iraqis figure out how to run their own country. Either they are tired of fight and want peace and democracy or they will continue to fight in a civil war.

Walt, Belton,TX   June 10th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

A million thrown away votes and five bucks might get you a decent cup of coffee in New York City.

Vig   June 10th, 2008 9:53 pm ET

Bravo! And now write-in HRC's name on the November ballot.

Phillip W   June 10th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

This is great news. With any luck, he will turn out to be a Ralph Nader for the Republicans.

George   June 10th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

The American people will again have an opportunity to learn how our Constitution translates in terms of public policy and issues of our day. Ron Paul is the leader of a movement to restore the Constitution and the Individual Rights in a country which has lost it's way. Contrast that with the words of a "flim-flam" man who promises to be all things to everyone, and compromiser who has betrayed his alleged values to political expediency, and the American public will be treated to a real Statesman – the kind we need – more than ever.

Remy   June 10th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Who is this guy?

beverly   June 10th, 2008 9:45 pm ET

RON PAUL IS A GREAT POLITICIAN, I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN BUT I ADMIRER RON PAUL , I WATCH YOU IN YOUR DEBATES , HONESTLY YOU WOULD HAVE MADE A BETTER CANIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENT THEN THE WAR MONGEL MCCAIN, SEEMS AS HE HAS A GRUDGE FROM HIS DAYS IN (N A M ) HE'S A DANGEROUS MAN. I AM VOTING FOR OBAMA, HE SEEMS LIKE HE IS TRYING TO HEAL THE COUNTRY FROM HORRIBLE MISTAKES OF THE BUSH ADMINSTATION. HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK WITH OUR ALLIES, AND SOME SORT OF PEACE WITH OUR ENEMIES. ( GOD BLESS AMERICA).

Rational1   June 10th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Well, Henry Miller pf Cary, NC, I guess I'll be the sole person to join your blog. Hold on, the crickets are chirping too loudly...........there we go, much better. Where was I? Oh yeah, Obama '08.

Jennifer from Atlanta   June 10th, 2008 9:37 pm ET

Much better candidate than McCain.

OBAMA 08

art V   June 10th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

He is still my candidate

Chris   June 10th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

As a Democrat and avide Obama/Dem Unite supporter – Paul is actually a respectful Republican.

He has a lot more integrity than McCain... McCain just had the name recognition =/

glhf   June 10th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

That's nice.

Demo   June 10th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

Ron Paul was the only Republican candidate i liked .. wonder why they shunned him ...

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   June 10th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Excellent!

There are a million or so of us Paulites up for grabs and I suspect most of us will vote for the man who demonstrates the most respect for American freedoms and most closely adheres to the Constitution.

And, of course, we'll vote against the man who most fails those tests. Can either of you, Senators McCain and Obama, afford to throw away a million-plus votes? I doubt it.

Dan   June 10th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

Let's make sure the GOP understands, we're not going anywhere! No matter how much they continue to try and push us out!

Joe   June 10th, 2008 9:11 pm ET

I think this is one of the few good men who understand what is going.
that this election is more than spinning, lies and the same old games of deception.
I am surprised that CNN and other news media did give attention to this Ron Paul.
-Instead day and night they focus their attention on race card, Hillary and Bill ... Bill and Hill were there in white house for 8 years.
When they move to New york, people thought they were angel.
I guest the truth is out.

Tony, Miami   June 10th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

Go Paul, I democrat completely disagree with McCain's 100 years war.

D-Weezy - OH   June 10th, 2008 8:56 pm ET

Go Ron Paul! Run as an independent.

Herman in LA   June 10th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

So it looks like both parties have people that are not willing to back each other but it looks as though the republicans have more.

WIlly   June 10th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Who gives a fresh pile of dog squeeze what this RINO wants to do. Paul just cross over to the democrats and get it over with already.

NORA, FLORIDA   June 10th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

Hmmm you don't say. I wonder who he is backing. There is only one other. The GOP is more divided than the DEMS, this is why McCain and Lieberman are reaching out those out stretched arms to the ANGRY & DISGRUNTAL to try and make up the difference.

I just hope that stupidity lessons by November for some of our DEMS.

CMON DEMS wake up!!!!

Breaker   June 10th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

Republicans are scared to death. They have no solutions and just causing waves.

The old american ways are dead – a new america is born.

Some of them are potsing as former Hillary supporters.

Don't believe them for a minute.

Barry Freed   June 10th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

Ron Paul is king!

Brian   June 10th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

McCain does NOT represent the voice of the Conservatives.... we will NOT vote for someone pandering to the Clintons...... the only good Clinton is an IMPEACHED one. McCain your a traitor!

Peter E   June 10th, 2008 8:22 pm ET

I am voting for Ron Paul. He is the only one who actually listens to the average American and respects our freedom as well as the sovereignity of other nations.

Joe   June 10th, 2008 8:19 pm ET

I am a republican who would of voted republican if Ron Paul was the presuptive nominee. Now I will vote democratic. McCain's military service was lacking and his private life wasn't to much better and his wife is a drug addict who should of went to jail.

TBM   June 10th, 2008 8:18 pm ET

I've always liked this guy.

Represents integrity and honesty in politics.

Linda31   June 10th, 2008 8:17 pm ET

Go Ron Paul!!! hehe

M.S. Indiana   June 10th, 2008 8:16 pm ET

Ron Paul never McCain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HereWeGo   June 10th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Where is his picture?????? Put a picture of him so everyone can see. HUM, so the Republicans don't all get along eh????? Interesting...

Alison, FL   June 10th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Yes!...with him and Bob Barr on the ballot in November, Obama will win by a LANDSLIDE!!

Proud American   June 10th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Run Paul Run!!!!!

BreeAnna   June 10th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

the REVOLUTION is alive and well!

Yobee   June 10th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Ron who?

Tom   June 10th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

FINALLY a little bit of press, still haven't heard cnn talk about his book getting to #1 on NY Times bestseller list, but its something

The rEVOLution continues!

Kristen   June 10th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

Is Ron Paul in debt? Maybe he and Hillary should talk about how to run a campaign for a long time with out spending $20million you don’t have.

Women In California for Obama   June 10th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

Go Mr. Paul! I would NOT vote for McAdulterer either.

Think!!   June 10th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

The main ones that swear they will vote for McSame will be the same ones in here next year blogging and complaining about high GAS, losing their HOMES and their JOBS....

THIS IS ABOUT THE PARTY AND NOTHING ELSE....

VOTE- Democratic or VOTE poverty--

STICK TOGETHER- OR WE WILL BE THE NEW 3RD WORLD

Do not let the GOP use US!!

Ian   June 10th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Ron Paul, our last true representative in congress.

Think!!   June 10th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

The main ones that swear they will vote for McSame will be the same ones in here next year blogging and complaining about high GAS, losing their HOMES and their JOBS....

THIS IS ABOUT THE PARTY AND NOTHING ELSE....

VOTE- Democratic or VOTE poverty--

STICK TOGETHER- OR WE WILL BE THE NEW 3RD WORLD

Charlotte   June 10th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

You go Ron.. If we can get enough voters to pull from all sides Hillary can win a write-in campaign. I will write Hillary Clinton on my ballot in November...

KMAN   June 10th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

As an Obama supporter ... I truly respect many of Mr. Paul's positions on several major issues and believe he was poorly treated during the primary debates. Good luck to you sir!

After further review,Texas   June 10th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

Go Ron Paul.I have always voted Dem. but hes the only man telling the truth.

Francis, Hawaii   June 10th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

What a guy! He should be the Republican candidate so Obama will have some stiff compettion! Guess the machine wins again!

Susan, PA   June 10th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

wow !! never heard of a republican against the war.

way to go Paul.

TPaulin   June 10th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

First McCain tells the Republican primary voters what they want to hear. Now he's telling the rest of the nation, all the while bashing his opponent. Barack Obama started with a dream, but now he's taxing oil companies, letting the subprime crooks get off scott free, all the while bashing his opponent.

At least there's one alternative that's left the sugar coating at the bakery, the attacks in the schoolyard, and the pandering to the used car salesmen. At least there's one alternative at the republican convention, and for my vote, there's one alternative for president – vote for Dr. Ron Paul.

Kenneth   June 10th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

Ron Paul is still running but is not getting any press why is this
and what will mean at the Republicans convention

Angela Frazier, Memphis TN   June 10th, 2008 7:23 pm ET

I say go for it Paul! Give old Grampy McCain and the rest of the Redumbicans some heartburn!!

kim portland, oregon   June 10th, 2008 7:17 pm ET

...finally, a republican with integrity!!!

Kevin Collins   June 10th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Paul - the only candidate with a deep-seated love and respect for the Constitution.

NH, TX   June 10th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Mmmmh?

Corey, Maryland   June 10th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

I always somewhat liked Ron Paul. Now I know why.

Obama Richardson 2008

H.Skank   June 10th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

This is what will offset any Democrat crossing the line to vote Republican....all the anti-war Paul supporters rushing over to vote Democrat and end the war

HaHa   June 10th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Paul dissagrees with McCain's entire foreign policy...much more than just the Iraq war.

Oh yeh, and he dissagress with McCains's monatary and domestic policies, civil liberties, freedom of speech, right to bear arms, the role of government, a and just a few other things too.

Other than leaving out those minor details, you summed up why Paul supporter's are so fervent for their candidate pretty well.

Former Republican from KS   June 10th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Go for it Ron. I would vote for you over McBush any day.
The McBush that would keep us in Iraq for a "hundred years" and totally distroy our nation, our economy. Putting Rommy Boy with McBush is only worse. I switched parties at cacus time because of the TOTAL FAILURE of the Bush Admin on every level. They are nothing more than corrupt, murdering liars and idiots.

s callahan   June 10th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Now THAT is going to be something to SEE...i think he'll have a LARGE turnout.....WOW

Gene   June 10th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Go Ron Paul... take some of those votes away from McCain. I definitely don't want either of you in the white house.. but I welcome the Republican division.

jason   June 10th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Good for you RON PAUL, make a statement, keep up the fight!

OBAMA RICHARDSON 2008   June 10th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Ron Paul and Paul Wall would make an unstoppable ticket. RON PAUL WALL – FOR THE WHITE (RAPPER) HOUSE

jeff c in San Francisco   June 10th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

Why would any libertarian or independent thinker support McSame?

McCain used to be a little bit of a maverick, a decade or more ago, but he has long since sold his soul to the Bushies and now represents simply a continuation of the last 8 years. Ron Paul's supporters have more reason to back Obama than than Hillary Clinton's backers have reason to support McCain.

martin   June 10th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

paul was my second choice ,way after obama,tho.repubs should have chosen him,but,most repubs are warmongers.

Annie   June 10th, 2008 6:58 pm ET

Good for Ron Paul. I will be voting for Ron Paul. I will write his name in if his name is not on the ballot.

Who would prefer McCain over Ron Paul?

58 old white ladies for OBAMA   June 10th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

NOT ENOUGH POLITICIANS DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN

HAD THE MORAL COMPAS TO SAY NO,

NO WAY TO THE IRAQ WAR, AS RON PAUL DID.

1st Mrs. McCain is the HERO   June 10th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

RNC better watch out this guy could ruin your party for the betterment of ...*** ALL ** .. Americans...

Unite for Change...

Carol McCain – the real first lady.........

R. Grayson   June 10th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

Ron Paul would be a good VP for McCain.

He might be able to deliver some of the conservative, fundamentalist, "literal interpretation of the constitution" crowd.

YES WE CAN + YES WE WILL= DEMS IN WHITE HOUSE   June 10th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

Good let's everybody get in on raining down on John's day, not that he will win, but as they hail him as the one who took the best beating from the Dems.

David Goldman for OBAMA   June 10th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

YOU GO RON PAUL.

WE NEED MORE LIKE YOU ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISLE.

PLENTY OF DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR THE WAR AS WELL.

AND THEY OWE US AN APOLOGY.

Greg in Detroit   June 10th, 2008 6:50 pm ET

Go Ron Paul! Obama or Paul 08! I think both of these guys are special. I've been amazed by Pauls debates and interviews. He's the smartest person of all of the candidates. Republicans should have given him more air time. Funny they shut out the only conservative of the lot.

Patrick   June 10th, 2008 6:50 pm ET

This is real trouble for McCain. McCain should be talking to Paul and trying to gain his support. If Paul gets his loyal supporters to not vote for McCain, McCain is done. While I totally respect Ron Paul's decision to not endorse McCain on principle, he should look at the alternative. Obama with the exception of his stance against the war, is far more removed from Paul's policies than McCain is.

The Austrian   June 10th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

"Paul and his legion of supporters disagree with McCain's support of the Iraq war."

Really? That's ALL we disagree on? Let me outline how much we disagree with McCain:

Iraq War
Entire Foreign Policy
Fiscal Policy
Patriot Act
Health Care
Taxes
And much much more!

Ron Paul, the one the media and rabid neocons have called a lunatic, is the only sensible candidate in this race.

michael   June 10th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Go Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No Hillary supporters either. We don"t need you. Go vote for McCain

Real Republican   June 10th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Rock on!

REAL Republicans will vote for a true conservative, Ron Paul.

Mike Birmingham, AL   June 10th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

The RNC is paying bloggers to try and pull Clinton supporters over to McCain.

Don't listen to the same three or four people that flood the Ticker on a daily basis using different names – they are just paid hacks.

CNN POST THIS

Doreen   June 10th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

It's a shame that he was not even invited to speak at the convention let alone given main stream media coverage. If Americans were allowed to hear this man speak, John McCain wouldn't stand a chance against him. Too bad Americans were never really given the opportunity to make a choice based on equal air time. Ron Paul is the only one competent enough to be on the ticket. Too bad the powers that control the media are so threatened by someone who actually wants Americans to know and enjoy their constitutional rights.

Matthew   June 10th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

Ron Paul is an intelligent man. He knows the score. God Bless Him.

An American   June 10th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

Those Republicans really need to find some unity in their party? Why hasn't Ron Paul endorsed McCain?

Richard   June 10th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

Go Ron Paul!
Go Bob Barr!
Go go go, all the way to November! You can do it, we believe in you!

Obama 08!

Listen Up...   June 10th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Gotta love him. Fight the power Paul!

Don in Florida   June 10th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

As an Obama supporter I really like hearing this. Hopefully he can take votes from McCain the way Nadar took votes from Gore. Turnabout is fair play.

Loretta from California   June 10th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

I'm confused. I guess I have been a TRUE DEMOCRAT for too long.

Leisa   June 10th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

yeahhhhhhhhhh! good for you. YOu got my vote!

Rachel   June 10th, 2008 6:26 pm ET

Why was noone screaming for ron paul to get out of the race on the republican side, like they were to Hillary on the dems side.

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