Washington (CNN) - Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, offered support Monday for embattled Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who he praised for trying to build a bridge between the GOP establishment and the libertarian-minded activists who supported Paul's presidential bid.
"Generally, the Republican leadership [doesn't] want to have anything to do with me and don't want to have anything to do with the Ron Paul people," Paul said in an interview on CNN's American Morning. "They should be looking to us and saying, 'You know, why don't we help these young people who are so anxious and interested in what I'm talking about? Maybe they can be and sure should be in the Republican Party instead of being excluded.' He's reached out."
Paul ran for president on a libertarian political platform where he emphasized limited government and concern for the national debt. He developed a loyal following of supporters who backed his White House bid under the banner of the "Ron Paul Revolution."
This eclectic group continued to support Paul after the 2008 campaign and is credited with helping him win the Conservative Political Action Committee straw poll in February and his second place showing in a similar survey conducted this past weekend at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.
"I think he's doing a pretty good job," said Paul, who pointed to GOP victories under Steele's watch as well as his fundraising success. The Texas congressman did acknowledge that there has been "some blunders" under Steele's leadership but noted the RNC is a "big operation."
Critics have accused Steele of failing to show fiscal prudence and lack of leadership as the GOP prepares for the 2010 midterm elections.
From CNN Politics
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The large majority of American people are screaming that politicans such as Steele are the problem with government. If either party will not listen a new group to govern will be put in place.
Obama promised a new way during his campaign and won the office. He has guided the most corrupt government ever in Washington and became not only a part but the leader.
If the country can survive until a new election, a new group will be elected and maybe some honesty will replace the corruption.
Wow, Rep. Paul. Way to tow the party line. You are wiling to back one [R] loser. How about supporting another PROVEN loser?....like Gov. Barbour.
Everyone: you gotta love how these neo-morons, like Paul and Barbour, repeatedly show in public how bereft they are of any intelligence. However, the real issue is the number of people out here who actually support this regressive behavior from the "new" GOP. The old conservative GOP is long gone...what remains is that reactionary fringe (that's always been there) who, while beating their chests about American patriotism, actually celebrate the regressive policies and deeds of the GOP-fringe that do nothing but defeat the ideals of America and the Enlightenment. That such a populace of deluded hypocrits are allowed to take part in our "body politic" is a testament to the LIBERAL nature of our constitution.
NO. Would you welcome and allow a thief/robber who enters your house illegally to live in your own house and eat your own foods?
One stupid jerk backs another, this is News????
I'm a liberal Democrat and I'd take a look at Ron Paul.
The Republican Party will never accept him though because, I don't think that he ever would embrace the culture war elements of the GOP.
and.... his followers advocate abolishing Social Security?????
We can always count on Ron Paul to tell the truth and to speak his mind. The circular firing squad being conducted by those attacking Steele needs to stop so we can focus on more important issues. Steele can be voted out by RNC members after the mid-term election.
shameful in midst of apparent scandal americans hold on, go home mike
I agree with Tom Paul. If we are going to extricate ourselves from the financial mess the country is in we need him to guide us in this endeavor. He is right about GOP Committee Chairman Steele approach to Ron Pauls followers to accept them as future supporters.
With the "NUT JOB TEA PARTY" people bringing about the destruction of the Republican party Harry Reid and Democrats will do just fine this year and in 2012. Another reason is that people will begin to realize they are now free after 8 years of Bush slaverly to 2 war and his Cheney rule.
Steele would reach out to the KKK if he thought it would get him more votes. WIth today's GOP it probably would too!
I sure Steele had to pick alot of cotton to get massa to speak up for him.
I don't care what party it comes from but we need someone anyone to step up and be a leader. I am tired of the spin from both parties who seem to only seem to have different rhetoric. They act in the same exact manner. They all spend like crazy, do not stand by what they say, and act immoral. You have congressman and woman who have affairs, use lobbiest money to go to strip clubs, use tax payers money to fly family and friends to plush hotels and continously distort the truth to the American people. Meanwhile we have no true unbiased media source to give the real facts. It is all spin.
RON PAUL 2012
One eccentric backing another. Ah the gop...........
Poor Ron Paul, he is a nice man. But.........
Ron Paul is one of the few REAL Republicans left.
This man is for limited government, limited spending, and personal freedoms and liberties. In other words, he stands for the real Republican platform, NOT this pro-religious right, pro-big business, pro-war platform that these so-called Repubs embrace.
If the Republican party ever gets it's act together and goes back to the Goldwater standards, then I will start voting for more Republicans. I just hope that Ron Paul can continue to reach out to the younger voters, and well as Independents.
The question is whether the Republican party will ever take a libertarian stand on social issues. The social conservatives need to be dumped fast.
Ron Paul I really did respect you and thought that you would be the person to become President, but now I am not to sure. Y
Congressman Paul why are you selling you soul to the devil, the reThuglican't party did not want you in 2008 now, you are throwing youself at them in hope that they will pick you next. Romney won the straw poll and that mean nothing just be yourself that is what made this life long democract vote for you.
You Mr. Paul is one of my heros you are willing to tell American what she did was right and what she did was wrong. I thought that you were the only Adult in the party now, I see you are following in John McShame foot step and you will lose.
Is it me or are significantly confused and likely demented ideological absolutist old dudes kindof cute in that "hey, look at that elderly guy with all those regressively damaging ideas he's selling people" sorta way? Oh wait...I meant terrifying, not cute. I'm always confusing the two.
We need more Republicans and Independent candidates to balance out the Democratic power in Washington. Obama/Pelosi/Reid are spending money like crazy. They know that they are bankrupting our nation. We need someone to cut all spending across the board.