Ron Paul claims Alabama and New Hampshire

[Asheran Mojomaster]

Not that the turnouts were huge, but I went to the Alabama one. It seemed like everyone there was for Ron, people were chanting, signs were everywhere. It was great.

http://ronpaul2008.typepad.com/ron_paul ... lso-w.html

"Ron Paul Also Wins Big in New Hampshire

Ron Paul won big earlier today in Alabama. He also won big in New Hampshire this afternoon.

Dr. Paul received 208 votes (73%) for a landslide victory against Mitt Romney today at the Strattford County, New Hampshire straw poll. Romney received 26 votes. Mike Huckabee came in third with 20 votes.

Tancredo (8 votes), McCain (7 votes), Cox (5 votes), Hunter (5 votes), Thompson (5 votes), Giuliani (3 votes) and Brownback (1 vote) finished the field.

As noted earlier, Ron Paul received 216 votes for a commanding first-place finish in a straw poll today sponsored by the West Alabama Republican Assembly. Mitt Romney came in second with 14 votes.

The poll was open to Alabama residents.
"

[Winnow]

Gonna need a poll size greater than 300 to be meaningful!

[Asheran Mojomaster]

Very true, but it was cool regardless.

[Dregor Thule]

Straw polls.. yay......

[rhyae]

sad

[Niffoni]

Ron Paul's a smart motherfucker, but isn't he like.. hardcore isolationist? I mean, I guess when you put him next to the nation-building crowd it looks pretty good, but I'm not sure that's what's called for.

[Asheran Mojomaster]

Well, to a point, but he doesn't want us completely OUT of the world, he just wants us to quit fucking around in everyone else's business. He especially wants us out of Iraq. He also has some pretty extreme ideas, but they are good ideas, and we need something extreme right now. He wants to get rid of the IRS and income tax completely, cut lots of other taxes, but to make up for the lack of funds that these taxes would have provided he wants to get rid of many government agencies or at least slim many down. Our government is massive and it shouldn't be. There are so many people in cushy government jobs where they do almost nothing and get paid way way too much.

I can't really explain it as well as he can but check out http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ . Everything I've heard him say I have agreed with or at least felt that it could be a good thing.

[Nick]

The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideals of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.

In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman.

In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, HR 1094.

I am also the prime sponsor of HR 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn.

I have also authored HR 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.”

Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken direct action to restore protection for the unborn.

As an OB/GYN doctor, I’ve delivered over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Many of you may have read my book, Challenge To Liberty, which champions the idea that there cannot be liberty in a society unless the rights of all innocents are protected. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.

[Boogahz]

As an OB/GYN doctor, I’ve delivered over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Many of you may have read my book, Challenge To Liberty, which champions the idea that there cannot be liberty in a society unless the rights of all innocents are protected. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.

I don't know, but I think the author is the biggest challenge to liberty...

[Zaelath]

As an OB/GYN doctor, I’ve delivered over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Many of you may have read my book, Challenge To Liberty, which champions the idea that there cannot be liberty in a society unless the rights of all innocents are protected. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.

I don't know, but I think the author is the biggest challenge to liberty...

Rape victims aren't innocent, duh.

[Asheran Mojomaster]

I can agree with that partially as he does not say he would fight to make abortion illegal, just allow the states to decide for themselves. While I am completely pro-choice, and I think the government should not have any hand in making that decision at all, I think its better to be in the state's hands than the federal government. Or it may not be.

But if I did have to pick one thing to disagree with him about, that would be it.

[Xatrei]

I would rather not have the states involved in a decision like that - or any decisions at all, for that matter. One of the things I dislike most about our system of government is its federal organization. The redundancies on one hand and, more importantly, the inconsistencies on the other hand that are introduced by having 50+ (I'm including the territories here) semi-autonomous governments is ridiculous. I'm all for having state or regional divisions for administrative purposes, but having most laws established at the state or local level is something better handled at the national level, IMO. Besides this, the states with tiny populations get a disproportionately large stake in decision making, while the more populous states have too little influence. I say to hell with state's rights. I believe that you can only have true equity and efficiency under a common, consistent legal structure, which is not possible in a federation.

As for Ron Paul, he strikes me as a garden variety Libertarian isolationist kook. The fact that he's getting the level of support that he's getting is a little frightening. I suspect, however, that most of the people that like him haven't delved into the details yet.

[Aabidano]

Besides this, the states with tiny populations get a disproportionately large stake in decision making, while the more populous states have too little influence. I say to hell with state's rights.

The other side of that argument is more true, the entire country shouldn't be forced to adopt a set of laws that a very tiny segment of the country is in favor of. LA, NYC, Chicago and parts of FL and the NE would be able to force policy onto the rest of the country. The federal govt is already too powerful right now in a number of ways I think.

Ron Paul isn't my perfect candidate, he's the best of the lot right now I think. He won't get the nod regardless. I'm guessing Romney vs. Clinton with Romney for the win. They're keeping the spotlight off Romney until later to keep his image from getting scratched up.

[Asheran Mojomaster]

Besides this, the states with tiny populations get a disproportionately large stake in decision making, while the more populous states have too little influence. I say to hell with state's rights.

The other side of that argument is more true, the entire country shouldn't be forced to adopt a set of laws that a very tiny segment of the country is in favor of. LA, NYC, Chicago and parts of FL and the NE would be able to force policy onto the rest of the country. The federal govt is already too powerful right now in a number of ways I think.

Yeah, thats how I feel. The federal government has too much power. Laws are definitely needed but someone in Washington should not be telling me what I can or cannot do in Alabama. But that doesn't mean states should be able to make any law. They should still have to adhere to the constitution...not that the states or U.S. in general really pay much attention to the constitution anymore.