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BLITZER’S BLOG: Ron Paul could surprise us
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
(CNN) - Three weeks until the Iowa caucuses and anything is still possible, including an upset win by Rep. Ron Paul.
As you know, he has lots of devoted supporters. He has an excellent organization in Iowa. He could surprise a lot of people and actually win the caucuses, to the dismay of Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.
Neither of the front-runners has great operations in Iowa. And in Iowa, organization counts.
People don’t just go into a booth for a minute or two and vote and then go home. They have to make a major commitment to show up at a civic center or school and participate in a lengthy meeting. They have to listen to speeches. The process can drag on for an hour or two or three.
It may be cold outside but it could get hot inside those rooms.
Over the years, the key to success in Iowa is to persuade your supporters to show up. That means helping them drive to the meetings if necessary.
Paul has that kind of team in place. From what I hear from well-placed sources in Iowa, neither Gingrich nor Romney has it in place yet. Maybe they can do it over the course of three weeks, but it won’t be easy.
By the way, keep your eyes on Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. They have spent lots of time in the state and have some strong followers. Let’s see how they do.
Bottom line: Iowa, in my opinion, is very much in play. Before you know it, we will be on to New Hampshire.
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Watch "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" tomorrow 4-6 p.m. for Wolf Blitzer's interview with Rep. Ron Paul
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Ron Paul • Wolf Blitzer |
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It was very inappropriate for Gloria Borger to accuse Ron Paul of racism. Her husband is a lobbyist, Lance is the chief communications and crisis strategist of POWELL? TATE. Powell Tate is a D.C. firm that represents every part of the very same MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX that Ron Paul wants to reduce! Obviously the true racist is Gloria who wants to save her husband job, a job that kills innocent Muslims.
Ron Paul is always the one to break the news to us straight up on the table."The country is broke"....tell us how you'll fix it and ask him more questions as well as Bachmann.Romney had a strong interview on Fox News with Greta this past Friday night. Probably one the of the best yet. Haven't made up my mind which one yet. Good Luck !
This should be of no surprise to anyone that carefully researches his voting record and career .At one point I was sure that Ron Paul was completely crazy,but after being challenged by a friend to seek out the facts behind his statements I now believe I was in error .
ron paul is a good man his heart is in the place!! i'm very happy to see that cnn has at least give this man who is just tryn to make the great usa get to the people who make the difference, not the banks nor the goverment.....if you all would please use what your heart tells you then maybe the right person will help us(the working class)get along with banks the gov etc....mabe once we(the usa)finish getting out of this mess then we can help the rest of the world which there is no problem if we all work together an all keep well informed of how everything is going....right? to be well informed to see what goes on around you...and sir you do this everyday then you would be well informed on what to do...ron paul is very well informed of everything around him...he thinks for the people and usa!! anything else doesnt matter right now!! we need this country back in order first.....its weird though... we are tryn to tell other country's how to live but yet we are going under and out of control......?? strange lol i hope ron does win!!!
Thank you sir for giving Dr. Paul an honest and fair interview, starting to like cnn more and more! Ron Paul 2012 Iraq veteran.
No upset here, Ron Paul winning the primary would be great news to me. I'm in full support. The interview given today was great, Mr. Blitzer. Thanks!
Go to youtube and look up Jon Stewart's segment on Ron Paul being ignored by the media. So sad its funny.
Why when you were interviewing Ron Paul, and he said "why would someone take a job at $8 and hour when they can make $8.50 on unemployment", did you not ask him if he would like to attempt to live on $8 an hour!!! Good Luck! Ask the tough questions such as if the businesses haven't had tax increases so they have the money to create jobs....where are the jobs they are creating!!!
Ron Paul said he will make the Presidents salary the same as the average American's. He also doesn't take the government benefits from Congress.
So yes he practices what he preaches unlike any other candidate.
Lawyered!
Snoozle said
"How do you have a boom when you fire millions of workers?"
Keep in mind the workers you're talking about are being paid with tax dollars. Government is a HORRIBLE way to get something done. Not only will it be done in the most wasteful manner imaginable, but the decision to do "it" is generally an artificial one out of line with free market principles which means people didn't really want "it" very bad in the first place. If that money isn't being taken in the form of taxes, then it has a chance to end up in the private sector. The liberal stance is that rich people "sit on their money and don't do good with it"... of course that's the false cornerstone of liberal philosophy.. that government can take your money by force and then do more good with it than you would have. The truth is that rich people tend to spend their own money like crazy... and more of it ends up in the hands of local US citizens rather than funding schools in Bangladesh or public restrooms in Afghanistan.
Go Ron Paul, we support you in Colorado. You are our last hope!
GO RON PAUL GO RON PAUL. REP. RON PAUL for Pres.!!!!!!
He wants the best for America.RON PAUL has compassion. A REAL nice person not a phony.
Just thinking of him for Pres. makes one feel safe.
He is a Doctor, a Financial whiz, and been in congress for 30 years! The nation needs his experience, and needs his views to do something to counter what has been done to us in the last 14 years!
I think the only way one would vote for anyone but Ron Paul, would be if they didn't think for themselves, got all their info from mainstream media, or are people who truly want to live in a Dictatorship.
Everyone on stage looks up to Ron Paul, but all of them are depending on the media to make him seem "unelectable".
Once he wins Iowa- Mainstream Media will look bad if they keep ignoring him.
Some of his ideas are ridiculous, some of his ideas are incredibly sensible, but you can say that about anyone. His ideas certainly aren't 19th Century politics though. If people took some time to listen to what he has to say about the economy and about long term sustainability of the country, they would see that he is one person with a plan that will actually impact things. If you are scared of that, that is fine, but don't lash out and call him crazy for wanting to enact real change. Newt's plan will absolutely destroy the country before he gets out of office due to the massive inflation and debt. Perry is an evangelical who probably couldn't spell Economy without a dictionary. Romney is a talking head for whatever will get a vote. He doesn't know his positions, and he never will, because they are whatever his last advisor said they were based on public opinion and electability.
Yes I believe Gingrich will destroy us all.
NEWT isnt' a genuine person. His EGO is so big that no one can see the real person buried deep down
Yes I'm a Republican and yes I disagree with the policies of Pres. Obama. Yes, I believe the Federal Govt has grown too large and is ineffective and inefficient. That is my opinion and as such is no more right or wrong than your opinion. In my beliefs and opinion I have determined that I will vote for Ron Paul given the chance because I cannot in good conscience vote for Romney or Gingrich. So if my choice boils down to one of those two and Obama then for the first time in my life I will abstain from voting as either choice is unacceptable. Unbelieveable how poor the Republican party has worked to find acceptable candidates.
It's sad and true: Ron Paul is simply TOO OLD to be elected. It does npt matter if he's in good health; it doesn't matter if his policies would repair the problems with this country: he is too old.
To quote Reagan: I will not use my opponent's youth and inexperience against him.
Knock of the ageism crap. It shows no argument whatsoever.
,too many of the american people are confirmed idiots by voting for marxists,communists.right or left it makes no difference.unfortunately too many base thier opinions on the msm that slants left.hell,if the msm had exposed obama for what he is,hillary clinton would have won the nomination.radical bill ayers not enough.rev.wright?how many saw the truth after obama and the uber left rammed the health care bill down our throats without knowing what exactly is in it.then he appoints communist van jones,he admits it.eric holder drops charges against the black panthers for voter intimidation because in his own words,"they are my people."now watch as the msm attacks the koch brothers and ignores george soros.
I am switching parties to Republican (for first time EVER) just so i can vote for Ron Paul! You must do that in MOST states. Please make sure you switch. Even Democrats! You can still vote for Obama in the election if you want but at LEAST have an anti war, anti death penalty guy up against Obama instead of WAR monger Perry or Newt Crapgrich.
It's not hard to switch. Just write a letter or look up how to switch (not sure if I can include links in here but very easy! EVEN IF you forget to switch back you can be a republican and vote for Obama in general election but for GODS sake let it be Ron Paul up against him and not some war monger regular Republican!
Erin
OK, so if we're REALLY so enamoured with the present state of things – – what positives have the Dep't. of Education, the Dep't. of Energy and the illustrious Dep't. of Justice done for the average guy? Has the Federal Reserve done anything but deplete the value of the Buck?
Has 120+ bases around the world + foreign aid REALLY ensured peace and the promulagation of the American Way?
Wolf Blitzer: I have totally renewed respect for you, man. Even though you are one of the most recognizable anchors in news media today, your blog totally tells it like it is. Ron Paul may very well win in Iowa–his momentum in that state is stunning. Other media have tried to completely ignore this, perhaps hoping that voters will simply forget that his name is on the ballot. Also Rick Perry seems to be doing a good job in face-to-face meetings with voters, which is his strong suit. I totally agree the race is wide open. Don't believe the polls. Make up your own mind and go out and vote!
@Connie No need to worry about Christine O'Donnell endorsing Ron Paul. She has just come out and endorsed Mitt Romney. BTW, that is a curious endorsement. I mean Romney is kind of considered the least conservative of the bunch and O'Donnell considers herself a strong conservative. Whatever.
I like Paul. He's one of very few that aren't bought off in Washington. However, his old age is a real, legitimate factor. Being president puts significant stress and toll on the person. Just look at how much Obama and Hillary have aged since 2008.
They have aged because their bad policies and decisions cause them major stress that ages them–telling side effect on bad leadership. OTOH good leadershipand good policies do not age leaders; it invigorates them, which is why any ageism argument against Dr. Paul is baloney.
15 TRILLION dollars of debt, an endless war on an IDEA/human emotion and the slow destruction of the bill of rights from the inside out...
please take your head out of your asses people... Ron Paul 2012.
The scary thing is, that Ron Paul is the sanest one of the bunch. Several other front runners have all but sworn to start a war with Iran if elected. Do these fools never learn from history?
Ron Paul: an honest candidate who is not corrupt and won't lie to you about everything under the sun in order to cover up massive graft.
Yes, it would indeed be quite an upset for corporate media types and "social democrats" if such a person won. It might disrupt their totalitarian project.
If we wanna see a change in this Country then there is only one thing left to do. RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!
Do the anti Ron Paul folks think the government is their friend? History will show that he was the only one in this race actually fighting for Americans NOT special interests. Americans have been so dumbed down that most of you are repeating what you think you know. Self sabotage much? Obama's latest detention bill for U.S citizens is a good thing right? and thats if you are lucky to have it reported to you. But Ron Paul is old ... I get it.
Are people seriously going to fall for this again?
Ron Paul, like Obama, makes a lot of big promises that if he gets into office, he simply won't be able to keep. Whatever the makeup of the Congress come January 2013, you can be certain it will block virtually all of President Paul's agenda.
So what if they do? He can accomplish a lot via the bully puplit, impoundment, vetos, and simple straight talk to the American people. If Congress refuses to do the right thing, then Congress makes out to be the idiots, and we get girdlock, which is good for the economy and the American people.
On the one hand, we have a guy who would be fabulous for the part of the President in a movie–handsome, just the right amount of grey in his make-up-artist hair, and so on–but has about the depth of an oil slick and, on the other hand, we have the career dabbler–politician for a while, professor for a while, author for a while...
And on the third hand, we have Ron Paul, who's never been wrong in his economic predictions or assessments and has a far better grasp on foreign policy than the typical chip-on-the-shoulder neo-con paranoiac. Paul isn't perfect, but he's a lot better choice than the handsome guy or the professional amateur.
When will CNN wake up and give some respect to an honest, 12 term congressman? The fact that someone who really represents change is being hidden from the voters is bordering on treason. Be advised CNN we are taking names and you're on "the list" of broadcasters hijacking democracy.
I hope he gets elected simply because the Dems and Reps have done NOTHING good for this country in the past 20 years. They play politics while the country's burning. We all know Ron Paul wanted to run as an Independent a few years back. I hope he gets in this time... A REAL change is needed.
JUST the past 20 years? I think you forgot a zero on the end...
I like Ron Paul. This isn't the most flattering picture though. Looks more like "Pope Ron Paul" the first.
this is the time and this is the place to take off the gloves and sock it to ‘em (to paraphrase Richard Nixon). So how do we ‘sock it to ‘em’, how do us, the peasants coming down the hill with pitch forks, let the establishment know that we are here and no longer willing to take their crap?
Vote Ron Paul 2012 !!!
I'm so sick of Ron Paul's idea that it's the individual American who makes America great and controls the country's destiny. That's too much responsibility for me. I just want others to take care of me! Have some compassion for your fellow man (i.e. me)!
Go Ron Paul!!!! Ron Paul will not surprise me. He should win he actually knows what he is talking about. He actually has a plan and a good one. It will surprise me that Iowa and New Hampshire wil be smart enough to vote intelligently and not select another BIG Government loser like Newt or Romney or other. Go Ron Paul , the only intelligent choice.
Obama kept the same Sec Def as Bush and has kept the same wars and added some more. Obama kept Gitmo in business and then added assassination of American citizens abroad to his executive prerogatives. On the economy, Goldman Sachs is as entrenched in the Obama administration, if no more so, as it was in the Bush.
So yes, I've voting for the only candidate that I believe I can trust to not only end the wars, but shine the light on the Goldman Sachs / Federal Reserve cockroaches. Paul is also the only candidate in either party that cares about the loss of our civil liberties to a burgeoning police state.
Ending the wars, bringing the troops home, protecting civil liberties – can all be done without Congressional approval. If you don't like other policies, keep in mind there would be institutional hurdles to overcome in other areas.
The bottom line is we all know we cant trust any endorsed polotician! You dont get your parties blessing without being thier mouthpiece. So it stands to reason the only one you can trust is someone who is shunned by both political parties and is cheered by all third party groups! Its not about hope or change its about results!
If you dont know the problems you wont find the solutions. Only one person has been saying what the problems are (against the will of his own party) for 10 years straight. (20 if you want more that the economic collapse of 2007)
I do not think Ron Paul is a good idea but he is the best of the GOP by far. That being said he is set to kill SS which this fact I find is a horrible idea. We need SS to take care of our disabled and crippled and retired. If he takes a step back and says I will keep SS and make it solvent then I am all for RP but until then I can't say I’m on board.
No, he wants an opt-out for those who want to do so. Get your facts straight. SS will die on its own anyway for the Ponzi scheme it is.
No surprises from Ron, but I am surprised about how m0r0ns actually support someone who would destroy the country.
Why are you surprised when Obama got 63% of the vote last time?
Ron Paul is knowledgeable and has integrity . . . yet is completely whacked out of his gourd, obsessed with a fictional capitalistic utopia fantasized by a crazy Russian philosopher. In other words: He's crazy.
I certainly hope so! A Ron Paul nomination is a big victory for Obama. Go Paul Go!
Keep dreaming, Vince. A Ron Paul nomination means Obama is out-nobody likes Obama anymore because he promised to end the wars, not hire lobbyists, criticized globalism and Bush for not following the Constitution and then, once elected, not only reneged on those points but actually expanded them. Plus he has done nothing but protect Wall Street. So maybe you like this brand of fascism from Bush and Obama but I hate the direction of the country that Bush and Obama have taken us down.
If you're not voting Ron Paul at this point, you're voting for "more of the same". Crony capitlism? Yes please. Candidate owned by big banks? Yes please? Keep passing laws against the Constitution? Yes of course! Seriously America if you don't wake up you deserve the fascist future that approaches.
CNN and Blitzer would LOVE to see Ron Paul win – – that'd mean Obama re-election
The media hates him. Which is a great reason to vote for Ron Paul.
Wow – finally a news organization is paying attention to Ron Paul.
Ron Paul is the only TRUE conservative in the entire GOP field this time round. Others are RINOs or switch positions as their mood suits, Ron Paul has consistently held true Conservative values and principles for 30 years in office, and his voting record supports this.
Ron Paul 2012.
Let's take our country back! Back to the 19th century. Vote Ron Paul!
Try again, with something substantive.
Am I the only one out there that thinks Ron Paul's views are not only archaic, but he has the leadership qualities of Pee Wee Herman! He makes Jimmy Carter look like Chuck Norris, for crying out loud. The US, now more than ever, needs a President that people respect and demonstrates true leadership qualities. Hey folks, Ron Paul would be a laughing stock!
Yes, you are; because you have no idea, unless you are stuck to government like fleas on a dog.
Don’t let the lying propaganda spreading media deceive you, vote Ron Paul 2012.
If (when) Ron Paul wins the Iowa caucuses, the media will proclaim that Iowa no longer matters in presidential politics, that Romney and Gingrich split the vote, that... anything other than that Ron Paul deserves to be reckoned with as a serious candidate. That will be no surprise.
I'm no fan of Ron Paul. I'm a progressive deeply disappointed with President Obama and I have some very serious disagreements with Paul on a whole host of issues. That all said, I like the idea of Ron Paul causing a seismic political event in Iowa and then in New Hampshire to put all the pundits to shame and all the establishment Republicans AND Democrats in full-on panic mode when they realize that the game has completely changed.
Ron Paul would represent a tremendous departure from the status quo, and could bring about some big change that would do wonders for this country and it's people. This could be a reason why he doesn't stand a chance of being nominated or elected, people hate change. Even though our government is a bloated, corrupt, and ineffecient abomination, real change is unlikely. Of all the candidates, Paul represents the most fundamental change. Huntsman is next, and somewhat close.