Is Ron Paul Romney's Lackey?
Ron's got some different ideas. No one is taking him seriously as a legitimate candidate. But he seems to be laying the groundwork to change the Republican party. So kudos to him for what he's out there doing.
But is he simply in the race to do Romney's dirty work? And why?
Paul doesn't seem to attack Romney, but he goes hard after every one of his challengers. First Perry, then Newt, and now Santorum.
Good for Santorum for calling it out. But what's really going on here?
Does Paul want to be Romney's VP?
Does he want something for his son?
Paul seems honest. Seems genuine. Seems consistent. But I have to agree with the sentiment that something strange is going on here.
Curious if anyone has any ideas? I haven't heard an explanation that makes sense.
Maybe he's doing it for Obama? Because no one I know likes Romney. Seems like he'd be the candidate to get trounced by Obama.
Re: Is Ron Paul Romney's Lackey?
Some people who claim to know about these things write that he is doing it preserve his claim to be the "True Conservative" in the race. Currently the biggest obstacle to that is Santorum. Paul does better when it is a 2-man race between Mitt "Shapeshifter" Romney (who no one confuses with a "True Conservative") and him. More power at the convention etc. for the honest and true* Dr. Paul that way, and of course more donations into the campaign and time in the headlines.
* "What me, publisher of a fascist race-baiting newsletter? You actually [i]believe [/i] those mudslinging news media types who say I actually knew about the content of my own newsletter - just because my ex-employees say so, my name was at the bottom of every issue, and every issue was published with my own money?? Well - I never!!".
Re: Is Ron Paul Romney's Lackey?
They are buddy-buddy because both know that the only chance a Republican has at beating Obama is for Mitt and Ron to team up.
Mitt is going to win the nomination. Ron has a ferocious backing, many of whom would likely not vote for Romney in the general election....
...unless Ron or Rand Paul are on the ticket as his VP.
It's the only strategy that will secure a republican victory in November.
Re: Is Ron Paul Romney's Lackey?
This is pure speculation but on the way back from going to see Dr. Paul speak up in Freeport my wife and I were talking about his chances of winning and I said whatever his politics, he had very little chance of winning the Republican primary. She then asked me why I thought he was staying in the race and I had a few thoughts including the simple explanation that he might purely in it for advocating his views.
However, one thing I suggested that I haven't seen talked about anywhere is the simple fact that by staying in the campaign he builds a network of supporters that he can try to pass on to his son.
George W. Bush had both a great ground game and a great organization because he was able to tap into the network that George HW Bush built over the course of three national campaigns (four if you count 1984),
Ron Paul is running a shoe-string grass-roots campaign and has strong appeal to young politically minded people. If Rand Paul comes back to them in 12 or 16 years, he will have a very powerful base.
Not saying this is Paul's only reason for running. But I'm sure the point isn't lost on him.
Re: Is Ron Paul Romney's Lackey?
I'd rather see Rand Paul come back and tap into his father's political base in 4 or 8 years, or even better in 8 months as Mitt's VP.