Clarkson climbs charts after Ron Paul tweet

Kelly Clarkson album sales surge after Ron Paul presidential endorsement - Brian Browdie, New York Daily News:New York Daily News:

December 31, 2011 - "Kelly Clarkson may have stumbled upon a new path to success: Endorse Texas Rep. Ron Paul for president. The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and first winner saw sales of her latest album surge Friday, one day after she tweeted her support for the 2012 Republican presidential hopeful.

"Clarkson’s 'Stronger' climbed from #38 to #7 on Amazon’s sales list between Thursday, when Clarkson threw her support behind Paul, and Friday afternoon, CNN reported. By Saturday, the album ... also stood at #10 on Apple’s iTunes Charts....

"'Ron Paul fans will give you the shirt off their backs, but they'll also help you sell your music!!!," wrote one Amazon customer. 'She is smart and strong enough to endorse Ron Paul ... so we are all buying her excellent album,' wrote another....

"The sales lift represents a silver lining for Clarkson, whom the Twittersphere blasted on Thursday after she tweeted her support for Paul. The Libertarian-leaning congressman — who wants to recall U.S. troops from overseas, reinstitute the gold standard and defund the federal government — came under fire this week for ... newsletters published under his name in the 1980s and 1990s.

"I have never heard that Ron Paul is a racist or a homophobe," tweeted Clarkson, who said she backs Paul because he believes in less government.

"Paul, who tweeted thanks for Clarkson's 'kind words' on Thursday, entered the weekend statistically tied for the lead among Republican voters in next Tuesday's Iowa caucuses, according to a CNN/Time/ORC international poll released this week. "

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kelly-clarkson-album-sales-surge-ron-paul-presidential-endorsement-article-1.999207#ixzz1i8Al01cP
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Gary Johnson's New Hampshire team is supporting Ron Paul for the primaries

Gary Johnson's New Hampshire Team is Supporting Ron Paul for the Primaries - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine - Lucy Steigerwald:

December 30, 2011 - "Now that Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has left the Republican race and is going for the Libertarian Party's nomination, ... Gary Johnson's New Hampshire staffers have switched to supporting Ron Paul, at least for the duration of the Republican primary race. (They have not, however, officially joined the Paul campaign, nor are they getting paid.)

"Johnson, who, like Paul in '07 suffered the 'no respect' effect, doesn't seem offended by this buffet-style small government sampling. In fact, Johnson recently told the Daily Caller that 'yeah,' his supporters should vote for Ron Paul in the general election, but:

"'I’m believing that Ron Paul is not going to win the nomination, and that is the exciting part about this for me. I do think it is about an agenda and a message. I think Ron Paul’s a messenger. I think that I am. I think there are others.'

"Johnson ... was a member of the Libertarian Party even while serving as Republican Governor of New Mexico."

Read more: http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/30/gary-johnsons-new-hampshire-team-says-th
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Kelly Clarkson Endorses Ron Paul

Kelly Clarkson Endorses Ron Paul - Presidential Race 2012 | Gossip Cop:

December 29, 2011 - "Ron Paul has secured a major endorsement – from Kelly Clarkson.

"The 'American Idol' winner expressed her support for the Republican presidential candidate on Twitter.

"'I love Ron Paul,' Clarkson wrote on Thursday. 'I liked him a lot during the last republican nomination and no one gave him a chance. If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he’s got my vote.... Ron Paul is about letting people decide, not the government. I am for this.'"

Read more: http://www.gossipcop.com/kelly-clarkson-ron-paul-endorsement-support-president-2012-republican-twitter/ 'via Blog this'

Taking on GOP, and Ron Paul, Gary Johnson announces Libertarian bid | Death and Taxes

Taking on GOP, and Ron Paul, Gary Johnson announces Libertarian bid | Death and Taxes - Andrew Belonsky:

December 28, 2011  –  "'I am liberated,' Johnson said today after officially announcing he’s dropping his bid for the Republican nomination and instead running on the Libertarian ticket.... 'I have been deeply disappointed by the treatment I received in the Republican nomination process. I had hoped to lay out a real libertarian message on all the issues in the Republican contest. The process was not fair and open,' said the candidate....

'Incredibly, candidates with no executive experience like Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum were allowed to participate while I, a successful two-term governor with a solid record of job creation, was arbitrarily excluded by elitist media organizations in New York. My appeals to the Republican National Chairman for basic fairness were ignored....

"'It is clear that the elite national media and the political ‘ruling class’ don’t want this message heard,'  he insists. 'It frightens them. It frightens them because they know our message is one that actually reflects the true beliefs of millions of Americans – and they don’t want those millions of people to know there really is a candidate for president who represents them, whether they are Republicans, Democrats, Independents or Libertarians.'”

Read more: http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/171668/taking-on-gop-and-ron-paul-gary-johnson-announces-libertarian-bid/#2
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Ron Paul holds lead over Mitt Romney… : ThyBlackMan.com

Ron Paul holds lead over Mitt Romney … : ThyBlackMan.com:

December 26, 2011 - "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul ... finished with 21 percent of likely Iowa caucus voters support in the latest American Research Group poll released Friday. Mitt Romney finished with 20 percent, followed closely by Mr. Gingrich who finished with 19 percent.... Texas Governor Rick Perry finished in a distant third place with 9 percent of the votes.

"The American Research Group poll is consistent with several other polls in recent weeks where Ron Paul has finished with a slight lead. After trailing Mr. Gingrich and Mitt Romney for months in Iowa, the Texas congressman is emerging as the likely winner of next week’s Iowa caucus vote."

Read more: http://thyblackman.com/2011/12/26/ron-paul-holds-lead-over-mitt-romney/
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Paul, Gingrich tied for 2nd in NH poll - Boston.com

Romney leads, Paul rises in N.H. poll - Boston.com - Michael Levenson, Boston Globe:

December 25, 2011 - "Mitt Romney remains the clear front-runner in New Hampshire with a little more than two weeks until the nation’s first primary, according to a new Boston Globe poll.

"Romney has the support of 39 percent of the state’s likely Republican voters, a drop of 3 percentage points since last month.... In the closely watched contest for second place, Gingrich and Paul are tied with 17 percent each, just ahead of Jon Huntsman, who has the support of 11 percent of likely Republican voters.

"But as the race hurtles toward the Jan. 10 primary, Paul has been gaining the most in New Hampshire. His support has risen by 5 percentage points since November, while Huntsman has picked up 3 percentage points in the last month and Gingrich has gained 2.

"The remainder of the Republican field remains largely sidelined in New Hampshire. Rick Santorum is in fourth place, with support from 3 percent of the state’s likely Republican voters, followed by Michele Bachmann at 2 percent and Rick Perry at 1 percent.

Buddy Roemer, a former Louisiana governor, and Gary Johnson, a former New Mexico governor, who have campaigned in New Hampshire but been ignored nationally, each drew less than 1 percent in the poll."

Read more: http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-25/news/30557159_1_mitt-romney-new-boston-globe-poll-primary-voters
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Merry Christmas from the Political Animal

This is from December 2007, but it's still the best Christmas political ad I've seen:

Only Romney and Paul qualify for Virginia GOP primary ballot

Gingrich Perry Virginia | Romney Paul Virginia | Virginia Republicans | Mediaite:

"Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry will not be on the ballot when Virginia Republican voters go to cast their vote for their party’s nominee, meaning the primary in that state will boil down to a contest between Mitt Romney and Ron Paul....

"Gingrich actively pursued getting on the ballot in Virginia, claiming to have reached the 10,000 signature threshold to qualify. Perry’s campaign claimed they had reached it as well, but after state party officials went through all the signatures to validate them, neither candidate ended up qualifying.

"'After verification, RPV has determined that Newt Gingrich did not submit required 10k signatures and has not qualified for the VA primary,' the party announced on Twitter.

"The state certified that both Romney and Paul had enough votes to get on the ballot, but as for the rest of the candidates, Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman, and Rick Santorum failed to qualify as well, not garnering enough signatures to appear on the ballot."

Read more: http://www.mediaite.com/online/its-mitt-romney-v-ron-paul-in-virginia-as-other-candidates-fail-to-qualify-for-primary-ballot/
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Report: Former Gov. Gary Johnson expected to run as Libertarian

Report: Former Gov. Gary Johnson expected to run as Libertarian - Andrew Moran, Digital Journal:

December 22, 2011 - "One news outlet has learned that former two-term Republican New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson will seek the presidency by running as a third-party Libertarian Party candidate....

"Digital Journal reported late last month that former libertarian-leaning New Mexico Republican Governor Gary Johnson hinted at running for the Libertarian Party nomination.... Politico has confirmed that Johnson will announce at a news conference in Santa Fe next week of his plans. The popular governor also announced the event on his official Facebook page....

"The governor has run on a campaign promising to slash spending, balance the budget and end government intervention in the economy. He has also advocated legalizing marijuana and is pro-choice and supports LGBT rights....

"Libertarian Party chairman Mark Hinkle told the website that Johnson will officially change his voter registration to Libertarian. Hinkle noted that the governor remained a dues-paying member of the party while he was governor of New Mexico."

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/316553
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Ron Paul fares best in GOP race among minority voters | The Daily Caller

Ron Paul | Minority Voters | Newsletters | The Daily Caller:

December 22, 2011 - "A poll released Tuesday found that ... Texas Rep. Ron Paul fared best among non-white voters. In a hypothetical contest against the president, the CNN/Opinion Research poll found Paul with 25 percent of the non-white vote.

"Romney received 20 percent of that demographic against Obama, Texas Gov. Rick Perry 17 percent, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann 18 percent, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich 15 percent.

"Paul campaign press secretary Gary Howard, who is himself an African American, told The Daily Caller that his candidate’s opposition to the War on Drugs has helped him win support from minorities.... 'He has the strongest record of any candidate in this presidential race of standing up for civil liberties, and is also a staunch advocate of ending the drug war and fixing our biased court system which unfairly punishes minorities,' he said."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/22/poll-ron-paul-would-fare-best-against-obama-among-non-white-voters/#ixzz1hJX6lVBg
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Gary Johnson polls at 20% in NM as a LIbertarian | United Liberty

Could Gary Johnson play a role in November? | United Liberty | Free Market - Individual Liberty - Limited Government - Chris Frashure:

Dec. 19, 2011 - "With Gary Johnson all but having officially announced that he will seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President, Public Policy Polling included him in a poll of voters in his home state. The result? 'In a 3 way contest with Obama and Romney he gets 23% with Obama at 44% and Romney at 27%.  And in a 3 way with Gingrich, Johnson gets 20% to 45% for Obama and 28% for Gingrich.'

"If he can build a national campaign and garner a finish within the ballpark of the results of this poll, Gary Johnson can show that a significant number of Americans are fed up with the two major parties....
If, by some chance, a Libertarian Gary Johnson could win New Mexico, he could give birth to an all new partisan libertarian movement."

Read more: http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/9221-could-gary-johnson-play-a-role-in-november
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Ron Paul now leading in Iowa - CSMonitor.com

What if Ron Paul wins Iowa? - CSMonitor.com - Amanda Paulson:

Dec. 19, 2011 - "According to the latest Iowa survey of the Republican presidential field, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is now on top, with 23 percent of likely caucusgoers supporting him. The Public Policy Polling survey puts former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney second (20 percent) and a rapidly falling Newt Gingrich third (14 percent).

"A second poll released Monday also has Congressman Paul leading Mr. Romney, 24 to 18 percent.... And New York Times polling analyst Nate Silver, who has developed his own forecasting model, is predicting a Paul victory in Iowa. That model – which takes various polls into consideration, and weighs them according to accuracy and other factors – now gives Paul a 52 percent chance of an Iowa victory. It assigns Romney a 28 percent chance of winning, and Gingrich an 8 percent chance."

Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/1219/What-if-Ron-Paul-wins-Iowa
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Ron Paul’s ‘Tea Party’ money bomb approaches $4 million goal | The State Column

Ron Paul’s ‘Tea Party’ money bomb approaches $4 million goal | The State Column:

December 17, 2011 - "Ron Paul (R-TX), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, launched his “Tea Party” money bomb Friday with the goal of raising $4 million to fund campaign activities in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. As of 8:3oam EDT, Mr. Paul has pulled in more than $3,250,000."

Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/texas/ron-pauls-tea-party-money-bomb-approaches-4-million-goal/
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Ron Paul tied with Gingrich in Iowa — RT

Ron Paul tied with Gingrich in Iowa — RT:

Dec. 15, 2011 - "Congressman Ron Paul is seeing continuing success in the polls.... Public Policy Polling has the libertarian-learning GOP hopeful neck and neck with former-House Speaker Newt Gingrich. In the data released on Tuesday, Paul’s favoritism in the state of Iowa is apparent in 21 percent of likely Republican voters. Former frontrunners Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann both trail the Texas congressman, coming in at 16 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

"The surge in support for Paul comes after the candidate has unleashed on Gingrich with a series of campaign ads gone viral that attack the former speaker for his “serial hypocrisy” and flippant flip-flopping. Public Policy Polling reports that Gingrich saw a drop of 5 percentage points in support in the week leading up to the survey alone....

"Read more: http://rt.com/usa/news/ron-paul-gingrich-iowa-923/
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Ron Paul won’t rule out third-party candidacy - The Boston Globe - Boston.com

Ron Paul won’t rule out third-party candidacy - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe - Boston.com - Shira Schoenberg :

Dec. 11, 2011 - "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul on Sunday refused to rule out a third-party run but said, as he has in the past, that he has 'no plans' to mount one.

"Host David Gregory pressed Paul on the point on NBC’s 'Meet the Press.'

"Paul said he was not even thinking about a third-party run, but left the option open.

“'I have enough on my plate right now,'' Paul said. 'We have a lot of campaigning to do. We’re going to be very busy the next couple of weeks. That’s what I’m concentrating on, and we’ll see what happens.'"

Read more: http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/12/paul/cwYL0icjk9TbUq0s2PEDXK/index.html
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Shut Out of Debate, Roemer, Johnson, Karger to Take Part in Patch Live Blog - Amherst, NH Patch

Shut Out of Debate, Roemer, Johnson, Karger to Take Part in Patch Live Blog - Amherst, NH Patch - Marc Fortier:

December 10, 2011 - "And then there were six ... tonight's ABC debate in Iowa will feature just six GOP presidential candidates – Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum.

"Three candidates are missing from that list – Buddy Roemer, Gary Johnson and Fred Karger.... As part of our ongoing effort to give all voices a chance to be heard, we invited Roemer, Johnson and Karger to be panelists in our live blog of tonight's debate. All three agreed to participate.

"That means it will be a full house for our live blog. In addition to our usual debate commentators ... we'll have three real live Republican presidential candidates offering their take on what their opponents say in the debate."

Read more: http://amherst.patch.com/articles/shut-out-of-debate-roemer-johnson-and-karger-to-participate-in-patch-live-blog
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Ron Paul closing in on top spot in Iowa race | News | National Post

Ron Paul closing in on top spot in Iowa race | News | National Post - John Whitesides:

Dec. 8, 2011 - "DES MOINES, Iowa - Could Republican Ron Paul ... steal the first big prize of the 2012 presidential race in Iowa?

"While the heavyweight fight between rivals Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney hogs the headlines, Paul has steadily climbed into contention in the state.... Recent polls show Paul in second place in Iowa, behind the surging Gingrich and essentially even with Romney....

"Paul, the Texas congressman and doctor, has two big strengths that make him a wild card.... He has an enthusiastic and loyal band of supporters, many young and new to politics, that has grown since his failed 2008 presidential bid. And Iowa political activists rate his campaign organization as the best in the state.

“'Ron Paul can absolutely win the Iowa caucuses,' said Steve Deace, a conservative radio host in Iowa. 'His people are the most passionate, his support is underestimated and his ground game is the best.'

"Paul has seen his libertarian platform of limited government, reduced spending and deep deficit cuts become standard Republican orthodoxy since ... 2008.... Paul’s Iowa support ... hit 18 percent in last weekend’s Des Moines Register Iowa poll, up from 12 percent in October and 7 percent in June."

Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/08/ron-paul-closing-in-on-top-spot-in-iowa-race/

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Ron Paul Targets Gingrich in New Iowa Ad — 2012 Presidential Election | The Texas Tribune

Ron Paul Targets Gingrich in New Iowa Ad — 2012 Presidential Election | The Texas Tribune - Thanh Tan:

Dec. 6, 2011 - "U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign announced today it is expanding ad buys in Iowa starting on Wednesday....

"The second ad, to be released on Wednesday, ... attacks former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who at least three recent polls indicate has widened his lead over Mitt Romney and Paul in Iowa. The latter pair are tied at 18 percent, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.

The Paul campaign is calling the spot "Serial Hypocricy." It cuts between videos that contrast Gingrich's conservative rhetoric with his lobbying activities, which have included consulting for troubled mortgage lender Freddie Mac and for health care firms that supported the much-disputed individual mandate that came with President Obama's federal health reform plan."

Read more: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-presidential-election/ron-paul-targets-gingrich-new-iowa-ad/
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Gary Johnson Comes Out in Favor of Gay Marriage - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine

Gary Johnson Comes Out in Favor of Gay Marriage - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine - Lucy Steigerwald:

December 2, 2011 - "The former New Mexico Gov. ... officially declared his support for gay marriage at a online town hall meeting....

"Johnson's statement: 'As a believer in individual freedom and keeping government out of personal lives, I simply cannot find a legitimate justification for federal laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, which ‘define’ marriage. That definition should be left to religions and individuals – not government....

"'For a very long time, society has viewed gay marriage as a moral and, yes, religious issue. Today, ... more and more Americans are viewing it as a question of liberty ... and the time has come for us to align our marriage laws with the notion that every individual should be treated equally.'"

Read more: http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/02/gary-johnson-comes-out-in-favor-of-gay-m
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The conservative case for a Gary Johnson 3rd-party run

The Conservative Case for a Gary Johnson Third-Party Run | ConservativeHQ.com - Andrew Davis:

November 29, 2011 - "In 2010, the Tea Party showed the Republican Establishment just how powerful it was.... However, the lessons of 2010 seem to have faded, and Republican leaders are back to their old tricks.

"What will it take to get them to listen to the grassroots? Nothing short of removing the power they’ve used to stay at the top.

"That is where Johnson comes in. His mass appeal, especially to fiscal conservatives who feel betrayed by the Republican leadership’s wishy-washy stance on spending cuts, ... could be doomsday for a content-free Republican candidate.

"This is what has the Republican establishment abuzz -- especially since they were the ones who forced Johnson into this position.

"Should Johnson run as a Libertarian, the only way to neutralize his campaign would be to nominate a fiscally conservative equal like Ron Paul, or have Paul as a Vice Presidential candidate. However, Paul is no favorite to the establishment, and has been boxed-out of the nomination process nearly as much as Johnson (although Paul was allowed to appear on stage at the debates).

"Without question, third-party candidacies -- even Johnson’s -- will likely never have much of a chance to win outright as long as ballot access laws inhibit the ability of third parties to participate equally in the democratic process. However, this is not to say that strong third-party bids are without purpose, and can’t be used as weapons to effect positive change within the major two parties. While Johnson’s third-party bid may be a long-shot electorally, its potential to weaken -- if not destroy -- the Republican establishment is much more real.

"Support of Johnson would not even have to be an endorsement of the Libertarian Party, or of third parties in general. It could simply be a wake-up call to the Republican establishment that their time has come, and that conservatives are no longer satisfied with candidates simply because they have an “R” next to their names."

Read more: http://www.conservativehq.com/article/5665-conservative-case-gary-johnson-third-party-run
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Ex-Gov. Johnson may run as Libertarian - UPI.com

Ex-Gov. Johnson may run as Libertarian - UPI.com:

"SANTA FE, N.M., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, a long-shot candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, is considering running as a Libertarian.

"'I feel abandoned by the Republican Party,' Johnson told The New Mexican of Santa Fe in a phone interview. 'The Republican Party has left me by the wayside. If I'd  have been included in 16 of the last debates we wouldn't even be having this conversation.'...

"While Johnson did better than former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and tied with businessman Herman Cain in a CNN poll in August, he has not been included in more recent polls. He blames the national news media for deciding who the candidates are and the Republican National Committee for giving the press that power."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/11/26/Ex-Gov-Johnson-may-run-as-Libertarian/UPI-32371322334887/#ixzz1eqUVCQDw
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Libertarians not anti-government - Clovis News Journal

Libertarians not anti-government - Clovis News Journal - Kent McManigal, FNM columnist

November 24, 2011 - "Recently in this column ... I have been addressing the misconceptions I have heard repeated about libertarians. I think it’s important to understand your libertarian neighbors, rare though we may seem at first glance to be....

"A misconception regarding libertarians I run into a lot is that we are “anti-government.” That isn’t necessarily true. The root of the matter is that libertarians are pro-liberty, and since government is generally anti-liberty it makes us appear, to some observers, to be anti-government....

"You can be anti-government without having the slightest libertarian leanings, and there are plenty of libertarians who still think it is possible to increase liberty through guiding government in ’the right direction.’ I happen to disagree ... but I’d enjoy being proved wrong."

Read more: http://www.cnjonline.com/articles/libertarians-45826-balloons-week.html
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Libertarian Ron Paul a hit with young voters due to drug, anti-war stances - Winnipeg Free Press

Libertarian Ron Paul a hit with young voters due to drug, anti-war stances - Winnipeg Free Press - Lee-Anne Goodman, Canadian Press:

Nov. 23, 2011 - "At 76, Ron Paul is the oldest of the Republican presidential candidates. And yet he's making a bigger connection with young voters than any of his rivals for the nomination.

"Paul's stance on America's so-called war on drugs, in particular, has earned him an avid following among young fans.... The Texas libertarian's comments on the futility of the so-called war on drugs in the latest Republican presidential debate on Tuesday night is the type of messaging that resonates with youth, as does his bashing of two overseas wars he says are needless, monstrously expensive and a major threat to civil liberties.

"'The federal war on drugs is a total failure,' Paul said to applause from the crowd in Washington."

Read more:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/breakingnews/libertarian-ron-paul-a-hit-with-young-voters-due-to-drug-anti-war-stances--134421633.html
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Ron Paul Out Of Step On Gay Marriage Amendment At Christian Forum

Ron Paul Out Of Step On Gay Marriage Amendment At Christian Forum:

"Texas Rep. Ron Paul was the only candidate at a Christian forum on Saturday opposed to amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as a heterosexual union. Also appearing at the Thanksgiving Family Forum in Des Moines, Iowa were Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann....

"Paul, who has previously said he's personally opposed to gay people marrying, said that the role of government is to preserve liberty, not mold people or society.

"'Our values should come from our family and from our church. But once we say, "Well, the liberals are doing this because they want this economic interference and we're going to have perfect balance and fairness.", they overdo it. But you can overdo it on both sides. You can say, "Well we're going to make people better by having more laws."'

“'The law can't reflect the morality of the people. If you do that, you have embarked on [a course] where you sacrifice liberty,' he added."

Read more: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=10131&MediaType=1&Category=26
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Johnson largely ignored as presidential primaries near - Las Cruces Sun-News

Johnson largely ignored as presidential primaries near - Las Cruces Sun-News - Milan Simonich:

Nov. 18, 2011 - "Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, uninvited to 11 of 13 televised debates, says his campaign for president is dying. He described himself as underexposed and mistreated, and said he probably cannot continue in the race much longer.

"'There are five debates prior to the New Hampshire primary (on Jan. 10). If I'm shut out of all five, I don't see that I stand a chance in New Hampshire,' Johnson said Friday in a wide-ranging, 50-minute interview....

"Johnson said that, without a consistent presence in televised debates, voters throughout the country do not know who he is, much less what he stands for.

"He said he had been 'purposefully excluded' from debates in which he met the standard for inclusion.

"Dating to May, Johnson said, CNN blocked him from a debate it sponsored in New Hampshire, even though he qualified under the benchmarks of being an announced candidate with 2 percent support in three national polls during the month.

"At other points, Johnson said, he was even in polls with former restaurant executive Herman Cain and ahead of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman and former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum. Johnson complained that they were included in debates but he was not."

Read more: http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_19371010
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Four-way GOP dead heat in Iowa - Bloomberg

Romney Two-Way Race Now Four-Way Republican Dead Heat in Iowa - Bloomberg - John McCormick:

Nov. 15. 2011 - "Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are in a dead heat as the top choices for Iowans likely to attend the Jan. 3 Republican presidential caucuses.

"A Bloomberg News poll shows Cain at 20 percent, Paul at 19 percent, Romney at 18 percent and Gingrich at 17 percent among the likely attendees with the caucuses that start the nominating contests seven weeks away....

The poll reflects the race’s fluidity, with 60 percent of respondents saying they still could be persuaded to back someone other than their top choice, and 10 percent undecided. Paul’s support is more solidified than his rivals, while Cain’s is softer."
Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-15/romney-two-way-race-is-now-four-way-republican-dead-heat-in-iowa-caucuses.html#gdpa

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Ron Paul’s campaign slams CBS News/National Journal for ’90 measly seconds’ | The State Column

Ron Paul’s campaign slams CBS News/National Journal for ’90 measly seconds’ | The State Column:

"Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, participated in the CBS News/National Journal GOP debate in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Saturday night....

"Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Manager John Tate slammed CBS News/National Journal for not allotting enough time to the Texas Congressman. '90 seconds. That’s how much of the first hour of tonight’s GOP debate was given to Ron Paul. 90 measly seconds out of 3,600 seconds,' Tate said in an email to Paul’s supporters on Saturday. 'It literally made me sick watching the mainstream media once again silence the one sane voice in this election,' Tate posited. "

Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/ron-pauls-campaign-slams-cbs-newsnational-journal-for-90-measly-seconds/#ixzz1deBwYj2y
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Republican Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson on Technology | socalTECH.com

Republican Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson on Technology | socalTECH.com - Benjamin F. Kuo:

Nov. 2, 2011 - "In an interesting diversion from our usual interviews with startup entrepreneurs and investors, we had the chance to sit down earlier with Republican Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson, the former Governor of New Mexico, to talk about his online town hall with Los Angeles-based Yowie later today (at 5pm PST). Johnson spoke to us about his online outreach efforts, and how he's hoping those efforts will bring some visibility to his campaign."

Read interview: http://www.socaltech.com/republican_presidential_candidate_gary_johnson_on_technology/s-0039142.html
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Costa Rican police raid Libertarian Movement office, arrested 2

Police raid Libertarian Movement Party office, two arrested / Top Story / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times - AFP:

Nov. 4, 2011 - "Agents from the Judicial Investigation Police and the Chief Prosecutor's Office's financial crimes unit Friday arrested two officials from the Libertarian Movement Party, or ML, and charged them with defrauding the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign fund reimbursements after the party allegedly billed the government for dozens of political workshops that never took place....

"Carlos Solano, the party’s secretary of training, told prosecutors last Monday that 194 campaign workshops, for which the ML billed the Supreme Elections Tribunal ₡210 million ($412,000), never happened.... Solano said that in order to fake the workshops’ attendance documents, he and another employee, Luis Chavarría, collected signatures and identification numbers 'at any cost' between June 2009 and January 2010, leading up to the 2010 elections. Chavarría is an adviser to congressman Adonay Enríquez."

Read more: http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/Top-Story/Police-raid-Libertarian-Movement-Party-office-two-arrested-_Friday-November-04-2011
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Ferguson thanks supporters - Brantford Expositor

Ferguson thanks supporters - Brantford Expositor - Ontario - Rob Ferguson, Letters to the Editor:

"I would like to say what an honour it was to be the Libertarian candidate for the office of Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Brant.

"I would like to thank all those who supported me through this campaign; I was proud to serve as a candidate. I would like to thank my wife and family for their support, without which I would have never filed for the position.

"I would like to also thank the Ontario Libertarian Party for all of their support during the campaign."

Read more: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3329970

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Newsom, Johnson Drug Conference: Is Legalization The Answer To The War On Drugs?

Newsom, Johnson Drug Conference: Is Legalization The Answer To The War On Drugs? (POLL) - Kathleen Miles, Huffington Post:

Nov. 4, 2011 - "It is rare for a politician to openly advocate the legalization of drugs as the solution to the country's drug problem. But that's just what California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson did this week at the four-day International Drug Policy Reform Conference in downtown Los Angeles....

Republican candidate Johnson, a libertarian often compared to Ron Paul, stood in front of the conference audience and promised that if he was elected president, he would fully pardon anyone in prison for a non-violent marijuana crime....

Lt. Gov. Newsom said in his remarks that California ... will 'certainly be on the front lines of reconciling the abject failure that has been 40 years, this failed war on drugs.'.... Newsom revealed to the crowd that many politicians believe in legalization but are afraid to voice that position, Intersections South LA reports. 'My gosh, if I could just tape-record the private conversations, it would just break your heart,' Newsom said. 'We know better, we're just not doing better.'"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/04/newsom-johnson-drug-conference_n_1076573.html
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Annual Liberty Seminar and Convention | Ontario Libertarian Party

Annual Liberty Seminar and Convention | Ontario Libertarian Party:

"Annual Liberty Seminar and Convention
Saturday November 5, 2011 - 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Riviera Parque Convention Centre
2800 Highway #7 West, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 1W8

The Liberty Seminar will present two speakers.

• Gerry Nicholls, author of Loyal to the Core, and ‘one of Canada’s top five political minds.’ He will discuss the October 6 election and offer suggestions about what we might do before the next election....
• George Bragues, (University of Guelph-Humber) associated with Ludwig von Mises Canada (LvMIC).... Watch his presentation The Financial Crisis 2007-2008."

Every three years the Party holds a convention to elect a Leader, Deputy Leader and members of the Executive Committee ... for a three year term....

Candidates for Election - 2011 Convention....

• Party Leader: Sam Apelbaum, Jean-Serge Brisson, Phil Miller, Greg Pattinson, Allen Small
• Party Deputy Leader: Paolo Fabrizio, Heath Thomas

Read more: http://www.libertarian.on.ca/convention

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Gary Johnson 'the marijuana guy' takes 2012 pitch to L.A. - latimes.com

Gary Johnson 'the marijuana guy' takes 2012 pitch to L.A. - latimes.com - Kate Linthicum:

Nov. 3, 2011 - "An advocate of small-government and tax reform that would tax consumption, instead of income, Johnson’s libertarian leanings have drawn comparisons to Ron Paul, whom he endorsed for president in 2008.

"But he is best-known nationally for his stance on marijuana.

"Johnson has been calling for the legalization of the drug since 1999, during his second term as governor. He says he smoked marijuana recreationally when he was younger, and used it more recently to help with the pain after a paragliding accident in 2005. Wherever he goes, Johnson says, people point and say: 'That’s the marijuana guy.'

"But he says he’s OK with that, since many Americans support looser drug policies. In a recent magazine interview, Johnson said marijuana smokers may be 'the largest untapped voting bloc in the country.'"

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-johnson-marijuana-20111103,0,6498502.story
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Ron Paul: Occupy movement is ‘very good, and very risky’ | Iowa Caucuses

Ron Paul: Occupy movement is ‘very good, and very risky’ | Iowa Caucuses - Mary Stegmeir:

Nov. 1, 2001 - "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Tuesday that he had mixed feelings about the Occupy Wall Street movement.

“'I think it’s both very good, and very risky,' he said in an interview with The Des Moines Register. 'I think there are a few that attend these rallies that actually want more government — they want to just tax people more and believe if we just taxed the 1 percent, it could solve all the problems.

“'That, to me, is a risky idea.' Paul continued. 'But I think that the majority of them think government is the problem and taxes are too high and they know that the Federal Reserve plays a role in this, which, of course, is something I agree with.'...

Paul continued to pitch his 'Plan to Restore America,' released last month. The proposal would cut $1 trillion in federal spending during the first year of a Paul presidency by eliminating the federal departments of energy, housing and urban development, commerce, interior, and education.

Read more: http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/11/01/ron-paul-occupy-movement-is-very-good-and-very-risky/
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Ron Paul dominates Iowa straw poll, Libertarian Party courts him

Ron Paul dominates Iowa straw poll, Libertarian Party courts him - Michael Krebs, Digital Journal:

Oct. 31, 2011 - "Republican presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul easily defeated his rivals in [an] Iowa straw poll on Saturday, as the Libertarian Party's leadership began openly pressing Paul to run under their ticket.

"Iowa's National Federation of Republic Assemblies Presidential Preference Convention and Straw Poll released its results on Saturday, and Republican presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul was by far the favorite, taking a commanding 82 percent of the vote ... with restaurant executive Herman Cain taking a distant second place at 14.7 percent.

"But while Paul's Iowa results were impressive, it is widely believed among those in the Libertarian Party that he will not receive the Republican Party's nomination. And for this reason, the Libertarian Party has begun to court Paul openly.

"As ABC News reported on Monday, the Libertarian Party's leadership would be more than happy to have Ron Paul run on their presidential ticket. 'Absolutely, that would be fabulous,' Jim Lesczynski, media relations director for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, told ABC News."

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/313643#ixzz1cVmN7dJL
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Ron Paul | Vince Vaughn | Why Vince Vaughn supports Ron Paul | The Daily Caller

Ron Paul | Vince Vaughn | Why Vince Vaughn supports Ron Paul | The Daily Caller - Jack Hunter, "Paulitical Ticker":

Sep. 19, 2011 - "When actor Vince Vaughn telephoned Congressman Ron Paul about two and a half years ago, ... [t]he Federal Reserve and its inherent problems had become of increasing concern to Vaughn, and he knew that Rep. Paul was one of the most outspoken critics of the United States’s central bank. Paul obliged Vaughn, recommending books and websites related to the actor’s questions, and the two began a relationship ... which would develop into a friendship. Vaughn even invited Ron and his wife Carol to the Hollywood premier of Vaughn’s movie “Couples Retreat” last year."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/19/why-vince-vaughn-supports-ron-paul/
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Gary Johnson Files For New Hampshire Primary | ThirdAge

Gary Johnson Files For New Hampshire Primary | ThirdAge - Ed Carrasco:

Oct. 28, 2011 - "Gary Johnson filed his candidacy for the New Hampshire primary after missing a deadline to send his papers via mail, the Boston Globe reported.

"The former New Mexico governor was originally scheduled to campaign in Arizona, but when informed about the filing deadline—which is today—Johnson flew from Arizona to New Hampshire, where he arrived at the secretary of state’s office at 11:15 a.m. EDT.

“'As the first-in-the-nation primary state, New Hampshire is an important focus for our campaign,' Johnson said in a statement as quoted by the Boston Globe. 'I’ve spent a lot of time in New Hampshire -- even biking across it -- and look forward to continuing to take my message to the voters of this great state."

Read more: http://www.thirdage.com/news/gary-johnson-files-for-new-hampshire-primary_10-28-2011
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First Read - Johnson to miss New Hampshire primary filing deadline

First Read - Johnson to miss New Hampshire primary filing deadline - By NBC's Jo Ling Kent and Domenico Montanaro:

Oct. 27, 2011, "CONCORD, N.H. - Longshot presidential candidate Gary Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, likely will not be on the ballot for the New Hampshire Republican primary, all but ending any chance he could have had at the nomination ... the staunch libertarian missed the deadline to file by mail or representative, which was today at 4:30 pm ET....

"The missed deadline comes as a surprise not just to political watchers, but also the Johnson campaign itself.

"'The last I heard it was going to be filed today by a representative,' said Joe Hunter, Johnson’s communications director, sounding shocked, in a telephone interview when told the news by NBC....

"Johnson missing the deadline is also surprising, considering he has already filed for the South Carolina primary, with its $35,000 fee, NBC’s Ali Weinberg reports. New Hampshire’s is just $1,000."

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/27/8511455-johnson-to-miss-new-hampshire-primary-filing-deadline
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Town Hall for POTUS candidate Gary Johnson

Yowie Powers Town Hall For Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson | socalTECH.com:

Oct.26, 2011 - "Gary Johnson has taken his campaign online -- using the technology of Santa Monica-based Yowie. Yowie -- which develops interactive streaming technology which allows people to conduct video chats with friends and celebrities -- said that candidate Johnson will participate in a live, un-moderated online video town hall on November 2nd, at 5pm PT, using its platform. Yowie said the town hall will be the first ever in a series of chats with politicians and pundits....

"Johnson has been a favorite of the more libertarian parts of the GOP, but has riled some of his party with his support for legalizing medical marijuana and his stand on other social issues."

Read more: http://www.socaltech.com/yowie_powers_town_hall_for_presidential_candidate_gary_johnson/s-0039001.html
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Key Early GOP Contests | Sunshine State News

Mitt Romney Leads 2012 Field in Key Early GOP Contests | Sunshine State News - Kevin Derby:

Oct. 26, 2011 - "The battle is on in the early primary states....

"In Iowa, which is scheduled to hold its caucus Jan. 3, Romney leads the pack with 24 percent, but Cain is in a strong second with 21 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who took a strong second in the Iowa Republican straw poll in Ames back in August, takes third with 12 percent....

"Romney is in better shape in New Hampshire, taking 40 percent while Cain is in second with 13 percent. Paul takes third and is right on Cain’s heels taking 12 percent....

"In South Carolina, ... Romney is barely ahead of Cain, edging the businessman 25 percent to 23 percent. Paul stands in third in the Palmetto State with 12 percent....

"Romney takes 30 percent in Florida while Cain ... stands in second place with 18 percent. Gingrich and Perry are locked in a tie for third with 9 percent each. Paul takes fifth with 6 percent followed by Bachmann with 4 percent."

Read more: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/mitt-romney-leads-2012-field-in-key-early-gop-contests
"
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Marijuana should be globally legalized: Santos - Colombia news | Colombia Reports

Marijuana should be globally legalized: Santos - Colombia news | Colombia Reports - Natalie Dalton:

Oct. 25, 2011 - "Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos said that legalization of soft drugs, such as marijuana, would allow the war on drugs to move forward by shifting focus to harder drugs and helping to stop international violence and drug trafficking.

"In an interview with Metro News, Santos proposed that more world leaders should rethink their approach to the war on drugs.... 'The world needs to discuss new approaches ... we are basically still thinking within the same framework as we have done for the last 40 years,' the president explained.

"The Colombian head of state said that legalizing softer drugs could be a way forward, 'provided everyone does it at the same time.'

"However, Santos explained that he cannot be the first to make the move, 'because for Colombia, this is a matter of national security.... I would be crucified if I took the first step.'

Read more: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/19937-marijuana-should-be-globally-legalized-santos.html
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Ron Paul thinks now is the time to make his move - latimes.com

Ron Paul thinks now is the time to make his move - latimes.com - Kim Geiger:

Oct. 21, 2011 - "Fresh off a $2 million-plus fundraising day, Ron Paul is planning an advertising blitz in four early voting states.... Paul's campaign thinks now is the time to spend big.

"The strategy, according to spokesman Jesse Benton, is to get on the airwaves now, while they’re quiet.

"'We also think other candidates aren’t going [on the air] right now,' Benton said. 'There’s going to be a certain din toward the end where you’re going to have outside expenditures – it’s going to be a little harder to get the message heard.'

Paul will be the first of the GOP presidential candidates to come out with a major ad campaign. He’ll spend more than $2 million over the next four weeks, much of it on television advertising. The ads will air in Iowa and New Hampshire as well as South Carolina and Nevada."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-paul-making-move-20111020,0,6353568.story
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Cautiously, Libertarians Reach Out to Occupy Wall Street - Conor Friedersdorf - Politics - The Atlantic

Cautiously, Libertarians Reach Out to Occupy Wall Street - Conor Friedersdorf - Politics - The Atlantic:

Oct. 20, 2011 - "With a left-leaning populist movement taking to the streets in cities around the country, ... a few savvy figures with libertarian messages appreciate that ... a better opportunity to engage persuadable leftists has never before presented itself.

"Prof. Larry Lessig, the Harvard academic and political activist, is among the observers calling on Occupy Wall Street and the tea party movement to recognize what they have in common ... he says that crony capitalism is one shared object of ire, a message he repeated this week in Washington D.C.....

"GOP presidential primary candidate Gary Johnson is reaching out too. 'I just have to express my solidarity with everyone there that expresses the notion that we have a country that doles it out unfairly,' he said. 'Corporatism is alive and well in this country. We've bailed out individuals on Wall Street that made horrific decisions that should have been rewarded for those horrific decisions by having lost all their money. Of course, that didn't happen, and you and I bailed them out at a cost of a trillion bucks, and they continue to award themselves bonuses at our expense. I'm outraged by that.'.... Then the pitch: 'He told them that it is important for people to understand the distinction between capitalism and crony capitalism. "Is the free market to blame, or is it that fact that it's not a free market?"'"

Read more: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/10/cautiously-libertarians-reach-out-to-occupy-wall-street/247045/
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Ron Paul Launches ‘Black This Out’ Money Bomb | The State Column

Ron Paul Launches ‘Black This Out’ Money Bomb | The State Column:

Oct. 19, 2011 - Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a Republican presidential candidate, launched his latest money bomb on Wednesday. The 'Black This Out' money bomb has raised more than $1 million as of 3pm EDT....

"Paul’s money bomb is named after his lack of coverage in the national media.... According to a Pew Research Center study, the Texas Congressman has been the main focus of a mere 2 percent of news stories on the 2012 presidential race.

"At press conference on Monday afternoon, Paul unveiled his  'Restore America' plan. Paul’s Restore America ' plan calls for $1 trillion in spending cuts in his first year in office, the elimination of five cabinet departments and a fully balanced budget by the third year of the Texas Congressman’s presidency."


Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/ron-paul-launches-black-this-out-money-bomb/#ixzz1bH1xFcSu
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Gary Johnson points to a Gallup poll showing more Americans want to legalize marijuana | Sunshine State News

Gary Johnson points to a Gallup poll showing more Americans want to legalize marijuana | Sunshine State News - Kevin Derby's blog:

Oct. 18, 2011 - "A Gallup poll released on Monday found that 50 percent of those surveyed favor the legalization of marijuana while 46 percent want to keep it illegal. The poll prompted a statement on Tuesday from Republican presidential hopeful former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico....

“'I have said for some time that marijuana legalization was approaching a "tipping point" in terms of public support, and this survey shows that we are there,' said Johnson.... 'Americans increasingly see what I saw as governor: that treating marijuana use as a crime, rather than a health issue, accomplishes nothing other than ruining lives and overwhelming law enforcement and the courts.

“'Refusing to face the truth about marijuana laws and their failure is the modern-day equivalent to Prohibition, which served only to jump-start organized crime -- just as our marijuana laws are providing vast riches to the cartels who are terrorizing our southern border,' added Johnson. 'Yet, for the most part, there are no politicians who will speak that truth, much less act upon it. With 50 percent of Americans open to the idea of legalization, why won’t the ruling class at least let us have the conversation?'"

Read more: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/gary-johnson-doubles-down-marijuana-legalization
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If he's lucky, Ron Paul could be the Pat Buchanan of 2012 – Telegraph Blogs

If he's lucky, Ron Paul could be the Pat Buchanan of 2012 – Telegraph Blogs - Tim Stanley:

Oct. 18, 2011 - "The 1996 race was all about three men. Senator Bob Dole was an establishment candidate with a strong record of public office but an image problem.... Steve Forbes was a businessman who had never served in an elected position.... Pat Buchanan was a maverick running on a quirky collection of unfashionable ideas....

"Romney is this year’s dullard centrist and Cain is the tax-obsessed businessman nipping at his heels. Ron Paul is the crazy guy with a mix of apparently contradictory positions that look totally unelectable....

"The genius of Buchanan’s 1996 campaign was that it targeted its few resources on motivating a small but loyal band of voters. He never diluted his message or tamed his style (once, when asked whether or not he supported gun control, he replied, “I think it’s important to have a steady aim”). While Dole and Forbes dragged each other down, upping their negative ratings with devastating attack ads, Buchanan quietly worked on getting his people out to vote."

Read more: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100111581/if-hes-lucky-ron-paul-could-be-the-pat-buchanan-of-2012/
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Paul offers plan for $1 trillion in spending cuts: slash 5 Cabinet depts., repeal regulations - The Washington Post

Paul offers plan for $1 trillion in spending cuts: slash 5 Cabinet depts., repeal regulations - The Washington Post:

Oct. 17, 2011 - "LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul is calling for $1 trillion in cuts to the federal budget and says he would eliminate five Cabinet departments ... lower spending and reduce the national debt ... allow young workers to opt out of Social Security ... repeal President Barack Obama’s health care legislation as well as major banking and campaign finance regulations ... [and] reduce corporate taxes."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/paul-offers-plan-for-1-trillion-in-spending-cuts-slash-5-cabinet-depts-repeal-regulations/2011/10/17/gIQA1mpVsL_story.html
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Politics 2012: Ron Paul adds buzz to GOP nominating process - UPI.com

Politics 2012: Ron Paul adds buzz to GOP nominating process - UPI.com - Nicole Debevec:

Oct. 16,2011 - "Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, making his second run for the Republican presidential nomination, has enjoyed a recent uptick in support in the highest profile campaign of his 35-year political career.

"In September Paul was as high as third in opinion polls behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.... Paul still captures double-digit support -- a far cry from the scant 3 percent in his 2008 campaign. A RealClearPolitics.com average of polls indicates Paul polls an average of 7.7 percent.

"Paul handily won the recent Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit straw poll for GOP presidential candidates, with the socially conservative crowd ranking him ahead of Cain and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum....

"This cycle the Paul campaign is working to increase his visibility on the stump and on television. Paul has made nearly two dozen trips to Iowa since declaring his candidacy in May, compared with nine such visits in a similar period in 2008. Paul's TV commercials have been airing in four early primary states since July. By comparison, in 2007 he didn't start advertising on TV until the end of the year.

"The campaign also is trying to diversify Paul's base, reaching out to groups such as farmers and evangelicals, and running a TV ad promoting Paul's stints as a surgeon in the Air Force and in the Air National Guard."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/10/16/Politics-2012-Ron-Paul-adds-buzz-to-GOP-nominating-process/UPI-99001318752000/#ixzz1az1cP9Co
'via Blog this'

Ron Paul ramps up campaign spending - Dan Hirschhorn - POLITICO.com

Ron Paul ramps up campaign spending - Dan Hirschhorn - POLITICO.com:

Oct. 15, 2011 - "Paul’s heavy campaign burn-rate emerged in his third-quarter campaign finance report filed Saturday, which showed him raising about $8.2 million for the period but also spending $7.5 million. He finished the quarter with $3.6 million in the bank. The largest costs came in the form of more than $2 million spent on TV and direct-mail advertising....

"The burn-rate stands in stark contrast to the same period during his 2008 campaign, when he raised $5.2 million and spent only $2.1 million. And Paul’s campaign says that’s exactly the point. Last time, Paul strategists believe, the campaign waited too long to staff up and capitalize on the surge of interest and online donations that fueled his run."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/66040.html#ixzz1atpaYPun


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GOP hopeful Johnson gets his chance to speak | USA Today

GOP hopeful Johnson gets his chance to speak - Catalana Camia, On Politics, USA Today:

Oct. 12, 2001 - "Gary Johnson wasn't included in last night's GOP presidential debate, but he did get a chance to speak today along with other candidates in the New Hampshire House.

"USA TODAY's Susan Page reports that the former New Mexico governor warned that the United States 'is on the verge of a monetary collapse.' Johnson promised to submit a balanced budget if he's elected president and veto bills that fail to meet the test of fiscal austerity."

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/10/gary-johnson-gop-debate-new-hampshire-/1

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ABQJournal Online » Gary Johnson’s Latest Snazzy Campaign Video Hits YouTube

ABQJournal Online » Gary Johnson’s Latest Snazzy Campaign Video Hits YouTube:

"Gary Johnson keeps plugging away – even if in relative obscurity. Johnson’s latest tactic is a YouTube video urging voters to Google him – and his record as governor – in comparison with the other candidates. The video concedes he doesn’t have Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s hair, or Romney’s chin or Obama’s …. 'uh — a little help here?' the video text says.... What Johnson does have, according to the video is proof: his track record.'”



Read more: http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/10/13/politics/gary-johnson-latest-snazzy-campaign-video-hits-youtube.html

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Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Hear New Hampshire Libertarian Party Case

Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Hear New Hampshire Libertarian Party Case:

October 11, 2011 - "On October 11, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Libertarian Party of New Hampshire v Gardner, 11-119. This is the case in which the First Circuit had said ... if a state puts a candidate on the ballot with a party label, and the party had not nominated that candidate (but had nominated another candidate for the same office), the party has no recourse.

"In November 2008, New Hampshire listed two Libertarians on the ballot for President, one whom the state and national party had nominated (Bob Barr) and someone else....

"The Court thus continues its 20-year behavior of refusing to hear any case brought by a minor party or independent candidate, unless a major party is also in the same case on the same side.... During those same 20 years, however, the Court accepted three cases in which the minor party or independent candidate had won the case below, and reversed them."

Read more: http://www.ballot-access.org/2011/10/11/u-s-supreme-court-wont-hear-new-hampshire-libertarian-party-case/
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Gary Johnson steps up criticism of the “Gary Johnson Rule”

Gary Johnson steps up criticism of the “Gary Johnson Rule” | The State Column:

Oct. 12, 2011 - "Republican presidential candidate and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson increased his criticism of major news networks Wednesday, saying his latest exclusion from a Washington Post/Bloomberg debate “sucks.”

“'It sucks,'” Mr. Johnson said. 'It’s unfair. It’s completely unfair.... I really thought this process, running for president of the United States, was fair. I really did,' Mr. Johnson said. 'I gotta tell you, I’m really disillusioned.'

"Meanwhile, a group called Citizens for Gary Johnson is pushing to include Mr. Johnson in the upcoming debates. The group contends that if former Utah governor Jon Huntsman and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum — both of whom have recently polled in the single digits — are included, then Mr. Johnson should be as well."

Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/gary-johnson-steps-up-criticism-of-the-gary-johnson-rule/#ixzz1acQ0yhZT
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Ron Paul vs. Barack Obama… : ThyBlackMan.com

Ron Paul vs. Barack Obama… : ThyBlackMan.com:

Oct. 10, 2011 - "Make no mistake about it. This election boils down to a contest between Ron Paul and Barack Obama. None of the other Republicans is different enough, or powerful enough, to entice the country to change horses in midstream. Yes, they sound different, but would any of them end the wars or stop the upward flow of wealth to a fewer and fewer few? Ron Paul would stop the wars, and as for reversing the increasing concentration of wealth, who knows, but he would move to radically alter our financial structure. And that is why they say he doesn’t have a chance. But unless they nominate him, neither do the Republicans....

Not only does Ron Paul have a strong base with the young, he also has demonstrated great strength with “values voters,” and in a final showdown he may garner the lion’s share of Tea Party ballots. Meanwhile, Obama’s base amongst the youth is shrinking, and there is debate in the Black community about giving him unquestioning support.... No matter what the experts in the press would have us believe, Obama’s only serious opponent is Ron Paul. Conditions on the ground, in the economy and the society may well result in a Ron Paul vs. Barack Obama contest."

Read more: http://thyblackman.com/2011/10/10/ron-paul-vs-barack-obama/
'via Blog this'

Gary Johnson | Medical Marijuana | The federal government's misguided war on California | The Daily Caller

Gary Johnson | Medical Marijuana | The federal government's misguided war on California | The Daily Caller:

Oct. 7, 2011 - "At least 28,000 people have been killed in drug cartel violence along the Mexican border.... So what is our government doing today? DOJ is launching an offensive against California. ... spending our dollars and resources threatening dozens of small businesses in California with criminal charges, closure, and confiscation of private property for the heinous crime of trying to provide the people of California with a product and service they have officially said they want and determined to be in the public interest....

"From a legal standpoint, the government is assaulting medicinal marijuana businesses because it says California law conflicts with federal drug laws. Yes, those federal drug laws that have been so successful in addressing drug abuse in this country — not to mention the tragic drug violence that is actually killing people by the thousands.

"DOJ’s offensive against California’s medical marijuana dispensaries is incredibly troubling on many levels. First, whatever happened to the constitutional notion of states’ rights? Whether or not you think legally dispensing marijuana for medical purposes is a good idea, the proposition that a state should be able to make that decision for itself — through the democratic process — is a fundamental part of our system.... This is not some silly California thing. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have some form of legal medicinal marijuana law on the books. Those laws were approved by legislatures and voters after thoughtful and thorough debates....

"It is only going to turn a lot of people who are trying to abide by the law into criminals. Instead of going to a dispensary under medical supervision, thousands of Californians will be going to street corners to buy pot from the cartels. Now that is a great outcome. Thank you, DOJ."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/07/the-federal-governments-misguided-war-on-california/#ixzz1aP9tSu5C
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Hugh MacIntyre: How libertarians should vote

Hugh MacIntyre: How libertarians should vote in today’s provincial election | Full Comment | National Post:

Oct. 6, 2011 - "I have had to take a serious look at both political parties and decide which one truly deserves my vote. I speak of the Freedom Party and the Libertarian Party.

"Both parties offer a vision of a more modest state that does not unnecessarily interfere with the lives of individuals and recognizes the free market as the primary driver of prosperity....

"The Freedom Party has worked hard to earn my vote, while the Libertarian Party has been pretty much invisible.

"Still, I can’t bring myself to vote for the Freedom Party and the reason I can’t is the party’s leader: Paul McKeever....

"Paul McKeever insists the Freedom Party is objectivist and not libertarian.

"I won’t bother going into the difference between objectivism and libertarianism because one is a moral philosophy and the other is a political philosophy. By insisting the Freedom Party is objectivist, rather than libertarian, Mr. McKeever is basically saying that you have to not just agree with his policies, but also agree with the moral philosophy of Ayn Rand.

"I don’t care that Mr. McKeever is an objectivist, because I agree with his political goals.

"This isn’t good enough for Mr. McKeever. In fact, he can be pretty insulting about it.... To my mind, this means he doesn’t really want my vote. If ideological purity is what he wants, then he doesn’t want me.

"So I will be voting Libertarian because I agree with the party’s policies and the party leader doesn’t purposefully alienate me."

Read more: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/06/hugh-macintyre-how-libertarians-should-vote-in-todays-provincial-election/
'via Blog this'

It’s not all about winning for Ontario’s fringe parties | The Toronto Observer

It’s not all about winning for Ontario’s fringe parties | The Toronto Observer - Mersiha Gadzo::

Oct. 5, 2011 - "The Freedom, Libertarian and Communist parties are just some of the lesser-known contenders running candidartes in the Oct. 6 provincial election....

"'We’re getting a little more attention,' said Jim McIntosh, treasurer of the Ontario Libertarian Party. 'I’m not sure why but in this year alone, we’ve had more inquiries and new members than we’ve had in the previous two'....

"McIntosh explained the Libertarian Party is running because it believes there should be less government involved in people’s lives.

"The government passes hundreds of laws every year and imposes thousands of regulations on businesses, farmers and individuals, he said. That sort of intrusion, he said, hurts business. He pointed to the province’s smoking ban in bars, which he said resulted in a number of them going out of business.

“'Why bother [going] to a bar if you can’t smoke while having a beer?' McIntosh asked."

Read more: http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2011/10/05/its-not-all-about-winning-for-ontarios-fringe-parties/
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Donnelly has resisted government since childhood

Resisting government since childhood - The Cornwall Standard Freeholder - Ontario - Greg Peerenboom:

Oct. 1, 2011 - "Provincial Libertarian Party candidate Darcy Neal Donnelly remembers a childhood scrape with the Canadian Army, no less, that shaped his outlook on life.... 'I've been running away from the government all my life,' he said, joining the dots from his army 'skirmish' to now.

"But Donnelly has turned around and decided to make a stand, becoming a libertarian only within the last six months.... When the spring federal election was called, he expressed apathy for the other parties.... But he researched deeper into the so-called fringe parties, and discovered the Libertarians.... 'I told them I wanted to spread the word,' he said, rationalizing the campaign is [more] about publicity than about winning....

"He said Libertarians would make it illegal for a government to create currency or deposits that exceed the value of economic assets.

"Donnelly points out that government has made people into slaves through the value of government currency. Instead, he said people should have the freedom to choose how they would be paid.

"For example, he said it's wrong for the government to stipulate that gold is not to be used as compensation for work.

"Government's involvement in daily lives, he said, is strangling society.

"Small business owners, in particular, are left to deal with hours of red tape, siphoning off energy better used for operating the business."

Read more: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3319019

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Ontario Libertarian Message 2011

Ontario Libertarian Message 2011 :: NorthumberlandView.ca :: A View Like No Other:

Oct. 4, 2011 - "Well, after three different schedule updates, the CBC free time broadcast of my Libertarian message....

"The important part of the message is, we need government monopoly less, and competitive choices more. Whether that change comes from a libertarian legislator, or one from another party, is of no consequence. What's important is that governments move toward controlling our lives less and less, and giving people the economic freedom to choose what is best for themselves and their families, more and more."

http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&func=display&sid=10887
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Libertarian candidate McLarty sees tax reform as key election issue - Northumberland Today

Libertarian candidate McLarty sees tax reform as key election issue - Northumberland Today - Valerie Macdonald:

September 28, 2011 - "Jeffrey McLarty says he is running a one-person Libertarian campaign as the candidate for Northumberland-Quinte West in next week's provincial election.

"He is running in this provincial election 'because he believes the old, left-right, Liberal-Conservative, bi-polar way of thinking needs a refreshing Libertarian light cast upon it,' his website (www.jeffreymclarty.com) states.

"In an interview this week McLarty said he believes the reduction of government waste and inefficiencies would help everyone from low-income earners up, and that tax reform is key.

"'Taxes are currently unfair, too high and a burden to calculate, monitor, track and govern,' his website states.

"McLarty is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and has worked with a variety of businesses from Research in Motion to Ontario Power Generation."

Read more: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3315149
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Transgender candidate makes Canadian history in Ontario

Trans candidate makes Canadian history in Ontario - Andrea Houston, Xtra!:

Sep. 28, 2011 - "In the suburban riding of Mississauga–Brampton South, Christin Milloy is making history as the first out trans candidate to run in a Canadian provincial election.

"Aside from municipal elections, the only other out trans candidate was nominated in 2007 at the federal level in the riding of Quebec City, ... activist and lawyer Micheline Anne Montreuil.... But Montreuil didn’t make it to the end of the campaign. She claimed she was dropped because the NDP objected to her gender identity....

"Milloy, 27, is running for the Libertarian Party. She says one of her platform priorities is modernizing the process to change sex designation on a birth certificate. She says there are currently unnecessary and potentially harmful barriers for trans people if they want to change their birth certificates.

"'We have a situation where the government is actually forcing trans people to mutilate their bodies,' she says.... 'For the birth certificate, which is issued by the province, proof of transsexual surgery is required.... I plan to fight for the rights of pre-operative and non-operative trans people. We deserve the same recognition as the rest of society.'"

Read more: http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Trans_candidate_makes_Canadian_history_in_Ontario-10830.aspx
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Less is more for Miller, Libertarians

Less is more for Miller, Libertarians - Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario - Don Crosby:

Sep. 29, 2011 - "Jay Miller is new to politics and new to the area, and the Libertarian Party candidate in the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound riding is offering some political alternatives.

"'We see governments spending a lot of money but we don't see the results and we don't think preventing people from having individual choice is in any way appropriate or effective especially in the case of the medical system. If you can't get the care you want you should not be preventing people from getting the care they need,' he said.

"The Libertarian Party is united by the belief that less government is better government. It advocates lower taxes, limiting the influence of government, more individual choice and more choice for communities."

Read more: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3316412
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Ron Paul, Gary Johnson Among Those Not Keen on U.S. Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine

Ron Paul, Gary Johnson Among Those Not Keen on U.S. Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine - Lucy Steigerwald:

Sep. 30, 2011 - "Anwar al-Awlaki is dead; and on the occasion of the deliberate targeting and killing of an American citizen by the American government, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is less than excited about the precedent.... 'The protections under the Constitution for those accused of crimes do not just apply to people we like — they apply to everyone, including a terrorist like al-Awlaki. It is a question of due process for American citizens.'

"Texas Congressman and fellow GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul made lots more headlines when he dubbed the killing of terrorist friend and inciter Awlaki (and another American citizen) an assassination.... Paul pointed out how domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh got a trial, appeals, and an execution, and said that's what should have been done with Awlaki."

"Ivan Eland, a senior fellow at the Independent Institute, weirdly enough wrote a column just two days ago in which he contrasted the outrage over recently executed Troy Davis and the less for the appeal-free death sentence put on Anwar al-Awlaki."

Read more: http://reason.com/blog/2011/09/30/ron-paul-and-gary-johnson-amon
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Also read:
Challenging Obama's Assassination Policy
by George Dance
http://www.nolanchart.com/article7995-Challenging-Obamas-assassination-policy.html