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

Ron Paul Bests Obama in Latest Poll | Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

Ron Paul Bests Obama in Latest Poll | Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee:

Sep. 27, 2011 - "LAKE JACKSON, Texas – In a new Harris Poll, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul beats President Obama 51 percent to 49 percent in a general election race....

"These results come just a few weeks after a Reuters/Ipsos survey showed Ron Paul polling within striking distance of President Obama among registered voters. Furthermore, a late August Rasmussen poll showed him within 1 percent of President Obama in a head-to-head matchup.

Another recent Gallup survey, conducted August 17-18, shows Paul only 2 percentage points behind Obama in a general election match-up. In a similar head-to-head survey from last year done by Rasmussen, Dr. Paul drew a statistical dead heat with the President. And earlier this year in a survey by CNN, he did the best out of the other Republicans put up against Obama in a head-to-head poll."

Read more: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/09/27/ron-paul-bests-obama-in-latest-poll/
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Is the Ron Paul Campaign Stuck in Second Gear? - ABC News

Is the Ron Paul Campaign Stuck in Second Gear? - ABC News - Jason M. Volack:

Sep. 29, 2011 - "Since July, Rep. Ron Paul’s poll numbers have been hovering around 8 percent. That’s right where he was when he ran four years ago.

"In the latest ABC News poll, only 8 percent of likely Republican voters mentioned Paul’s name as the one best to handle the economy. Rick Perry and Mitt Romney each topped the poll with 22 percent. In fact, in all of ABC News’ polls, there are no issues that Paul can claim as his own.

"ABC News polling has also found that 27 percent of likely Republican voters viewed Paul unfavorably. A good portion of Paul’s libertarian views, including abolishing the income tax, returning to the gold standard and eliminating the United Nations, are considered impractical by the Republican party. And his views on eliminating the war on drugs and state regulation of abortions are considered out of the question."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/is-the-ron-paul-campaign-stuck-in-second-gear/
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Ron Paul draws enthusiastic response in New York - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

Ron Paul draws enthusiastic response in New York - Political Hotsheet - CBS News - Rodney Hawkins:

Sep. 27, 2011 - "On Monday, Paul appeared on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,' where he chatted with Stewart about his electability, his Libertarian views and his enthusiastic supporters. He told the comedian he thinks Republicans' apparent dissatisfaction with the rest of the GOP field could give his long-shot campaign a boost: 'We very well could be on the verge of [an] explosion of interest in this country.'

"A few hours after the 'Daily Show' taping, Paul attended a rally in his honor organized by Ron Paul NYC Liberty ... at Webster Hall, a nightclub and concert venue on Manhattan's Lower East Side, with more than 1,200 paying attendees shelling out about $20 each to attend the event that more closely resembled a rock show than a political event....

"Paul took the stage to a roaring crowd yelling his name in unison. His 30-minute speech was no different [from] the usual libertarian rhetoric he articulates, but the crowd cheered and screamed after every punch line."



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20112268-503544.html
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Ontario Libertarian Party runs 51 candidates

Ontario Libertarian Party | The Party of Choice: - "See our 51 Candidates" 

"Libertarians are on the ballot in 51 Electoral Districts (yes, FIFTY-ONE!). This is more than double the number we had in the 2007 General Election. Congratulations to all of them. Check for our candidate in your riding on our Candidates' pages." <http://libertarian.on.ca/candidates>.

"Some of the candidates have not updated their page yet, however every candidate has a "Contact me" link at the end of their page if you want to send [...] an email."

See the list here."

from: http://www.libertarian.on.ca/news/see-our-51-candidates
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Gary Johnson cleaning up with his dog poop quip - Los Angeles Times

Gary Johnson cleaning up with his dog poop quip - Los Angeles Times - Michael Muskal:

Sep. 23, 2011 - "Gary Johnson, the libertarian former governor of New Mexico, seemingly has found a way to make political gold out of dog poop.

"In a throwaway line at the GOP presidential debate on Thursday night, Johnson ... won the comedy award of the night during questioning about the Obama administration’s stimulus spending plans."

"'My next-door neighbor's two dogs have created more shovel-ready jobs than this current administration,' he shot back. The line ... rocked the house, proving that oldies are always goodies. It also brought a moment of recognition to Johnson, making his first serious national debate appearance, and for one quick shining moment allowed him to break away from the pack of Republican nominees.

"On Friday, Johnson followed up with a visit to Florida conservatives. He outlined his oft-repeated calls for smaller government, less taxes and more social freedom.... 'Right now I am the most Googled name on the planet, because last night I came up with a witty sentence on dog poop.' Johnson said as the audience laughed."

Read more: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/23/news/la-pn-gary-johnson-dog-poop-20110923
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Ron Paul Wins GOP California Straw Poll - International Business Times

Ron Paul Wins GOP California Straw Poll - International Business Times:

Sep. 18, 2011 - "The California state GOP announced in a statement that Texas Congressman Ron Paul won the California Republican straw poll on Saturday.

"Of the 883 ballots cast during the event, the controversial Paul received 374, or 44.9 percent, of the votes. Ballots were cast among Republican Party members, associated members and registered guests.

"Gov. Rick Perry came in second with 29.3 percent of the votes (244 ballots), while Mitt Romney came in third with 8.8 percent (74 ballots), followed by Rep. Michele Bachmann, who received 7.7 percent (64 ballots).

"The other GOP candidates -- Jon Huntsman, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Thad McCotter, Rick Santorum, Gary Johnson and Fred Karger -- each received 2 percent of the votes or less."

Paul reportedly drew supportive crowds over the weekend while making multiple speaking appearances at the state Republican Party convention in downtown Los Angeles."

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/215772/20110918/ron-paul-wins-california-straw-poll-gop-straw-poll.htm
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Gary Johnson to Participate in National GOP Debate - ABC News

Gary Johnson to Participate in National GOP Debate - ABC News - Sarah Parnass:

Sep. 20, 2011 - "Gary Johnson’s presidential campaign got a big break Tuesday.

"Over the objections of the Florida Republican party, the former New Mexico governor is invited to participate in Fox’s GOP presidential debate this Thursday, a source at Fox News confirmed.
Candidates needed one percent of the vote in at least five national polls in order to qualify....

"Up to now, the lesser known-candidate has gained little national recognition, though not for lack of appearances. In addition to stops in New Orleans and Iowa, Johnson is one of the most ardent pursuers of early-primary state, New Hampshire....

"Johnson did take part in another Fox debate this May, but frontrunners Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann [sic] were not included in that event

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/gary-johnson-invited-to-participate-in-his-first-national-gop-debate/
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Ron Paul sees momentum building and dismisses current polls - Politics Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Ron Paul sees momentum building and dismisses current polls - Politics Wires - MiamiHerald.com:

Sep. 21, 2011 - "Paul, R-Texas, is running for president for the third time since 1988. His libertarian views, free-market ideology, advocacy for smaller government and a reduced U.S. military footprint around the world have attracted fiercely loyal supporters, large crowds to events and impressive cash into his campaign coffers.

"So far he's raised more than $4.5 million, considerably less than Perry and Romney but more than Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.... Despite the money and fervent support - especially among young voters - Paul hasn't been able to crack the top tier of the Republican presidential field....

"Paul believes there's a chance for a Republican candidate to topple Romney or Perry because the GOP field remains unsettled....

Paul rejected the idea of running as a third-party candidate if he doesn't do well in Iowa or New Hampshire.

"It would be a strong negative politically," he said. "If I were in a third party ... you might not have me here. I certainly wouldn't be in the debates."

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/21/2418390/ron-paul-sees-momentum-building.html#ixzz1Yg0cZJUV
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Nation & World | Ron Paul now No. 3 in GOP presidential race | Seattle Times Newspaper

Nation & World | Ron Paul now No. 3 in GOP presidential race | Seattle Times Newspaper:

Sep. 20, 2011 - "According to the Gallup poll released on Tuesday, Paul was at 13 percent, displacing Rep. Michele Bachmann, who fell to 5 percent and into a three-way dead heat with former House speaker Newt Gingrich and businessman Herman Cain. Bachmann, who won a straw poll in Iowa last month, had been as high as second place....

"Paul's latest showing mirrors what was seen in a recent CNN/ORC International poll in which Paul was also in third place with 13 percent of the vote. He was behind Perry, in the top slot in both polls, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, once the front-runner, but now in second place. For Paul, that jump to 13 percent represents a doubling of his support."

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016265464_politics21.html
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Bob Barr: Troy Davis merits clemency

Barr: Troy Davis merits clemency | savannahnow.com - Bob Barr:

Sep. 14, 2011 - "Davis was convicted in 1991 of the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. But there was no physical evidence brought to trial to support his conviction: No murder weapon, no DNA evidence, no surveillance tapes.

"Nine so-called eyewitnesses testified in the trial, and it was on the basis of their testimony that Davis was sentenced to death. Seven of those witnesses, however, have since recanted or materially changed their stories. The jury, for instance, relied on two people ... who testified that Davis had confessed to the shooting; both have since said they were lying.

"[The] U.S. Supreme Court took the extraordinary step of ordering a lower court to conduct an evidentiary hearing in the case. But the federal judge ... then required Davis to prove that he was innocent."

Read more: http://savannahnow.com/column/2011-09-14/barr-troy-davis-merits-clemency#.TnDie11-BEY.facebook
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Ontario Libertarian wants to reduce government, taxes

Ontario Libertarian candidate wants to reduce government, taxes - Cornwall, Ontario - Our Hometown:

D'arcy Neil Donelly - Ontario Libertarian Party :

Cornwall - Sep. 9, 2011 - "What are the big issues driving Ontario Politics today? It's a good thing that we have 13 registered competing political parties within Ontario, because competition creates options....

"Please allow me to throw in our Libertarian big issues (platform). We want to reduce government, reduce taxes and return to all citizens their own freedom to create their own monies.....

"Each individual has a big issue of their own. Each person is driving their own political issue. It is up to the individual person to engage themselves in their own political freedom. During this election campaign, voters and non-voters have an excellent opportunity to drive their big issue to us competing party candidates."

Read more: http://www.ourhometown.ca/news/DD0001.php\
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Ron Paul six points behind 2nd-place Romney

Ron Paul stands tall at GOP debate — RT - Sep. 14, 2011:

"Despite what the mainstream media reports, congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul is closing in on the Republican frontrunners as his odds of coming out on top for the GOP nomination becomes more and more likely.

"In a new poll conducted by CNN, the congressman from Texas placed only six percentage points behind second place candidate Mitt Romney, with 12 percent of over 1,000 American adults surveyed saying they are most likely to vote for Rep. Paul....

"The latest poll from CNN, conducted in the few days leading up to September 11, 2011, shows that Paul has managed to double his support since the last survey conducted by the cables news network only two weeks earlier. His success still puts him behind frontrunner and Texas Governor Rick Perry, but comes as a surprise to the many in the mainstream that have played Rep. Paul off as a fringe candidate seemingly unlikely to secure the Republican nomination."

Read more: http://rt.com/usa/news/ron-paul-debate-gop-483/
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Gary Johnson Doubles Down on New Hampshire | Sunshine State News

Gary Johnson Doubles Down on New Hampshire | Sunshine State News - Kevin Derby - Sep. 8, 2011:

"Despite buzz that he would seek the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico doubled down on his commitment this week to running for the Republican presidential nomination with a focus on New Hampshire, home of the first primary.

“'As I travel there, I see our message resonating more than anywhere else,' Johnson wrote in an e-mail sent to supporters on Tuesday. 'Candidates who were previously obscure nationally can go to prominence overnight as a result of a good showing, and for that reason it is the linchpin in our strategy,' Johnson continued.... Slowly, but surely, retail politics pays off. I can’t tell you how much I see my name recognition climbing there. The national press may not know it yet, but our momentum in the state is on a near-vertical ascent.'

"Ron Nielson, a strategist working for the Johnson campaign, argued in a memo that, with his low profile and limited fundraising base, the candidate needs to focus on retail politics in the Granite State.... Nielson noted that Johnson overcame poor polling when he ran for governor for the first time in 1994 and that retail politics proved decisive in propelling him to the Republican nomination and to winning the general election."

Read more: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/gary-johnson-doubles-down-new-hampshire
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Paul: 9/11 talk left out of debate | Iowa Caucuses

Paul: 9/11 talk left out of debate | Iowa Caucuses - Des Moines Register - Mary Stegmeir, Sep. 8, 2011:

"The effect of 9/11 was one topic Ron Paul would have liked to see addressed more during Wednesday’s GOP presidential candidate debate in California.

“'They touched a little bit on whether we’re a safer country than we were 10 years ago … but I think there could have been a lot more to that discussion,' the Texas congressman told The Register in a phone interview today. 'Have we really changed? Are we a lot safer? Have we learned anything? I think that to me is a very important issue'....

"Paul has been a longtime opponent [of the] Patriot Act and of the heightened passenger screening measures put in the place following the terrorist attacks. On the campaign trail in Iowa, he has often asserted that the U.S. response to 9/11 has made the country less — not more — secure."

Read more: http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/09/08/paul-911-talk-left-out-of-debate/
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Ron Paul’s Secret Weapon - September 9, 2011 - The New York Sun

Ron Paul’s Secret Weapon - September 9, 2011 - The New York Sun:

"The question after the latest Republican presidential debate is why Ron Paul keeps winning them. MSNBC has been widening the margin by which its own survey is showing that the congressman from Texas did the best job; it’s now up to 57%.... Dr. Paul ... has so many followers on the Web, who may be primed to respond to these polls. Our guess, though, is that more than the other candidates Ron Paul gives the impression that he is animated by a clear and coherent set of principles in which he deeply believes. His sense of principle is his source of power, his secret weapon....

"'Mandate, mandate, mandate . . .' he exclaimed at one point. 'Everything we do is a mandate . . . that’s why you have to look at this as the cause of liberty.' It is a wonderful phrase, 'the cause of liberty.' The polls keep showing that when a candidate sticks to it in a principled way, he wins the debate."

Read more: http://www.nysun.com/editorials/ron-pauls-secret-weapon/87479/
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Toronto 2011: Cross Country Acquires Canadian Rights to 'Atlas Shrugged: Part 1' (Exclusive) - The Hollywood Reporter

Toronto 2011: Cross Country Acquires Canadian Rights to 'Atlas Shrugged: Part 1' (Exclusive) - The Hollywood Reporter - Etan Viessing:

Sep. 9, 2011 - "Indie distributor Cross Country Entertainment has acquired the Canadian rights to Paul Johansson’s Atlas Shrugged: Part 1, the independently financed adaptation of the Ayn Rand novel.

"Vancouver-based Cross Country, which is co-run by Zanne Devine of Pacific Northwest Pictures and Michael Taylor of Multiple Media Entertainment, grabbed all rights to the $10 million picture, which was independently released stateside in April 2011.

"News of the Canadian distribution deal emerged Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival."

Read more: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toronto-cross-country-acquires-canadian-233507
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Republican debate: ... Ron Paul springs a surprise

Republican debate: Perry and Romney lock horns, Bachmann fades – and Ron Paul springs a surprise – Telegraph Blogs - Tim Stanley:

Sep. 8, 2011 - "The latest Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Library has helped focus the race on three people. As predicted, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney tore chunks out of each other in their bitter battle for first place. Less predictable was the strong performance by Ron Paul....

"Things were settling down to a two-man fight when the anchors finally let Ron Paul speak. Interestingly, they used him to attack Perry from the Right. It was probably a cynical move ('Let’s unleash the old crazy guy on that smug SOB,' said someone in the control room). But in the long run it’ll do Paul a lot of good. It let him show off his conservative economic credentials against a field of career politicians. Perry talks like a Tea Party man, but he’s secretly a big spender and used to be a centrist Democrat. Ron Paul exposed that deftly and moved on to make his unique pitch as a libertarian who won’t yield on anything. The thing I love most about Dr Paul is how many wild ideas he fits into a thirty second answer. Last night we got abolish airport security, shut down disaster relief and end the war on drugs. As the field rearranges itself following the psychic shock of Perry entering the race, this kind of unhinged consistency sets Paul apart as the real candidate of the Right. "

Read more: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100103658/republican-debate-showcases-romney-the-centrist-perry-the-conservative-and-paul-the-maverick/
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Perry campaign strikes back at Ron Paul | Iowa Independent

Perry campaign strikes back at Ron Paul | Iowa Independent - Lynda Waddington:

Sep. 6, 2011: "A newly released ad by Ron Paul‘s presidential campaign took a swipe at Rick Perry’s Democratic roots while emphasizing Paul’s links to President Reagan.... The Perry campaign has uploaded a screen shot of page 11 of the March/April 1987 Libertarian Party News. The page features the text of a letter sent to Frank Fahenkopf, then-chairman of the Republican National Committee, by Paul, who made the switch from GOP to Libertarian.

“In the letter, Paul discusses how he supported Reagan in 1976 and again in 1980, but “since 1981 … [has] gradually and steadily grown weary of the Republican Party’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.”

"Since then Ronald Reagan and the Republican Party have given us skyrocketing deficits, and astoundingly a doubled national debt.... Tax revenues are up 59 percent since 1980 ... due to four giant Republican tax increases ... since 1981.... government spending has grown 10.4 percent per year since Reagan took office, while the federal payroll has zoomed by a quarter of a million bureaucrats.

It was tragic to listen to Ronald Reagan on the 1986 campaign trail bragging about his high spending on farm subsidies, welfare, warfare, etc.... Reagan’s foreign aid expenditures exceed Eisenhower’s, Kennedy’s, Johnson’s, Nixon’s, Ford’s and Carter’s put together....

Read more: http://iowaindependent.com/60972/perry-campaign-strikes-back-at-ron-paul
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Freshman Congressman Justin Amash says Washington, D.C. is more dysfunctional than Lansing | MLive.com

Freshman Congressman Justin Amash says Washington, D.C. is more dysfunctional than Lansing | MLive.com - Jim Harger, Grand Rapids Press, Aug. 29, 2011:

"When he arrived in Congress as a freshman this year, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash says he thought he would find less dysfunction than he saw in Lansing, where he served one term in the state House....

"In a 17-minute interview with WZZM-TV13, the Cascade Township Republican said Lansing looks much better....

"'That's been a surprise to me,” said Amash, the 2nd youngest member of Congress at age 31. 'When I was in the state government, I thought things were dysfunctional there.... Now I've discovered things in Congress are much worse than in state government and the state government runs fairly smoothly by comparison,' Amash said, adding that 'not everyone takes things as seriously as they should in my opinion.'"

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/08/us_rep_justin_amash_says_washi.html
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Johnson camp questions debate exclusion | Iowa Independent

Johnson camp questions debate exclusion | Iowa Independent - Lynda Waddington, Sep. 1, 2011:

“'If the Reagan Library doesn’t have room for Gary Johnson at next week’s debate, maybe they need a bigger stage,' said Ron Nielson, senior advisor for Johnson’s campaign.

"Nielson cites the Aug. 29 CNN/ORC Poll (PDF) that places Johnson at 2 percent — a percentage above former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, both of whom are expected to participate. In addition, Atlanta businessman Herman Cain also drew 2 percent in the poll, and he has also been invited to participate.... Of the four, Johnson, who did not garner 1 percent in earlier polling, [is] the only one trending upward.

“'If Governor Johnson’s exclusion is because there isn’t enough room or not enough microphones, just let us know and we will be happy to bring our own,' Nielson said. 'Even if the national elite media doesn’t want to hear his ideas for balancing the budget now, cutting defense spending, or keeping the government out of so-called social issues, just tell us. But, do not try to justify his exclusion by saying he should have registered at 4 percent in a poll several months ago instead of 3 percent. That excuse just doesn’t fly, especially when the result is to muzzle a successful two-term governor who is doing just as well in recent polls as others who are invited.'

Read more: http://iowaindependent.com/60849/johnson-camp-questions-debate-exclusion
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Ron Paul Takes On 'Candidate of the Week' Rick Perry | Death and Taxes

Ron Paul Takes On 'Candidate of the Week' Rick Perry | Death and Taxes - Andrew Belonsky:

Sep. 4, 2011 - "Presidential candidate Ron Paul launched a direct, pointed attack on frontrunner Rick Perry during a recent interview.

“'[He's] a candidate of the week,' said Paul of fellow Texan Perry.

"Paul also took aim at some of Perry’s more outlandish comments over the years, like his suggestion that Texas could at some point secede from the union, and warned voters who are getting swept up in Perry mania to take a closer look at the candidate’s record.

“'The only thing I would advise is looking into him, looking at his record, and not just taking him at face value. Texas has had a lot of changes in these last eight years, not exactly positive either,' said Paul."

Read more: http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/138588/ron-paul-takes-on-candidate-of-the-week-rick-perry/
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Ron Paul and his rEVOLution now in print

I am happy to report that my first non-fiction book, Ron Paul and his rEVOLution, is in print. The book is a look at the phenomenon of the 2008 Ron Paul campaign, taken from my column "The Ron Paul Reports" (still going strong today as "The Continuing rEVOLution") in the online magazine Nolan Chart. The articles were widely popular at the time, getting in total over 40,000 page views.

I hope the book will bring back memories for those involved in the campaign. Even for those who know nothing about Ron Paul, though, the book can have value, as what Libertarian Bulletin editor Doug Burn calls "a great starting point for anyone interested in the Ron Paul phenomenon."

For more information on the book, including a 10-page preview, go here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/ron-paul-and-his-revolution/16792966

New book on Ron Paul 2008 campaign
http://www.nolanchart.com/article8935_New_book_on_Ron_Paul_2008_campaign.html

Did Ron Paul Force Obama to Reschedule a Speech?

Did Ron Paul Force Obama to Reschedule a Speech? - Michael Tennant, The New American, Sep. 1, 2011: "

"Who says Ron Paul can’t beat Barack Obama? The Texas Congressman’s threat to prevent the President’s upcoming speech to Congress from occurring the same night as a Republican presidential candidates’ debate — a debate in which Paul will participate — may very well have been the deciding factor in forcing Obama to postpone his appearance.

"Obama sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner Wednesday morning requesting to speak before a joint session of Congress on September 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern.... A GOP presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is already scheduled to take place at that same time.... Recognizing Obama’s move for the 'raw display of political gamesmanship' (in the words of McClatchy Newspapers’ Steven Thomma) that it was, Paul dispatched spokesman Jesse Benton to inform the press that the Congressman was “weighing his options” with regard to blocking Obama’s speech. Both houses of Congress have to adopt a concurrent resolution to call a joint session, a procedure normally done by voice vote, called unanimous consent. Any legislator, however, can object to that approach and force a recorded vote; and clearly Paul had that in mind. With Congress only returning to session September 7, the vote would almost certainly have taken place after Obama’s requested time, thus preventing him from stealing the Republican candidates’ thunder.

"Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) also indicated he would block the President’s speech, and it’s likely that Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who is also scheduled to participate in the debate, would have done likewise.

"The White House backed down, opting to postpone Obama’s speech by 24 hours, putting the President in the unenviable position of trying to attract an audience opposite the first game of the National Football League season. Football fans needn’t worry, though: Obama’s communications director, Dan Pfeiffer, assured viewers of MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday that the speech will be over before kickoff."

"

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Ron Paul threatens to object to Obama’s job speech request | Daily Caller

Ron Paul threatens to object to Obama’s job speech request | Daily Caller - C.J. Ciaramella, Aug. 31, 2011:

"Republicans are crying foul over President Barack Obama’s Sept. 7 jobs speech, announced Wednesday, which will ... be at the same time as a GOP presidential candidate debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

"Texas Representative and GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul has hinted that he is considering objecting to the president’s request.

"'Dr. Paul is weighing his options,' Paul’s campaign spokesman Jesse Benton told Slate. 'Our campaign, however, thinks it is undignified that the President of the United States would resort to such transparent tactics to step on our Republican debate....'

"Paul could not block the president’s request by himself, but he -— or any other member of Congress —- could force a roll-call vote. Since Congress is currently out of session, the most likely way for Obama’s request to be approved would be through a 'unanimous consent' vote during a pro forma session of Congress.

"If a member of Congress requests a recorded vote, Congress would have to reconvene sometime before the speech. Unified Republican opposition in either the House or the Senate would block the president’s request."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/31/ron-paul-threatens-to-object-to-obamas-job-speech-request/#ixzz1WhuEjDFs
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