Ron Paul announces
Now it appears there may be a second actual conservative bid for the presidential primaries, strict Constitutionalist Ron Paul of Texas. Ron Paul vs Fred Thompson will make it hard for me. Fred Thompson is more “free trade” than I care for but Ron Paul is more isolationist that I believe we can actually manage in a short period of time. Don’t get me wrong, outside of properly regulated fair trade I’m not a complete isolationist. At the same time there is something to be said for the intent of the Monroe Doctrine and believe me we’ve enough problems to clean up in our own back yard. So I guess what my real concern is with Ron Paul would be his yanking us out of the middle east on two very important counts: Israel and Iraq.
As a “christian” nation we have a duty to support Israel.
And in Iraq the United States made a promise to the people of Iraq when we said we’d stay and actually finish the job this time . Most forget the main reason we were not welcomed by the Iraqi’s with open arms is because they’d heard that schtick before and we lied. We pulled out and a violent purge followed.
So the decision will come down to timing. The state of Iraq may be resolved or at least fully back in Iraqi hands. Then Ron Paul as the strict Constitutionalist will likely get my vote in the primary. But if there is any question as to Paul’s stand on Israel or Iraq is still winding down I think Thompson.
Paul is well know among the more die hards of both extremes. You could say he’s equally loved by Conservatives and hated by Socialists. And with statements such as this choice quote it’s easy to see why:
“Liberty once again must become more important to us than the desire for security and material comfort. Personal safety and economic prosperity can only come as the consequence of liberty. They cannot be provided by an authoritarian government. To expect the government to take care of us from cradle to grave undermines the principles of liberty,”
But in vast middle America I don’t know how much recognition Paul will carry. And there is a practical side. I think Thompson is more electable that Paull.