Presidential Candidate Thread: Is Ron Paul good for the country?

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<p>Winex,</p>

<p>Dangerous to whom, exactly? White people? Republicans? Americans?</p>

<p>He's not the anti-Christ, he's a liberal Democrat. But he's also Nixon-going-to-China when it comes to racial division. Personally, I think judging a person based on things they have no control over is quite possibly the dumbest philosophy ever. It's like saying red M&M's are better for America than green ones. Yet, this country spent a lot of time saying exactly that. While I may not be racist, and people I associate with are not racist, it isn't like I can pretend that there aren't huge areas of this country where racism is an unconscious state of mind that comes to the surface during conflict. Sixteen years ago I watched a white man have his head caved in by a black kid with a brick for no other reason than being white in a black neighborhood. That anger is still there, the chasm is only growing wider, and no white person can bring up the topic without being labeled a racist by one side or the other. Bill Cosby has the audacity to suggest that maybe blacks need to take some responsibility for the situation and he is pilloried. Geraldine Ferraro ham-fistedly suggests that Obama is getting a free pass because the media loves the idea of a black man winning the White House and she is labeled a racist, much like Limbaugh was with McNabb. Neither are racists, but because they are white they cannot even raise the issue as a topic for discussion.</p>

<p>Barak Obama can. What's more he has the singular opportunity to close the divide between white. black, yellow, red, and brown by encouraging the discussion and providing an atmosphere that fosters closure and acceptance. In doing so, we can address any lingering inequalities, remove any barriers to a truly level playing field, discard affirmative action when it is no longer neccesary, and as a country leave the issue of color and ethnicity behind us. Barak Obama, simply because he is a mix of two races, can initiate that kind of dialogue. More importantly, he isn't a poverty pimp in the mold of Jesse Jackson or Carol Brown or Al Sharpton. If (and I qualified this the same way in my earlier post) he can put forth a concrete plan that results in me and the wife being able to sit down at <a href="http://www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/">Roscoe's Chicken' n Waffles</a> in Long Beach without having our waitress inform her manager that she won't serve us because we are white, then he could very well get my vote.</p>

<p>As for what he saw and heard while he was sitting in church... as long as he wasn't the one saying it, I don't really care. How many of your friends espouse ideas that you don't agree with? Do you immediately cut all ties with them and then do your best to castigate anyone who associates with them? </p>

<p>Don't you see? The kind of instant hate and anger that you are exhibiting over some preacher's words is exactly what they are feeling on the other side when some idealogue starts ranting about welfare, the projects, drug dealers, gangs, and affirmative action. I'm sick of seeing it, sick of hearing about it, and sick of dealing with it. For someone like me, who has never discriminated against anyone based on anything other than lack of intelligence, I think the opportunity to eradicate all that is worth voting for, provided a plan is offered that can work. I think we, as a country, can benefit more from erasing that one aspect of our society than all the welfare programs, all the tax cuts, and all the defense spending combined. United, we stand....remember?</p>
 
This guy is the real danger here... What an absolute asshat. I can't believe that someone like this is even given the chance to speak. How much harm has he done in his life time? I read Obama's speech first and then I saw these videos and I realized just how right Obama was.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Op5or_vkcc&NR=1





http://youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU





http://youtube.com/watch?v=OgtIqeV-6mk&feature=related
 
<p>FWIW, I believe Volcker has signed on as a fiscal policy advisor.</p>

<p>UPDATE: No, I got it wrong. <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/01/31/volcker-i-endorse-obama/">Volcker endorsed Obama</a>.</p>
 
<p>lm,</p>

<p>That guy is the definition of a poverty pimp. He'd rather keep thing exactly the way they have been than move forward because the status quo allows him to retain his status. He uses anger and hate to keep people focused on differences rather than trying to bridge the gaps because the former perpetuates his position of authority while the latter eventually reduces the need for people to find a scapegoat for their situation. Blame someone else and you don't have to change anything because it isn't your fault, accept any responsibility and you are forced to do things differently if you really want change.</p>

<p>What I really think is interesting is how the talk show hosts are trying to spin Obama's speech as an embrace of the message of these preachers when he clearly is saying that he disagrees with the message but understands the anger being expressed. In 1980 Reagan won over moderate Democrats because he called 'bullshit' on the DNC economic, defense, and foreign policy positions. Obama can win over many moderate Republicans by calling bullshit on racial positions, welfare positions, and the general 'us vs. them' being expressed in both parties.</p>

<p>Now for a random speculation on VEEP choices: I have for a long time thought that Obama would choose Bill Richardson as a running mate. But recently I began to ponder what Colin Powell would do if he was asked to run with Obama. From a purely politcal stance, that would pull in quite a few fence sitters, much the same way that Cheney reassured people concerned about Bush's lack of foreign policy experience. It would also go a long way to discouraging white supremacists from seriously considering assasination.</p>
 
<p>I think Edwards would be a good choice to get a lot of the fence sitters. Also, it may set up the Democratics for 16 years if everything goes well. The biggest knock against Edwards was that he was too inexperienced. With 8 years of VP under him, Edwards would be a lock for a prez bid. Also, Edwards' messages goes in line with Obama's. That is of course assuming that everything goes well with Obama. </p>

<p>I have two divergent reasons why I support Obama. 1) My optimistism side embraces his calls for change and unity. Regardless of whay you think of the man, he can certainly deliver a speech. To me, it is inspirational to have someone put out the flag and for the country to go after it. 2) My practical side says why not give him a try. After 8 years of Bush, we really can do no worse. </p>

<p>As for Obama's latest speech, it was incredible. I especially like the last story about the twenty-three year old woman who convinced her mom that her favorite food was a mustard-relish sandwich so that her family can save money when the mother was sick. No one talks about things like this other than Obama. That is one of many reasons why Obama is my choice.</p>
 
Not to sound too crass, but Edwards doesn't really help him with independents or moderate Republicans and only raises his chances of being assasinated. I know how that sounds, but this country's record on protecting black leaders that actually bring change is pretty dismal. Pragmatically, placing a white man a heartbeat away from replacing a black president seems suicidal. Realistically, placing a liberal on the ticket might please the party base, but will drive moderates to the other side in the national election. Once a candidate wins the nomination, they have to focus on winning the race, not just who aligns well with their views.
 
<p>Nude. . . our country's record on protect white ones are pretty dismal as well (i.e. Kennedy and Lincoln) </p>

<p>I do see what you are saying. .. however, I wonder if Colin is willing to cross party lines?</p>
 
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