Would you like to see Ron Paul run as an independent candidate?

[Hugabear]

Let me make this perfectly clear: my desire to see Ron Paul run as an independent is NOT an endorsement of him, or even a way of saying that he's not that bad.

The man is a certifiable freak show. His followers are an even bigger freak show - ever try to talk to any of them? Anything that can split the rethug vote in November is good for us.

There are a few reasons why I'm worried about a straight up 2-man election between Obama and Romney:

1. Typical anti-incumbent sentiment
2. Progressives who feel that somehow Obama has let them down, and therefore may not vote
3. Romney is the most "polished" rethug candidate since George Bush Sr

Although Wall Street and "mainstream" rethugs will be 100% behind Romney, there are still a large number of conservatives who simply cannot stand the guy. I've heard several state that they absolutely will not vote for him in November. Fine. Give them another option - Paul. Let him become this year's Ross Perot. Remember, Perot had a sizable following, but did not make a dent in the electoral vote - and neither would Paul.

In summary, Ron Paul would make a useful tool, a constant thorn in Romney's side.

[Vincardog]

1. Run Ron Run

[MilesColtrane]

2. Absolutely

[Marrah_G]

3. only because he would steal votes from the republicans

[Hugabear]

11. Keep the freak show in full swing

The only difference between Ron Paul supporters and Mitt Romney supporters is that the Ron Paul supporters aren't afraid to say what they really feel and think.

[customerserviceguy]

35. I'd like to think that

but the typical Republicon is repulsed by Ron Paul. In a blue state, he looks like a 'safe' vote when you really want to send Barack Obama a message, without voting for the real Rethug. If that state is a little more purple than the voter thinks, and there are not a substantial number of fundies voting for the inevitable religious nutjob that will certainly emerge if Mittens is the nominee, then it might hurt us in some swing states.

I still think that a Ron Paul third party run is worse for them than for us, but I reserve the right to change my mind as things develop between now and November.

[joeybee12]

4. He would probably take more votes from the Repuke nominee than Obama...

And it might be substantial...still, I think it benefits the Dems if he does.

[leftofcool]

5. Maybe, but Paul won't do it

He is building a movement so baby Paul can run in 2016. He will fall in line right behind Mittens as soon as he is through playing.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. yes, I think this is probably the grand scheme of things.

[mrmpa]

6. No..........

I view any 3rd party candidate as a threat to the Democratic party. It would be like Nader in 2000. There are many young people (usually voting democrat), who seem to like Paul. I think any 3rd party candidate would pull away from the democrats. IMHO.

[FSogol]

7. Rather see Santorum run as an independent.

The "Evangelical Party" could siphon a lot of votes off of Romney and the GOP.

[DCBob]

9. Yes. That would lock it up for the President.

and will make for a much more interesting campaign season. Paul will bring issues to the debate that might not otherwise be there.

[Avalux]

10. I don't much care what Paul does.

As for the reasons why you're worried....I don't see any of those coming into play during this election. I am relishing the chance for Obama to school Romney in the debates; Romney has been 'trained' for years but when it comes down to thinking on his feet and giving a candid answer, he can't do it. One of those feet usually ends up in his mouth.

Paul has a devoted and ernest following, but I don't think he'd impact the race as Perot did.

[Hugabear]

15. Perot did not get a single electoral vote

For all of Perot's popularity, he did not get a single electoral vote. However, he did help draw votes away from Bush. I don't really remember if those votes would have been enough to help Bush win.

[oberliner]

17. Sad that 19 million votes isn't worth a single electoral vote

What a system we have here.

[DCBob]

18. Many blame Perot for Bush losing.

He did get a fairly large percent of the vote. Whether or not enough of those votes would have gone to Bush if Perot had not run is a matter of debate.

[undeterred]

32. + a brazillion

[99Forever]

12. A 3rd party run by ...

... the crazy guy would be a huge plus for Obama. It would blow any chance of a Repub winning in 2012. How it might tilt some Congressional races, due to the higher than average Nutball turnout, is less certain.

[Prophet 451]

13. I'd love him to

He'd split the vote on the right, probably take the lunatic anti-government kooks that normally vote GOP and ensure Obama's re-election.

[napoleon_in_rags]

14. Concern about Obama not being able to beat Romey noted.

Ron Paul's independent run is going to happen right after Obama drops Biden and chooses Hillary for VP...AKA it isn't. He's got a slowly growing movement, that he's just a little too old for continue to lead after this. He's going to keep it sane for his predecessor, which he would like to be Rand but who knows.

[PETRUS]

16. 3 or 4 candidates each taking better than 5% is quite possible

There are establishment types with money behind Americans Elect. The GOP is a mess. The people are restless. These factors are likely to work in Obama's favor, but who knows?

[bowens43]

19. yes, split the con nut job vote.......

[catbyte]

20. Who cares? Maybe he'll siphon enough votes away from Romney

[TheCowsCameHome]

21. Yeeeeeeeeessssssssss!

Please, just do it.

[Lil Missy]

22. That would be great! The Ralph Nader of the right!

[RandomKoolzip]

23. No, I'd rather see him burst into flames.

[Owlet]

24. I'd like to see him take a long run off a short pier

nasty, insensitive bigoted little twit

[MineralMan]

25. I'd rather not see or hear him at all - anytime.

And I'd sure like to stop hearing about his "cool" ideas here on DU. That'd be great!

[Rex]

26. If he could pull a 'Nadar' on the Repukes, then I am all for it!

nt

[WI_DEM]

27. No, because he has some kind of appeal to younger voters which doesn't make sense

and that could hurt President Obama.

[mdmc]

28. Run Ron Paul!

That would be so cool!

ibtl = no third party talk.

[11 Bravo]

29. I'd prefer to see his ignorant, racist, anti-choice, ass run off a fucking cliff!

With his dipshit spawn right behind him.

[Autumn]

30. I would rather he take a nice long walk

over a very, very short pier. In a shark infested, picturesque bay.

[Capitalocracy]

31. That's probably why he won't do it.

I think at the end of the day, he's pretty faithful to his party... one of the reasons I don't trust him on the anti-war stuff. Presidents have to compromise, after all, and all the pressure on Ron Paul will be to compromise on that stuff; his desire to dismantle government regulations and useful government programs will be quite popular among the powerful.

[NorthCarolina]

33. Actually, I would be happy simply to see him debate Obama.

I think it would be quite interesting, particularly with regard to our endless wars, our propensity for 'nation building', campaign financing, NDAA, trade agreements, and the Patriot Act just to name a few.

[Agony]

34. I would like to see RP take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut.

I would like President Obama to win reelection on the strength of his progressive positions, not bullshit corrupt politics.

[donheld]

36. I'd like to see Ron Paul run away. Far far away.

[ecstatic]

37. Not sure about that. I think he would take votes from

both sides. There are so called leftists who don't mind Paul's racism, bigotry, and other right wing tendencies.

[Sgent]

38. Ron Paul is too smart, unlike Ralph Nader

He also wants his son to be politically viable in the future, and a 3rd party run would destroy that.

[Major Nikon]

41. There is no way Paul is smarter than Nader

I'm no Nader fan, but there is no question that he's far more intelligent than Paul. Ron Paul is an idiot.

[JI7]

39. yes, only because he would take support from the Republican , progressives who may not vote ?

hahha, i don't consider people like tthat to be progressive.

[joshcryer]

40. Yes, the young white male vote can't be counted on for Obama.

I might actively campaign for Ron Paul (not on DU, but in the real world; it'd be a dirty secret, mawh).

It would assure an Obama landslide if Ron Paul ran as a third party.