[jbock13]

It's been awhile since we've done one of these, so with more official candidates, let's take a poll!

Sorry if your specific candidate is not here, I only had 10 spots so I had to narrow down the list.

[ATrain]

Ron Paul...if not him, hopefully it'll be Jon Hunstman. Former Utah governor, ambassador to China, seems like he has the budgetary and foreign policy experience necessary to do a good job.

[jbock13]

Mitt has the early lead? Wow that shocks me.

I'm not a fan of Huntsman. He feels like just another McCain. I'm afraid we're gonna see 2008 play all over again. But, just my opinion.

There's at least one thing we can all agree on. Anyone but Obama.

[01LUGrad]

What, no Palin option? Sheesh.

[Flame Convert]

Mitt has the early lead? Wow that shocks me.

I'm not a fan of Huntsman. He feels like just another McCain. I'm afraid we're gonna see 2008 play all over again. But, just my opinion.

There's at least one thing we can all agree on. Anyone but Obama.

100% in agreement on Huntsman and anyone but....
It's gonna be a long drug out process

[FigurinItOut]

Disappointed Chris Christie hasn't been convinced to enter the ring. He talks straight, makes sense, and doesn't take any cr@p.

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[FigurinItOut]

.

[LUminary]

Who is Gary Johnson?

[jbock13]

Who is Gary Johnson?

Former Republican Governor of New Mexico. Very Libertarian. Kind of like Ron Paul, just not nearly as popular.

[adam42381]

One more post, Convert, and you get promoted from Spark to Flicker. Where's the celebration party gonna be held?

"Peanut Buttah Jellie Time!"

Post whoring by newbies is discouraged. Just saying.

[FigurinItOut]

Sorry, adam42381. Lesson learned. Based on the many posts I've read on FlameFans, I didn't think my post was much different than others, but I must have been wrong. Thanks for welcoming me and setting me straight. I like your quote: "If you hate something, don't you do it too."

Now, back to the topic at hand: I knew there was a strong Ron Paul following among Liberty folks, but I'm interested in hearing more about why. Is it because Mitt Romney is a Mormon and Ron Paul is perceived as the next best option? Romney's religion doesn't deter me because I'm electing a Commander in Chief and not a "Pastor in Chief."

[adam42381]

Sorry, adam42381. Lesson learned. Based on the many posts I've read on FlameFans, I didn't think my post was much different than others, but I must have been wrong. Thanks for welcoming me and setting me straight. I like your quote: "If you hate something, don't you do it too."

Now, back to the topic at hand: I knew there was a strong Ron Paul following among Liberty folks, but I'm interested in hearing more about why. Is it because Mitt Romney is a Mormon and Ron Paul is perceived as the next best option? Romney's religion doesn't deter me because I'm electing a Commander in Chief and not a "Pastor in Chief."

No harm, no foul. Enjoy your stay.

[jbock13]

Figurin' , let me just give you my personal opinion here. Keep in mind most will disagree with me here

I by no means have a problem voting for Romney over Obama. However, as BYD stated, he seems to be much too moderate for my liking. I want a conservative/libertarian who's going to fix our economic problems and loosen the chains off the private sector.

I have no problem with Romney being a Mormon, even though I disagree strongly with the Mormon church. It's a persons right to not vote for him if it's because of that issue, but I believe that it shouldn't affect who I vote for.

Perhaps here's a thought... would you rather vote for a conservative who's an atheist (there are a few), over a Christian liberal who believes that Jesus taught that we should redistribute wealth to the poor? Social justice is taught in many liberal churches these days.

While I know I annoy everyone for my disdain of Ron Paul supporters , I do feel Ron Paul is the only candidate in this race that I can trust that he would do as he says. Ron Paul also represents traditional Republicans who believe it's time to end the War on Terror because it causes more problems than it solves (you can count me in the camp as well). There's other reasons why Ron Paul's ideas inspire plenty of college Republicans, but I'll let some of those who fully support him speak for him on this website, as they know more than me on all his positions.

I have more to add, but I'll end there in case anybody wants to question me but hopefully that will answer your question

[thepostman]

but his supporters are crazy so he probably can't lead right?? haha, I kidd...

I won't go into great detail because to be quite honest I have been staying away from politics lately and I have had little desire to do my research on these candidates. This board knows I am a big ron paul fan, but aside from him I can't say much about any of the candidates except for maybe Romney...

Romney just comes off as a slick politician and slick politicians rub me the wrong way. I know all politicians, including ron paul I am sure, are a little slimy but Mick Romney just seems more slimy then most. I just am so jaded by the whole political process that I have a hard time investing my time in it all...

[Rooster Cogburn]

Based on this poll, I declare Obama a 2 term President. Ron Paul will NEVER win. Do I agree with him often, yes. Electable, no.

[NG33]

Ah, the great myth of electability. Lovers of the status quo have been preaching that nonsense for generations now.

And have they been wrong? (Not sarcastic)

[Rooster Cogburn]

All a 3rd party candidate like Paul does is win elections for democrats. I hate it too, but it's true. Anything else it simply throwing away your vote and re-electing Obama. The big problem is all the Republican candidates stink too.

[TDDance234]

Romney is Bush 2.0. He's too moderate for the current climate of the GOP. After a push to move right-center by Bush (and probably Chaney/Rove), the GOP needs someone will lean far-right and won't apologize for it.

[back2back]

All a 3rd party candidate like Paul does is win elections for democrats. I hate it too, but it's true. Anything else it simply throwing away your vote and re-electing Obama. The big problem is all the Republican candidates stink too.

That is precisely establishment political rhetoric to try and get people to support your candidate.
I believe in voting on principles, so I am okay voting for a Ron Paul. The whole idea behind it is voting for someone that represents yourself, not someone who represents as lesser evil.

[Rooster Cogburn]

All a 3rd party candidate like Paul does is win elections for democrats. I hate it too, but it's true. Anything else it simply throwing away your vote and re-electing Obama. The big problem is all the Republican candidates stink too.

That is precisely establishment political rhetoric to try and get people to support your candidate.
I believe in voting on principles, so I am okay voting for a Ron Paul. The whole idea behind it is voting for someone that represents yourself, not someone who represents as lesser evil.

While all along punching a Liberal democrat's ticket. I just can't do that.

[Rooster Cogburn]

While all along punching a Liberal democrat's ticket. I just can't do that.

Honest question...what difference does it make if you are putting a Republican in office that will advance the same basic agenda?

On the surface, you are 100% correct. Take W for example. When the rubber met the road, in a lot of ways he was as liberal as Obama. He spent like any democrat I've ever seen. So, in that way you are correct. However, when it comes to overall leadership and wielding the power of our military, there is no doubt we want someone from the right side of the isle and not 4 more Obama years.

[Sly Fox]

Perhaps because he keeps taking a beating for defending homeschoolers, I gave Santorum my vote. Otherwise, that is a very unattactive field. As I have mentioned before, Paul used to be my congressman and he lives relatively close to me. In my interviews with him back in the day, he just struck me on a personal level as a little off. I fear under the scrutiny of a national level his eccentricities will likely be exposed and make for an ugly outcome. Just my take.

[RubberMallet]

Perhaps because he keeps taking a beating for defending homeschoolers, I gave Santorum my vote. Otherwise, that is a very unattactive field. As I have mentioned before, Paul used to be my congressman and he lives relatively close to me. In my interviews with him back in the day, he just struck me on a personal level as a little off. I fear under the scrutiny of a national level his eccentricities will likely be exposed and make for an ugly outcome. Just my take.

i generally agree with you. most people well above our intellect usually come off as a little off. i equate ron paul to "Not Sure" while the majority of society is "he talks funny", "i like money" and "but it has electrolytes"

[jbock13]

I don't have a problem for people voting for Ron Paul in the primary. I DO have a problem when he ran for President. Clearly it did take away votes for McCain in many states.

Yes I know, accuse me of supporting the status quo. Ron Paul had no chance of winning the general election in 08. And don't even try to argue that McCain would have been as bad as Obama.

Also, you know I don't like John McCain, so don't go up that avenue either

[jbock13]

Ron Paul didn't run in the general election boss...

Under the Constitution Party in a few states.

Montana and Louisiana come to mind.