Is Ron Paul the only Republican candidate who can beat Hillary in the General Election?

Question

He outflanks the Democrats on the war (against the Iraq, Iran, and Sudan Wars). He outflanks the Democrats on economic populism (he is anti-IRS and anti-Federal Reserve). He outflanks the Democrats on Health Care (he is a doctor and therefore can tear apart Hillary with his support for Capitalism). He also is pro-national sovereignty (anti-open borders, North American Union, NAFTA, CAFTA, NATO, UN, WTO, IMF, and World Bank) unlike the Democrats. He outflanks the Democrats on civil liberties (he voted against the Patriot Act, unlike Hillary and has been a consistent supporter of civil liberties, including being anti-censorship).

Is Ron Paul the only candidate who can beat Hillary? Can any of the pro-aggressive war, anti-civil liberties candidates beat Hillary?

G-Man: It is absurd to blast the character of the most honest man in Washington (which isn't saying much, though he's one of the most honest people at home as well). He has a plan for Iraq. We just marched in and we can just march out.

Steven C: The one thing that does appeal to the Republican base is beating Hillary and that is what he can do. Besides, he appeals to the base on the economy, immigration, and some social issues.

J&C H: You fail to mention that they limited the votes to former delegates and purposely excluded a bunch of his delegates. Anyways, 16% is far more than what he gets in the "scientific polls."

just plain jim: Clearly, you're part of the Daily Kos crowd. You fear that Ron Paul can beat your beloved Hillary, as do all the commies at the Kos.

mstrywmn: The only people in denial are the Ron Paul Deniers, those who delude themselves into not taking him seriously.

Jim H: I already dealt with the "Victoria Advocate's" fraudulent claims. And I am definitely not paid, as unlike Fred Thompson, Ron Paul doesn't blow his campaign funds on astroturfers (every Ron Paul supporter is sincere, unlike most supporters of other candidates, which makes him extremely dangerous to you paid astroturfers)

Phil: He has more cash on hand than McCain because he is spending his money wisely and saving it for right before the primaries when the electorate will be paying attention. He is now polling 4-5% in the Rasmussan polls (the most reliable of late) and Rasmussan recognizes that there is no clear GOP frontrunner (Thompson will be done when people recognize he isn't a true Conservative, Giuliani isn't electable, and Romney won't beat Ron Paul in New Hampshire; McCain is currently collecting welfare to stay in the race, which won't help him win, so it is wide open for Ron Paul)

Cinner: This comment was entirely nonsensical. Ron Paul isn't crazy and isn't going to go away.

Elway_the_Cat: Firstly, Republicans don't have to like a candidate to support him. Otherwise, they never would have nominated and elected a pro-amnesty candidate like Bush. Secondly, Ron Paul has disagreements with the voters in his party, but agrees with them on alot more than the "frontrunners" do. Thirdly, it is absolutely absurd to claim that Hillary could beat him in the debates. She is intelligent, but so is he, and he's the one who is sincere and truly interested in the best interests of our country.

Joseph, II: Possibly Bush has poisoned the waters, but I'd hope that most of the electorate is willing to listen to both sides and pick the candidate who makes the most sense. If that is the case, Hillary has no chance.

Sageandscholar: I don't know where to begin. Firstly, he is drawing a consistent 4-5% from Rasmussan. Secondly, polls don't matter this early (Bill Clinton was 2-3% this time 16 years ago and Jimmy Carter was in a similar situation 32 years ago and the Democrats had no clear favorite either time, as is the case in the GOP this year).

Ice: Nice try, but Fred Thompson isn't actually for federalism (read Richard Viguere's expose of him @ http://www.conservativesbetrayed.com/gw3/articles-latestnews/articles.php?CMSArticleID=2438&CMSCategoryID=19 ) and Ron Paul actually has more real support (as opposed to media-manufactured support). Ron Paul draws 1000 people to his rallies anywhere in the country, most of all candidates. Thompson draws just about nobody (as has been reported repeatedly). The Fred Thompson campaign has been astroturf, whereas Ron Paul's support is legitimate and grassroots, as clear evidence shows. Ron Paul is clearly more legitimate than Fred Thompson right now.

Answer 1

Ron Paul couldn't beat himself. He another one who hates this great nation.

Answer 2

Ron Paul, as I see it, only has two weapons. Those weapons being the fact that he is the only candidate on the Republican side that is completely against the war, which appeals to more people than one would think. The other weapon that Ron Paul has is Federalism. For those who do not know, Federalism is basically the belief that individual states should be able to make decisions and be in charge without the interference of people in Washington.

Ron Paul does not have a following yet though because he just does not have what it takes. Ron Paul is not a really like able guy and he is not as powerful as anyone else running. I do admit that he has the ability to do the job, but will he? I doubt it.

Lets also not forget that Fred Thompson, who just joined the race, is also for Federalism and has the following to back him up. Ron Paul can say what he want but he is not going to get enough support to get the nomination

Answer 3

I believe Ron Paul will... Paul is a man with principles, Beside him, most of the Republicans look like charlatans, and the Democrats who are allowed on television and in the New York Times look like spineless cowards. They look like spineless cowards not because they favor peace (they don't), but because they refuse to stand up to Bush and Cheney. Paul stands up to Bush and Cheney. NOTHING is more powerful than that in today's politics, and he does it... I changed parties just to vote for this man.... Any other republican will not get my vote nor the majority.....

To address the person that said anyone but Ron Paul, do you realize the statistics... how low the approval rating is for going into Iraq... Get a grip a pro war candidate will not win this election.. you want a republican in office, he has to be electable and meet at least somewhat of the views of the majority.. Look at the current ratings people want out of this war and are concerned with the economy... You are delusional if you think any republican besides Ron Paul will be able to beat Hillary..

Answer 4

I really don't understand all you Paul supporters. How can you honestly believe that Paul is "the only Republican candidate who can beat Hillary?"

1) With only 2% of the vote he can't even get the nomination! Sorry but you are way off on the Rasmussen numbers. The BOTTOM 4 candidates (Paul is one of them) SPLIT 4%. HE DOES NOT HAVE 4% OF THE VOTE!
2) IF he ran against Hillary, she would DESTROY him!
3) All legitimate polls don't even mention him because he's a a non-issue in the campaign!

I don't care what your polls or the meaningless straw polls say. Even in the straw polls he doesn't come on top. You claim he "won" the Iowa poll, dude even his website said he came in 5th! His support may be increasing - maybe 2% to 3%?

Please, get a hold of reality. You are supporting a loosing candidate that has ZERO chance of winning. 2% doesn't "cut the mustard" in an election.

Answer 5

Are you kidding? First the Republicans need to want to claim him before he ever has a chance at the nomination. They don't like him, they don't accept him, and they will never, but never, give the nomination to Ron Paul.

Beat Hillary? Good Lord, one debate between those two and he'd be nothing but a puddle on the floor. I don't know if any Republican can beat her at this juncture. Fred was supposed to be the savior candidate but he hasn't been doing so good. Not even two weeks out of the gate and he's making gaffes everywhere he goes. Rudy is their only chance to beat Hillary, and that's looking less and less promising too as time goes by. A lot can change in six months time, but as it stands right now? Madame President -get used to it.

EDIT: You are so kidding yourself about Republicans. Everything they do is for the party line, and Paul doesn't fit their line. What did they care about Bush being pro-amnesty? He wasn't going anywhere with that, that was low on their list of reasons for nominating a candidate.

Absurd to assume Hillary beats Paul in a debate? Please. I've seen them both debate. She could intellectually mug Paul with her tongue tied in a knot, but keep dreaming lol.

Answer 6

Ron Paul can't win, sorry. I'll bet you as much money as you would like on that. I've never been more sure of an answer I made here on Yahoo Answers than this one, lol.

Answer 7

He cannot beat anyone because he cannot get nominated. Those who run the party would notnominate anyone who cannot under any circunstance win. To put is simply for the simple minded, he is un-electable. Or even more easy, he is a nobody, a nothing with nothing to offer. When you grow up you may see this.

Answer 8

Does he have a lot of campaign cash? Because it doesn't matter what he stands for if he doesn't have the money get his message out, and win his party's nomination. Also, people in this country don't vote on ideas, they vote on sound bites. Sometimes they vote against candidates rather than for them. (Think Mike Dukakis and the Republicans' Willie Horton smear campaign.)

If people voted for candidates with ideas, why would we have been left with a choice between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000? They were both lightweights in terms of ideas.

Answer 9

Sorry Charlie. If Ron Paul were the ONLY Republican candidate running against Hillary Clinton- he would STILL lose in the General Election... Bush has REALLY "poisoned the waters" for his Party for next year...

Answer 10

How funny. Paul finished a distant third with less then 16% of the vote in the polls in Texas. His home state. Now how does some silly old man with no backing and no viable platform hope to beat anyone? The guy is not even going to get a nomination so when you crawl back under your rock, remember this day.
YOU dealt with the Advocates fraudulent claims. Liar. You should fit in with Paul real well.