To the Ron Paul followers: Won’t this hurt him?

Question

I like many things that Ron Paul stands for, but isn’t this kind of a slap in the face for him? Would anyone in their right mind want an endorsement from this group?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormfront_(website)

This morning Jesus’ General noted that Ron Paul has received the endorsement of the white supremacist group. Stormfront. There has been significant support for Paul in their discussion forum for some time.
This is one group whose support Paul should repudiate if he hopes to be considered a serious candidate, even among Republicans. Instead it appears Paul is encouraging such support. Steve Benen reported on other signs of Paul’s extremism as seen in this handwritten letter (pdf). Hatewatch reports on plans for Paul to speak before a racist group. Ornicus has further reviewed “Paul’s extended history of dalliances with right-wing xenophobes, racists, and conspiracy theorists.”
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/politics?type=politicsNews&w1=B7ovpm21IaDoL40ZFnNfGe&w2=B7tmRCRJt2YFzDsa7MJ1CblL&src=blogBurst_politicsNews&bbPostId=Cz1VeFnrO5fmhCz7sNEgkr6eaqB3XPElLJ47SxB6fkptxTCYAF&bbParentWidgetId=B7tmRCRJt2YFzDsa7MJ1CblL

What is your take on this?

Answer 1

Follower? I consider myself a Ron Paul supporter, and I think the distinction is important. But you've brought up multiple issues here. I'll start with the handwritten letter that exposes signs of Ron's "extremism". Quoting straight from the letter, and it sucks because I can't copy and paste:

Our right to own and and use property is fading because beauracrats and special interests are abusing eminent domain. - TRUE (IMO)

Our right to educate our children as we choose is under assult. "No child left behind" is seeing to that. - TRUE (IMO)

They also gave us the most misnamed legislation in history - The Patriot Act. - TRUE (And I refuse to consider that an opinion.)

Record government debt is putting a burden of debt on our children and grandchildren that is shameful. - TRUE

Some of his other notes about UN gun control (which has passed) and national ID cards is a little more open to interpretation. But if this is considered fringe extremism then I guess I'm a fringe extremist. Everybody who knows me and considers me level headed will be shocked to find out that I'm a "right wing kook" as several commentators of this letter have described it. A handwritten fund raising letter pointing out what he considers to be problems and what he hopes to solve? How very crazy! Why, that's almost as bad as the Declaration of Independence!

Ron Paul has in the past attended seminars, meetings, or conventions where racist groups have been in attendance as well. However NONE of these activities have been in regard to race, but rather they are symposiums on things such as liberty, business, and organized tax protest. Part of the Libertarian creed is that you don't get to coerce other people, and hence the organizers were free to invite whomever they wanted and anybody invited was free to come. Ron Paul has denounced racism as collectivist thought.

"Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans only as members of groups and never as individuals. Racists believe that all individual who share superficial physical characteristics are alike; as collectivists, racists think only in terms of groups. By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so-called "diversity" actually perpetuate racism. Their intense focus on race is inherently racist, because it views individuals only as members of racial groups."

There have been critiques of this mindset, but it resonates with me that racism is judging somebody based on their race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. This is then used to give them treatment that is different from what you would give someone not of that class, whether the treatment is harmful or beneficial. Only by treating people as individuals, and not classes, can racism and bigotry be defeated.

The source that you provided is a blog, which links to other blogs, which all have paradigms based on "progressive" beliefs. Groups that don't support the North American Union are labeled as "xenophobes", groups that don't support affirmative action are "racist", etc. You are free to check into his past actions and assocations and make your own interpretations, but simply swallowing the rhetoric of those with an agenda is irresponsible.

Finally, to get to the original question of the support from Stormfront (which I couldn't confirm), well, it will probably hurt him. Which isn't fair, as you can't choose your supporters. But hey, it is what it is, that's reality. It's unfortunate, but it probably won't do him TOO much damage. I mean, seriously, Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by terrorists: "I hope Hillary is elected in order to have the occasion to carry out all the promises she is giving regarding Iraq," stated Ala Senakreh, West Bank chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terrorist group. " That hasn't seemed to hurt her much. In the end I will choose to support a political candidate based on their voting record, stated views, and experience. The one who can and will do the job most in agreement with my views of how the job should be done will get my vote. And for right now that's Ron Paul.

Answer 2

Paul's stance is on Freedom (Period).

Freedom is a whole concept. It cannot be taken in pieces, such as environmental freedom, economic freedom, social freedom, or even freedom to organize under a racist ideology.

The article also states that Paul has received endorsements from some 9/11 conspiracy theorists. Yet it also states that he has since distanced himself from their individual views. I suspect Paul would do the same with this type of endorsement. The article was just written yesterday, which states that he received the endorsement just yesterday morning.

Groups with these extreme unpopular views like Ron Paul due to his freedom philosophy.

If we are not careful, we could continue to vote away our rights. In that instance we would become a majority ruled tyranny. Here is some good reading material on this subject.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/articles/161/what-does-freedom-really-mean/

Answer 3

Is that what you call researching info in order to make an educated decision??!!? if you had bothered to click on the stormfront link provided in the article you linked, you will see many many stormfront members disliking him because race isn't an issue for Ron Paul!
The person writing that article, realizes that people aren't going to bother to read anything but the title of the article posted on stormfront, let alone the negative comments about Ron Paul, by white supremists that follow.

And the ones who do support Ron Paul, seem to be supporting him only for his stance on immigration, which just happens to be the republican stance....imagine that!

Answer 4

You forget Ron Paul is a republican and a republican from Texas. He is against the status quo and against Israeli influence. Therefore, Ron Paul is going to get support from White Supremacy groups just like David Duke. Surprisingly, both black and white supremacy groups agree on a lot of issues especially those regarding economic corruption by both the leaders of the democrats and republicans. Also supremacy groups recruit those who are uneducated and poor therefore they view Ron Paul's ideology as taking back America for Americans as similar to there own. Also you got the guns right issue with the fact that Ron Paul is against the status quo. His revolutionary ideals are going to attract those from all corners of the political spectrum.

Remember White supremacy groups are protected by freedom of speech where other groups which are minority based are a threat to national security.

Answer 5

RP already stated he would not run as an self reliant. I favor I understood the politics of that? i don't understand if he could yet looks not ...i ask your self if the guy can run as an self reliant, once not elected interior the Republican ranks. i could vote for him ...all of us yet any of those Democrats. There are sturdy possibles with Romney, Huckabee, Hunter or G guy. All C+ers yet they would not bury the u . s . ...as most of the Democrats could/could do. Am I the purely individual who thinks this way? i wager which could nicely be a sturdy question. Ha!

Answer 6

I think it points out to a glaringly obvious direction this country is taking in light of the suppressive rule of the Bush administration. Groups like this are springing up everywhere and if someone doesn't seriously change the direction of this nation we will see more of it and maybe even a violent revolt against the government. It only strengthens the Ron Paul message

Answer 7

LOL I already heard people say "He cant control who he gets support from." and "Every person who desires freedom supports Ron Paul.", I think they is clear proof these people are not sane or logical.

I was going to ask a similar question but the only link led to the white supremacist website and I have ZERO interest in giving them any hits or putting my self in danger of violating YAHOO policy.

Thank you for finding more info on this, and I am very interested in hearing what the Paulites have to say.

Answer 8

No bid deal..everyone has some strange supporters...why Brownback has the fanatic Religious Right draped all over his back

Answer 9

I can't imagine it will help him at all, not that anything could. Of course, candidates can't control who they get support from at all times. A conservative fringe candidate gets the support of a radical fringe hate organization, Hillary has the support of Islamic Terrorists, I'm sure she's not happy about that.

Answer 10

This is the first time I've heard of it. I'll wait to pass further judgement until I see CNN, Google, Yahoo, Fox, any major news person discuss it. This is huge.