Laughing at Ron Paul is Laughing at Me
Submitted by Michael Nystrom on Thu, 09/20/2007 - 23:03by Jason Elam
There is a new tactic being quietly encouraged in Republican circles to get those in the spotlight to openly do what, up until now, has been done only behind the scenes.
In the last couple of debates, the other candidates vying for the Republican nomination for President openly laugh when Ron Paul is making his most forceful points. This is a calculated move that is not in the least spontaneous. It happened in South Carolina. It happened again in New Hampshire. Most recently it happened yet again at the WorldNetDaily.com Values Voters debate. While Rudy Giuliani is by far the most obvious of the offenders, he’s certainly not the only one laughing. The word has obviously gone out from campaign staffers to no longer seriously engage Ron Paul, simply laugh him off. By not taking his most vehement arguments seriously, they believe they project the message that America shouldn’t take him seriously either. This is offensive, and cannot be tolerated.
In 1988, Ron Paul was the Libertarian Party Nominee for President vs. Bush (41) and Dukakis. As a complete unknown with NO exposure during the debates or primaries, Ron Paul received 431,750 votes to be the 41st President of the United States. In the grand scheme of things, 431,750 votes may not be nearly enough, but it is still 431,750 citizens of this nation that believed in 1988 that Ron Paul was the best man to lead America forward.
When the Republican contenders, media personalities, and national committee representatives laugh at Ron Paul and his views, they are laughing at each of the 431,750 people who voted for him back in 1988. They are also laughing at the hundreds of thousands, and perhaps millions, of people who have since caught on to the Ron Paul Revolution. There are now surely over one million people in this country who have caught the vision that Ron Paul has cast before this nation and who are willing to give their time, their treasure, and yes, their primary and general election votes, to this man and his cause. So, Rudy, when you and your cronies laugh at Ron Paul you are, most assuredly, laughing at me and the hundreds of thousands like me who respect this man and what he stands for.
Real people mean nothing to professional politicians like Giuliani, Romney, and their ilk so I’m sure they will ignore the protests from this and other revolutionaries and keep right on laughing.
But something tells me they won’t get the last laugh.
Jason Elam
www.RonPaulisRight.com
- - - - - -
Editor's question: What is the best way for Ron Paul supporters to deal with this laughter? How can we turn it to our, and Dr. Paul's advantage?
Rudy laughs when he is nervous
I think Rudy can't help laughing. It seems to be an automatic response to an uncomfortable situation. Having been skewered by Ron in previous debates, Rudy has every reason to be concerned.
Look at this video of Rudy's nervous laugh. Unable to face the question of why he chose such a poor place to put his emergency command post, he starts laughing before Chris Wallace has time to ask the entire question. The interview starts about a minute into the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0E0wfShJ58
We should think of Rudy less as a maniacal plotter than as a nervous pretender. Ron ought to ignore him and keep to the high road. Rudy doesn't know how to deal with that.
staged ridicule of Ron Paul
They are merely showing their own mental vacuity and emotional childishness! The GOP is not called "the stupid party" for nothing!!
Seriously, what do you expect the other candidates to do?
Admit in front of 300 million people that they are utterly clueless about what to do if they were President; that they have absolutely no idea what to do to restore our badly broken monetary system, how to end their fearless leader's preposterous and self-defeating "war-on-terror", they have no idea how to restore civil liberties and the rule of law to our society, how to rein in the altogether out of control "war-on-drugs" which has shattered countless families, given the USA one of the highest rates of incarceration--and one of the highest rates of violent crime--in the world, and STILL HASN'T addressed the widespread problem of drug abuse or significantly addressed the medical problems suffered by drug abusers! They have no idea what should be done, and Ron Paul has!! I could go on, but I think that I have made my point.
The noisiest and most ignorant laughers each played a decisive part in the Federal government in creating all of the problems Ron Paul is campaigning against, and they know this!
The grinning and guffawing idiots have no real answer to the simple question as to why they are even running for President, much less what they will do when they get there! They are laughing at Ron Paul as a last-ditch cover for their ignorance, their failures, and their vacuity, and their babyish and spiteful action should be understood in that frame of mind.
To those Americans who will vote or campaign for Ron Paul, the politicians' laughter and ridicule won't matter. It would be their RESPECT that would worry me!
Recognise that fact, publicise it when and where you can, and go on from there!
God Bless Ron Paul!!
PEACE AND FREEDOM!!
David K. Meller
No one is laughing in NH
We are racking up the endorsements and getting lots of support. :-)
I Think We Should "Go With It"
Going with the flow is better, IMHO. Instead of getting angry at the laughter, maybe we should start showing up with signs like.
"Ron Paul
When you're not smart enough
to debate him -- laugh at him!"
OR
"Ron Paul
Silly enough to still BELIEVE
in the U.S. Constitution"
OR
"Ron Paul
True limited-government Republican.
How funny is THAT???"
Laughter at RP
Excellent idea!! Also e-mail the offending politicians campaigns in the same spirit.
dkmeller
Their Laughter Is Telling
First they ignore you (check).
Then they laugh at you (check).
Then they fight you.
Then you win.
- M. Ghandi
Dr. Paul is doing just fine. Next comes the fight and he will do equally well. I'm looking forward to it.
“Wasting a vote is sometimes voting for somebody that you don't really believe in."
-Ron Paul
PLEASE spell his name right
It's GANDHI, not "ghandi". It's only common courtesy.
How will the others handle Ron next?
It'll be interesting to see how the "top-tier" candidates handle Ron in the next debate. They've given him the greatest exposure he could have asked for in the last 2 debates with the Giuliani and then Huckabee exchanges.
I'm sure that they have analyzed those moments and realized that both of them were hugely helpful to Ron's candidacy. Not only did it show that he has very different views from the others, but it also made people pay attention to him, even if for just a moment.
I'm thinking that the next debate will be different. I think we're going to see the others ignoring everything Ron has to say. I don't think they want to get invovled with him anymore because all it does is help him.
Let's just hope that Ron can find a way to throw them off guard and draw them into a real debate. I thank Mike Huckabee everyday for that dopey "You break it you buy it" analogy. That was great stuff!
Laughing at Dr. Paul
Rudy and Mit, by laughing at Dr. Paul, are attempting to marginalize his reponse before he even has an opportunity to answer the question. This tactic is going to backfire and expose them for the fools they are. I think Dr. Paul should face them and remain silent until the moderator prompts him to respond. At this point Dr. Paul should calmly state that he didn't what to interrupt their laughter with his response to the question.
Go Ron Paul......2008
USC Title 50 1520
I'm not saying anyone should really do this
But, when it is time for Giuliani to answer a question, I'd love to hear Ron's supporters do the RooooDeeee, RooooDeeeeee taunt like at a hockey game.
Laughter at RP
It is tempting, but do you really want Congressman Paul, and his representatives, to descend to the sub-Neanderthal level of Comrade Giuliani?
I think that we can do better than that!
dkmeller
Ron Paul is handling it perfectly
I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the way Dr. Paul can continue speaking through the laughter.
Ron Paul's demeanor is very "Presidential", while the others are acting like buffoons.
Perfectly handled - 'nuff said
I agree with Californiavoter completely.
We don't need to respond to this at all, since Dr. Paul is doing exactly the right thing.
The laughing approach is truly a measure of desperation. You know this yourself if you have ever been pinned down in a foolish position during an argument (I plead the 5th). It is a resort to emotion when your ammunition pouch is empty.
The laughter, if it can properly be called that, reveals to everybody watching (listening), at some level, the weakness and impotence of these candidates.
As we know, the emotional moments (Rudy's reading lesson etc.) have been falling our way in the post-debate (reflective) stages.
As far as I'm concerned, I know when I hear Rudy laughing, or Mit, there will soon be another group of people for whom the lights will go on - as they realize that their 'man' really has nothing to say (even platitudes don't occur to him at the moment). It must be shocking to realize that the person who you would have elected president, has such a poor understanding of the issues, or actually, no intention of engaging the problems you take seriously.
Cheers!
Rich
How about...
...when they laugh, Dr. Paul simply takes a pause while looking to the audience. Then says...
"Here you have an opportunity to witness how my fellow candidates disrespect others of differing views. How they disrespect the rule of law by snickering at supporting our founding document, the United States Constitution, which, by the way, all candidates here have been sworn to protect and uphold at some point in their careers. I am appalled that they would take their oath so lightly. Perhaps, this is why they take the lives of your spouses, children, and friends so lightly and put them in harms way for an undeclared war.
I take my oath very seriously. I understand our Constitution and what it's purpose is. It is not to take preemptive military action overseas, it is to protect our borders. It specifically states in what areas the federal government is given permission to create departments for. These do not include areas such as healthcare and education. The 10th Amendment specifically says that such areas are left to the States and the People. It is not to give up our sovereignty, it is to secure it.
If you are unclear about this, as my fellow candidates hope you are, please check for yourself. The Constitution can be found in any public library, and even on the Internet. My entire voting record, my foreign policy, economic policy, trade policy, everything that I am trying to do here will uphold my oath to protect that document which we ( point to all candidates) have been sworn to do."
This should only take 30 seconds.
Their antics WILL backfire
The first time I was ever on jury duty, I was a juror on the trial of a young guy who was accused of siphoning gasoline out of a car. The police officer testified that the kid was found running from a car with a length of hose in one hand and a gas can in the other, and the car's gas cap was laying on the ground near the car. The officer further testified that there was a strong gasoline odor emanating from the mouth of the alleged thief. Guilty, right? Probably, but did we find him guilty?
While the defendant was on the witness stand being questioned by his own attorney, the assistant district attorney who was trying the case, rolled his eyes, shook his head, and made other juvenile mocking gestures, all for the benefit of we jurors.
So put-off were we by the DA's behavior -- we found the kid not guilty.
My dad was the greatest salesman I've ever known, and he never badmouthed his competition. He believed "a knock is a boost."
TRUTH IS FUNNY
Ron Paul supporters should understand there are two things that make people laugh, bullshit and truth.
When I heard the laughter during Ron Paul's response at the debate, I thought, "Truth is funny". The laughter didn't offend me, Truth does not offend me. Bullshit is also funny and it offends me. Bullshit is funny to people who are not honest with themselves. The majority of Americans.
Do Ron Paul's supporters who are offended by the laughter think Ron Paul is full of crap and needs to be defended? That laughter you hear is nervous laughter because they can't handle the TRUTH. They FEAR Rpn Paul.
I would hope RP supporters can handle the truth and not collaberate to make it look like Bullshit with a defense, as none is needed.
WE ARE GOING TO WIN!
i agree
Yep the establishment is getting nervous! they know Ron Has a great shot to beat them and then tear down in months what it took them 100 years to build! your exactly right.
"Ineptocracy: a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confisc
If you are Republican, threaten to vote Libertarian
If the Republican candidates care so little about fairness and respect for Ron Paul supporters, make it clear that you will not be voting for any of them if Ron Paul is not nominated because they have no graciousness. Maybe they'll pretend they care in order to pick up your votes, later.
IMissLiberty
You can reach voters in California, here: http://consequeries.com/California-voter-guide.php
They control the venues
As long as these so called "debates" are controlled by the likes of Wolf B., Britt H. and all the neo-con supported networks and mediators, I'm afraid Ron Paul is going to have the deck stacked against him - by ALL. They're jealous of his grassroot support. They don't have it, and they don't know how to get it. It's a childish reaction to therefore discredit the guy who does. Maybe this "gang up" attitude will backfire on the wannabes, but I'm afraid the average good ole American has been spoon fed this media crap for so long that they'll just gobble it on up like a Big Mac, and then switch over to Amercian Idol for a nightcap.
My suggestion would be to have Ron Paul purposely frustrate the debate handlers, who are so obvious in their attempts to "shush" the Ron Paul movement. Use very low energy, don't get riled, wear a nice fitting suit, look Presidential, speak softly, and realize that they are setting traps for you in every way they can. Outsmart them with foreknowledge of their gameplan. You can't control what questions they throw at you, but you can control the response you give. Just keep in mind, they are trying very hard to make Ron Paul loose his cool and say something stupid.
alan laney
deck stacked..
But by having the deck stacked against him the American people see it..
Then he wins the debate poll hugely... I think what they are doing is actually working against them! everyone see's the bias
"Ineptocracy: a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confisc
Different Strategy
From all the debates that I've seen... It seems that Ron Paul is always on a defensive position. It's a good thing that he's very quick and knows just the right things to say all the time.
But I think it's time he takes on a more offensive position toward some questions to the other candidates. He can do it very nonchalantly and indirectly with comments which is more effective.
As we all know, he can out-perform any candidates on the stage. I think it's time for him to start criticizing his opponents. By doing this, they will feel obligated to answer back and putting them on the defense...which will also give Ron Paul a chance to back up his comments...which he almost always does successfully.
He can almost lead them to discuss their weaknesses because most of them can't provide facts or history like Ron Paul.
A very effective style I always use to back up Ron Paul's arguments is bringing all issues to a more personal level of understanding.
Moral Issue: "Are you spending your money to help out the homeless everyday? Are you donating your money to be sure that poor kids can read everyday? Are you dedicating your time and money towards a fight against gangs everday? Now what if you had a family to feed? Most likely you answered no to all of the questions...yet you want the U.S. to take a similar position. Even if we really wanted to help Iraq, we can't afford it and we are not obligated to do it just as you don't feel obligated to spend all of your money towards crime."
Pre-Emptive Strike: "That is like killing ALL the gang members in the United States because of the notion that they will eventually get a hold of a gun to kill innocent people."
Patriot Act: "If the company you work for said that they want access to all your accounts and have the ability to search your house at any time because they want to make sure that you are a safe employee...would you let them? Then why would you let the government do that?"
I got a little off track there...but I guess I just want to see Ron Paul more on offense.
Jack
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/724/
Jack Z.
"Let it not be said that we did nothing." -- Ron Paul
Too many conspiracy theories...
I don't buy it.
I've seen and heard the laughter from the other candidates. It has not been decided on before hand that everyone should laugh at Paul. A much more reasonable answer is that these guys are laughing more-or-less genuinely and more-or-less spontaneously. They may be laughing out of nervousness, like when your old senile uncle stands up to make a toast at thanksgiving. That's how these guys see Ron Paul, as a guy living in the past who doesn't "get it". I think Guiliani the Klingon laughs because he truly is shocked that people like Paul even exist. It's horribly rude and belittling, but Paul has been dealing with that his whole political career.
The positive thing is these guys have no idea what's about to hit the Republican party, and they're not prepared at all to take Paul seriously. Only Huckabee and Cox seem to give Paul any respect. When the fund raising numbers come out at the end of the month, we'll see where everyone stands.
I agree
I don't think it is a conspiracy, but rather what you point out. I think some people are just too simple minded and/or programmed to know how to deal with what Ron Paul is saying, so the human response in those situations is laughter. I specifically think Rudy is giggling because he thinks thats what people will vote for him is doing. He can't begin to understand what is being said, so he just reacts as if it's something crazy. "ah, there's Ron talking about blowback and the UN and all that crazy stuff." *chuckle chuckle*.
I think most of the candidates are so deep into trying to figure out what they need to do to play to the voters that they can't actually look at something and decide anything for themselves. They are always looking for positive appeal. When faced with something that's not on the agenda, like the posibility of pulling out of the UN, they have no clue. Fiat, economy, gold standard? No clue. They are so focused on playing inside the box and angling things in that way, that they can't step back and look outside the box towards the real problems. This is one of the main things that struck me with Ron Paul is his ability to examine and study and think AND LISTEN to the problems and look at the root causes to fix the problems. Maybe it has to do with his medical training.
Anyway, I think the laughter is just what they are conditioned to do when faced with something that isn't within their scripted agendas. Either way, it is undeniably rude and someone should point that out, but it shouldn't be Ron Paul. He handles it the best I think anyone could. I also agree that only Huckabee gives Paul respect, even when they are in the midst of a lively debate.
Ron should just mutter,
Ron should just mutter, "CFR, CFR" while Rudy and Mitt are talking.
Seriously, I agree with those who advise RP to ignore it entirely.
Famous Quote from Justice William O. Douglas
"The Constitution is not neutral.
It was designed to take the government
off the backs of people."
Famous Quote from Justice William O. Douglas
"The Constitution is not neutral.
It was designed to take the government
off the backs of people."
How about Paul supporters carry signs
Saying "What are you laughing at?" With pictures of flagged drapped caskets, or of destruction, and death in Iraq, or of Bush consorting with the Saudis, or the constitution, CIA Abuses.
Also, if it happens during the debate, supporters should yell "what are you laughing at?" to expose their rude behavior, or SHHHHHH, like a crocheted librarian.
PArt of the tactic of laughing is to get Dr. Paul out off his point, and make him react. He Shouldn't but supporters surely can.
how I would deal with the gigglers in the next debate
Why say anything at all?
If I were in Ron's place, the next time someone started laughing as I was about to begin my answer to a question, I would simply turn and stoically watch them. I would look right into their eyes unamusedly and wait until they stopped before beginning my remarks. Their laughter would say more than my words, at that point; why interrupt it?
When they had finished behaving childishly, I'd turn calmly back to the audience/camera and continue as if nothing had happened.
This has the advantage of drawing attention directly to the offender's behavior, but since nothing is said, there's no basis for an accusation of whining. By continuing unruffled afterward, the contrast between mature and immature behavior is maximized.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Get active NOW to put Ron in the general election. ronpaul.meetup.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
What is begun in anger, ends in shame.
Laugh at Ron Paul, you're laughing at me
Dezzy
I agree with Jimmy Liberty, atvdude, and freeman on how Dr. Paul could constructively engage the "laughers". What can Dr. Paul's supporters do?
How about a nation wide sign campaign (signs can't be waved in debate halls? -- so then, take it to Rudi Rallies and the others' rallies (do they have rallies?)) -- signs that say somethings such as: "You'd better laugh now, ' cause it won't be funny tomorrow"; or, "If you laugh at Ron Paul, you're laughing at the Constitution!"; or, "Go ahead; Try to explain why you're laughing".
Question for Ron Elam: Be careful dude; I don't see in your comments what you're basing your charge of a "new tactic being quietly encouraged in Republican circles" on. Is it just by observation of the debates? If you've got real info, so be it. We need to be upright, forthright, down tight as we support Dr. Paul -- as he has demonstrated to us. If this is speculation on your part, and not a well grounded, substantiated claim, then it won't do good service to our candidates' campaign, nor service to our country!
Dezzy
A Different Tack
Why not try a more oriental tactic?
When they laugh, apologise for embarrassing them.
9 times out of 10, this stops them dead in their tracks.
If they splutter 'No, I'm laughing because it's ridiculous", they're already on the defensive, and in any case no longer laughing, but caught into explaining -- which is where they'll be even more exposed
If they remain silent, they appear to admit it.
http://vamperialism.com
http://vamperialism.com
Quote
"And since Guilani seemed to be directing his laughter at me during my answer, I'd like 30 seconds to respond."
http://www.jimmyliberty.com loves Ron Paul
Correction
www.voteinsunshineblogspot.com
"Freedom is a right that can never be won in war,only by each individual "
I belive that Dr. Paul needs
I belive that Dr. Paul needs to ADRESS this HEAD ON if it occurs during the next debate.
Something like... I don't know Mr. Romney or Mr. Guliani if this is funny to YOU??? But this is SERIOUS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE... Why don't u address what you think is funny and I will respond?
Something like that.... call em on it... that accomplishes a couple things... It might get em to stop... and it might allow them to say something stupid to which Dr. Paul can respond... Showing the audience just how ridiculous Romney Guili and the others are being... It might actually get MORE debate on his message
Excellent
That is a great response! I hope he figures that one out! Confronting them in this manner would REALLY show them for the fools they are.
www.paulforronpaul.com
Yes - Call them out
I like that idea - directly calling them out. I think it is an excellent idea.
'Always be yourself. Everyone else is taken.' - Oscar Wilde
What the laughter means
.
They are immature, scared little boys. They all are well aware of Paul's towering grassroots support and are attempting to use mockery as a wedge. I don't think Huckabee or Brownback are involved; it is mostly Giuliani, Romney and McCain.
Ultimately, this says more about them than about Dr. Paul.
Need to expose them
What a great letter, I would love to see Dr. Paul expose them for there snickering especially when he states that he wants to close down the IRS,CIA,FBI,DOE,WOD,UN,Patriot Act, Habeus Corpus,all wars.
They are snickering because they need these departments to maintain there power grip over us and the world.
The last laugh will definitely be Ron Pauls again the South Carolina straw poll showed that even though he was not there in person he still garnered 179 votes, to me that is strength.
Ron Paul knows what to do keep speaking the truth and eventually sit back and watch all the dwarfs follow suit but showing that it doesn't come natural to them like it does Ron Paul.
The American people are seeing through the dwarfs and the only way i see any of those being elected is through the fixing of the ballot boxes.
www.votesunshine.com
My answer to those who laugh would be these problems our country faces are serious we have been laughing and snickering too long it is time to restore our Republic and get back to following the Constitution .
Go Ron Paul 2008 !!!!
"Freedom is a right that can never be won in war,only by each individual "
Um..
I think the course of action is not to stoop to their level. Instead, take inspiration from Ron Paul. Speak the truth and don't stop, regardless of how much derision or laughter comes your way. Because, the majority will recognize unabashed truth. In the long run, it is clearly the winner.
Let them expose themselves
I agree. Their sniggering works to our advantage. America loves an underdog and their reaction just emphasizes the difference between candidates.
IMissLiberty
You can reach voters in California, here: http://consequeries.com/California-voter-guide.php
And if they don't stop!
If they don't stop should we lower ourselves and laugh at other candidates as well? How do you stop such disrespect?
Of course not!
But you CAN call them to task for their laughter. Pin them down. Just exactly WHAT is causing their merriment? Is it the idea that the Federal Government employees follow the law? Well, if not, then what exactly is it? Let's talk.
www.paulforronpaul.com