V is for Valentine (mass donation event)

There are moments in history when timing is everything. We can seize an opportunity, or we can let it pass by. Ron Paul’s decision to seek the Republican nomination for president was a revolutionary shot in the arm for the cause of Liberty in America. He was able to reach out to a generation who had not heard a presidential candidate speak to the principals of liberty upon which this country was founded.


Unfortunately, the current establishment of the Republican party has not embraced Ron Paul’s candidacy nor his libertarian-conservative philosophy. Many of us have been inspired by Dr. Paul to work for the transformation of the Republican Party. This is a worthy undertaking, and four years from now, the people Ron Paul inspired may lead a new kind of Republican movement. I applaud the efforts of those who have embarked on that course.


But that won’t make Ron Paul the 2008 Republican nominee. It looks like the Republican Party will do what it has done too often in the past; offer us the lesser of two evils, rather than a true small government conservative. With the odds of a Republican nomination fading the money clock is running slow. That is the bad news.


The good news is that we don’t have to settle for a John McCain, or other big-government cosmetic conservative. The Ron Paul Revolution can march right into the general election in November. There is already a party that embraces the very philosophy of small government that Congressman Paul has brought to the public consciousness. They have been trying to spread that message for 35 years. They are the Libertarian Party.


Even though the Libertarian platform may not match Ron Paul’s position statement 100%, the philosophy, that Ron has been turning people onto, is as libertarian as it is conservative. Furthermore, he has done more to get the word out than any Libertarian candidate; his positions are as libertarian as most Libertarian candidates, he has the most libertarian voting record of any national office-holder, and he has run as a Libertarian before.


This is time his campaign is different then in 1988. He already has an enthusiastic national grassroots organization. His name is a household word. He has already had extensive national media coverage. His campaign has raised millions of dollars.


Not only could Ron Paul still give us the opportunity to vote for a worthwhile candidate in November, the Ron Paul Libertarian candidacy could help restore the Libertarian party. Furthermore, if supporters knew he would be on the ballot in November, they would be inspired to start contributing again.


I believe the time to start the "draft Ron Paul" effort is now. I don’t expect instant results; it is still in his interest to turn us down for the time being (especially with the Romney pull-out and the MSNBC debates on the 28th).


Even if Ron Paul does not win on the Libertarian ticket, the fact that he can count on a solid 5% wedge between the Democratic and Republican vote, will force them to fight for those votes. Even if it means delaying the national ID card until the next election cycle, it will be worth it. Even if it only ends the Iraq war sooner, it will be worth it. The list goes on.


The idea of drafting Ron Paul is not new:
http://www.libertyforall.net/?p=737
http://www.butterbach.net/kev/kev6.htm


Of course “drafting” Ron Paul, is a poor word choice for Libertarians; as freedom lovers, we need to see this as more of a seduction than a draft. The choice is ultimately Ron Paul’s. Libertarians need to convince him to love the Libertarian Party as much as its members love him. He will need to play hard to get. We should expect that much from a man of dignity. As he resists the idea, more and more Libertarians need to make him feel it is the right choice.


Here is my idea:


Send Ron Paul a Libertarian Valentine on FEBRUARY 14th
http://ronpaulblimp.org


Prior to that date, tell everyone you know to send a message by phone, email and fax to the Ron Paul campaign, and the Libertarian Party, that you want Ron Paul to accept a Libertarian nomination. Send a donation with a message (even a small one like $25 will get their attention. The money clock has come to a screeching halt). Let him know that Libertarians LOVE his revolution.


Ron Paul campaign contacts:
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/contact


Libertarian Party Contacts:


http://www.lp.org/organization/lncdirectory2.shtml


Ron Paul’s contact information:


http://www.house.gov/paul


Texas-14th, Republican
203 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515-4314
Phone: (202) 225-2831