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Ron Paul to everyone but Mitt: Drop Out!

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  • by Guapo
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Guapo
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Post 11 Jan 2012, 6:06 am

Well, Jesse Benton said it, not Ron Paul.

So is he right? Does anyone else have a chance to stop-Romney?

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire—Rep. Ron Paul's campaign called on the rest of the Republican field to drop out of the race and unite behind him in order to defeat Mitt Romney.
“We urge Ron Paul’s opponents who have been unsuccessfully trying to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney to unite by getting out of the race and uniting behind Paul’s candidacy,” campaign chair Jesse Benton said in a statement.
Read the full statement below:
LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Ron Paul tonight scored an historic second-place victory in the 2012 New Hampshire Primary. Below please find comments from National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton:

“Ron Paul tonight had an incredibly strong second-place finish in New Hampshire and has stunned the national media and political establishment.

“When added to Paul’s top-tier showing in Iowa, it’s clear he is the sole Republican candidate who can take on and defeat both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

“The race is becoming more clearly a two-man race between establishment candidate Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, the candidate of authentic change. That means there is only one true conservative choice.

"Ron Paul has won more votes in Iowa and New Hampshire than any candidate but Mitt Romney.

"Ron Paul and Mitt Romney have been shown in national polls to be the only two candidates who can defeat Barack Obama.

"And Ron Paul and Mitt Romney are the only two candidates who can run a full, national campaign, competing in state after state over the coming weeks and months. Ron Paul's fundraising numbers -- over $13 million this quarter -- also prove he will be able to compete with Mitt Romney. No other candidate can do all of these things.

"Ron Paul is clearly the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney as the campaign goes forward.

“We urge Ron Paul’s opponents who have been unsuccessfully trying to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney to unite by getting out of the race and uniting behind Paul’s candidacy.

“Ron Paul has the boldest plan to cut spending, a dedication to protecting life, and a lifelong dedication to the Constitution and limited government. He also has the necessary support to campaign nationwide against Mitt Romney.

“Our campaign is already planning ahead for South Carolina, Florida, and beyond. Soon Ron Paul will head to South Carolina to begin a feverish round of campaigning.

“Ron Paul is in this race for the long haul. And he is ready to fight.

“See you on the campaign trail.”
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rickyp
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Post 11 Jan 2012, 6:48 am

When you look at the voter analysis in New Hampshire, Ron Paul won amongst Independents. He didn't do very well amongst republicans.
He won't do well in closed primaries.
And its not clear that he is anyone's second choice.... I can't imagine Santorums' social conservatives voting for Paul.
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Sassenach
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Post 11 Jan 2012, 10:36 am

Just because somebody is officially an independent it doesn't necessarily follow that they're to the left of mainstream Repubican opinion. They could just as easily be peop,e with rightwing views who for whatever reason choose not to register as Republicans but nevertheless generally vote that way. in fact I'd say there's a good chance that lots of the NH independents would fit this profile. Also, from the figures I've seen Paul took about 20% of the registered Republicans and 30% of the independents (Romney got 32%). Considering his overall share was only 23% it's not immediately clear that he's doiung that badly with Republicans, it's only slightly less than his overall share.

The interesting thing here is that Ron Paul's campaign manager is probably right. It's hard to see any of the other conservative candidates managing to beat Romney but in theory Paul could do it, if only due to his significant fundraising advantages and the fact that he already has a well organised machine in place. I don't think it's going to happen of course, chances are that more votes would end up defaulting to Romney if the others were to drop out, but nevertheless Paul probably is the only viable not-Romney at this point.
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theodorelogan
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Post 11 Jan 2012, 9:51 pm

And its not clear that he is anyone's second choice.... I can't imagine Santorums' social conservatives voting for Paul.


We all start somewhere...I voted for Bush in 2000.
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Guapo
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Post 16 Jan 2012, 3:57 pm

I heard an interview recently with Bob McDonnell (I believe), where he said that the Republicans need a candidate to get the grassroots excited and active. Romney can't beat Obama, but Ron Paul has such a following. Jim DeMint has come out and repeatedly said that Republicans needs to listen to him more and consider him. It may only take one primary win for the endorsements to start coming in.