Ron Paul

I was going to hit Hillary Clinton next, but I think it's time to talk about the internet-driven phenom that is Ron Paul.

Let me start out by saying that I have a soft spot in my heart for Dr. No. He seems like a decent person, he is definitely a man of principle, and he has seen more women without their underpants on than William J. Clinton.

It's his followers... call them what you will (i.e. Rondroids, aPaulogists, Paulistinians), they include some of the most interesting members of our society. I'm not saying every Paul supporter is a "9/11 Truther", conspiracy theorist, or racist. But it seems every "9/11 Truther", conspiracy theorist, and racist is a Paul supporter. They're a motivated bunch, with their fundraising days and blimp, and have no problem putting up signage on public space.

The thing is, I think they make some good points about the media's treatment of Paul. He polled 10% in Iowa, good for fifth and not all that far out of third. He was close in vote total to Fred! and McCain, and you barely heard his name mentioned on TV. I understand that there are limited minutes available during the broadcast, but if you're going to interview Rudy Giuliani, like CNN did, you at least need to give Paul a mention. Otherwise, you feed his followers with grist for the conspiracy mill. I also think it's dumb of ABC to exclude him from tonight's debate. Let the man speak. He's a fringe candidate with fringe ideas, but unusual ideas can spice up the conversation. I like hearing Kucinich, for a lot of the same reasons.

Because the more Paul speaks, the less his followers do. That works for me.

C. You forgot Paultards, credit to Wonkette. First off, RP is short. We don't elect Pez Dispensers anymore. Not since Ike anyway. And the Libertarian Wing of the Republinuts died with Goldwater. McCain is the closest the Establishment types will stomach only because the influence of the Lord Gods hisselves, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and their ilk is/are waning. Chucklebee's early victory not withstanding. OK, back to Ron Paul. Being able to raise money from the deluded corners of the Interweb does not a ground game make, and exclusion from debates is fuel for their fires. Paul and his supporters are Bull Moosers. He's Kuciniched. Another short guy. Yes, I mixing ideologies. Meaning even if their positions might shift the discussion back to isolationism and smaller/kinder/bigger less/more intrusive government, the vested interests of Large Media and the structural Brontosaurus of corporate Republicanism/Democratacism crush and squash these thoughts as whackjob blithering. Regardless, RP and Dennis has got no celebrity juice, Oprah's busy.

The exclusion of 10%ers is another discussion. Bill Richardson, maybe the Dude with the most cred of anyone from any Party, is getting next to zero pub. We need to hurry up and talk 2nd and 3rd tier monkeys because the squishing of the primaries is going to blow many out of the game in one month.