ethios4 wrote:Anyone know if the party HAS to pick the candidate that wins the Primary?
Each party votes in a primary election for the candidate that will represent the party in the general election, i.e., Democrats vote in the Democratic primary for the Democratic presidential candidate and Republicans vote in the Republican primary for the Republican presidential candidate.
Ron Paul is a Libertarian. He wants to put much of the legislative power back into the hands of the states and de-centralize some major aspects of the Federal government. He is essentially economically conservative and socially liberal. He is an isolationist in terms of foreign policy but frankly that would be a lot better than what's happening now and at least he is clear-cut about his stance on issues. His platform is concrete, well-defined, and he has a proven record of sticking to his principles. My main sticking point with him is his apparently laissez-faire attitude toward environmental / emisssions responsibility, which is probably the most critical long-term issue facing humanity.
Ron Paul has many qualities that appeal to me, but the unfortunate truth of politics in America is that the mainstream will never consider him a viable candidate because he does not have the level of media and establishment support of the candidates that have been deemed the front-runners. I wish that an alternative candidate like Ron was viable; I think that it could be a very good thing for the USA.
Having said that, I think Hillary is probably the best bet in 2008 but I'm not looking forward to all of the extra entitlement spending. But, hopefully she will at least end the war and do something to promote environmental responsibility and accountability. Whoever the next prez is, they've certainly got their work cut out for them, as our economy and moral compass lie in shambles.
