Okay, time for Ron Paul supporters to start bashing the New York Times. They have an article explaining that Ron Paul’s campaign has given their volunteers some pretty strict orders.
And they say they are under strict orders: To look, dress, shave, sound and behave in a way that will not jeopardize Mr. Paul’s chances. Even before flying here on their own nickel, some students said they had been instructed to cover up tattoos and told that their faces should be fresh-shaved or beards neatly trimmed, wearing only nice clothes that one described as “business casual.”
“No tats,” another volunteer, Rocco Lucente, said as he ticked off the rules after arriving at the airport Tuesday night. No liquor, no drugs and, he said, no “fraternizing in the dorms, nothing like that.”
You would think they read my blog.
From “Very Early Iowa Prediction” on December 16th:
THE SECOND REASON why Ron Paul will under preform is because he just does. Ron Paul’s demographic is very vocal and very annoying, but a lot of them are too lazy to register to vote; and if they are registered, they are either too apathetic or stoned to get themselves out to do it. You remember that smelly kid who wore the same two hoodies everyday in school? He still smells and now he supports Ron Paul.
When Iowans Caucus, a few libertarian-minded conservatives considering Ron Paul despite of his wackiness will see the quality (or lack thereof) of the people making a pitch for Ron Paul and decide they don’t want anything to do with these losers. In addition to have never showered in the past year, Ron Paul’s supporters are exceptionally rude, inconsiderate, and just unagreeable “people” in general. Civilized people just don’t like them.
Look, I don’t care if they learn how to use a razor for something other than cutting cocaine. I don’t care if Ron Paul’s money bomb is to buy these idiots some clean clothes. I don’t even care if they give them some quarters to wash those clothes for a couple days. Ron Paul’s supporters are still obnoxious and they’re going to scare people away when Iowa voters caucus next week.
If you have to tell your supporters to stop doing drugs until after a contest, you should just forfeit.
Keep up the good work Kevin. Crush that constitutionalist prick. We need Obama for 4 more years. Can we count on your vote again?
Hey, if sarcastic pricks like you can nominate Ron Paul, I will assure you of a landslide 50-state victory for Obama. Keep up the annoying work.
The experiences that you are drawing these generalizations from are over 4 years old, Kevin. In 2007-2008, when you were working on the Huckabee campaign in Iowa, (If I remember correctly.) I have no doubt that you had some pretty obnoxious run-ins with some Ron Paul supporters. That, combined with some truly rude commentators on your blog, at least (kind of) help me to understand where you are coming from.
Things have changed. The 2008 collapse of the housing market, and the recession that resulted from it, combined with Obama’s horrendous policy relating to everything from jobs to healthcare to overseas conflicts have truly given Ron Paul the ideological victory, He is the only Republican figure who I can think of who didn’t shift his positions to the tea party in 2010.. The tea party shifted to him..
In 2008, Paul’s campaign was truly on the ideological fringe, and that was reflected in his supporters.. In 2012, Paul’s views have been largely validated.. and he is actually in it to win.
Since I’ve been involved in Paul’s campaign, I have experienced noting but efficiency and professionalism from any of Paul’s supporters. Your observations (insults?) couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m a long time reader of your blog, Kevin, and from all accounts, your distaste of Ron Paul seems quite shallow and irrelevant. I’ve respected so much of your ambition and input on political matters over the years, I know you are better than this.
If the new huge wave of Paul supporters is so mainstream then why did Paul’s own campaign feel the need to give the directive linked to above?
When did the tea party become a bunch of racist anti-semites? I must have missed that the last few years.
Except the first comment on this post and the fact that Ron Paul’s campaign is taking the time to tell people to not use drugs kind of proves your argument wrong. If Paul’s supporters were professional, they wouldn’t need to be told how to dress or what not to smoke. According to the NYT, some were even asked to stop using twitter.
We did have run ins with Ron Paul’s people when I was supporting Huckabee in 2007/2008. Part of the problem was that the campaign headquarters were right next door to each other in downtown Des Moines. That made it really easy for scores of Ron Paul’s people to storm Huckabee’s HQ, smash computers, and steal phone lists. That was Huckabee’s fault for not getting a restraining order.
The minority of Ron Paul’s supporters who haven’t fried their brains on drugs so much that they can’t think strategically, know that the mainstream Paulestinians are going to scare people away with their behavior and odor. They’re trying to change that perception, but even if they convince them to shower, Iowa conservatives are not likely to find Paul’s people much more agreeable than last year. Let’s not forget that they dealt with these folks before.
I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THAT!!! You left out the part where we got back to HQ after it happened & you stopped me from snapping necks next door! We had like 4 hours of sleep for 3 days and I don’t think Ive ever been that angry or emotional or tired my entire life!
You must have also missed the facts and any sense of objectivity. Since when does it make you an anti-semite if you believe that a country which is literally bankrupt should stop giving away its citizens money to a nation such as Israel who gives us nothing in return?
So you’re just disputing the anti semitism? You’re cool with the racism and the apparent need to instruct followers in basic hygiene and grooming?
I’m very sorry you feel this way though, goodluck on defaming us. Cheers.
It’s your own campaign and candidate who are defaming you. Then again, if you don’t shower because you’re too busy trolling my website’s old posts, it’s not really defamation.