I think everything Ron Paul stands for deserves as much oxygen as it can get (for good or bad). But no matter what the effect of that vetting, no matter how well he does in Iowa and New Hampshire, I still don’t see a path to the nomination. (This does not make me a neo-con, by the way.)
Gary Johnson has gone third party-ish (Libertarian), taking that avenue from the esteemed Texas Congressman, and we have to wonder if there is a Huntsman independent bid, a Donald Trump Fifth column party, or any number of other players vying for “most arrogant attention seeker in a hopeless endeavor destined to give Obama four lame duck years to finish the country off for good” category. Ron Paul not getting the nomination is a part of that conundrum. In fact, he may well turn out to be the Justice Anthony Kennedy of the GOP Primary.
His fans are legion in their support and willing to do anything to see him find a way to the White House. Many are already promising to stand by and risk Obama getting re-elected rather that vote for some McCain retread, risking what amounts to a protest-fast that will probably end in the death of liberty before we get another shot at the oval office.
But does Ron Paul as VP change the game?
It would end Gary Johnson’s aspirations (again). No offense to Governor Gary, but the GOP didn’t kill his radio storm, Ron Paul did. Without him, Johnson gets most if not all the Libertarian affection, glowing praise from all the libertarian luminaries, a seat at every debate, and all the unattractive attention that goes with it. If we are being honest, the Not-Republican in the GOP race killed your campaign Gary not the Republican Party.
Ron Paul as VP is far and away more lucid and less dangerous a second than Joe Biden–at least there is ample room to make that case if the left wishes to attack Paul the way they went after Palin.
Dr. Paul VP circles the libertarian wagons around almost any GOP ticket and turns the sideline stand that might re-elect Obama out of spite into a nose-holder at worst that saves the nation from four more years of Czars, Holders, and Elena Kagan’s Oh My!
Or does he?
Would Vice President Ron Paul be a boon or an albatross to any other GOP presidential contender?
