If You Support Either Paul *OR* Kucinich, Support Them Both
By Daniel Miessler on November 26th, 2007: Tagged as America | Politics
This country needs decent candidates more than it needs perfect ones. Paul and Kucinich have significant differences of opinion on various issues, and I disagree with both of them on some major points, but none of that matters.
They both have honest, thought-out opinions and are untethered to selfish external interests that aim to thrive at the country’s expense. Given the alternatives this alone makes them nearly divine.
If you support either candidate (Paul or Kucinich) you need to start viewing them as the same candidate. Normally that would be insane, but we aren’t dealing with anything “normal” here. We need to combine our efforts and thrust both of them into the mainstream dialogue.
Quite simply, if you care about changing America the way Paul and Kucinich speak of then support both candidates whenever possible. When they face each other in general elections then we’ll worry about their differences. Until then we’ve no room for debating subtleties; a unified approach pitting both of them against everyone else is our best hope for change.:
Being that I am a Libertarian, I support almost all of Ron Paul’s ideology and little of Kucinich’s liberalism. But the fact remains that I do support both candidates. I may disgree with most of Kucinich’s policy, but I’ll be damned if I don’t recognize his integrity and honesty. He is my second choice for President, based soley on the fact that he is an honest politician (that makes two so far as I can count). Don’t worry; I assure you that there are more Paulites and Kucinichers out there who value both candidates for their merit then might at first seem logical given their often opposing ideologies.
Comment by Jeff — 11/26/2007 @ 6:11 pm
I’ve been a huge Ron Paul supporter, and Kucinich seems the only REAL democratic candidate (not a criminal like the rest). They need to run together in my opinion!
Comment by cdog — 11/26/2007 @ 6:19 pm
I second cdog. They need to run together!!!
Would it be Paul/Kucinich or Kucinich/Paul?
Comment by Botunda — 11/26/2007 @ 6:44 pm
Is there a particular reason you left Mike Gravel out?
Comment by John — 11/26/2007 @ 6:47 pm
Is there a particular reason you left Mike Gravel out?
Because he doesn’t have a strong support base, although his official youtube video (where he throws a huge rock in the lake) is priceless.
Vote Paul or Kucinich. Otherwise please stay home.
Comment by Jesse — 11/26/2007 @ 7:13 pm
Jesse,
I appreciate your straight-forward answer. I’m not so thrilled by the snotty instructions that followed. Thank you for permitting only three voting options. (Paul/Kucinich/Stay Home) It reminds me of the mass-mogul-machine platform of Hitlery/Giuliani/stay-at-home. (If you can’t beat ‘em, be ‘em.) Of course, it IS your blog. …oh, wait… that’s Daniel
I have supported Ron Paul since before he threw his hat in the ring. I still do. I voted for him in 1988 when he ran on the Libertarian ticket. (Did you?) I was simply asking because I find Mike Gravel to be of equal honor and integrity.
I understand your “support base” (i.e. popularity/fund-raising) reason. But that does not negate his ability to operate as a VP or advisor. If one does more research beyond YouTube, one can find more than just rock-throwing in Gravel’s platform. BTW, the rock-throwing was not Gravel’s idea. He even said so. IIRC, he was approached by a film student.
Botunda,
Something that our common public seems to have forgotten is that the candidate who received the second-greatest votes became the Vice President. I don’t know when that changed. But, I think it was not a change for the better. Combining Rep/Dem candidates for an independent ticket would not be a bad idea. You know that Paul has declined running as an independent on a combined ticket as an option (so far). I know that Kucinich’s wife has stated that “they” would be in favor of it. I get concerned when I hear a wife speaking for an elected official (or candidate). Do you remember when Hitlery stated, “We are the President.”? That bothers me. How does a wife gain nuptial authority in this country?
Setting aside Jesse’s money and popularity as determining factors, I personally would prefer a Paul/Gravel ticket, although I would gladly support a Paul/Kucinich ticket.
I still disagree with Ron Paul’s position on Anti-Choice becoming a Federal Law. That smacks of the Church controlling the State.
So here’s a question for everyone…
If you could change any portion of your favored candidate’s platform, what would it be?
Comment by John — 11/26/2007 @ 9:07 pm
I agree. I like the honesty of both of these candidates. It’s kinda like how I always felt about Barry Goldwater, from my home state of Arizona. I didn’t always agree with his positions, but I respected his honesty and always wanted to hear what he had to say.
Comment by tikiloungelizard — 11/26/2007 @ 10:48 pm
Part of the point of this post was to get two candidates into the “mainstream.” The problem is people are supporting those who they think will win, but not voting for who would “serve” Americans best.
Unfortunately people overlook Mike Gravel, who I consider to have “honest, thought-out opinions and are untethered to selfish external interests that aim to thrive at the country’s expense” (quote from this blog post).
Comment by Slythfox — 11/27/2007 @ 2:51 am
I would love to see both of them in office as President and VP. I have a Paul and Kucinich sign in my front yard along with both of their bumper stickers on my truck. The comment I frequently hear is “that I thought I was the only one who felt that way” Everybody that I have talked to have said the same thing. Both of them are also the most popular candidates on the Internet .
Comment by Bob — 11/27/2007 @ 3:15 am
I like the idea of Paul/Kucinich, but have to echo the above complaint about other options being limited. That’s what it’s about this year, getting ALL options on the table, like what Bush said, but also including HIS impeachment. ALL options does mean ALL options, and my view is, we really need that new-broom-type reform stuff. The federal budget is bloated, runaway, and out of control, people are ’stuck on stupid’ in Washington, the Iraq ‘war’ keeps rolling along, meanwhile back at the ranch there’s foreign parties after the deed, still no immigration policy, yeah, I think we need a couple of reformers in there to work their magic. DNC/GOP front-runners are corporate tools and likely effectively already on someone’s payroll, ergo wise choice is to choose the UNsponsored candidates rather than corporate Pandidates.
Comment by Bert — 11/27/2007 @ 8:30 am
[...] know it’s early, and I know it’s not time to give up on Paul and Kucinich, but what’s our backup plan? After the treatment Paul received in tonight’s debate we [...]
Pingback by dmiessler.com | grep understanding knowledge — 11/29/2007 @ 4:22 am
Kudos Bob, I have kucinich above paul on my bumper! I am a dem but I sent money to Paul. If unfortunately, most of america is still asleep. Well at least middle america. We really need to get out and vote our conscience and send Aaron Russo to Kansas, Texas(except austin) and Oklahoma.
Comment by jennifer — 11/29/2007 @ 11:04 pm
Yep, me and my friends down at Stormfront are voting for Paul, too!
Come on, you people, are you all really that racist and ignorant of Paul’s policies? READ! Dennis would NEVER be on the ballot with a loop like Paul. The GOLD STANDARD? There isn’t enough gold to cover America’s finances. Should be be in debt to African nations - the only countries that are mining gold? Idiots.
Wake up, and stop pretending Ron Paul hasn’t been sitting in congress, doing NOTHING, for 20 years.
Libertarianism is anarchy for rich people.
This is why our politics suck.
Comment by Christopher Wing — 1/2/2008 @ 10:15 pm