I usually wouldn’t embed a video of Rachel Maddow’s show, but the following is compelling enough to share.
Long story short…abandon the culture wars, embrace real fiscal conservatism and stop being war mongers.

Can Libertarianism save the Republican party or will it split it in two?
Also, can election laws be reformed to allow a viable 3rd party [...]

Just found a comment left by the Transportation Security Administration in the post I wrote yesterday about that situation in St. Louis where a Ron Paul supporter was held and questioned because he had $4,700 in cash on him (which is roughly represented in the picture above).
From Evolution of Security:
At approximately 6:50 p.m. on March [...]

A truly dumb move by St. Louis airport employees is recorded and shared here by Fox News…

Is Missouri’s militia/Ron Paul tie still in full effect?
One note, the commentator in the middle who tries to tie this to Obama’s economic policies at the very end was a truly hacky move. He didn’t need to go there, [...]

This was definitely troubling, so it’s good to see that some real action was taken after the report was revealed.
From McClatchy:
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Highway Patrol this week retracted a controversial report on militia activity and will change how such reports are reviewed before being distributed to law enforcement agencies.
The Highway Patrol [...]

As expected, it’s the “gateway drug” theory v. reality of human existence.
Guess which one sounds more credible…

I do still love Ron Paul in many ways, and I wish he wouldn’t have been mixed up in that remarkably dumb newsletter operation he was. Because then he’d be a viable third party candidate.
Oh well.

“I think it’s pretty sad.”
That’s Paul’s response to the idea that Limbaugh is the de facto leader of the Republican party.

So will Paul run for President again in 2012? He says he doesn’t think so, but it’s kind of a non-answer at this point.
We shall see…
(h/t: Below The Beltway)

You’d think that Ron Paul, CEO of Eagle Bank, would be thrilled to receive $38 million dollars in TARP funds. But, it turns out, he’s pretty frustrated.
This is Danielle Ivory from the American News Project.
As another $350 billion goes out the door, ANP looks at one small bailed-out bank. Eagle Bank is having trouble [...]

Looks like the Fox News contributor has had the last laugh…not that he’s relishing it given how bad things have gotten.

Is it any surprise that he was an economic advisor for Ron Paul during his 2008 presidential bid?

Yes…the Chuck Baldwin, candidate for the Constitution Party.
So why not the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr?
Well, it appears as if Paul didn’t like the fact that Barr didn’t show up to his press conference recently…
The Libertarian Party Candidate admonished me for “remaining neutral” in the presidential race and not stating whom I will vote for [...]

As expected, Ron Paul’s big announcement at the National Press Club today turned out to be as anti-climatic as I anticipated:
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas called on voters to back a third-party candidate for president Wednesday, rejecting his party’s nominee and offering equally harsh words for the Democratic candidate.
Paul, who unsuccessfully [...]

The Republican Party didn’t make room for Ron Paul at the convention in St. Paul, so Paul and his supporters are making room across the river in Minneapolis. That’s right, it’s time for Ronstock ‘08 (although I think Paulapalooza would be a better name), complete with tents and people who don’t need drugs to act [...]

Will his crowd rival that of the GOP’s?
From AP:
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Supporters of maverick Rep. Ron Paul who are organizing a rally as an alternative to the Republican National Convention are moving their crosstown event to a larger venue.
The Rally for the Republic featuring Paul — the Texas conservative failed in his bid [...]

I love this idea…and I would certainly take advantage of it if it becomes law.
The bill is called “The Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Automobile Tax Credit Act of 2008″ and it provides tax credits of up to $2K for people who sell or trade in their car for a model that’s 20% more fuel [...]

And it’ll get mini-coverage and have a mini-impact.
From Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Maverick GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul has booked an arena in Minneapolis for a “mini-convention” that could steal some of John McCain’s thunder just days before he accepts the Republican nomination.
A Paul campaign aide said the Texas congressman hopes to pack about 11,000 supporters into the [...]

Although I agree with the stimulus, if for no other reason to start paying down people’s personal debt, I think this is pretty damn funny.
By the way, I think this represents Ron Paul’s official stance. :-)

Could he be McCain’s Nader?
From AP:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr has announced that he’s running for president as a Libertarian.
His candidacy would be a wild card in the White House race and many believe it would hurt Republican Sen. John McCain.
Barr made the announcement Monday at a news conference. He first must [...]

This would be hilarious if it happened.
From LA Times:
[...] quietly, largely under the radar of most people, the forces of Rep. Ron Paul have been organizing across the country to stage an embarrassing public revolt against Sen. John McCain when Republicans gather for their national convention in St. Paul at the beginning of September. [...]

Hmm, I don’t know if that’s a good sign or a bad one…still, it’s curious because he made a point of bringing up Obama’s name with Wolf Blitzer the other day on CNN too.
From Quindecim (emphasis mine):
Flags, signs, bumper stickers and buttons were distributed to the crowd, who were ready to make a sensation in [...]

And he’s not too fond of McCain.
From CNN:
In an interview on The Situation Room, Paul told Wolf Blitzer that endorsing Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, “would really confuse” his supporters “because they know we have a precise program and we have to defend that program.”
Having a Republican win the upcoming presidential election [...]

Looks like the Libertarians are going to field a candidate who could actually have a voice in the conversation this year…thanks to the groundwork laid by Paul.
From Philly.com:
Bob Barr, former GOP congressman from Georgia, is an all-but-announced presidential candidate – as a Libertarian.
The possibility of a run by Barr has sent shudders through the mainstream [...]