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 candidate?

(h/t: Below The Beltway)

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 29, 2009, a metal box alarmed the X-ray machine at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, triggering the need for additional screening. Because the box contained a number of items including a large amount of cash, all of which needed to be removed to be properly screened, it was deemed more appropriate to continue the screening process in a private area. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee and members of the St. Louis Airport Police Department can be heard on the audio recording. The tone and language used by the TSA employee was inappropriate. TSA holds its employees to the highest professional standards. TSA will continue to investigate this matter and take appropriate action.

Movements of large amounts of cash through the checkpoint may be investigated by law enforcement authorities if criminal activity is suspected. As a general rule, passengers are required to cooperate with the screening process. Cooperation may involve answering questions about their property, including why they are carrying a large sum of cash. A passenger who refuses to answer questions may be referred to appropriate authorities for further inquiry.

A few things…

1. I applaud the TSA for reaching out like this and responding so quickly. And the fact that they said some of the employees were acting inappropriately is a MASSIVE shift from what we’ve seen the past several years.
2. I still would like to see what law requires passengers to answer questions about why they have cash on them. Because the officers on the tape never answered the question and this blog post doesn’t either.
3. Why would $4,700 in a metal box constitute criminal activity? I can understand if this guy was hiding it the lining of a suitcase or in his underwear, but from I’ve heard of the story, it was your basic lockbox.

So yes, there are still some questions to be answered and I still think the TSA needs to think about revising some of their policies, lest they receive an inordinate amount of backlash for incidents that never needed to happen in the first place.

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, but there it is nonetheless.

Otherwise, a very good clip.

(h/t: Below The Beltway)

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 also will open an investigation into the origin of the report, which linked conservative groups with domestic terrorism and named former presidential candidates Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin.

The Lt. Gov has also suggested that the Director of Public Safety be put on leave pending an investigation into how the report came about. I think that’s harsh, because there probably are some ties between 3rd party supporters and militia members, but the big thing here was the profiling based on bumper stickers. That was just a lazy move and the DoPS should have known better.

However, 3rd party supporters should take note at how quickly this was reversed once it was discovered. In other words, try not to fall into the trap of thinking this is part of a conspiracy. We’re still a nation of checks and balances, and this situation demonstrates that.

Still, I think somebody should keep an eye on the guy who put all those stickers on his car in the picture above. :-)

I’m just saying…

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.

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)

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 making loans. Its CEO, Ron Paul, says that the government has not taken fleeing depositors into account and, as a result, small banks and their surrounding communities will suffer.

Follow Danielle’s reporting on twitter.

http://americannewsproject.com/node/190

WATCH:

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 in November. It’s true; I have done exactly that due to my respect and friendship and support from both the Constitution and Libertarian Party members. I remain a lifetime member of the Libertarian Party and I’m a ten-term Republican Congressman. It is not against the law to participate in more then one political party. Chuck Baldwin has been a friend and was an active supporter in the presidential campaign.

I continue to wish the Libertarian and Constitution Parties well. The more votes they get, the better. I have attended Libertarian Party conventions frequently over the years.

And yet, let’s not forget that Paul remains a Republican and draws a salary as a Republican…even though his views align almost exactly with the Libertarian party.

Folks, I know he got everybody excited, but at this point you have to admit that this will probably be the last chapter in the book of Paul. Oh, their may be some brief epilogue, but this guy so badly squandered all the love and support thrown his way over the course of this campaign season, and what’s left of it he has thrown to somebody who’s sympathetic to 9/11 truthers.

And scene.

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 sought the Republican presidential nomination this year, told supporters at the National Press Club in Washington that he is not endorsing GOP nominee Sen. John McCain or Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

Instead, Paul will give his seal of approval to four candidates: Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney, Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr, independent candidate Ralph Nader and Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin.

Paul said he’s supporting the third-party candidates because the two major parties and media had “colluded” to avoid discussing issues and falsely presenting the difference between McCain and Obama as real.

“I’ve come to the conclusion, after having spent many years in politics, is that our presidential elections turn out to be more of a charade than anything else, and I think that is true today. It is a charade,” he said.

Paul offered an open endorsement to the four candidates because each signed onto a policy statement that calls for “balancing budgets, bring troops home, personal liberties and investigating the Federal Reserve,” an aide to the congressman said.

Paul said a strong showing by the third-party candidates would express the public’s frustration with the current system.

“I have no doubt that the majority is on our side,” Paul added, citing public opinion polls. “We represent the majority of the American people.”

The problem, of course, is that these four candidates – Barr, Baldwin, McKinney, and Nader – have nothing in common beyond the fact that they are running as third-party caniddates for President. Saying that a vote for any one of them is equal pretty much tosses into the trash can any of the principles that Paul’s campaign was supposedly built upon.

Interestingly enough, though, Paul did say that he received a last-minute plea for support from the McCain Campaign:

WASHINGTON — Rep. Ron Paul has given a “thanks but no thanks” response to a last-ditch effort by the McCain campaign to get the Lake Jackson lawmaker to endorse the Republican nominee for president.

On Tuesday, a day before Paul, a former GOP contender for president, had scheduled a news conference to announce he was urging supporters to back third-party candidates over GOP Sen. John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, he got a call from former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, a McCain ally and former McCain campaign co-chairman.

According to Paul, Gramm asked him back to McCain, arguing that the Republican was closer to his positions than Obama.

”The idea was that he would do less harm than the other candidate,” Paul said.

But Paul said he made it known that he would not endorse McCain, whom he has disagreed with on a whole host of issues, including the war in Iraq.

Furthermore, Paul said ” I don’t enjoy getting two to three million people angry at me.”

Paul said Gramm ended the conversation with, ”well if you change your mind, call me back.”

Yea, that’ll happen.

Meanwhile, there’s another interesting development coming out of the Ron Paul Press Conference. As Reason reported earlier today, Bob Barr backed out of the joint appearance at the last minute. Some reports said he didn’t want to be on the same stage with people like Cynthia McKinney, but it appears that the story is even weirder than that.

By the way, here’s the video of Paul’s announcement:

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 weird.

All across the nation, Paul supporters are loading up in Ronvoys and making the trip to what officially seems to be named Rally for the Republic where Paul and others will speak to a crowd of true-believers expected to number around 10,000 or more. No word what the speakers will actually discuss, but I’m sure it’ll involve the usual riveting topic of monetary policy.

This all sounds fairly organized and respectful for the Paulites. I was hoping they’d make a covert effort to invade the convention hall and start a ruckus. I guess they decided a legitimate event would provide their cause more coverage.

But will the media actually cover Ronstock ’08 or any other Paulite activities? Unlikely. But they can probably bank on The Daily Show sending a correspondent.

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 to win the GOP nomination for president — is scheduled for Minneapolis’ Target Center, home of basketball’s Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Target Center can accommodate at least 15,000 people for such an event. Planners for the Paul event had originally considered a college basketball arena that seats about 11,000 people.

Good news for the Paulites or Roniacs or whatever you want to call them.

Of note, the only two yard signs I see up around Kansas City are for Ron Paul and Barack Obama. And while Obama has the majority of the signs, a lot of Ron Paul supporters are sticking with the Texas congressman.

More as it develops…

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 efficient.

Fort Bend Now also notes some additional ways to save:

The bill also creates a federal tax deduction for any state or local taxes paid on the purchase of the more fuel-efficient automobile and makes interest on loans to purchase the more fuel-efficient automobile tax deductible.

On the flip side, you have McCain proposing tax incentives for car companies to make more fuel efficient vehicles, but if Americans can’t afford these traditionally more expensive autos in the first place, it’s going to hurt adoption rates. That’s why I called it a stunt when he proposed it.

Ultimately, Paul’s bill is meant to help people use less gas, which will drive down gas prices and lessen pollution. One of the fews ways the government can actually help accomplish this is to incent Americans to take action, and I can only imagine that if the car companies were smart, they’d be much more in favor of an idea like this instead of McCain’s.

In any event, well done Mr. Paul. I hope to see this legislation up for consideration in the House soon.

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 Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota on Sept. 2, which coincides with the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in neighboring St. Paul. [...]

The campaign hopes the daylong event will “send a message to the Republican Party,” Paul campaign spokesman Jesse Benton tells the Tribune-Review.

The message Paul will be sending to the Republican Party? “I should have run on a 3rd party ticket so I actually would have had an impact instead of a momentary media blip that will only get coverage because it coincides with your convention.”

But hey, have fun while it lasts!

(NOTE: I’ve seen at least one blog post that thinks that last quote was really from Ron Paul. It’s not, and I thought that would be obvious because of its snarkiness. Sorry for any confusion.)

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 win the Libertarian nomination at the party’s national convention that begins May 22. Party officials consider him a front-runner thanks to the national profile he developed as a Georgia congressman from 1995 to 2003.

And apparently the GOP has been talking to Barr about not running.

Today’s news means he apparently didn’t listen…

Former Rep. Bob Barr says a number of Republicans have been trying to persuade him not to run for president on the Libertarian Party ticket, but none has given him a convincing reason.

The former Republican congressman from Georgia formed an exploratory committee last month and told The Washington Times that he has since been subjected to the behind-the-scenes pressure from Republicans not to run.

Mr. Barr says even people who have tried to dissuade him understand why he thinks it important to raise issues from what he calls a “genuinely conservative” perspective and to offer alternatives to the positions of the two major-party candidates.

Will Ron Paul’s supporters back him?

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. [...]

The last three months Paul’s forces, who donated $34.5 million to his White House effort and upwards of one million total votes, have, as The Ticket has noted, been fighting a series of guerrilla battles with party establishment officials at county and state conventions from Washington and Missouri to Maine and Mississippi. Their goal: to take control of local committees, boost their delegate totals and influence platform debates. [...]

They hope to demonstrate their disagreements with McCain vocally at the convention through platform fights and an attempt to get Paul a prominent speaking slot. Paul, who’s running unopposed in his home Texas district for an 11th House term, still has some $5 million in war funds and has instructed his followers that their struggle is not about a single election, but a longterm revolution for control of the Republican Party.

I’ve heard rumblings here and there about this, especially in my homestate of Missouri, but while it’s obvious that Ron Paul supporters can organize online, I’ve always doubted it could translate offline. The kind of support they were looking for simply didn’t materialize on the ground in the primary season, so what chance do they have to really mess around with the GOP at the convention? And will it be classy and smart or simply seem like a bunch of troublemakers shouting their love for Ron Paul at the top of their lungs?

We shall see…

From Quindecim (emphasis mine):

Flags, signs, bumper stickers and buttons were distributed to the crowd, who were ready to make a sensation in support of their favorite political candidate, Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas). When the long-shot contender for the Republican presidential ticket showed up to speak at Goucher as part of the President’s Forum, Kraushaar Auditorium didn’t even have standing room left.

They gave him a standing ovation before he even opened his mouth, and clapped during his speech more than 20 times.

And then, after listening to his libertarian ideas for over an hour, they heard him say Democratic-hopeful Barack Obama would win the rat race to the White House.

Any thoughts on why he’s doing this? Is he trying to hint that his followers shouldn’t vote for the GOP no matter what?

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 is “secondary” for Paul who is more interested in defending the Constitution, having the country go in what he considers the right direction, having a sound currency, and achieving balanced budgets. Paul parts ways with McCain over McCain’s support for the Iraq war, his approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and his willingness to spend federal dollars to support military operations in Iraq.

Instead, Paul favors Sen. Barack Obama because of positions on foreign policy. “But that’s doesn’t mean that’s an endorsement,” Paul quickly added.

So yeah, it’s unlikely he’d ever endorse Obama. But what about Bob Barr?

Here’s the link to the interview.

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 of the Republican party.

Barr, who will probably not declare his intentions for several days, has already been labeled a “spoiler.”

In an interview with the Inquirer, Barr dismissed those accusations as whining.

“The notion that Republicans see a third-party candidate as spoiling their chances simply illustrates the arrogance of the two-party system,” Barr said.

Republicans may have good cause to worry.

A run by Barr could be to John McCain “what Ralph Nader was to Al Gore – ruinous,” wrote George Will in Newsweek. Some party experts believe Barr could siphon off essential conservative votes from Sen. John McCain, about whom many rightward voters have been less than enthusiastic.

Then, here’s him at CPAC 2008 introducing Ron Paul, and it’s a love letter to the congressman.

Think Ron Paul will tell his supporters to get behind Bob Barr? Think those Paulites who might be considering voting for McCain could swing to Barr as a real alternative? Quite possibly