Garling Gauge

Eschewing the Anti-Ostrich

Rep. Ron Paul: Snubbed for saying it like it is

In analyzing the so called ’second-tier’ Republican candidates, Jonathan Martin’s Blog on the Politico.com mentions Ron Paul last, with a single, dismissive sentence:

“Anybody who thinks Paul would be allowed in the building, let alone on stage, with the other candidates were it not for the fact that he has a “Rep” in front of his name, raise your hand.”

Why the shun the only candidate with anything interesting to say?

At the second Republican Debate, Rep. Ron Paul was truly the most articulate and interesting of all candidates on the stage.

Impressions left by the other ’second tier’ candidates:

• Rep. Tom Tancredo bit it much harder than Gov. Tommy Thompson did, even if Thompson looked like a Mr. Potato Head. Rep. Tancredo was literally unwatchable with his stuttered speech pattern and desperate sounding statements - The television seemed to turn the channel by itself whenever he began talking.

• Former Gov. Mike Huckabee needs to portray strength and vision, he already has the charisma.

• Sen. Sam Brownback looks too much like the father of “Archie” Andrews and is a bland as conservatives get.

• Rep. Duncan Hunter needs to talk about something other than the military, perhaps something uplifting?

• Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, unmemorable, except that he could lose a little weight

Not surprising, Sean Hannity seemed shocked by the FOX poll taken after the debate with strong numbers for Rep. Paul. The Anti-Ostrich continues to make waves on the internet and blogs. Whether or not this buzz will expand beyond the blogosphere is anyone’s guess, but for now, it is Republican eschewal that has become the new story.

The question is: What are Conservatives afraid of?

The answer, deep down, is embarrassment.

Campaigns and debates highlight the future - of a political party, and the possible future of the nation. Rep. Paul spun the debate on its heels, forcing viewers to look back at the role our (mostly Republican) government played leading to our current fear of terrorism.

Rep. Paul took us out of our comfort zone.

The soothing voice of former Gov. Romney, the belittling of Democratic candidate John Edwards by former Gov. Huckabee, the revered Reagan reminiscing, even the relaxed flow of questions had lulled the viewers’ collective consciousness into their daydream of America. Rep. Ron Paul slapped them out of it with sobering reality.

While other Republican Presidential candidates stick their heads in the hot sands of Iraq, cooing at the electorate, Rep. Ron Paul sticks his neck out.

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See also: Ron Paul Driving Sean Hannity Crazy

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