Why Ron Paul could actually win

In a previous post, I remarked that although I was very excited by Ron Paul's presidential candidacy, he had a slim chance of winning the Republican nomination.

I'm ready to change my tune.

Call me delusional, but I think he could win not only the nomination but the presidency.

Here's how. His campaign has developed some serious legs. He's stirred up the somewhat dormant masses of libertarians lurking throughout college campuses and on the Internet. The media is starting to notice him. That in itself is huge! Ron Paul's supporters are much more passionate than those for other candidates. And it's now to the point where there are enough people behind him that he has real campaign money.

One of the first primary elections will be held in New Hampshire, which happens to be the most libertarian state in the nation. Ron Paul will most likely garner a surprisingly high number of votes--I think his supporters will be the most active and organized and their support will show at the polls--to the point where it's quite possible he wins in the state.

His message rings so true. People who hear it and allow it to sink in are drawn to it. I think support for Ron Paul will continue to grow. And eventually, a tipping point will be reached where his popularity becomes a media event. Then, the media bias may actually turn in his direction instead of (as now) tending to portray him as a long-shot crackpot. People who never cared about politics before will start rooting for him.

So, why on earth would the Republican Party, which so far has derided him, choose instead to nominate him as their candidate?

Because he's their only chance of winning the next election.

All the other Republican candidates support continuing the Iraq war. That has become such an unpopular stance that no one advocating it has any chance of winning. Rest assured, an anti-war candidate will win the next presidency.

If Ron Paul were nominated as the national Republican candidate, it would be a media sensation. Voters would be forced to take notice of the message this man brings. Everyone loves an underdog who becomes a hero.

And for the first time in a very long time, there will be two distinctly different candidates running for office: one for continuing our trip down socialist lane, continuing our war-mongering, redistribution-of-wealth, no-more-liberties chariot ride, and the other for shrinking government and returning to the principles on which this country was founded. It will be the most interesting and exciting race so far in my lifetime.

And at that point, there will be enough people in the media spotlight able to expose the consequences of electing the tenets of the Democratic platform: bankrupting our country, creating more enemies around the world, growing our police state, and further trouncing the Constitution until it is beyond recognition. Voters will be forced to wake up and vote for Dr. Paul.

I wonder if Ron Paul knew what was he was getting into when he announced his candidacy.

The unfortunate demise of Studio 60

As the fall TV season starts once again, I just want to state how disappointed I was that Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was cancelled at the end of last season. I thought it was the best new show of the year. It had a great blend of comedy and drama, very high production values, and consistently impressive acting. It seemed a little like a cross between Chicago Hope and The Larry Sanders Show, if that makes sense. The end of the season was much darker than the beginning--at first this felt wrong, but eventually, it demonstrated the amazing versatility of the cast.

For whatever reason, the show had a tough time finding a large enough audience. The viewers it did have were loyal, but apparently not numerous enough to support the show in the network's eyes. It's a shame when quality shows don't get the respect they deserve.

The DVD set comes out this week; if you missed the series, seriously consider renting it.