If you have ever read other pieces I’ve written you would know that I have not been a fan of Congressman Paul. However, his front-runner status earns him notice and...I have. In fact, a growing number of conservatives are indeed beginning to take notice.
Not the least of these conservatives is Charles Krauthammer; in fact, he recently wrote a piece about Congressman Paul which was, if anything, not overly critical. In his piece Krauthammer notes,
He’s (Paul) getting prime-time air, interviews everywhere, and, most important, respect for defeating every Republican candidate but one. His goal is to make himself leader of the opposition — within the Republican {P}arty.Krauthammer continues,
Paul won’t quit before the Republican convention in Tampa. He probably will not do well in South Carolina or Florida, but with volunteers even in the more neglected caucus states, he will be relentlessly collecting delegates until Tampa. His goal is to have the second-most delegates, a position of leverage from which to influence the platform and demand a prime-time speaking slot — before deigning to support the nominee at the end. The early days of the convention, otherwise devoid of drama, could very well be all about Paul.Even for those of us who have major disagreements with the Congressman we can admire his tenacity and the incredible organization within his support base. Furthermore, by working within the Republican Party he is demonstrating the grown-up route to getting ideas noticed. Krauthammer also mentions this point,
{H}e’s within reach of putting his cherished cause on the map. Libertarianism will have gone from the fringes — those hopeless, pathetic third-party runs — to a position of prominence in a major Party.Kudos to Congressman Paul and to his son Senator Rand Paul who Krauthammer mentions,
Paul is 76. He knows he’ll never enter the promised land. But he’s clearing the path for son Rand, his better placed (Senate versus House), more moderate, more articulate successor.Really, Ron Paul is demonstrating the best and most efficient way to get a movement out of the proverbial wilderness. It is almost a textbook display of the mature way to work with those with whom one marginally disagrees, while not compromising the most important positions in a movement. Paul has even toned down his rhetoric toward the Party itself and other candidates—he very astutely defended Romney against the pitiful Gingrich attacks on Bain Capital. This should really be seen as an example to many of his supporters as the best way to work with others on the Right. Working with, rather than viciously against, others on the Right will position Paul as a voice to be heard, rather than fully dismissed and isolated. If Paul’s followers plan to come along for the ride they will have to learn to be the loyal opposition, rather than the obstinate opposition. Likewise, many on the Right who have been rather dismissive of some libertarian ideas are going to have to learn to play more nicely.
With all of that established, the forward motion Paul has made could be undone. In Krauthammer’s piece he mentions Pat Buchanan’s influence on the Republican Party in ’92. What Krauthammer does not mention is what Buchanan did to harm his influence. Pat’s idiotic third-Party run for president has placed him in the category of political “who cares” in a way that can never be undone. Are there still Buchanan-ites (protectionist-ultra-nationalists) in the Republican Party? Sure, but few of them ever get anywhere. Once he left the Party he condemned his movement to mediocrity. The same thing could happen with Ron Paul-style libertarianism. The lesson: Stay in the Party and influence politics from within it.
Another way to derail the Paul train is in line with the last point. Simply put, Paul should at least give tepid support to the Republican nominee. In 2008 he did not do this which placed him outside the proverbial circle of trust within the Party. Now however, he has much larger profile. By choosing not to give a modicum of support to the Party’s candidate he would keep his movement outside future platform influence.
The Republican Party could have the most significant shift since Goldwater if Paul demonstrates the statesmanship to get it done. The convention in Tampa could be the beginning of a much greater accomplishment than Ron Paul ever achieved in Congress. The coming libertarian storm shouldn’t be ignored, especially if its leader stays on the grown-up track.
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