Ron Paul Touts Revolution at CNN YouTube Debate
For the first half-hour of tonight's CNN-YouTube Republican debate, Ron Paul stood serenely above the fray as the other candidates dragged each other through the mud. When finally given the chance to respond to viewer questions, Ron Paul elevated himself even more, repeatedly driving home his campaign points about smaller government, fiscal responsibility, freedom, and peace.
Since Ron Paul doesn't have a record of flip-flopping, ethical transgressions, or excursions from conservative principles to attack, the only shot the field could muster toward him was John McCain confusing non-intervention with isolationism, a point Paul easily countered, pointing out that he has received the most donations from American men and women in uniform.
Ron Paul skillfully answered a potentially dangerous question on the North American Union, outlined specific cuts to federal spending (which stumped Fred Thompson), made an easy pledge to never raise taxes (he never has and never will), discussed abortion as a state issue, pointed out that it's time to give Iraq their country back, and mentioned the financial savings a peaceful foreign policy would bring.
When asked by a viewer from Iowa if he would pursue an independent bid, Ron Paul noted that he has won ten times as a Republican, that he drew 5,000 to the rally in Philadelphia, that he raised $4.3 million in one day, and that his campaign is obviously headed in the right direction right now. He stressed that people are sick and tired of what they've been getting, and that he's glad to be a part of the Revolution, a point that was emphatically underscored by a 30-second campaign clip that showed large crowds cheering him on, with wave after wave of Ron Paul fans carrying signs.
Tonight's debate was easily the most important so far, and almost certainly the most watched. Ron Paul showed why he was different from the other candidates, and demonstrated to those just now tuning in to the Republican race that he is a serious challenger for the nomination. As usual, he was winning a post-debate poll on CNN.com with 62% of the vote at the time of this article, although apparently the poll has been reset multiple times by CNN, and is only showing 3,000 votes.
Here are the questions from YouTube, with full answers to be added, and here's the best part of the debate:
And here's the 30-second ad, which was the winner of the Ron Paul ad competition:
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Since Ron Paul doesn't have a record of flip-flopping, ethical transgressions, or excursions from conservative principles to attack, the only shot the field could muster toward him was John McCain confusing non-intervention with isolationism, a point Paul easily countered, pointing out that he has received the most donations from American men and women in uniform.
Ron Paul skillfully answered a potentially dangerous question on the North American Union, outlined specific cuts to federal spending (which stumped Fred Thompson), made an easy pledge to never raise taxes (he never has and never will), discussed abortion as a state issue, pointed out that it's time to give Iraq their country back, and mentioned the financial savings a peaceful foreign policy would bring.
When asked by a viewer from Iowa if he would pursue an independent bid, Ron Paul noted that he has won ten times as a Republican, that he drew 5,000 to the rally in Philadelphia, that he raised $4.3 million in one day, and that his campaign is obviously headed in the right direction right now. He stressed that people are sick and tired of what they've been getting, and that he's glad to be a part of the Revolution, a point that was emphatically underscored by a 30-second campaign clip that showed large crowds cheering him on, with wave after wave of Ron Paul fans carrying signs.
Tonight's debate was easily the most important so far, and almost certainly the most watched. Ron Paul showed why he was different from the other candidates, and demonstrated to those just now tuning in to the Republican race that he is a serious challenger for the nomination. As usual, he was winning a post-debate poll on CNN.com with 62% of the vote at the time of this article, although apparently the poll has been reset multiple times by CNN, and is only showing 3,000 votes.
Here are the questions from YouTube, with full answers to be added, and here's the best part of the debate:
And here's the 30-second ad, which was the winner of the Ron Paul ad competition:
