By
Chantal Anderson,
Garrett Troy
February 1, 2008
In front of a fervent and electric crowd of 300, Ron Paul, a 10-term Republican representative from Texas, brought his controversial libertarian message to the Northwest yesterday afternoon in an impromptu visit to the UW.
Photo by Daniel Kim.
Ron Paul speaks to his supporters in front of the HUB during yesterday’s rally.
Photo by Daniel Kim.
A young supporter sits on his father’s shoulders to get a better view of Ron Paul yesterday in front of the HUB.
Supporters bore signs and flyers advocating their devotion to the anomaly in the Republican race, lamenting the politician’s lack of coverage in the media and his alleged unfair treatment in the Jan. 30 televised debate on CNN.
Tim Rush, a UW-Bothell student, became aware of Paul’s proposed visit to Seattle yesterday morning from the candidate’s Web site. After hearing the news, he sent multiple e-mails to local news organizations, including KING5 and KOMO 4.
“Ron Paul has to deal with censorship issues due to corporate ownership of news organizations,” Rush said. Because Paul’s funding comes directly from supporters and not corporations, he doesn’t get the publicity he deserves, he said.
Introduced as the “champion of the Constitution,” Paul emphasized the need for open government, the removal of troops from foreign countries and citizens’ right to privacy.
“We do not need to sacrifice any of our liberty to be secure,” Paul said. “We should restrain the government, not restrain the people.”
Between calling the CIA unconstitutional and calling for the end of the Federal Reserve and the United Nations, Paul reassured the crowd that his ideas were “not a radical departure, just a restoration” of the original principles of the Union.
Positioned on the outer fringe of the crowd, Rachel Mathisen was tabling and selling club T-shirts to bring awareness to the Stop the Genocide in Darfur movement.
“Only one group of people stopped,” Mathisen said about the lack of interest she believed Paul’s supporters have for Darfur.
Other students came to become more informed about the election.
“We’re just here to see what is going on,” said Clarence Dancer, an engineering faculty member.
Dancer and his friend Charles McClain III said they were not sure whom they are voting for.
“Everyone assumes we’re going for Obama,” McClain said. “Everyone gets coverage — women, minorities — but no one talks about the African-American male in this country, and it’s a serious problem: high incarceration rates, lack of education and high unemployment rates.”
McClain said that since his parents were from Mississippi and fought in the Civil Rights struggle, he owes it to them to vote in the election.
Kyle Brotherton, a communications coordinator for Paul’s campaign, said that Paul wanted to come to the UW specifically and speak with the students.
“It’s kind of ironic that he’s an older, more established figure and so many of his supporters are youth and they are attracted to his message, but honestly that’s what keeps him going,” he said.
Brotherton said Paul knows this generation will deal with the current situation and “pay the debt, fight the wars and clean up the mess we are in.”
Though Paul is not a front-runner for the presidency, he has no plans of dropping out, Brotherton said.
“In August, Paul was 2 percent in polls, and now he is taking second place in states like Nevada and Louisiana and currently has the best financial position in the race,” he said.
This, along with the fact that supporters are “solid and not going anywhere” will continue to drive Paul’s candidacy, Brotherton said.
Tyler Larson, a Seattle University student, said he likes Paul because he is anti-interventionist.
Even if Paul’s name is not listed on the ballot during the general election in November, “I’ll write his name in,” he said.
[Reach reporters Garrett Troy and Chantal Anderson at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]
21 Comments
#1 Prija
on February 1, 2008 at midnight(Los Angeles, CA | Unverified Name)
Thank you for posting this. I tried to inform my friends attending UW.. yet they seemed uninterested in Ron Paul. It seems as if they have already selected Obama for his speech giving abilities.
Our Economy is going doing the drain fast. The next 4 years will become troublesome years. Ron Paul is the only one that has the real solution of bring back the value of our dollar.
As far as the media, it's quite evident that if you go to Google.com/trends and cross reference Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and John McCain; you'll find that Ron Paul has the highest search on Google yet receives the least media coverage.
[http://www.google.com/trends?q=ron+paul%2C+mitt+romney%2C+john+mccain&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0]
For this I thank you for writing this article.
Here is a YouTube video of Ron Paul being ignored by Main Stream Media. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ4HHy5yqpY]
#2 Kevin Parker
on February 1, 2008 at 12:38 a.m.(Austin, TX | Unverified Name)
"calling for the end of...the United Nations..."
I doubt he said this. There's a big difference between calling for quitting the U.N. and calling for its end.
#3 Robert Moore
on February 1, 2008 at 5:22 a.m.(Huntsville, AL | Unverified Name)
It's a sad state of affairs in this country when almost every article written about Dr Paul says someing similar to yours: "brought his controversial libertarian message".
Since when has the Constitution become "controversial"?
I'm 51 years old and this is the first time in my life that a politician has stood up and talked truth to power. Don't let this pass you by. It is a historical moment that if not grabbed and embraced may be lost forever. A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for the Constitution and the individual Liberty that our founders fought and died for.
#4 Tammy
on February 1, 2008 at 5:45 a.m.(Mount Vernon, MO | Unverified Name)
I wonder if any of the mainstream news outlets will report on the fact that Ron Paul was the top Republican fundraiser in the 4th quarter.
#5 A.J.
on February 1, 2008 at 6:11 a.m.(Nokesville, VA | Unverified Name)
"'Everyone assumes we’re going for Obama,' McClain said. 'Everyone gets coverage — women, minorities — but no one talks about the African-American male in this country, and it’s a serious problem: high incarceration rates, lack of education and high unemployment rates.'"
I have to disagree with Mr. McClain on that. Ron Paul has addressed, on TV, such disparaties and how they're all attributed with governments insane need to lump people into groups, and it's equally insane war on drugs.
#6 Sandy
on February 1, 2008 at 7:33 a.m.(Waynesboro, VA | Unverified Name)
"National Taxpayers Union: Only Ron Paul Would Cut
Spending
NTU Report: Other Republicans Would Increase Spending
by Billions"
http://www.centredaily.com/business/s...
Also
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6lAFfLy05_Y
#7 Donald
on February 1, 2008 at 8:18 a.m.(Sacramento, CA | Unverified Name)
I am disgusted at the way the mainstream media has intentionally snubbed Ron Paul and other candidates in the gambit to elect the establishment's favorites. It only seems kooky to support the US Constitution and liberty today because we have strayed away from it for so long. Today it isn't woth the value of the parchment it is drafted upon. People always complain about Government secrecy, crippling taxes, the insane war in the Iraq, and when a true patriot runs for office, someone our founding fathers would call their own, we the people have no interest. Our founders would roll over in their graves if they could see what we have done with their country.
#8 Patricia
on February 1, 2008 at 8:45 a.m.(Lowell, MI | Unverified Name)
It is scary to see how the media is controlling the polls and primary outcomes in this election.They do not cover the news when the GOP breaks its own rules to overcome the number of delegates Ron Paul has in LA., they do not cover the recount in NH, they misreport the fact that Romney was the only candidate to campaign in NV., Ron Paul was there.
If they can do this without regard to the FCC rules and regulations, without regard to the "FAir Doctrine", what else do they have planned for us?
When they can't keep him out of the media, they resort to ridicule, scorn, and out right disrespect.
When they do acknowledge him, and by the way the true conservatives agree with Ron Paul's views, the persons getting the coverage qualify their statements that he can't win. With people making that statement makes it that much harder to overcome the apathey of the sheeple.
I will vote for Ron Paul, either as a nominee,a third party candidate or just as a write-in, as is my right to do so.
#9 Mike
on February 1, 2008 at 9:03 a.m.(Denver, CO | Unverified Name)
“Everyone gets coverage — women, minorities — but no one talks about the African-American male in this country, and it’s a serious problem: high incarceration rates, ...”
Ron Paul understands the racism with drug possession sentencing guidelines, and has spoken of releasing non-violent drug offenders who were not dealing - just personal use.
Ron Paul is a doctor, and understands the decriminalizing possession of marijuana will overall help society.
Mittney says he is in favor of the current drug laws.
100-more-years McCain is simply a gov't insider - not going to change anything.
#10 Ben Lukoff
on February 1, 2008 at 11:29 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
What's so controversial about libertarianism, now?
#11 Don
on February 1, 2008 at 1:08 p.m.(Le Sueur, MN | Unverified Name)
I am a senior adviser to Ron Paul and a UW alumni. I just want to express my gratitude to the UW community for turning out to hear Ron's message and for welcoming him to our great state.
In this precarious time for our nation, it is important to consider carefully both the policy of foreign interventionism and our corrupt and failing monetary system. These two things, more than anything else, threaten the future of our nation and the prospects of today's college grads. Only Ron has been fearless and honest enough to put these issues front and center in this election.
Don Rasmussen
Special Assistant
Ron Paul 2008 PCC
#12 Tim
on February 1, 2008 at 3:48 p.m.(Kirkland, WA | Unverified Name)
Thanks for the coverage. As a UW alum, I always appreciate nice articles by The Daily.
I sincerely hope that the Daily's position on protecting civil liberties (and ending perpetual war) will come into play when considering whom to endorse on the republican side.
If so, I can't see how you would side with anyone but Ron Paul.
#13 Annoyed
on February 3, 2008 at 3:43 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
God, Ron Paul Supporters are annoying. "I can't see how you would side with anyone but Ron Paul," and "a vote for Ron Paul is a vote for the Constitution" is very indicative of a pretentious attitude of his supporters. Like Ron Paul has a monopoly on the Constitution. I'm not going to vote for him, but that's because I've actually read his views and respectfully disagree with them, so please don't attack me on that account. I'm just sick of the attitudes.
#14 Dan
on February 3, 2008 at 3:45 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Internet is a wonderful invention. Since 1913, we've been in control of the Feds, the international bankers, the CFR, and since WWII the Military-Industrial Complex. Whenever a candidate like Ron Paul rose up who stood up lonesomely against them, the corporate media has been shutting them down with media blackouts.
Thanks to people like Ron Paul who supported Internet non-regulation, I see the truth of how the corporate media has always paved the path to select the leaders they'd like.
There are candidates who preach change, but if you really look into it- they're really just keeping the status quo, the status quo established by the rich and wealthy. People who preach against lobbyists and special interests like Obama and Mitt Romney, do you really believe them? Look at their advisors and look at where their main contributions are coming from.
Ron Paul is the only guy who received money most entirely from small online donations, and he is the leading fundraiser both for 4th quarter and right now.
He is the only guy who's trying to restructure the monetary system so that the rich bankers no longer control government money, and he is the only guy who truly acknowledges why we are in Iraq and trying to attack Iran, and he is the only guy trying to break down the military industrial complex.
Obama, Hillary, Mccain, Romney- all recieve tons of money from the establishment.
So before you give into the sweet talks of "Change we can (as you can see I am particularly disgusted by Obama's treatment of the audience as being sheep)" first realize what they are trying to change. For goodness' sake Obama said he will pull out the troops by 2013 (thats when his term would end!) and that he will still leave permanent bases there.
Do you really believe thats for the people of Iraq?
And Universal Coverage? The Baby boomers just became eligible for social security benefits and are projected to drain 40 billion dollars/ year. With that being on top of all the budget deficit we have, you think its going to happen?
Sweet talk to get votes, that's what everyone else does. Ron Paul only tells the truth, and that's why he's so popular. So please check him out.
#15 Dan
on February 3, 2008 at 4 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Mr. Annoyed. I'm not trying to attack you. And I know from a third person point of view it could be irritating to hear all the ron paul craze. But you accused the supporters for being pretentious and that we act like he has a constitution monopoly.
But I am going to make a logical disagreement on your accusation.
For a person who understands and upholds the constitution, it is hard to believe that someone could've voted for the Patriot Act- a direct contradiction to our 4th ammendmant and Habeas Corpus- which Obama, Hillary, and all the Republicans voted for.
Ron Paul is the only Republican who voted No. He doesn't believe in the income tax because it is not the right over government given to us in the constitution. Also he supports sound monetary policy (no inflatoin) because of the Constitutional instruction of "Gold and Silver and legal tender). You don't hear any of that.
He also believes in non-interventionism which is the advice for foreign affairs.
None of the CFR member candidates out there say this kinda stuff, if not taking contrary positions or the status quo. So he has every right to call himself a constitutionalist
And if you've taken any U.S./Government classes in high school and learned political science or econ in college- and fully embraced the ideas, you would have some respect for the guy and the intricate constitution of our founding fathers, and at least not call the supporters pretentious and annoying. How else are people suppose to promote this profound cause when the media is outright against him?
#16 annjel
on February 4, 2008 at 12:09 a.m.(Chico, CA | Unverified Name)
Regarding the rumor that Ron Paul supporters are directed to vote en masse in polls.
It's untrue, misleading & at the end of the day pure propaganda fueled by repetition
The rumor was born out of Sean Hannity's hysterical fantasies when Paul won their debate poll by a landslide,upsetting Hannity's synapses more than usual; & every biased thrill shrieker on network tv ran w/it. But never an oz of proof.Fox even set up the polls to prevent more than 1 vote per person
hardly sufficient to start a 10 person voting stampede..LOL.
Only those who want to HURT Dr. Paulwould do it. It doesn't help him;
I'd like to point out that Obama has thousands of YOUNG energetic, organized supporters, whom one can fairly assume are equally savvy, yet we hear no such warnings with regard to the outcome of Senator Obama's polls.
Given those realities, the addition of a stipulation to your representation of Dr. Paul's results was baseless & unfair. It also furthers an arbitrary bias against RP supporters who are everyday people from all walks of life.
This snip is all the notice the campaign gave to supporters regarding the MTV/YOUTUBe event. it came from the "daily blog" section,not the main page:
Ron Paul Coming Up on the MTV/MySpace Dialogue, 6 pm Eastern
February 2nd, 2008 by Dan McCarthy
Ron Paul will be taking part in the MTV/MySpace dialogue airing at 6 pm Eastern today. It’ll be broadcast on MTV and streamlined live on-line at ChooseorLose.com and MySpace. Tune in.
As you can see, that is hardly a rally to arms there...lol. Dr. Paul is a HUMBLE man, for real. He'd never do such a thing. If you ask him what his most awesome feature is, he'll blush and say "Oh, I don't think that's for me to say". You underestimate his inherent dignity.
People just aren't used to seeing honest to goodness example of Principle, strength, dignity and humility embodied in a human being who is actually walking the walk and talking the talk; who's personal life has reflected those same principles and values as well for the whole of his life. He's unique in the world of politics, perhaps in the world in general.
Media is not God or government. No one should accept its unsubstanitated opinions from arm-chair tabloid hysterics to serve as "facts".
Thanks MTV, and again YouTube, for giving the Congressman and other candidates this wonderful opportunity for exposure against the backdrop of our youth and their concerns. With all due respect, I do hope however that in the future you will opt not to propagate baseless yet detrimental rumor as part of your process of the measurement of political popularity.
#17 Alyssa Matutino Lopez
on February 4, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
I was there!
I carpooled with 2 other individuals from Portland (3 hours away) to see Dr. Ron Paul for the second time and got to meet his wife, lovely Carol, for the first time. Dr. Paul was incredibly honest (straightfoward in his answers, no b.s.ing unlike most of the other candidates) intellectually engaging, open minded, courteous, and humble for such a wise, Renaissance man who is incredibly knowledgeable in history, economics, political science, and the Constitution which I appreciate.
The last time he was in Seattle was on September 14, 2007. There were fund raising events for sizable donors (like the luncheon with Dr. Paul that I went to), a speech about the Constitution at Seattle University law school (where I sat on the floor, because every seat was filled and the walls were lined with folks), a Visiblast in downtown Seattle (where streets and corners where lined with Ron Paul supporters with their signs), and a rally at the Westin hotel (the energy in that room was electric).
The grand opening of Ron Paul campaign Seattle HQ in University Way was amazing. There was such a diverse group of individuals in terms of religion or lack thereof, (Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, U.U., Humanists, Atheists, etc.) socio-economic background, (starving artists to well financed business folks) nationality (U.S. Americans, a Filipino, an Iranian, a Czechoslovakian, etc. who came to the U.S. for freedom, opportunity for prosperity and are sad to see it whither away), political background (libertarians, non neo-conservatives, classical liberals, former Obama, Nader, Gravel, and Kucinich supporters, and ethnic background.
I enjoyed hearing a conversation between a man from Iran and a U.S. American eager to learn about Iranian political history and U.S. foreign policy, both Paul supporters. It's great to see such a diverse group of individuals get along, learn from each other, and unite in the cause of freedom, prosperity, and peace. The rally at U.W. Hub was awesome. Dr. Paul was scheduled to talk with just a small group of students inside the Hub, not expecting hundreds of supporters to turn out so Dr. Paul gave an impromptu rally speech outdoors w/out a microphone nor a bullhorn to the hundreds who showed up. It was heart warming to see many young students and families with their young children. I hope our wise elders who are young at heart, our (Y aka echo boomers) generation and the ones thereafter will carry on Paul's message of liberty, peace, and prosperity. It's our responsibility.
#18 Judi
on February 4, 2008 at 9:38 p.m.(Burlington, WA | Unverified Name)
Whether Ron Paul gets the nomination or not he is a winner. He didn't have his eye on the presidency, but on America. He may not become president, but he has lit a fire in the hearts of future presidents. The same generation he delivered into this world he has delivered from the world of oppression. He has infused in them a sense of liberty that many of us his age have lost hope of. You young people who have received and supported his message are this country's hope for the future, not any one person who is elected as it's president. Carry the torch he has passed you. May God bless you and with your continued support of the constitution, may he once again bless America!
#19 Diane Robertson
on February 5, 2008 at 7:35 a.m.(Hillsboro, OR | Unverified Name)
I was there too from Portland! I and Ales, the Czech man, came with Alyssa Lopez up to Seattle, which is a good long drive. We'd never met each other before, and agreed less than 10 hours beforehand to share a ride. I learned about Ron Paul's appearance there the night before at 10:30, when my husband was already in bed. I haven't done anything so adventurous in a very long time, since way before I started a family. For a busy mom, Realtor, volunteer at my kid's school, course-taker, home-owner, new to politics and avidly watching and helping this campaign now, this was a huge feat for me to get up there! But I'm so glad I did! I got his signature in his book and did get to meet his wife and have a short exchange with Ron Paul and hear him speak on campus. I even learned something new from him there: another reason why we want more local government: because then it's easier to change it, when need be!!! There's so many other reasons which I was aware of, but this was a reason I hadn't thought of.
Alyssa wrote so well above that I don't think I can add much except that I wish I'd brought my video camera, had been less greedy for a signature and instead had said something empowering to Ron while I had a chance (not that Ron and Carol need it from me particularly, but still! I could have at least met his eyes and said Thank you!)
Also I can add that I really enjoyed the conversation with my two new acquaintences, one born in the Phillipines, the other born in the Czech Republic. We easily had a conversation about so many things 3 hours there, and 3 hours back, no problem! If it weren't for Ron Paul I would have never had an opportunity to meet them, learn about their countries and their reasons why they've chosen to live here and why one of them might want to leave if Ron Paul is not elected.
Ron Paul Revolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#20 DJ
on February 7, 2008 at 1:03 a.m.(Tacoma, WA | Unverified Name)
You have to give it to Ron Paul for voting FOR the Constitution of the united States of America every time! I have been driving around Washington for quite sometime and the only signs I am seeing are RP signs. Sadly, people will vote for who "looks" Presidential and not on their voting record and actions. While we have so-called "news" showing a group image of Obama/Clinton, then McCain, Romney, and then Huckabee. No Ron Paul displayed by Komo 4 -- great coverage! They're owned by ABC, so it makes sense. Remind me never to watch their bias again, along with Faux News and the rest of the corporate shills.
On a side note: What is so "fringe" about Liberty? Unfortunately, it seems the majority of sheeple need security and no-rights. What's Freedom? Duh...
#21 Justin Mckay
on April 2, 2008 at 5 p.m.(Deming, WA | Unverified Name)
Whatever happened to the days when freedom and liberty were cool. Now it's "controversial"???
It's up to Ron Paul supporters to save this country.
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