Time to take Ron Paul seriously?
Though often dismissed, the Texas libertarian polls third in a new national poll — ahead of Michele Bachmann — and is raking in money like a top-tier candidate
What does Rep. Ron Paul have to do to be taken seriously? The libertarian Texan placed a solid third in Gallup's new poll of Republican presidential hopefuls, trailing Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, but handily beating media magnets Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman. Paul also ranked a close second in Iowa's much-covered Ames Straw Poll earlier this month, and followed that up by raising a hefty $1.8 million in a 24-hour "money bomb" last weekend. Is it time to start treating Paul like a top-tier presidential candidate?
Yes. Ron Paul is for real: That "guy most media gatekeepers assume too unelectable to be worth covering"? says Will Wilkinson at The Economist. He's only losing to President Obama by 2 points in the latest Gallup poll. That probably says as much about Obama's weakness as Paul's strength, but Paul's clearly a more credible "anybody-but-Obama" candidate than Bachmann, who loses to Obama by 4 points. Clearly, it's time to start paying attention to this "anti-war Republican who also wants to abolish the Federal Reserve and the cherished institutions of the American social-insurance state."
"An 'anybody' better than Bachmann"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No. Ron Paul is still a fringe player. It doesn't take a "bipartisan [media] conspiracy" to bury a candidate who's currently "in 6th place in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls," says Eric Zorn in the Chicago Tribune. It would be exciting if this crank with "revolutionary ideas" became "a serious, plausible candidate" — and covering a Ron Paul presidency would be "the story of a lifetime." But sadly, I have to call 'em like I see 'em. Paul's supporters are passionate about their candidate, but, for mainstream America, he's still not a "genuine phenomenon."
Regardless, Paul may like flying under the radar: Paul is a more plausible and influential candidate than most people give him credit for, says Kathie Obradovich in The Des Moines Register. But "Paul has managed to turn media neglect into an asset." For one thing, it allows him to escape "the same scrutiny that other top-tier candidates have faced." That may help him — but it's a disservice to voters and other candidates.
"'Invisible' Ron Paul still has 'em talking"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published