Is there anyway that Ron Paul could get elected President in the 90's, either in 92 or 96? What would his chances of been the Republican primaries? Could he beat Bush Sr. for the party nomination in 92?
Paul's a weirdo with outdated political views and zero popularity outside of the internet, a few fringe political groups, and his own district, his presidential runs get him publicity and make him look more important than he actually is. If he hadn't consistently ran for president nobody would know about him at all.
His views will make him nothing short of a laughingstock in a campaign and certainly against the moderate Bush Sr.
Edit: Just remembered, also, Paul has some ties with the John Birch Society, if Bush himself doesn't approve of it someone who supports him will leak the story anyway, if that gets out Paul is sunk, well, more so than already.
Not going to happen in 92. The US had just finished the Persian Gulf War. We did well in what will probably be the last conventional conflict that US forces ever see --and only because Saddam Hussein was a complete ass hat. There is no on going insurgency war with extensive mission creep and growing US casualties. Whatever his faults, Bush41 stuck with the original mission goals as far as the use of force is concerned.Is there anyway that Ron Paul could get elected President in the 90's, either in 92 or 96? What would his chances of been the Republican primaries? Could he beat Bush Sr. for the party nomination in 92?
Only if you wear enough tin foil and will fall for the usual guilt by casual association smears.
No political bias there [/sarcasm]
I dunno. Paul just would either piss off or isolate too many people on the left or right. His support base is too isolated. Paleo-conservative libertarianism does not have a wide base of support anywhere enough to make him President.
Concur with drcynic and HeavyWeaponsGuy: Paul has zero chance of becoming President in any election. Not just '92 or '96, but ever. He's way behind the times, and his attitude towards foreign affairs and defense is just plain naive-the "stick our head in the sand and hope the bad guys leave us alone" approach. No thanks.
Paul is probably like Ralph Nader: he knows he'll never be President, but runs anyway. Ego, maybe? Or does he want to steer policy debate his way? Either one...
So... basically have a ridiculously absurd crisis that bends over backwards in circumstances just to make Ron Paul president or something that fundamentally changes the views and platform of Ron Paul and thus makes him a different person from the one we know?
Yeah Paul isn't one of those great ATL presidents who could've done a few things differently and gotten elected, he just isn't anywhere near that level.
Pretty much. It's like an H.P. Lovecraft presidency, you have to fundamentally change the person for the plausibility to be there and when you do that, it makes the entire thing significantly less interesting.
Only if you wear enough tin foil and will fall for the usual guilt by casual association smears.
No political bias there [/sarcasm]