Ron Paul finishes 2nd in the New Hampshire primary...the DEMOCRATIC primary,
By xfahctor
@xfahctor (14118)
Lancaster, New Hampshire
January 12, 2012 3:08pm CST
No, the title is not a typographical error, I really meant the Democratic primary. Although there is not officially a Democratic primary under way, democrats are casting their votes for their choice of nominee in primary voting. Obama finished a healthy first place in New Hampshire with a healthy 82%. But a very noteworthy 18% of the votes went to Ron Paul write ins from registered Democrats. So it seems Paul managed to do this in not just one but TWO state primaries
This is not surprising to me as he shares a lot of common ground with what the democratic party claims to stand for. the last 3 years have proven however to be a disappointment to liberty minded and anti war Democrats, with a significant number changing their party affiliation to support Paul in the primaries. But this is a bit different. The votes cast in the NH primary were from registered Democrats.It should be interesting to see if this is a trend that continues.
Were they just trying to make a statement? Were these people who did not change their party affiliation in time to vote in the Republican primary but still wanted to voice their displeasure?? Hard saying with out asking them. But it makes for a pretty interesting discussion starter I thought...so...have fun folks.
4 people like this
8 responses
@burrito88 (2774)
• United States
12 Jan 12
I don't know that it means that much since a lot of democrats probably stayed home.
3 people like this
@crossbones27 (49723)
• Mojave, California
12 Jan 12
Sorry to disappoint Ron Paul supporters, but there is a rumor going around that Ron Paul does not want to be President. He is only running to help his son gain credibility, so he can run for President one day. Now I know it is just a rumor but it might hold some merit considering he told ABC News that he can't picture himself in the oval office.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (49723)
• Mojave, California
13 Jan 12
Good, I see you got the point that there was a rumor going around.lol
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
13 Jan 12
Ok, HERE is the speculation I've been hearing and reading about...Ron Paul might have been a real threat to run as an independent or libertarian but he won't because he doesn't want to ruin Rand's chances for a bright future in the GOP.
I guess the son doesn't have the same principles as the father...
Annie
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
14 Jan 12
People aren't happy with who is in office, but I think that people really do need to think about who is running and what that candidate's priorities are because they don't want the wrong person in office.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
12 Jan 12
How could that happen, I thought he "had no electability"? I wonder if there was any past Republican who lost in Iowa and was told they had no electability than went on to be elected president?
From 4 years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9c9mkkYgLM
2 people like this
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
14 Jan 12
Being number 2 in a primary when your name isn't even on the ballot and from your opposition is a pretty good sign that you are.
@TheMetallion (1834)
• United States
13 Jan 12
Being #2 in a 2-person primary where person #1 got 82% is a pretty good definition of having no electability.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
13 Jan 12
I think that this shouldn't surprise anyone, the problem is that they only way he can get on the ballet is if he runs as an independent. We all know he won't the get republican nomination, and we know he sure won't get the democratic one as well. But, I am not shocked at all that Paul is doing so well.
@knoodleknight18 (917)
• United States
13 Jan 12
This is one of those things where I think primaries hurt their own party more than anything. And I'm not talking about the mock Democratic primary. I'm talking about the Republican primary. More often than not they'll elect a guy that's way too far right to swing any votes when it actually counts. Ron Paul is the only GOP ticket to the White House. I can honestly say Ron Paul is the only person on the R ticket I've ever considered voting for, and I think with what's going on with NDAA, SOPA/PIPA and who knows what else coming out there's a good chance Ron Paul could win the next election.
The problem people overlook in primaries is that while a candidate may be popular in the primaries that's only a small percentage of voters. When it comes to election day he also has to appeal to the other 75% or so that didn't vote in the primaries. And that's where a seemingly great candidate often falters. Ron Paul has more appeal to anyone not voting in the primaries, but as for hard core R's who do vote in the primaries he has less appeal.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
13 Jan 12
You're right, it IS an interesting discussion starter! So I don't forget, let me begin by THANKING you for not being afraid to show your intelligence by using the correct term in your title...lol!
I guess it shouldn't be much of a surprise that Paul did well even in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire, right? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the idea it's a state of fairly independent voters even if they are registered with one of the major parties. I know they're always saying on TV that the Republicans aren't as "socially conservative" as they are in, say, the south. Apparently at least some of the Democrats aren't as "socially liberal" as most in the northeast are. As I've said frequently, there are some things on which I agree with Paul but there are also lots of things on which I do not. He's not really typical of either party, whatever "typical" really is.
Any way you slice it, 18% of the votes in the opposing party's primary is pretty impressive, I'll admit to that.
Annie
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
13 Jan 12
Well its Ron Paul some of his views are in line with what the Democrats are supposed to before but have yet to do anything to really move forward on those issues. This is why Ron Paul is a threat if he gets the Nomination because he could very well win over a good portion of the Population especially when he is in a debate with Obama.
I am a registered Libertarian so I won't be voting in the Primaries as far as either of the two parties go and well am more of a Gary Johnson supporter than a Ron Paul supporter but I would love to see him get the Nomination.
As for Ron Paul placing second well he has a better track record than Obama on a lot of things like not supporting wars or bailouts both of which are issues. The thing is though a lot of Democrats are going to support Obama because he has a D behind his name just like a lot of Republicans support people that have R behind their names.
