He's Still There

In recent weeks the eyes and attention of the Republican Party has shifted to Mitt Romney, but thankfully the race continues.  Ron Paul is still in the race and looks to gain delegates in the primaries that are coming up in June and July.  Paul did win Maine and has gained in the delegate count. Many have asked why Paul continues in the race, but I think it is brilliant. Why you ask?

First and foremost his continued effort shows some serious flaws in the system of picking a nominee.  After the early primaries, it becomes a foregone conclusion as to who will win, but is it really?  As we have seen with the Romney train as it leaves the station, not many people are jumping on board, and those who are are reluctant.  If we were to seriously overhaul the nomination system, and allow the best candidate to mature in the race, perhaps both parties could begin to nominate candidates that we the best rather than those with the most stamina.  By Paul remaining in the race, the party is forced to continue listening..even if faintly..to those on the outside wanting in.  It's good for the party, and the country as well.

Secondly, it is setting Paul up for success.  Paul, as annoying as it may be to the Republic power, is the person the Skynyrd concert yelling "Freebird!" It's the song everyone came to hear, and eventually the band will play.  Paul standing up for what he, and obviously a growing number of Americans think is right, is a good thing.  Eventually the party will morph to include those like Paul into the mainstream.  It worked for the Tea Party (I hardly call Paul a Tea Partier), and can work again.


Finally it points out serious flaws in how the media covers politics.  This is more subtle than the previous two, but it is there if you look.  How quickly has the media moved away from the race for the nomination, and really the general election?  Yes, elections are terribly long and hard for the media to cover, but it is a must for the public.  When the media suddenly stops covering politics (or seriously covering it), the public stops caring.  We go back to worrying about America's Got Talent or the Kardashians.Congressman Paul staying in the race and not receiving the coverage deserved shines an unflattering light on the media's coverage of politics. Is Kim Kardashian (I refuse to research the spelling of their name) more important than the leader of the free world?


Ron Paul understands that it is impossible for him to win the parties nomination. His continued campaign is however a wake up call for the Republican Party, and America's two party systems as a whole.  The way we pick nominees, and out President has been called into serious question.  How each party answers that question may have an effect not only on 2016, but 2020.  Learning to meld, and formulate a lasting candidate void of serious flaws is going to be a key component to success