http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/citycouncil/stories/MYSA012508.01A.stateofthecity.2a1e5e7.html

Sound bites are not a platform

Austin is a stronghold for Ron Paul campaign

I've been hearing more and more rumblings about Ron Paul these past few months. Strong anti-war stances, small government, a real Libertarian candidate. etc. After a bit of research I found very troubling aspects to Ron Paul's past policy stances, and motivations. However, there seemed (to me) be this swell of support rising for him, from portions of the population that did not strike me as politically active.

This article sheds some light on the who's and why's of this eclectic group of supporters.

What Chi sees in Paul is repeated again and again by his supporters. Paul is principled, consistent and candid, Chi said. He has built his career on ideas rather than image.

And his core conviction that big government is a threat to individual freedom was a powerful message for Chi.

"I knew something really important was happening. Only once in a blue moon does a candidate like Ron Paul come along," Chi said. "I felt like this was the one chance I had to make something of myself, to do something valuable."

This increasing demand for hard policy stances, coming from disaffected voters of both primary parties would seem to imply a need for change by one or both of the parties. The Democrats massive gains in the previous election can in large amount be attributed to the failings of the Bush administration, especially the war in Iraq.
Why is it, then, that the loudest anti-war voice seems to be coming from a Libertarian running as a Republican?

The diversity of views of Paul supporters is perhaps most evident in Paul's opposition to the war in Iraq. He is the only Republican presidential candidate running against the war — running, in fact, against nearly all political intervention in the affairs of any foreign country. In the topsy-turvy world of the Paul campaign, his position on the war has attracted those who say they otherwise would not have considered voting for a Republican.

I do not support Ron Paul, but I think it would be wise for either party to pay attention to the fervor some of his stated platform is stirring up.