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McCook Gazette

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Editorial

Paul supporters put Nebraska in spotlight

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Nebraska is getting as much national political attention as it has since 1968, and Republican Party officials are hoping Grand Island doesn't turn into Chicago on Saturday.

That's because they fear Ron Paul supporters from other states may disrupt the state convention in their effort to sway delegates to give Paul a majority and a chance to have his name put into nomination at the GOP national convention in Tampa, Florida.

Nebraska is the last state to hold a Republican convention, and it is Paul supporters' last chance to win the five states necessary for the convention recognition. He already has Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and Louisiana.

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana governor and possible Mitt Romney running mate, is expected to attend the Grand Island convention, an illustration of just how important the state event is.

Yes, Paul stopped campaigning for president in May, and his son, Rand, a senator from Kentucky, has endorsed Romney.

But while Paul has no chance of winning the nomination, five states will give his libertarian supporters a voice on the national stage, perhaps a bigger victory than would be an actual nomination, with its many necessary compromises.

It's always a pleasant surprise to see circumstances thrust our state, with only 1.8 million people, into the national spotlight.

Let's hope convention attendees, however, heed state GOP officials' calls for a civil debate, agreeing to disagree without being disagreeable.

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  • There is irony in the reference to fear that Ron Paul supporters may disrupt the Nebraska GOP convention, since security personnel (sometimes off-duty police in uniform) have disrupted past conventions by preventing or attempting to prevent the lawful exercise of political rights by Paul supporters. There is added irony that the Louisiana governor is attending because this oppression was more blatant and violent in Louisiana than anywhere else. It was also well-documented through YouTube video postings. Perhaps the invitation to Jindal was extended and accepted before Nebraska party leaders backed off on plans to hire outside security to maintain control, which of course means backing off on hiring thugs to prevent Paul supporters from participating.

    -- Posted by Ravensford on Fri, Jul 13, 2012, at 2:19 PM

  • I can never seem to understand why Romney and The GOP are so upset with Ron Paul. At the very least Ron Paul brings attention and some much needed fresh air to an otherwise completely stale and morally bankrupt Republican Party. Romney,if He was actually Presidential, would have capitalized on the Ron Paul Insurgency in any number of ways. Romney could have been seen as a wise conciliator of diverse opinions.

    If He can't arbitrate his own party,what exactly does he bring to the table as The GOP Presidential candidate ?

    -- Posted by nevadasmith on Sat, Jul 14, 2012, at 7:12 AM
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