Roy Maynard: Early Returns

It would be nice - even Norman Rockwellian - to present the following exchange between myself and my younger cousin as a conversation that took place during a family gathering such as Thanksgiving.

But it's not. It's an exchange of e-mails. No turkey was involved. Still, what's important here is the swapping of ideas and opinions. I think I now better understand the political anomaly of the season: the dedication that dark horse presidential candidate Ron Paul stirs.

My cousin, Josh Manuel, is a bright, young professional who lives in the Houston area. He was featured in a U.S. News & World Report article recently as an example of one of Ron Paul's supporters.

"He cured my apathy," Josh told the magazine. "He talked about not abusing habeas corpus, about a small federal government. He's the only one against the war and the only one talking about monetary policy."

Josh's involvement went beyond just voicing support.

"With $80 worth of software, Manuel created RonPaul-Forums.com, now campaign central for supporters," the magazine reports.

I went into my own position on Ron Paul in a column last January. I like him. But not for president.

"Dr. Paul, an obstetrician who lives in Surfside Beach, is a very nice man," I wrote. "I've met with him for a number of articles, and I have found him to be genial, attentive and obviously thoughtful. He's authored books on economics and he's delivered more than 4,000 babies."

But Ron Paul is wrong for the Republican primary, even if he's right on many of the issues, I said.

"He doesn't play well with others," I contended. "There's a new reality in Washington, and it's bipartisan at best. In 2008, Democrats could further solidify their control of Congress, making it even tougher for a Republican president. He would have to be - for lack of a better word - a politician, not an ideologue."

Josh disagrees, and he does so quite well - so well, that I want to present his reasons.

First, Ron Paul is a true fiscal conservative. He doesn't have the tax-increase blemishes on his record that are shared by John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee. He wants to get rid of the income tax and shrink the size of government.

Next, Josh contends, Paul has a better position on foreign aid.

"Why take my tax dollars and give them to any other country for weapons?" Josh says. "It's theft to take my money and give it to someone else. Using it for weapons is only adding insult to injury."

Paul's policies on immigration are also unapologetic, Josh says.

"We need to end the incentives (attracting illegal immigrants)," he says. "No free health care, no free education. And close the border. We can spend trillions of dollars (on the war on terror) but we are not secure when our front door is unlocked."

Paul is also the only Republican candidate who clearly states his opposition to the war in Iraq.

"The war is bleeding our nation of troops and treasure," Josh says.

He lists a dozen more issues, but Josh also offers a very thoughtful refutation of my column.

"Your article highlights Ron Paul's consistency," Josh says. "Why comprise on values? Why abandon principle and be bipartisan? Why compromise on the U.S. constitution which he has taken an oath to uphold?"

I'm not saying I'm convinced - I still like Mike (Huckabee). But I think I understand the Ron Paul phenomenon a little better now. Thanks, Josh.


Early Returns is the political observations column of staff writer Roy Maynard, who can be reached at 903-596-6291 or by e-mail at roymaynardtmt@gmail.com.

Roy Maynard
()