World

Rally for the Republic Channels the Ghost of Barry Goldwater...

by Mikasi | September 4, 2008 at 11:41 am

329 views | 62 Recommendations | 8 comments

note: please know that the opinion box was checked when this was written. You need know that this is the author's opinion based on experiences at the rally.

There's a lot to be said concerning the Ron Paul phenomenon. I'm no pundit or even half good analyst, so I'll leave that to the pros and armchair strategists. But while I don't know the pros and cons I do know what's put in front of my nose and when it is weird it is weird. And this rally was weird.

To totally appreciate the incogruities between the Ron Paul movement and traditional American conservatism it helps if you are either a student of my country's politics or over 50 years old and an American. And the only two here at NP who might fit that bill are Dunkelberg and politisite.

In the old days the big debate in American conservativism is whether we should nuke North Vietnam till it glowed or simply nuke it back to the stone age. The right simply couldn't make up its mind. And perhaps the biggest voice in this debate was Senator Barry Goldwater.

Knowing this you can understand why it would seem so weird that Goldwater's son - Congressman Barry Junior - should take the stage arguing for peace and a Constitutionally justified isolationist policy. It even gets stranger when you consider that earlier in the day Jessie Ventura was on the stage taking deficit reduction, 911 conspriacy theory and quoting Jerry Garcia.

The stage played host to these views along with visits from representatives from the Conservative Caucus, a candidate for congress authors, pundits and entertainers... and of course there was Dr. Paul himself. And each of the speakers spoke about an American Conservativism which was likely unrecognizable to the everyone - everyone except for the 10,000 or so true believers in the audience and untold thousands more who caught the whole thing on Cspan2.

Though I speak lightly here I do not speak dismissively. Based on what I say was said, do not think this was a roomful of nutjobs who are beyond the fringes of the American political spectrum. All the people I spoke with here - in the speakers' area or on the floor shared some common traits - enthusiasm, a sickness with the way things are normally run, and an intelligence backed by reading on the issues they find important mixed liberally with common sense.

After the rally I'd have to admit though my vote may well not vote go to their political candidate - Libertarian Bob Barr - I left the event with a respect for who they are and what they believe.

to get better information on what went on at the rally please consult the attached videos and pictures. These were all taken by me either under the name Mikasi or as madmanmikey

videos include the event convocation, singing of the national antherm, singing of the national anthem, the first half of Jessie Ventura's speech, a backstage interview with Howard Phillips about the proposed North American Union, interview with Jesse Ventura on what Americans need to remember, a speech by Olymic gold medalist Erik Vendt, musical performances by Aimee Allen and Jimmy Vaugh, and a five part presentation of Ron Paul's speech (this is missing a couple of minutes during one transition).

9 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Terri Potratz

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:59 on September 4th, 2008

Mikasi, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Amy Judd

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 12:00 on September 4th, 2008

Mikasi, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Great piece!

I love this line:

Though I speak lightly here I do not speak dismissively. Based on what I say was said,do not think this was a roomful of nutjobs who are beyond the fringes of the American political spectrum.