Paul is to benefit from independent voters

por Joseph Dickens-Gavito

Relaciones Internacionales - Universidad de las Américas Puebla

According to the latest New York Times/CBS News joint poll, independent voters who were crucial in Barack Obama’s victory in 2008 are now doubtful about his performance so far. This might be extremely important for the Republican candidate, who could benefit from the vote of unpleased independent voters.

I have been following Republican candidate Ron Paul ever since his intentions of becoming the Republican candidate back in 2008 and I strongly believe that in the possible scenario where independent voters do decide to vote Republican, “Dr. No” would be the candidate to gather the most independent votes and here’s why.

Ron Paul is the Republican’s awkward old uncle who is straightforward and just won’t back down. Paul’s consistent rants about how the government’s role, as prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, is to protect its citizens’ liberties and how making personal choices without interference from the federal government is primordial to a healthy and developed society, are both the headache of the Republican party and a very seductive speech to independents and Democrats alike.

Four years ago, the United States was in desperate need for a radical change. Bush’s disastrous foreign policy combined with Obama’s unquestionable charisma convinced independent voters that it was time to vote Democrat. This recent poll shows how independent voters are not too pleased with Obama’s performance, but I also believe independents are not ready to return to the arrogant, trigger-happy foreign policy most Republicans are willing to endorse. This might be another reason why independents, and some Democrat dissidents, would vote for Paul. His intentions to bring troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq and from American military bases around the world coexist with Democrat and independent anti-war stances. Paul believes foreign countries should seek to solve their problems on their own and that intervening in unnecessary conflicts will only bring unwanted consequences to the United States and will diminish one of America’s greatest attributes; Soft Power. Some of Paul’s remarks do sound much like a 2008 Obama, but independent voters may have faith that Paul will go through with his promises and end America’s catastrophic campaign around the world.

Another very appealing aspect of Paul’s campaign is that, unlike other Republican hopefuls, he is not blaming President Obama for America’s current illnesses. Paul is quick to disagree with Obama’s current policies, but he has never put blame on the current president and he has even gone ahead and defended the Democrat leader whenever he is in the crosshairs of his fellow Republicans. This most certainly will be very attractive to independent voters, who can imagine a president open to bipartisanship and perhaps even lure some Democrat “traitors”.

Paul’s current position in the polls has him a long way from becoming the next president of the United States. Republicans themselves seem to agree on something, they all hate Paul and they all concentrate their efforts on putting him out of the race. Nevertheless, a scenario where independent voters decide to vote Republican would certainly benefit someone with the libertarian policies of Ron Paul.