Ron Paul Report: Rudy Cries 'Uncle'

The LA Times reports that former New York mayor and former GOP Presidential frontrunner Rudolph Giuliani paid grudging tribute to Congressman Ron Paul during the announcement of the end of his candidacy.

Giuliani gave a gracious concession speech in which he listed all of his Republican competitors and called them good men.

He added Ron Paul on the end, smiling, and said after all the debates he'd go back to his hotel room and watch television and how every time, according to the texted tallies, Ron Paul won all the debates, much, he did not say, thanks to the determined voting of his many busy-fingered followers. "Ron Paul won every debate!" Giuliani said.

It seems fitting that Giuliani would bookend his campaign by tipping his hat to Dr. Paul, as his campaign trajectory seemed to have been neatly mapped out by this exchange from an early debate, in which Rudy tried to humiliate the good Doctor with a bit of "straw man" politics: Alas, ironically, the discussion of blowback eventually blew back on Rudy, as the voting public began to realize that his was a noe-note campaign, and that one note wasn't as sweet as it had once seemed. In contest after contest, Ron Paul proved to be a versatile opponent.

For instance, in Iowa, Giuliani had his ass handed to him by Ron Paul, as he saw his vote total nearly tripled by the maverick Libertarian. In New Hampshire, a much closer geographic match for Giuliani, he eked out a 1 point advantage, but in Michigan, had his ass handed to him again by more than 2 to 1.

Then came Nevada, where Dr. Paul came in 2nd, tearing off Giuliani's head, but stopping short of sh**ting down the hole. South Carolina was more of an old-fashioned beat-down, with Paul not quite doublling Rudy's vote total. Ironically, it was in Florida that Giuliani finally managed to flex some electile muscle, but emptied his war chest in the process.

Who would have guessed that, all these months later, after Giuliani had so boldly incited that debate crowd against Ron Paul, that he would be graciously bowing out while Ron Paul soldiers on? And who would even know it from watching the news?

So, for all of you dedicated Ron Paul supporters, especially you, Wish Belkin (Ron Paul for President), enjoy this moment. It is almost certainly the closest you will get to an apology.


Ron Paul notes: Denise Williams reports that this weekend's Maine Caucus represents Ron Paul's best chance so far at winning a state.

Also, I have made overtures to the Ron Paul campaign about securing a short telephone interview with the candidate. I will keep you posted, but feel free to email them and encourage the good Dr. to speak with me. Those of you who know me know that he will get a fair shake from me.

Just for fun, here's a humor piece that I wrote that ties neatly into this article, and below, if you haven't seen it yet, the newest BallWitnness News, where I give Dr. Paul the last word.

OK, before you start typing, please note, the joke in both cases is to lampoon the media for ignoring Ron Paul, not to mock him.

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Update: Punkbaby, Suzi, Tcon, thank you, I appreciate the readership. Ian, yes, I produce the show myself, for fun, for free. It's a good way to do some fun writing and learn TV and film production. Glad you liked it.

Update: Check out Jay Allbritton's story about Dr. Paul's fund-raising.