Obama Should Reach Out to Ron Paul

I wrote a story the other day advising John McCain to pick Ron Paul as his VP, a genius idea that he has no chance of actually listening to. The main reason I thought of it was that Paul has so frequently humiliated McCain (and the GOP also-rans) during the debates. Why not use that weapon against his Democratic opponent?

Of course, this led me to an even greater stroke of genius, because it actually has a chance at success. I floated the idea on yesterday's Obama conference call. Here's the abridged exchange:

Tommy Christopher: Ron Paul performed very well in debates against John McCain on the economy, particularly in the Florida debate from January, where he asked McCain a question and Senator McCain's response was likened to that of Miss Teen South Carolina. Will you be reviewing those performances in anticipation of debates, and do you see any role for Ron Paul in Senator Obama's campaign, or administration?

Austan Goolsbee: If Ron Paul's supporters care about fiscal responsibility, when they read John McCain's tax plan their heads may explode.

They didn't really answer my question, and kind of bitched at me for not being laser-like in my narrow adherence to their topic (Obama's Economic Plan). God, I miss Howard Wolfson.

Ben Smith over at Politico dug it, but probably more for the entertainment value. It's never a good sign when people laugh while you're being serious. Ron Paul could be a big help to Barack Obama. Hell, he already has.


The main suggestion I would make to Obama, and the easiest to accomplish, is to study Ron Paul's performances in the debates. I added the rest of the question to give it that memorable "crazy factor," so later that day, when they saw Senator Obama, one of them would say, "B-Dawg, you'll never guess what some dude from AOL suggested..."

"Don't call me B-Dawg."

Like an NFL team reviewing game films before a clutch cargo matchup, Obama can augment his already formidable debating arsenal by studying Dr. Paul's humiliation of McCain in Florida, and whatever it was that Paul did to Giuliani to make him cry "Uncle!" as he dropped out of the race.

As it happens, Obama and Ron Paul have similar assets when it comes to debating. They both have an uncanny ability to resist oversimplified, straw-man arguments and loaded questions.

In Obama's case, he takes your point and throws it back at you over your head. When McCain grandstanded and challenged Obama to a photo-op in Iraq, Obama suggested McCain take a tour of America, get to know those folks.

Ron Paul, on the other hand, goes the other way, throwing it in the dirt and daring you to come up with it. When Rudy Giuliani childishly demanded an apology from Paul during a debate, he, instead, got a quick, sober and credible analysis of US foreign policy blowback. It was wasted on the hooting debate crowd, but independent voters, the real brass ring in this election, were doubtless impressed.

A mix-and-match of these approaches could be very effective against McCain in the upcoming debates. Regardless, Barack Obama should try to participate in as many of these as possible.

Aside from this, though, Ron Paul's and Barack Obama's supporters have more in common than you might at first think, so the idea that they would partner in some way is not that outlandish. Both candidates are opposed to the Iraq war, and both seek an end to politics as usual. For Obama, reaching across the aisle to a true conservative would shore up his post-partisan image.

Given the gulf between the two on certain issues, it might be tough to find the right appointment for Paul, but unless it has already been promised to John Edwards, why not Attorney General? Protecting the Constitution is a hallmark of Ron Paul's political life, and the next administration would benefit greatly from having a truly independent Justice Department.

Would Ron Paul consider such a move? That's tough to say, but all indications are that he would not. Although he has not endorsed McCain, he has vociferously eschewed an independent run, or any suggestion that he is anything but a Republican.

On the other hand, if Obama was sincere in offering Dr. Paul some real influence in his administration, perhaps Paul could be persuaded that he would do more good ushering in a purer era in politics than in standing with his wayward comrades in the GOP.

In any case, the presence of Ron Paul in the Republican primary race has already benefited Obama. By continuing to show McCain up in primaries, most recently garnering 24% of the vote in Idaho, Ron Paul has reminded people that there are principles that are greater than Party. By highlighting McCain's support for the war and ineptitude on the economy, he has teed up the presumptive GOP nominee for Obama. All Barack has to do now is swing.

From the Florida GOP Debate:

REP. PAUL: My -- my question is for Senator McCain.

This is an economic question that I wanted to ask. It has to do with the President's Working Group on Financial Markets.

I'd like to know what your opinion is of this and whether you would keep it in place, what their role would be, or you would get rid of this group. And if you kept the group, would you make sure we would see some sunlight and know what they're doing and how they're being involved in our markets?

SEN. MCCAIN: Well, obviously we'd like to see more sunshine.

But I as president, as every other president, rely primarily on my secretary of the Treasury, on my Council of Economic Advisers, on the head of that. I would rely on the circle that I have developed over many years of people like Jack Kemp, Phil Gramm, Warren Rudman, Pete Peterson and the Concord group. I have a process of leadership, Ron, that is sort of an inclusive one that I have developed, a circle of acquaintances and people that are supporters and friends of mine who I have worked with for many, many years.

REP. PAUL: So you'd get rid of the group?

SEN. MCCAIN: You remember back in 1982 when Phil Gramm -- Phil Gramm and Warren Rudman and Gramm-Latta and all of those people got the first real tax cuts done, the real -- first real restraints in taxes. I was there. You were there. And I rely on those people to a much larger degree than any, quote, "formal" organization, although the secretary of Treasury is obviously one of the key and important posts that I would have.