Paul backers, war opponents spice up Giuliani event

The joint fund-raiser for the Kentucky Republican Party and GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani attracted  two groups who picketed on the corner of North Limestone and Third streets.

More than a dozen members of the Iraq Campaign, which has been hounding Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and presidential candidates about bringing troops back from the war-torn country, waved “Support the troops, end the war” signs on the street outside of the Carrick House.

Brian Smith of Louisville used his sign as a megaphone to yell at those paying up to the federal maximum donation of $2,300 to Giuliani's campaign.  He repeatedly yelled “$2,300 could buy body armor for five soldiers and $2,300 will bring five soldiers back home.”

Smith, 38, said he objected to most of the Republican candidates' support of the war.

"It seems Republicans are trying to out-macho each other instead of trying to bring the troops home in a responsible way," said Smith who also protested outside of Giuliani's event in Louisville earlier in the day.

Outnumbering the protesters were more than 20 mostly young supporters of Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas who has developed a sort of cult following nationwide.

Mike Wallace, a 27-year-old Nicholasville resident, said Paul is a traditional conservative and economics wonk whose platform is based on, among other things, stopping the free-fall of the U.S. dollar and eliminating the IRS. 

“If people are looking for the Reagan candidate he’s the only person who’s addressing those issues,” added Josh Koch, a 26-year-old Marine Corps veteran from Nicholasville, who also noted that Paul opposed the Iraq war from its start.

Both Koch and Wallace noted that Paul -- who out-raised other GOP contenders in the last quarter even though he's only collected $15,000 from Kentuckians -- noted that Paul has a strong tie to the Bluegrass state with his son, Rand Paul, who is a Bowling Green doctor.

Both the war opponents and Paul proponents arrived well before the 6 p.m. start time of the Giuliani event. But by the time Giuliani's car arrived at 6:45 p.m., only a handful of hardy Paul supporters remained to brave the sub-freezing temperatures.

Giuliani told reporters that he’s gotten used to seeing Paul’s “enthusiastic” followers outside of events across the nation.

But he claimed that he, and not Paul, “is the strongest fiscal conservative” and that Paul and his backers are wrong on national defense issues.

“My viewpoint is to be on offense against Islamic terrorism, not to withdraw into a shell,” Giuliani said. “The best way to achieve peace is through strength.”

- Ryan Alessi

Comments

[Me]

Ron Paul is the only candidate worth voting for in either primary. If the GOP doesn't nominate them then they're stupid.

[Israel]

Surely he never really said that.

"But he claimed that he, and not Paul, “is the strongest fiscal conservative” and that Paul and his backers are wrong on national defense issues.

“My viewpoint is to be on offense against Islamic terrorism, not to withdraw into a shell,” Giuliani said. “The best way to achieve peace is through strength.”"

[J Shutz]

Google Video or YouTube: "Ron Paul"
Save this country now!

Guiliani needs to bone up on the Vietnam War.

Like all politiicains, from both sides, they do not care what 'we the people' think or say. Nor do they care how many 'we the people' say what OUR needs and wants are.

Like all politicians, their response to our cries, calls, protests & demands, they simply reply, "that [the people] are wrong on [fill in the blank] issues.

The people are "wrong" to want to end the war.

The people are "wrong" - we can't pull out.

The people are "wrong" - we can't sit down & form a peace agreement.

The people are "wrong" - they do need that Merck vaccine.

The people are "wrong" - they do need to give the ultra rich a sales tax break.

These people who run for office do not care that their ONLY JOB is to be a "voice" for the people .... their job is NOT to dictate their ideas onto the people. Their job is to execute the WILL & DESIRES of the people.

[Lp]

Bring our troops home!!!!!! Vote Ron Paul.