Ron Paul: End Game - The Elle Magazine Interview

I didn't know they did politics. Definitely slow-pitch softball, but some good stuff. Here are some excepts;

[ELLE] You’re running as a Republican for President Dr. Paul, but aren’t your positions and proposals really sort of out of the mainstream of the Republican Party?

[RP] I don't need the party to impress, man. It's a flash of a smile, the correct ideology and a nice conversation. And at the end of the day, they’re cooking the food.

[ELLE] What about the other candidates? What’s it like competing for the Republican Party nomination when some of your views and proposals are so different from the other guys vying for the nomination as well?

[RP] Well, you know these guys want to win, and you want to win, and people need time to digest and understand my message. So I don’t just throw it all out there, open myself up to everything. I give it out a little bit at a time, in speeches, the website, and newsletters. I have to stay very closed off until a voter deserves to know me completely.

UPDATE [DiT]: I know, it's old. Too bad the original isn't on the Elle site anymore.

[ELLE] What's the one thing you have to tell the voters about yourself to persuade them to choose you?

[RP] Hello.

[ELLE] That would convince them?

[RP] Absolutely. You start making eyes across the room at them. Right then it's not a primary election situation. It's a predator-prey situation.

[ELLE] Ok, let’s talk economics. You’ve spoken about a “currency regime” that is inherently inflationary. What do you mean by that and what do you propose should be done?

[RP] Hey, I’m an alpha heterosexual candidate who only puts up with 1 to 2 percent. When our currency starts gaining a few pounds, I'm not tolerant of that at all. And when an economy isn't feeling good about itself and you combine that with a fiat currency, eventually it will ask you if you like how it looks. You have to say no.

[ELLE] But aren’t investors just asking you to say 'You look good to me, economy'?

[RP] If they do, it's placating. I don't placate.

[ELLE] How is that message received do you think?

[RP] Well, the worst thing an economist ever said to me was "You're a [expletive that rhymes with 'brass pole']. And you're in with those Bildesburgerers.. people." The time it really hurt was when a stranger said it. I was just trying to tell this hedge fund manager to get lost. I try to treat all investment executives with respect whether they're pretty or ugly. I want to be nice and be like, “Wow, thanks for the attention. But get out of my face.”

[ELLE] Let’s move to Foreign Policy. You have spoken of the danger of “entangling alliances”, and the necessity to re-evaluate our position globally. What do you think the United States should expect from its allies, and how should we respond?

[RP] Hey, man, we're not here to hold hands and babysit. 80 percent is a lot, you know? Other countries have got to come to the table with something.

[ELLE] I want to touch on something that’s a bit controversial with respect to your campaign and supporters. You’ve been accused of accepting campaign donations from some rather questionable sources, organizations that promote some rather distasteful ideas, racially I mean. How do you respond to that criticism?

[RP] Are you talking about my breakup with Stormfront? Look, I don’t know what to say, we had an absolute ball, but we grew up.

[ELLE] Are you still close?

[RP] Are we friends? Yes. Do we talk? No. Am I giving back the money? No.

[ELLE] Is there a common misconception that you feel you need to correct when you're with a campaign contributor?

[RP] If there is and they don't get it right away, they're gone.

[ELLE] What’s the hardest part of managing the campaign cash flow, and the myriad number of supporters and contributors?

[RP] Trying to control the situation. You have to give them enough credit to let them take the reins once in a while. But if it's a 2K spark-off, f--k it. Have a blast and fizzle out. It can be just as fun.

[ELLE] What’s the best thing about Washington?

[RP] There you can be as dirty or as clean as you want to be. The ratio there is three lobbyists to one representative. It's an expensive town, full of lobbyists. I like it when they call me Daddy. And they do, too, because they’re all hungry.

[ELLE] As other candidates invariably drop out of the race, will you keep up with them?

[RP] No way, I've got a patient on the table to save.

posted by Dave In Texas at 10:17 PM

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