::::::::
Maybe it's an opium dream to expect much to come of this recent Ron Paul phenomenon. But given the public's high level of outrage at the blunderings of the current administration, a Ron Paul ticket is not entirely improbable.
He needs, however, one thing: a credible, "mainstream" running mate, and Chuck Hagel, the Senator from Nebraska who represents the old school of conservativism and is very wary of America's present course, seems to be the perfect candidate.
And there have been unconfirmed reports that Chuck Hagel and Ron Paul are together considering this option.
The fact is that, according to the major polls, nearly half of the American population supports a "mind-our-own-business," non-interventionist foreign policy. Unfortunately, only a small minority of our elected officials feel this way, and they are for the most part ignored by the pro-intervention media.
A genuine, bottom-up populist movement is possible if someone can effectively convey the sentiments of this enormous segment of the population -- and, so far, only Ron Paul and Chuck Hagel have stepped up to the challenge.
A recent Pew Center Poll found "a revival of isolationist feelings among the public similar to the sentiment that followed the Vietnam War in the 1970's and the end of the Cold War in the 1990's..... Forty-two percent of Americans think that the United States should 'mind its own business internationally and let other countries get along the best they can on their own,' according to the survey, which was conducted by the Pew Research Center in association with the Council on Foreign Relations" (NY Times, November 17, 2005).
So my advice to Ron Paul supporters: Do everything in your power to make possible this Ron Paul - Chuck Hagel ticket. If you can secure this, the nomination will be yours.
(Click here to see the Pew Research Center article)
