Even the Republican Jewish Coalition barred Paul from a candidate's forum last year, citing his "misguided and extreme" comments and positions. Nonetheless, choosing to ignore Paul's anti-Israel, pro-conspiracy profile, Richard Grenell, a former Romney spokesman on foreign policy, told Talking Points Memo that "Ron Paul's commitment to limited government's involvement in our daily lives is the future of the Republican Party." Let us for the moment take Mr. Grenell at his word; that Republican's are honoring Ron Paul because they agree with his "commitment to limited government's involvement in our daily lives." Don't Mr. Grenell and his former boss know that the "limited government" Mr. Paul:
- Has repeatedly introduced the Sanctity of Life Act, which would define life as beginning at the moment of conception (which is the antithesis of "limited government involvement");
- Is a cosponsor (along with Barney Frank) of H.R. 5843, which would remove all federal penalties for the personal use of marijuana (which Romney is against);
- Opposes the 1964 Civil Rights Act, (which no one in their right mid would do) and
- Opposes all government funding of medical research, believing that " . . . all research in a free society should be done privately," (which gives Romney's friends in the pharmaceutical industry spilkes).
Since Romney, Ryan and the Republicans have decided to honor Dr. Paul at their national convention, we have no choice but to assume that either:
- They are unaware of these and many other Paul policy positions which, according to their platform they oppose, or
- They really don't care that there is a big gap between them and Ron Paul, because the only thing they believe in is winning.
One can only imagine the sturm und drang that would occur if the Democrats announced that they were giving a speaking slot at their national convention to, say, Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to Congress. One can imagine Sheldon Adelson and Karl Rove underwriting a $10 million ad buy denouncing Barack Obama and the entire Democratic establishment for sins against God and man, not to mention the State of Israel. Their ads would be published in every Jewish paper from Maine to California.
That is how the Republicans would respond . . . like gluttons at an all-you-can-eat bakery.
It strikes me that now is the time for Democrats to take a page from the Republican playbook and let Jewish voters know precisely who Romney and Ryan are honoring. Let them know that this man is anti-Israel, doesn't think Iran is a problem, and even thinks we were wrong to kill bin Laden.
Let them know that it's simply a-PAUL-ing . . .
-2012 Kurt F. Stone
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