It looks obvious

Dear Dr. Paul,

The last few days left us confused, disappointed and deeply embarrassed. Writing this letter, which I will also publish on my blog, is painful. But the events of the last few days, and the lack of proper response from you are making it necessary.

For many months now we were following your campaign with hope and enthusiasm. Finally, after many years of increasing dissatisfaction with the political and social direction of the country we felt that the ideals of individual liberty had a chance to spark a movement again. We followed the growing support for your candidacy with joy and excitement and were happy to join the “Ron Paul” revolution. We felt that we were seeing a historical moment and we, as a family, took the time to come to New Hampshire to make our small contribution.

We didn’t think that you had a realistic chance of winning the nomination, nor did many of the devoted people who joined your campaign. Certainly we were not imagining that you’ll be the next President. We realized that this is a step in a long march in fighting the tyranny of the state and restoring our rights - as individual. And yet, and for many reasons, the movement is the “Ron Paul” revolution. For better, and sadly for worse, the face of the revolution is your face.

We didn’t agree with many of the things you advocated. We didn’t share your position about immigration. We didn’t adopt the somewhat fanatic importance you gave for the monetary system or the simplistic rhetoric of non-intervention. We were sad about the fact that in your message of freedom you are effectively excluding women by your opposition for their right to choose. And more fundamentally, we disagreed with the power you are willing to grant for the states instead of leaving those issue ungoverned and un-coerced. Yet, we were convinced that we shared with you the belief in the essence of liberty and that your long service in pursuit of protecting that liberty justified our putting our differences aside. We believed that we had so much fundamental in common that justified our joining your campaign, while maintaining our differences.

In our short time in New Hampshire, just before the Primaries, we were happy to join forces with many other volunteers that came from all over the country. We enjoyed seeing the young Paulites - those enthusiastic young supporters of your campaign that created the movement. We saw an educated, devoted and hopeful group of people who saw in you an example to follow. We saw deeply good people that were willing to push aside the apathy, cynicism and disbelief in our political system. They gather under the flag of liberty, a flag you had the courage to carry. Many saw in you a role model, an example of a true libertarian - which in many way we still believe that you are.

A year ago all of this was not important. We were facing a choice between big-government Neoconservative Republican or big-government Democrat. This isn’t the case today, and not because you are going to win the election. You were able to awaken a movement which has given many people hope. Today we are at a point that, regardless of the results of the election, where this movement can develop - in its many meetup groups, on the campuses and in the many other - less conventional - places it was formed. It can grow and go deeper, it can start to influence the expectations that people have of their elected officials. It can change the shape of the discussion which we have with our government and most importantly with each other.

No wonder that on our way back home from New Hampshire, when we found about the New Republic article exposing the ugly affair - known now as the Ron Paul Newsletters, we were shocked and embarrassed. Is this the movement we joined, we wondered, is this the man we choose to lead it? The doubts cast by your campaign and supporters regarding the purity of the motives behind the New Republic’s publication of the these newsletters are irrelevant since the existence of these newsletters is a fact. In addition the fact that you didn’t write any of these newsletter, and we strongly believe that you didn’t, is irrelevant as well.

These messages appeared in a publication owned by you, sometimes under the pretense that you were the author, and helped fund your re-election to congress. Therefore, it isn’t enough that you are not the writer. Further, your reluctance to expose those who wrote these newsletters casts a shadow of suspicion on the campaign and the entire movement formed around it. Questions about the ideology and agenda of people with whom you are associated and who are loud advocates of your candidacy are risking the entire effort of thousands of supporters who trusted you. The results of your continued association with the people who authored the articles in those newsletters and their connection to your campaign risk more than your political future.

We rallied around the banner you raised because we are certain of the rightness of the cause of liberty, but also because we believed that you are a real statesman who would do justice to that cause. Maybe the political advice you got is to try to hush this story, maybe the tactical advice was to try to dismiss the story as old and unimportant news. This isn’t good enough for us, your supporters. We don’t expect you to win the elections, and therefore we aren’t looking for the correct political move. We are demanding that you be a statesman, or fade in shame for the damage you have caused. 

We - your supporters, not the media - deserve a real explanation for how you let these shameful newsletters carry your name. How did you allow yourself to benefit from the money that this expression of hate and racism generated? And we want to be sure that those that are responsible for these newsletters aren’t part of the “Ron Paul” revolution. It should be a clear explanation, not political spin, and a total disassociation from those responsible. We, as a movement and as individuals, deserve better than to be associated with those who are full of hate, conspiracy theories and bigotry. 

This is a defining moment for the “Ron Paul” revolution and it rests on your shoulders.

Yours truly 

Rogel Sokolin-Maimon

It took me some time to point my finger on it but yesterday I finally realized what I liked so much in New Hampshire - the people here are extremely nice. We were targeting yesterday independent undecided voters, trying to make them attend the televised town hall meeting with Ron Paul. These people are the hottest “commodity” in the NH primaries and we were not the only campaign knocking on their door during the weekend, and yet they were nice - they listened, they answer politely and many times they were also indicating if they will actually attend (or watch on TV) the meeting. But it is not only when canvasing (the clean termed used to describe door to door political solicitation) the drivers here are simply kind and considerate - a phenomena that someone that learn driving in Israel and is now driving in NY find completely unfamiliar.

The town hall meeting was a great successes, by the way, the studio was full of people and the answers given by Ron Paul were wonderful. Sometime I’m getting frustrated with his answers, like the “health care” issue during the ABC debate the other day, but this was not the case here. It was also nice to see that Barry Goldwater Jr. is actively campaigning with Ron Paul. I can develop the point of tell me “Tell me who is campaigning for you and I tell you who you are” but I will leave it with reminding that Chuck Norris is actively campaigning for the huckster.

Yesterday was also the Fox News debate, the one that excluded Ron Paul, and the grassroots were gathering to protest. The original idea was to hold the rally near St. Anselm college, but the parking problems left only the very dedicated to rally near the college. Since the site was also good for sledding Tseela was most happy that we decided to not give up. But if they were not allowed to make noise near the college, were the debate was held, the Paulites decided to hold the rally near the restaurant that hosted the focus group for the debate. Holding a rally in central location, full of bars and restaurants, is a pretty good idea - the combination of combining rallying and a good beer in the nearby Irish pub was really nice. Spending more time with the youth that flooded NH volunteering for Ron Paul I have to say that they are really good kids. They are informed, well read, well behaved and very dedicated - I really enjoy seeing them in action.

Among other thing we went to the rally yesterday. We found out in the morning in the volunteers HQ that while the candidates will hold a televised debate their supporter will rally, so we decided to participate.

I still remember he bruises from the encounters during political rallies in Israel in early 80’s, when a heated election and political differences meant also the use of some violence. It was usually end up with some shoving and pushing and sometimes, mostly when we were near the Kahane guys. Therefore I was somewhat surprised not to see police standing between the different rallies, making sure that everything remain in order.

It was a very interesting event - supporters of many of the candidates (although we didn’t see any supporter of Mitt Romney) or issue groups - like Health Care, Global Warming, and my favorite - an A Cappella group that sang songs advocating the impeachment of Cheney. The supporter, sometimes mixed together or overwhelmed by other groups, were holding signs and competing with chanting support slogans. Some of the exchanges were simply hilarious : “Tax Hike Mike” chanted the Ron Paul Supporters to silenced the Huckabee supporters, But they were ready with the following “Fair Tax Mike” and the response was immediate “No Tax Paul”.

In the background my wife listen to a conversation between a Ron Paul supporter and a McCain supporter - The Ron Paul supporter tried to explain that monetary policy is the main issue and that, obviously, Ron Paul is the ideal candidate to deal with the economic crisis. Frustrated with the other supporter ignorance he urged him “You have to read Hayek and Mises”. He lost him at “you have to read” observed my wife.

It was a nice celebration of political involvement - the many people that came in a cold night to rally and demonstrate support for political candidate or political cause. Observing the landscape, after driving around yesterday handing campaign materials, is that the political participation here is high. Near many house one can find signs of the different candidate - a declaration of support and commitment. The landscape is covered with those singes and its seems normal for the people here.

I’m writing this quick post while trying to finish as many things at work before taking off to New Hampshire.

Yesterday’s results, which were somewhat disappointing, making the need for strong performance in New Hampshire much more vital. I didn’t think before, and I’m surely don’t think now, that Ron Paul had a real chance to win the nomination. However it is important to stay in the race, to be on the debates and influence the agenda. These primaries aren’t about who will be the next President, in 2008 the voter are not going to vote for a republican President - and rightfully so. It is about the future of the GOP, is it going to become the party of the evangelical movement, or those who prefer Robert Taft or Barry Goldwater’s heritage. From what I’m reading, at least in NH we have some reasons for optimism.

And one last thing. Yesterday when I was watching the news, disappointed from not getting in third place, a friend sent me this to cheer me up.

I’ll try to write, and post some pictures, from the primaries in the Granite state. It is going to be very interesting to watch the “Live Free or Die” state celebration of democracy.

I’m breaking the sudden silence of the blog, to tell you that we are going to be in New Hampshire from January 4th.
We, finally, made up our mind and volunteered as a family to go help the efforts in the NH primaries. I didn’t volunteered to any political activity since I was 16 years old, 24 years ago, and I’m rather excited. It is great to be part of those who are making history. What makes me particularly happy is the fact that we are going to do this as a family.

Rye, NH - here we come!