Ron Paul takes the lead in Iowa.

[MikeH]

"The guy in the center" = Mitt Romney, if you didn't know.

Has this sentence ever been uttered before?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

He's a Mormon, so we can't rule out it being used on his wedding night(s).

[giblets]

Don't Republicans love rich people? Shouldn't Romney be a shoo-in for the nomination?

[Felch]

I don't know about calumny, but I've a crisp £10 note ready to bet on racist missives issued in Paul's name being the topic of widespread media coverage should he get the Republican nomination.

I'd say that's a safe bet. Still not as damning as a video of him saying it. He could still win.

[DinoDoc]

I'd say that's a safe bet. Still not as damning as a video of him saying it.

Newsletters where he put it out under his name?

http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/company-ron-paul-keeps_613474.html

[HalfLotus]

20 year old articles that Ron didn't write, and doesn't agree with. Next.

[HalfLotus]

And Paul has very, very long speaking, writing, and voting records you can look to for his views. None of them approach racism or anything of the sort.

[DinoDoc]

20 year old articles that Ron didn't write, and doesn't agree with. Next.

And yet put out under his name.

[HalfLotus]

He has acknowledged the mistake in not vetting the articles, and has clearly stated and demonstrated that he doesn't agree with those views.

Do you think Ron Paul is racist?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Yes, that's the problem. "I did not write them and I do not approve of them. I just allowed them to be be published in my name, in my newsletter, repeatedly."

In other words his defence to charges of racism is either complete irresponsibility or rank stupidity. Frankly, in a presidential candidate, I think I'd prefer mild racism.

[Felch]

I'd prefer a candidate who wasn't trying to bankrupt America with endless wars. But if you think we should choose a president based on decades old bull**** conjecture, then feel free to go on being a part of the problem.

[HalfLotus]

Yes, that's the problem. "I did not write them and I do not approve of them. I just allowed them to be be published in my name, in my newsletter, repeatedly."

In other words his defence to charges of racism is either complete irresponsibility or rank stupidity. Frankly, in a presidential candidate, I think I'd prefer mild racism.

Do you also prefer to judge a man's character on a few indirect, isolated incidents out of his 20 year record in public life?

The overwhelming balance of the evidence shows clearly that Paul's views are fiercely civil libertarian with a view to maximum individual liberty, regardless of race, creed, or class.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Where those incidents suggest irresponsibility or stupidity in very important roles, you bet your arse I do.

[Al B. Sure!]

Yeah Ron Paul was a racist. I'm not so sure how much that will affect him, though, believe it or not. Obviously, Romney's going to get the nomination but in some backwards circumstance where it's Ron Paul vs. Obama, Ron Paul's pretty liberal cult of white followers, who would normally freak about racism, won't be fazed by racism just because it's their Obama-style change candidate, Ron Paul.

But Paul is not getting the nomination. His cult is not large enough.

[giblets]

Even if he's a racist he's still the best candidate in the Republican field