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I flew to Iowa from California the day before the caucus to help the Ron Paul campaign in Council Bluffs, just across from Omaha, Nebraska. The western Iowa campaign had precinct captain cancellations on the day of the election, so I went to the Council Bluffs precincts 4 & 5 caucuses (they were combined).  There were 50 voters with only 6 confirmed Ron Paul supporters. And a whole bunch of Huckabee people. But there were also a lot of Undecideds.

When we got our chance to speak for Dr. Paul, two of us Ron Paul supporters tag-teamed the caucus. A marine who is stationed in Baghdad flew in that day especially for the caucus and told the crowd that the Iraq war is not about terrorism, WMD’s or democracy, but about oil.  He said everyone in his unit supported Ron Paul for President. Then I spoke and told them about the country’s staggering debt, the CFR’s control of all the presidential candidates and its stranglehold on foreign policy. And I talked about Dr. Paul’s lonely fight over the years for us and our constitution.

It must have worked because we picked up 10 more votes  (20% of the caucus!) and tied Huckabee for first place with 16 apiece. I can only wonder what would have happened if the volunteers had been more organized. What if people like that Marine and I had been in the hundreds of other precincts in the state without RP captains? How many more votes could we have won? So many undecideds were there for the taking.

Back here in San Francisco today I told this story to our canvassing crew just before we started to work our neighborhoods. We all vowed to not wonder what might have happened if we had just worked a bit harder or smarter in these final weeks and days before our election. We refuse to leave anything on the table and are doing everything we can to deliver San Francisco’s 3 delegates to Ron Paul.  

“Do to others as you would have them do unto you.”
                                                Luke 6:31

While Mike Huckabee declares himself a, if not the, Christian leader in this presidential campaign, Ron Paul quietly lets his actions do the talking. As Dr. Paul practices his faith privately, Mitt Romney and Huckabee stumble over themselves to bring religion smack dab into the middle of their campaigns and if they win, their governments. Huckabee’s intentions regarding faith and government are clear. It’s his card, and he’ll never stop playing it, especially if he were to become President. And Romney went one step too far in his “religion” speech by declaring            

“We should acknowledge the Creator as did the Founders – in ceremony and
word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our
history… “

Oh boy…   

“Nor would I separate us from our religious heritage. Perhaps the
most important question to ask a person of faith who seeks a political office, is
 this: does he share these American values: the equality of human kind, the
obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty?”

Um, isn’t that a religious test? By this standard, would anyone who doesn’t recognize that we are obligated to “serve one another”, much less believe in God, be acceptable for political office?

And then there is Ron Paul who told Howard Fineman in a Newsweek interview this week that he hopes his “Christian values reflect in (his) character and what he believe(s) in.” Dr. Paul found the necessity of Mr. Romney’s speech “tragic.” As the only candidate to issue a press release on the speech, Dr. Paul urged that “Gov. Romney should be judged fairly, on his record and his character, not on the church he attends.” Compared to the deafening silence, and, in the case of Huckabee snide innuendo, of the other candidates, Dr. Paul’s Christian character reflected admirably.  

Dr. Paul’s political philosophy likely finds its roots in Christian ethics’ greatest hit - the Golden Rule. Let’s ask: if you don’t want to give money to corporate welfare, should I be able to force you to? If you want to spend money on stem cell research, should you be able to force Sally, who is pro-life? If you were Sally, how would you like to be treated? This is the crux of the philosophy of freedom. If you don’t want to be forced to donate to a project with which you don’t believe, don’t force other people to give to projects in which you believe. The goal of a Paul government would be to get the money out of the government’s hands and back into yours. Then you can vote with your dollars by donating to any project you want. And Sally can do the same.    

For all their sad pandering, maybe the candidates who call themselves Christians, and those who feel they need to prove themselves Christians, might learn something from the Christian who doesn’t advertise his faith.                                                                   

Rolling Stone hit the nail on the head http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2007/12/10/ron-paul-has-huge-cajones/

Ron Paul goes to Miami and says we should talk to Castro, he goes to Iowa and says we shouldn’t subsidize corn, he doesn’t pander to Christians, of which he is one. Has any politician, ever, been as willing to say to the face of interest groups exactly what they don’t want to hear?

Sources tell me the Paul campaign is on target for its precinct goals. If they’re right, the MSM should prepare itself for an Iowa surprise.

Iowa 

1. Huckabee 26%

2. Paul 22%

3. Romney 14%

4. Giuliani 10%

5. Thompson 9%

6. McCain 8%

7. Tancredo 3% 

8. Hunter 1%

Other 7%

Maybe I’m nuts, but I’m not alone.  http://www.insideradvantagegeorgia.com/restricted/2007/December%202007/12-6-07/Towery12619632.php

New Hampshire

1. Romney  28%

1. Paul 28%

3. McCain 21%

4. Huckabee 9%

5. Giuliani 7%

6. Thompson 3%

7. Other 5%

With so many Independents and Libertarians in the state, combined with Ron Paul Blimps and http://www.operationlivefreeordie.com/  not to mention the big night in Iowa, there’s too much momentum to stop the Paul campaign going into New Hampshire.

South Carolina and, especially, Nevada will be heavily influenced by the outcome of the first two states. Tancredo, and Hunter will drop out after Iowa. McCain will leave after New Hampshire. Thompson might last through South Carolina, just to see what happens. Huckabee’s fifteen minutes will be up and he’ll check out after Nevada. His baggage will be too heavy and with little prospects and no money he’ll be done by Tsunami Tuesday.  However, for either Giuliani or Romney, should they get the nomination, he’s the likely V.P. (or a really successful radio talk show host). At that point what happens? Will Giuliani’s late to the game strategy just not work? Will Romney’s religion, his too slick image, his abortion flip-flop catch up with him? And could this alignment of the stars put the ethically impeccable, well-funded, time-for-a-change candidate Ron Paul in the driver’s seat?

As I write this, Devan is upstairs fussing. She seems to get this way around 9pm at night. But she’s eating, gaining weight, sleeping well and we’re working toward a regular routine.

She had her first submersion bath yesterday since she lost the rest of her cord over the weekend. On Monday Grandma Sue tearfully left for home after being here with and for us for the last two weeks. We don’t know what we would have done without her. Sue was here for us and made Devan’s first few weeks far easier than they would have been. Thank you Grandma Sue.

Another interesting development has involved the dogs. While Ruby the Ridgeback has been in typical form as the sturdy watchdog, the often self-absorbed Hanz (Weimerraner) showed not only interest and concern, but he his empathetic side emerged. The first few times he heard the baby cry, he cried too. He’s more used to her crying now, but he always checks on her in the morning and doesn’t miss a chance to give her kisses.

We want to thank everyone again for the warmth we felt since we had Devan. We have been and remain touched. Visit us again soon.

Thanks for coming. Devan, mommy and daddy are going home tomorrow morning (3/28/06). California Pacific Medical Center has been wonderful. They deserve their sterling reputation. We are grateful that Devan was born here.

We’re touched and honored by the generous shower of warmth and well-wishes. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We’re thrilled.

Finally, if you have Skype or download the new version at www.skype.com you can look me up (johndennis1, San Francisco) and request a live visit through Devan-cam! We’d love to show you, see you and talk to you. Don’t be bashful; we love showing off and catching up. All the best, John