Can we find hope in adversity?

Few things in life are as painful than losing a hope. On May 15, Ron Paul’s campaign manager Jesse Benton, made an official announcement that has raised cries of ‘treason’ among Ron Paul supporters.  In essence, he stated that, barring a miracle that would allow Dr. Paul to compete economically with Romney’s support from the big bankers, it is impossible for him to compete successfully in states which employ a primary system to select presidential candidates. Because of that fact, it is not possible for Ron Paul to secure enough delegates to prevent Romney from receiving the nomination on the first vote at the Republican national convention in Tampa. The dream of a brokered convention is over.

Until confirmation is received from Ron Paul himself, it is difficult to say what this means for the Paul campaign. In a conference call, Benton stated that Dr. Paul is continuing his campaign in his quest to amass delegates.

That Ron Paul will continue the fight regardless, naturally raises the question: if Congressman Paul cannot stop Romney from confirmation on the first vote at the national convention, why continue? The tentative answer is that as the Ron Paul forces continue to press forward, they are taking control of the Republican party at the grassroots level. This may not be enough to turn the tide this year in Tampa, but it does make more certain that the values Ron Paul has promoted and which he shares with a huge number of ordinary Americans, will be addressed at the convention. More importantly, these values will be carried over into another election cycle. Ron Paul is going to Tampa and it is not out of the question that we may just be able to control the party platform, given the fact that the majority of delegates are Ron Paul supporters, even if many are bound to vote for Romney on the first ballot.

No one is more disappointed at the announcement that a brokered convention will not occur than is this author. But he also has hope. For the first time in memory, a national figure has placed the issue of constitutional integrity for leaders on the table. The people are tired of being harassed in airports in the name on the war on terror. They are weary of seeing their economic fruit wasted on foreign wars that benefit only a few well connected individuals and firms. Americans have had enough of a phony ‘war’ on drugs that leads, not to victory over illicit drug use, but to corruption and moral decay. Ron Paul has forced the media and the politicians to address these issues that were once considered unassailable.

As hard as it may be to press on in the face of this latest revelation from Jesse Benton, we must soldier on. It is imperative that we as freedom loving, liberty minded Americans, to continue to hold the GOP leadership’s feet to the fire on these very important issues. We can only do that from a position of strength. Such strength can only come from perseverance. The enemies of freedom have labored for more than a hundred years to reach their goals. We must also be unwavering in effort and patient in adversity.

May God bless Dr. and Mrs. Paul for their efforts to return liberty to this once great nation.

 © 2012 – Craig Portwood