Forget about crashing the local house party this weekend. Ron Paul is going to upstage all of that. The Iowans for Tax Relief want to keep Paul out for reasons that are vague at best. As a Republican with a Libertarian bent, he would add another perspective to a debate that suffers from groupthink and personal attacks. Hagel would change that as well, but Paul will have to do for now.
From The SF Gate:
The Texas congressman, who has struggled to top 1 percent in national polls, wasn't invited to a forum of presidential candidates Saturday in Des Moines. The gathering is sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and the watchdog group Iowans for Tax Relief.
Instead of grumbling, Paul's campaign decided to hold its own party — in the same hall as the forum. They're calling it a celebration of life and liberty.
Campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said it has been frustrating to be excluded, especially since Paul has consistently opposed abortion and is known nationally for his advocacy of lowering taxes.
"It's just a little head-scratching," Benton said.
I wouldn't say the move is "head-scratching." In fact excluding Paul from the debate makes perfect sense...for Republicans. They do not want to hear differing opinions, especially from within their own ranks. If you don't say what people want to hear (instead of the truth) then they'll toss you. There is no room for debate in the Republican Party and that might just be the trick for its downfall.
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