Would a Ron Paul Presidency Lead to Political Gridlock?

January 27, 2008 | In Politics |

Despite his long-shot status, the libertarian-leaning U.S. Presidential candidate, Ron Paul, is making a good run at the Republican nomination. In the past few days, he’s come second in both the Nevada and Louisiana caucuses, and won first place in a straw poll by the Alabama Republican Assembly, confounding many pundits who expected his campaign to collapse weeks or months ago.

But Paul’s strong base of mostly-young grassroots supporters has succeeded in keeping him in the race with more than $25 million in donations over the past few months. (Were I an American citizen, I likely would have participated and thrown a few bucks his way. :))

Now, with Ron Paul among the final five Republican candidates for President, people are starting to ask themselves what might happen if he actually wins the race. Analysts and political scientists have interjected a dose of negativity, suggesting that Paul’s uncompromising, ideological positions would effectively create gridlock in the houses of Congress, and undermine his ability to lead the nation effectively.

“Congress would, to an extent, operate without him,” said Cal Jillson, a political science professor from Southern Methodist University. “He would easily be overridden by a two-thirds majority of both houses. He might be kind of lonely.”

But, as many supporters have said, this campaign isn’t about Dr. Paul as a person (despite his intelligence and refreshing attitude). It’s about the message of individual freedom, personal responsibility, and preservation of the U.S. Constitution (which, by the way, we Canadians should be envious of).

If the “Ron Paul Revolution” is to succeed, it will not be based on one man. It will not be based on a momentary fad. If the thousands or Americans who are diligently campaigning for Dr. Paul today truly want to make a difference, they will need to continue their efforts into 2009, 2010, the next decade, and beyond – whether or not their candidate wins.

If Ron Paul wins the Presidency and his supporters sink into invisible complacency, then yes, it will be a hollow and meaningless victory resulting in years of gridlock. But if the message of freedom continues to echo throughout America and the world, something very different could happen.

If Congress becomes an obstacle, then the ongoing Revolution will have to change Congress by electing pro-freedom candidates, regardless of party affiliation or lack-thereof. Nobody is unelectable if enough people vote for them.

Those of us who believe in liberty – whether in America, Canada, or elsewhere in the world – need to stand for freedom and justice in every election year and every year in between.