The John Birch Society at Ron Paul’s Rally

Several years ago I only knew about JBS by what I had read in the mainstream media. JBS is a group dedicated to small government. Everyone with JBS who I have spoken with has been low-key, pleasant, and knowledgeable.


The John Birch Society at Ron Paul’s Rally

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The rally, which drew an estimated 12,000 people, was held not far from the Republican Convention in neighboring St. Paul.
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But if Wolf found McManus’ appearance a bit odd, the crowd did not judging by their response to McManus’ speech (Part 1 here; Part 2 here), as well as to the hi-tech John Birch Society booth. McManus’ speech was repeatedly interrupted with applause, and the JBS booth was the most popular one at the rally, as evidenced by the large number of people who gathered around and visited it throughout the day.
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Yet Ron Paul’s message in support of the Constitution, limited government at home, and minding our own business abroad is not odd at all.

What’s odd is the Republican Party’s treatment of his positions, and the major media's complicity, even as they defend or rationalize our country’s almost $10 trillion debt, endless war, lack of border enforcement, debasing the currency, and a host of other problems slowly ruining our nation.
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“We’ll keep spreading the message of the John Birch Society contained in our motto, ‘Less government, more responsibility, and — with God’s help — a better world,” John F. McManus said in his speech.
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Rally Coverage From Russia

Russia Today coverage of the rally.

Speech at Campaign For Liberty Rally

Barry Goldwater Jr. and Ron Paul at Campaign For Liberty rally.





Media coverage of rally:
RNC Snorefest Drives Journalists to Join Ron Paul Rally
Ron Paul's Minions, 10,000 Strong, Rallied in Minneapolis' Target Center on Tuesday


Ron Paul Returns
MINNEAPOLIS -- As Republicans celebrated their first full convention night Tuesday, the Ron Paul Revolution received another breath of life in Minneapolis where thousands turned out for their own convention featuring the fourteen-term Texas Congressman so many Libertarians love and so many Republicans wish would just go away.

Converging on the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis, Paul supporters turned out in droves to see their hero take the stage the same night as President Bush took the digital stage to address Republican convention via satellite from Washington.
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Ron Paul slams GOP for avoiding what he calls important issues
By ALAN BERNSTEIN Copyright 2998 Houston Chronicle
MINNEAPOLIS — A few hours before his Campaign for Liberty rally got under way here today, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, or St. Paul to many of the 9,000-plus people at the gathering, bashed his Republican Party for what he said was avoidance of important issues such as deficit spending and civil liberties.

""If we are Republicans and we believe in limited government and personal liberty we ought to be talking about these things, and I don't think they are really too interested," he said of the national convention downriver in the Twin Cities.
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RNC Calls Nevada GOP "Inept"

The Nevada GOP shut down their state convention when it became clear that Ron Paul delegates would dominate the convention. The Nevada GOP then hand-picked delegates who support the 3rd-place MCcain, while other delegates continued the convention and picked a slate that included many Ron Paul supporters.

Both slates were presented to the RNC, and the RNC has determined the Nevada GOP was "inept".


RNC panel calls Nevada GOP 'inept'
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY – 2 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A key Republican committee says it is troubled by the "ineptness" of the Nevada GOP and called the state party's attempt to choose delegates for next week's national convention "flawed, inadequate and unacceptable."

A ruling from the Republican National Committee panel said the state party violated rules when it appointed, rather than elected, its group of 34 delegates and 31 alternates, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday.

The RNC Committee on Contests was asked to review the delegates by a group of supporters of Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who argued they were shut out of the delegate selection process. The Paul backers elected a separate delegation to the convention in St. Paul, Minn., which also was rejected by the RNC panel.

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From Baltimore to Beijing

Gold medalist swimmer Erik Vendt supports Ron Paul.


Tracking Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Carmelo Anthony and all things Olympics

Swimming with the 'big guys'

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Vendt and Phelps are an interesting yin and yang as training partners. Vendt is a voracious reader, a student of history, an outdoors enthusiast and a political junkie. He and Bowman traded friendly barbs during the build-up to the New Hampshire primary, with Bowman supporting John McCain and Vendt supporting Ron Paul.

"Ron Paul is my guy," said Vendt, who describes himself as a libertarian ideologically. "It's really frustrating the way the mainstream media just ignored him and acted like he was a fringe candidate without doing any research at all. I think he's really what the country needs. ... I'm definitely not a fan of the huge tentacle-like arms of the federal government invading everything in our lives."

Vendt said he's almost been able to convince Phelps to join the Paul Revolution.

"Michael is a big online poker guy, and that's one of Paul's issues, legalizing online gambling," Vendt said.

Vendt says he could see himself possibly getting involved in politics someday.

"People joke around and talk about running for office, and I say 'OK, if you do, I'll run your campaign," Vendt said. "But it's definitely something I'm interested in."

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