No, we aren’t putting on a tin-foil hat, but there does seem to be something fishy going on. As the Daily Caller reports,
An analysis of 20 debates by ThinkProgress shows that Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul did not attack rival Mitt Romney once during those televised face-offs.
That’s in comparison to Paul attacking Romney’s rivals — like former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — a total of 39 times during those debates, the report said.
ThinkProgress reported that Paul attacked Santorum 22 times and Gingrich 8 times in the debates. He attacked Texas Gov. Rick Perry and businessman Herman Cain four times each and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann one time while they were in the race.
The numbers come as Santorum accuses Paul of teaming up with Romney to keep him down in Michigan, a state holding a primary on Tuesday. (SEE ALSO: Rand Paul says ‘it would be an honor to be considered’ as Romney’s running mate)
Coincidence? You decide.
However, it is apparent that whatever the reason Ron Paul is behaving this way, it is not on the basis of principles or integrity, unless you believe that Ron Paul is a moderate squish.
Ron and Mitt, sitting in a tree,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Related articles
- Is There a Romney-Paul “Alliance”? (commentarymagazine.com)
- Have Mitt Romney and Ron Paul Struck Some Sort of Deal? (lonelyconservative.com)
- Ron Paul Won’t Touch Romney in Debate – Now We Know Why (markamerica.com)
- Are Mitt Romney and Ron Paul Coordinating Their Attacks? (conservatives4palin.com)
Surprising observation.
As you said, this cannot be based on principles. But what other reason do you think explains Paul’s hesitation to attack Romney?
The two main theories are that Ron Paul believes that Romney will be the nominee and so wants to have a spot on the podium at the convention so that he speak, and possible control over some of the platform; and, that Paul actually believes that somehow either he or his son can get the VP slot by helping Romney.
Sounds quite plausible…
I’ve found an article some weeks ago which also points in that direction:
http://swissecon.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/route-of-ron-paul/
I am pretty sure Paul is no longer in the race to win. But collecting as many delegates as possible will give him an opportunity to speak. And maybe in four years his son will try to run for president.
Has Romney said anything so far about his potential VP?
He has said that he would wait until he is the nominee to decide.