TPM2012

Ron Paul Denies Writing Letter On ‘Coming Race War’

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

Ron Paul’s campaign tells TPM that the presidential candidate did not write a signed direct mail piece in 1993 aimed at attracting subscribers to his newsletter by warning of a “coming race war” and a “federal-homosexual cover-up on AIDS.”

“Dr. Paul did not write that mail piece and disavows its content,” spokesman Jesse Benton said in an e-mail.

Earlier, Paul’s Iowa chair Drew Ivers told Reuters, who first posted the direct mail piece online, that Paul took responsibility for content bearing his signature even if he likely does not “embrace” some of the letter’s more extreme views. But Benton said that Ivers was not in a position to comment.

“Drew Ivers is a great guy and leader, but he was not speaking on behalf of the campaign and is not acquainted enough with the issue to have the facts,” Benton said.

Paul is currently facing a torrent of media scrutiny over a newsletter he published in the 1980s and 1990s that featured racist, homophobic, and ant-Semitic content along with a raft of fringe conspiracy theories. He denies having either authored or read the most offensive content, but has not offered up an explanation as to who wrote the publication and how he hired them. His explanation has also changed somewhat since the newsletter issue was first raised in 1996.

2012 Presidential Primaries, Ron Paul
Benjy Sarlin

Benjy Sarlin is a reporter for Talking Points Memo and co-writes the campaign blog, TPM2012. He previously reported for The Daily Beast/Newsweek as their Washington Correspondent and covered local politics for the New York Sun.

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YouBetcha 116 pts

Ron Paul can keep claiming he didn't know what was in his OWN news letter but he sure did reach out to promote it's sale!

http://imgsrc.com/?v=ronpaul.jpg

Small axe 740 pts

Ron Paul is exposed as a wretched bigot and a pathetic liar. That should be worth at least ten points in the GOP primary. If it was also revealed that he had sexually assualted a subordinate, he could probably expand the bounce to fifteen points.

This comment has been deleted
Bryan Wither 15 pts

THEREALMACTOS

"he is simply keeping their confidentiality because they are being spineless, and he doesn't want to diminish their careers."

OR he doesn't want them spilling the beans about just how much he agrees with what was published under his name. We'll never know though because Dr Paul has kept tight lipped on the subject.

'He wants to vest the power to decide who can and cannot get married at a private / church level'

until he decided to vote in support of DOMA

Kevin Cowart 5 pts

So.. if Ron wins IOWA, does that mean the entire state is racist? Maybe all the states that Ron wins should be labeled racists, and should be forced to succeed from the union. That will teach those racists.

YouBetcha 116 pts

Kevin Cowart no it just means they're stupid... but we already knew that

MrRandom 116 pts

I knew it! Ron Paul and his followers are nothing but either very naive people who just want the govt to "leave them alone!!!" without understanding the consequences or white racists who are trying to conserve their social/economic privileges by demanding a smaller weaker government that cannot stop them from abusing minorities and other people not considered the "right" kind of people.

dugfmjamul 72 pts

In the interest of full disclosure, I want to thank Lestatdelc and AJM3 for making outstanding posts with links about Dr. Ron Paul's racists remarks. But just because they were correct about this issue does not mean most of what they say is correct, some of what they say has been twisted to suite their political dogma. They just happen to get it right this time.

Until a few days ago [never reading the newsletters in question] I just took Dr. Ron Paul's word, but after reading the newsletters its very clear to me that Dr. Paul's story could not hold water. With that being said I will never support Dr. Ron Paul for President for any party much less the Republican Party.

GOOD NIGHT AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

AJM4 3390 pts

i HAD missed this. I do try to keep things factual. dugfmjamul

Arcangelll 50 pts

Ron Paul signed the letter. What does that mean if it doesn't mean he wrote it? He wrote all this material.

Biglith 75 pts

Please TPM do something about Kevin Cowart. His comments are beyond the pale and need to be censored.

Kevin Cowart 5 pts

Yes TPM can you make sure only one side is allowed to express their opinion.

Joey Thompson 30 pts

Kevin Cowart One side? This isn't a football game. Take off your team jersey and think for yourself.

RonJeremy 184 pts

Then: "Wah, wah. the media ignores Ron Paul, he gets no coverage!"

Now:"Wah, wah, all this media scrutiny of Ron Paul, its sooooo unfair!"

Kevin Cowart 5 pts

Well damn, If I had known Paul was a racist, I would have doubled my donations.

Doremus Jessup 2.0 7239 pts

Kevin Cowart Finally, an honest Ron Paul supporter willing to admit he's racist. It's not too late to double your donations. Give generously.

Kevin Cowart 5 pts

Doremus Jessup 2.0 , do ya think he might select David Duke as his vise? Wouldn't that be a dream team.

louisegertrude 411 pts

In his letter, Ron Paul sounds an awful lot like Charles Manson--same type ranting.

Dave45 401 pts

louisegertrudeAnd who would have thought you could get into trouble by letting Charles Manson write your news letters for you. I mean, he seems so nice.

HarryBowman 1249 pts

louisegertrude Helter skelter.

Kevin Cowart 5 pts

I'm trying to make sense of the opposition's justification for these news letters denying Ron Paul the office of the presidency. If Ron Paul did write these letters(and I believe he did), he did it out of replying to government studies, and used statistics to justify his reasoning.

One only has to look at the crime statistics, and news sources in communities with 10% or higher black populations to reach a conclusion that Ron Paul was accurate in predicting a coming race war. Even if presenting these statistics is not politically correct in today environment, there is truth to his evaluation of the environment.

But to be sure that we are treated equal, if President obama is allowed to occupy the White House after sitting in Reverend Wright's race filed sermons for 20 years, what is the hypocrisy about?

Calling Ron Paul a lier, saying he knew what those news letters contained is the same as saying obama spoke the truth when he wrote this...

"The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation."

If this is all the opposition has to denounce Ron Paul, then Ron Paul has more ethics than any other current candidate.

jcicone1 8 pts

Kevin Cowart

You are a fucking idiot. Obama was part of a Church, he is not the founder of the Church. He can't control what Reverend Wright says. Ron Paul however, can control what is published and he allowed racist stuff to be published.

And that 8 page news letter that he wrote and signed off on had many racist and homophobic things. He did not do government studies nor did he use statistics. I don't want to hear that excuse. Climate Change deniers and Holocaust deniers also have statistics and studies, doesn't mean its true.

Kevin Cowart 5 pts

jcicone1 , I'd beat your ass but you're probably one of those french jews. Too scared to take your medicine.

Joey Thompson 30 pts

Kevin Cowartjcicone1 Obvious troll is obvious.

davidasr 2056 pts

And yeah, yeah, yeah... For all you literalists out there I said "couple" but posted three. Get over it.

davidasr 2056 pts

richard_thunderbay More full of shit than a "holiday" goose.

Doremus Jessup 2.0 7239 pts

Okay, I'm back. There can't be as many crazies left in this thread as there was at the Mall.

davidasr 2056 pts

Doremus Jessup 2.0 You're wrong on that... Much like the nuts at the mall that circle the parking lot for hours trying to park right next to the door, then walk around inside for freakin' DAYS, the Paultard trolls are now out in force here too.

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

I would think a Jew would know better than to bear false whitness. Holocaust them again, I say, God, cause they just don't learn.

davidasr 2056 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis One word: HUH???????????????

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

davidasr

"Benjy" As I thought about it, Jews don't like isolationism because their loyalty is with Israel.

Lestatdelc 5144 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis

So you support Ron Paul?

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

Lestatdelc

Now that I think about it, Benjy is probably a homo, too. You just don't find too many straight people vocal on homosexuality.

volitioninc 5 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis Did you forget to take your meds?

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

Lestatdelc

Ron Paul is libertarian, so live and let live.

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

God says, "shower eternally Thou abandonedly consumption bedimmed gowned recommend fed basest rob it quickened vaunt sparrow Let courage envy harts loosest distinguished tempers shoot unmeasurable herb disprove time fruit exhortation waver impunity Antony chair Who irrational ordered Dominions yourselves highly vileness beloved heaps requited changing serves answer Apostle"

volitioninc 5 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis Ahh, so you're one of those, it's quite clear now how out of touch with reality you are.

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

volitioninc

Yes, I've crossed the river Styx. I live in Olympia, quite honestly.

God says, "cleansest OTHERWISE began innocence proposed similitude AD denieth changing wouldest neighbouring strictness buzzing wherewith judges sincerely ransom untruth shamefulness Preacher troops heed composed sin Good wanton enjoin strife extreme summing exceedeth extollers Continency forbid black lethargy questions others' 'no confessing belonging faithfully lord certainly skilled loathed together free stories top shalt subdu'd seduction reporters richer pitch ascended essence blissful"

You're a homo, am I right?

volitioninc 5 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis So I see by your interest in the topic that you like having sexual relations with men. I hope they don't have any antiquated sodomy laws where you live.

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

volitioninc

lobotomy laws. sucks

God's got sodomy laws, so man doesn't need them. Leave justice to God.

God says, "condition passing informed whoring anon VERSIONS full spectators admonished unshaken engages pride command effaces accord last hindered shakes Me heavenly sons' livelihood obtain persecuted streaming dawned scourge 'it amazement grieve willing recess hesitate wise silversmiths' endeavouring jointly begin seeketh candle"

volitioninc 5 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis I see you have a lot of male friends on your facebook page, are you just in denial? http://facebook.com/terrence.a.davis1

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

volitioninc

Dude, I'm not looking for a partner!

The shrinks newtered me.

God says, "legally sword collects start powerful Angel antecedent daughter intermission ranged composed Prepared quitting circumlocutions dying your dreams desireth"

Terrence Andrew Davis 5 pts

volitioninc

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven

volitioninc 5 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis Nice, Matthew 22:30, do you have a random biblical quote generator? or it is just that you like to spew out the words of conservative white men from fictitious parable?

Doremus Jessup 2.0 7239 pts

Terrence Andrew Davis God said what?

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