Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) announced his candidacy for president today on C-SPAN. He describes himself as a lifelong Libertarian who runs as a Republican, and talks a good game about individual liberty and dignity, and some of his votes (like voting against making the Patriot Act permanent) make him look like he actually gives a crap about keeping the government out of our bidness, but when it comes down to brass tacks, he's still happy to vote against reproductive freedom and LGBT rights (though, in fairness, he did at least vote against the Federal Marriage Amendment). Shocking, eh?
More dangerous yet is the even more reasonable looking Chuck Hagel (R-NE) who continues to say he's "open" to a possible presidential bid. He's started to fill the "Republican liked by Democrats" slot left vacant by John McCain, once word that he's just another rightwing shill really got out, though Hagel is no more deserving of liberals' admiration than McCain is. Hagel, too, talks a good game, an independent-sounding game, especially when he's criticizing the Bush administration, but he's as partyline rightwing as they come:
On Reproductive Rights: Voted against a $100 million package to reduce teen pregnancy (and, hence, abortions) by education and contraception, and voted for maintaining the ban on military base abortions, and the partial birth abortion ban with no exceptions. Etc.
On Taxation: Voted for prioritizing tax cuts ahead of national debt reduction, and voted against repealing tax subsidy for corporations that move US jobs offshore. Etc.
On Diversity: Voted against adding sexual orientation to the definition of hate crimes, and voted for ending special funding for minority and women-owned businesses. Etc.
On Civil Rights: Voted for recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration, and loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. Etc.
He's rated 0% by NARAL, and 100% by the Christian Coalition. He's moderate in reputation only—and if he runs, we'll need to do the same job undermining his maverick credentials that we did on McCain.
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