Ron Paul on MSNBC

Previously I may have spoken ill of MSNBC host Tucker Carlson, I think the words I used may have been something like, "...this tweed clad twit should be working the front desk at a country club". Or something similar. He's had Ron on his show before, about a month ago I think, and now he's been invited back. Tucker even said that he voted for Ron in the '88 election. So thank you Mr. Carlson for having the man on your show. You al'ight by me.

Update: This interview actually happened yesterday, here's the youtube clip. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Ron Paul Sets MSNBC Interview, Questions Debate Format
Thursday, June 07, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com

Congressman Ron Paul’s (R-Tex) s strong showing at the most recent GOP debate in New Hampshire has apparently led to another national media booking.

He will be interviewed by Tucker Carlson on MSNBC today at 4:00pm ET. Tucker Carlson is the host of MSNBC’s Tucker. The MSNBC website describes the program as “a fast paced, no-holds-barred conversation about the day’s developments in news, politics, world issues and pop culture.” It airs at both 4 and 6 pm Eastern, weekdays.

The interview seems to have been spontaneously scheduled and may have come about because Ron Paul is again the clear winner in the MSNBC poll on the most recent presidential debate - just as he was after the first debate.

Additionally, a brief overview of some of the 357 pages (June 7, 9am ET) of comments left by viewers indicate that Ron Paul has once again received a remarkable amount of feedback. Indeed, it could be said, discussion of his message virtually dominates all 357 pages and is remarkably positive – while being fairly disparaging of other candidates, especially the “mainstream” republican frontrunners.

http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thr..

The amount of commentary alone would seem to indicate that those participating in the polling are not “spamming” – but that the support is genuine and seemingly widespread.

Some of the feedback indicates dissatisfaction with the seating arrangements and time allotted to the candidates – with the so-called “first-tier” candidates being placed in the middle of the debate platform and the “second tier” candidates placed on the out edges.

Observers close to the campaign who timed the various candidates’ contribution claim that second tier candidates such as Ron Paul received only half as much time to speak as the “first tier” candidates.

These observers claim that Ron Paul’s campaign staff spoke to CNN executives - CNN presented the debates - immediately after the debates to register their dissatisfaction with the format.

“If they are going to give some candidates more air time than others, then they should say so,” one source pointed out. “But to maintain that these debates are intended to provide an across-the-board exchange of ideas fairly and openly, and then to take steps to minimize some viewpoints and candidates – that’s morally wrong.”

What seems to have many Internet supporters of Ron Paul even more upset than the lack of air time is CNN’s treatment of candidate feedback after the debate. CNN put up a “visual’ after the debate but then promptly pulled it, viewers have claimed. At the time it was pulled, viewers say that it showed Ron Paul winning the debate by a significant majority.

Later, CNN put up a web-based comments page about the debate but took that down, as well. The “vanished” comment page has been posted at various alternative news websites including FMNN (via a link to alternative news site WhatReallyHappened).

http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.as..

As the debates continue, Ron Paul’s clearly stated small-government message - focusing on free-markets, aggressive reduction of the federal government, and a military strategy that emphasizes defense over offense - receives more and more attention.

It is certainly not because of Ron Paul’s delivery, his “presidential appearance” or even “personal charm,” observers say. While Ron Paul, may or may not possess these qualities, other candidates do – and are not receiving the attention he gets on the Internet, and increasingly in portions of the mainstream media. It is the message that Ron Paul is enunciating that is obviously striking a chord with viewers.

As the debates continue, and Ron Paul continues to make points about how America’s leadership has drifted far away from the moorings of a “constitutional republic,” the divide between mainstream media’s coverage and his reception on the Internet may well continue to deepen. If so, it will likely also raise, once again, grave questions about mainstream “media bias” against conservatives – and libertarian conservatives such as Ron Paul – and why such bias apparently exists and has perpetuated itself.

These are profound and troubling questions. Yet Ron Paul’s candidacy and debate participation is bringing them into focus in a way that has not happened for decades. His journey through the presidential campaign is already evolving into the most significant political event of the season, whether or not mainstream coverage of the popularity of his message remains limited.