Posted 5/25/2007 04:00:00 PM by Douglas

Ron Paul continues to stir the shit with the Republicans. This story has been all over the net, but you know it's big news if the Chronicle is picking it up.

When Ron Paul, the relatively unknown libertarian-leaning congressman from Lake Jackson, declared earlier this year that he was entering the Republican presidential race, his announcement was greeted with yawns.

But Paul, the only GOP candidate to oppose the Iraq war, created a splash recently when he clashed during a debate with the party's front-runner, Rudolph Giuliani, who took issue with the Texan's remarks that past U.S. involvement in the Middle East fueled terrorist attacks in America.

Since then, Paul has been roasted by critics who have questioned his Republican credentials and whether he should even be allowed to participate in future debates. But he has also become a hero to others who have flooded Web sites with comments praising his honesty and anti-war stance. Tonight, Paul is scheduled on Real Time with Bill Maher, the HBO show with a provocative liberal host.

Wow. I know it's important to get on TV when running for office, but Bill Maher? I'm pretty sure if he were any dumber, he'd have to be watered. More on the gaffe with Rudy:

The exchange resulted in intense follow-up media coverage and reaction, including a vow by Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis to circulate a petition among members of the Republican National Committee to bar Paul from future debates.

Anuzis said Paul's remarks were "off the wall and out of whack," adding: "I think he would have felt more comfortable on the stage with the Democrats in what he said last night."

Wow, are they really that stupid? The answer is, of course, yes. No one has read the 9/11 Commission report. At least when they were blaming Iraq for 9/11, it was tangible, if not credible. Now we're back to "they hate our freedom" bullshit again? Random internet commenter, close it out for us:

"He may call himself a Republican, but he is outside of either party. Ron Paul in the White House would indicate a sea change for the United States," a Technorati responder wrote.

I'm trying real hard to figure out how either one of those assessments could be construed as pejorative. Nope, got nuthin'.