Ron Paul surprises all in announcing RSU candidacy

Posted on 02/05/08
Written by Chris Battaglia

(The Eyeopener) - In a surprise move that has stunned political analysts and Ryerson students alike, Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul announced that he was dropping out of the nomination race to focus on a bid to become the next
president of the Ryerson Student’s Union.

The announcement came yesterday at a routine campaign stop, after which Paul boarded a plane to Toronto.

“I think Ryerson is a better place than America for a candidate like me,” Paul told supporters at the campaign stop. “But I will continue to fight for freedom, small government and a return to the gold standard wherever I go.”

Reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Seen by many as a change candidate, Paul already has strong online grassroots support from a large number of Ryerson students. Dozens of video montages have been posted on YouTube in response to Paul’s announcement, mixing pictures of the Texas Congressman with profound quotes and inspirational music.

But Paul’s announcement has also attracted plenty of negative attention and harsh criticism, namely to do with his lack of Ryerson political experience. That concerns important figures in the Ryerson political community, such as Ryerson political analyst William O’Grady.

“There’s a big difference between the U.S. House of Representatives and the RSU,” O’Grady explained. “It’s a whole different ballgame, and I’m just not sure Dr. Paul has what it takes to perform at this level.”

Paul, known as “Ryerson Paul” and “RyerRon” amongst his supporters, is campaigning on a platform that stresses personal responsibility, a non-interventionist student policy and an immediate end to the Ryerson military’s occupation of Iraq.

These strong positions on important Ryerson issues have generated plenty of controversy, as recent opinion polls conducted by RSU pollster Devin DeMarcus have indicated.
“He’s simply not in step with the rest of Ryerson,” DeMarcus said. “Students here are concerned with two things: lower tuition fees and boycotting Israel. Ron Paul doesn’t share their outlook on either of those things.”
Whether Paul’s strong base of support will translate into any tangible victories remains to be seen. The first Ryerson primary is scheduled for Feb. 25.

View more stories by Chris Battaglia.