DWSUWF reader Eric Dondero running against Ron Paul

Hat tip to Dave Weigel at Reason Hit & Run for alerting us that Eric Dondero has announced that he either has announced or soon will announce his candidacy to run against Ron Paul for the Texas congressional district 14 seat in 2008. Unless he doesn't. In which case he won't. Actually I am not 100% sure if Eric is an actual DWSUWF reader, but he is a frequent, occasional, cut-and-paste "drive by" commenter on this blog. His comments would indicate that he does not actually read anything more than the titles, but be that as it may, some of the drive-by comment grenades he has lobbed in the DWSUWF window can be found here, here and here.

Now before going on, I will disclose right up front that Eric is a better man than I am. I know this because he frequently posts and comments at REDSTATE, while I was banned by REDSTATE after only two blog posts and a few comments. This despite the fact that I am absolutely committed to supporting a Republican for President in 2008 in order to preserve divided government. Please don't get the wrong impression, I am not complaining. I deserved to be banned. You see - now this is going to be difficult for me to say - but - I am a threadjacker. Allright - it is out now. I have take the first step to recovery and out of the threadjacker closet. I cannot tell you what a relief this is to finally come clean. One cannot solve a problem, if one does not admit one has one. REDSTATE is the only blog with the courage to make me face the ugly truth about myself.Last week I completed a long and extended rehab and believe I am ready to rejoin the civilized commenting community.

But I digress. This post is not about me.

This post is about Eric Dondero. Now, I don't know Eric Dondero. Eric Dondero is not a friend of mine. But I do know that Eric Dondero is no Ron Paul.

Eric's complete announcement on REDSTATE:

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I am declaring for Congress against Ron Paul in Texas CD-14

Good morning,

I am making this announcement on my favorite website RedState.com. Many of you here have urged me to take this course. And now, after last night's GOP Presidential debate, I've decided to move ahead with my plans.

I have spent the early morning scanning the major political blogs, and news sites. It's unanimous. Ron Paul got slammed by Rudy Giuliani last night for suggesting that we - the United States of America - are to blame for the attacks on 9/11. He even had the audacity to cite Osama bin Laden.

While everyone is hailing this as a "Great moment" for Rudy Giuliani, I think just as importantly, it was a horrible moment for Ron Paul. My former boss looked like a complete nutcase. He looked frail. His hands shaked. He showed his age. He was completely unprepared for Giuliani's romping response.

Is this the man that should be representing South Texas Congressional District 14 in the US Congress?

I think not.

I am calling on Ron Paul to resign his seat, sooner rather than later. Otherwise Congressional District 14 voters from Victoria to Galveston will appear to be endorsing his treachorous, and near treasonous views on foreign policy.

I am sure I speak for many CD 14 voters, and certainly the vast majority of CD 14 Republicans, when I say, Ron Paul, it's time for you to exit the stage.

I am calling on the three to four Republican individuals who have expressed an interest in this Congressional seat, and challenging Ron Paul in the primary, to now enter the race.

Many are aware that libertarian conservative Friendswood Councilman Peden has suggested he would run. Bobby Eberle of GOPUSA, and former Texas YR Chairman also has been mentioned. Even former Congressman Steve Stockman now lives in this CD.

I would back any of the three, particularly Bobby.

But if any of them hesitates to come out in the coming weeks, I will officially declare against my former boss. I will not have nearly the amount of money that Ron Paul will have for the primary challenge. But I do have the most kick-ass grass roots experience and resume of any Republican political activist in the country. I am the very person who got Ron Paul elected to Congress in 1996 as his Campaign Coordinator. I know what it takes. I know every inch of Texas CD 14 like the back of my hand.

Some other resume highlights:

• Fluent in Spanish (our Distict is fully 40% Hispanic)
• I speak 10 to 15 other languages
• US Navy Veteran, (hon.)
• 20-year Federal Appointee, Selective Service Board, Houston Region
• VFW & American Legion Member
• Author of two books on World Travel
• Traveled to 30 nations on 5 continents
• Founder, Republican Liberty Caucus
• Fmr. Libertarian Party National Committeeman
• FSU Graduate (Political Science)
• Homeowner and 12-year resident of Angleton, Texas in the heart of CD 14 (Brazoria County seat 40 miles south of Houston)

I am this morning, declaring my candidacy for Congress in the GOP primaries against Ron Paul. If he does not resign his seat, and if another Republican candidate does not declare against him, I will run a balls-to-the-wall campaign for Congress in Texas CD 14. I am the guy that got Ron Paul elected to Congress in 1996. I can and will defeat him in 2008.

Eric Dondero

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This announcement has taken the blogosphere by storm. As a service, I have compiled a fair and balanced selection of reactions to the announcement from a variety of sites:

From NoEric Commenting at RightPundits.com:

Eric Dondero? Are you serious? Why don’t you go to www.thelibertypapers.org and see what they have to say about Mr. Dondero and his “Libertarian” views.

In fact, here is a link to the site’s posting of Dondero’s announcement:

http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/05/16/targetting-ron-paul/

Mr. Dondero has been BANNED from posting on that site for the comments he makes. It appears as if he holds a personal grudge against Ron Paul and has an axe to grind.

Here are some golden words from Mr. Dondero:

“Mr. Stephens, you are a f*cking *sshole

Stop lying you pr*ck!

You repeat only tired old Communist/Fas*ist leftwing talking points in regards to brave libertarian petitioners who stood out in the blizzard cold, and then 95 degree heat, to collect 80,000 signagtures for property rights all over Montana. And instread of praising those of us who petititioned you accuse us of engaging in “fraud.”

How f*cking dare you, asshole!!! I want a mother-f*cking retraction.

I’m a Veteran you f*cker. I served 4 years in the Navy. I have three medals and an honorable discharge to show for it.

How many years did you serve? If your a non-Vet than shut the f*ck up.

You are on shaky ground Sir. If I ever, EVER hear you accuse me or my fellow libertarian petititioners again of “engaging in fraud” on an on-line Forum, I will slap you with a liable lawsuite so quick it will make your head spin.

Notice you didn’t say a word about the left-wing petititioners in MT for Minimum Wage and Stop the Lobbyists. You want some examples of serious shenanigans in petitition gathering. Check your own side. Oh, and btw, we libertarians and conservatives are no longer going to sit by and let you leftwing f*ckers get away with blocking us. We may have been polite in 2006. But expect us to fight you all every step of the way in 2007 and 2008. You’re hereby on notice.

NOW F*CK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

Libertarian Republicans

Fiscally Conservative, Socially Tolerant & Pro-Defense!

Dondero is a US Navy Veteran, former Libertarian Party National Committeeman, fmr. Senior Aide to US Congressman Ron Paul R-TX, and Founder of the Republican Liberty Caucus.“

Truly a class act, very well spoken. And you are saying this guy is the voice of Libertarians? Get real, he is nothing but an angry hawk and if he think he is going to win an election against a congressman who has served nine terms running on an issue that 70% of the American people oppose, well, good luck with that, buddy.

From Chris Elam commenting at Reason Hit & Run:

Eric Dondero?

As far as Eric getting Dr. Paul elected to the Congress again in 1996, what a joke. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

A "balls to the wall campaign" eh, Eric? I surely hope rhetoric like this e-mail exchange dated 2/28/07, from the Texas RLC e-mail listserv doesn't come back to bite you in those testicular appendages...

"Legalization of Prostitution is one of my top three issues. Not sure where you got the idea that I don't support legalized prostitution from? I'm an ex-Sailor. I absolutely used the services of Prostitutes overseas in the Phillipines, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, all over the world, when I was a young buck Sailor. And each time was worth every penny.

As a matter of fact, it's an absolutely tragedy that the US Military is not allowing servicemen these days to utilize prostitutes in Iraq. There are severe restrictions on prostitution for Military Personnel nowadays. We Libertarian Republicans need to work to overturn that. "

I'm not so sure that these comments will endear you to the voters of CD14 over the experience and professionalism of a medical doctor who served in the Air Force, has been married for over 50 years to the same woman, raised five children, and delivered over 4000 babies. But it will be fun to see you try. =)

It is only fair that I also post Eric Dondero's reply to Chris at Reason

Apparently Chris Elam is unaware that Congressional District 14 has changed dramatically since the redistricting. Its largest city is now Galveston. That's right, Galveston, Texas, home of the Nation's wildest and most outlandish annual Mardi Gras celebration. Galveston is hardly what one would consider to be a "prudish" city. It is rather a socially libertarian city. As are many other parts of CD 14. You think my stance in favor of legalized prostitution will prove to be problematic. No more problematic than Ron endorsing legalized drugs, including cocaine and heroin in his past races. I dare say, most CD 14 voters are more tolerant of legalized prostitution than crack... And how is being a defacto supporter of Islamo-Fascism consistent with Conservative Texas District 14?

Kn@ppster also shares his thoughts in "If you can't beat'em, shut'em the hell up":

The cherry on top: Osama-Enablertarian Republican Eric Dondero has announced his intention to run for Paul's US House seat. This is a winner all around!

• If Paul decides not to run again and if the Republicans can't find a man, woman, child or three-legged goat to contest the primary with Dondero, the GOP loses yet another seat in Congress, accelerating its demise.
• If Paul decides to run again, Dondero wastes his time and energy getting his 2% of the primary vote instead of on his more generalized campaign to destroy the Libertarian Party, the libertarian movement and western civilization.

You may also want to check out sam i am who offers: "Dondero dirt, dished dirt cheap"

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Compelling. And much more interesting than the Republican Debate that prompted Eric's decision.This is a very tough call for me, but after carefully considering all the arguments, I have decided to throw the full support of the DWSUWF blog behind Ron Paul over Eric Dondero in the CD 14 race. This despite the fact that Ron Paul has never commented on my blog. Sorry Eric.

Because I am a man of my convictions, I will also take this opportunity to announce the formation to a new advocacy group:

Bloggers

United
To
Thoroughly
Head off the
Election of
Asshats like
Dondero.

Click on the acronym if you'd like to contribute to further the goals and objectives of BUTTHEAD.

Divided and Balanced.™ Now that is fair.

Technorati tags: Ron Paul, libertarian, Eric Dondero, 2008 election,Republican.