Non-Republican Mischief Voters Pushing Ron Paul To The Head Of The Pack

Yeah, I’m sure you’ve been wondering about this, too. The idea that this anti-Israel, racist newsletter-writing, extreme isolationist, 9/11 truther would be leading in some Iowa polls had me questioning the sanity of the Iowa GOP. Can this possibly be?

In short – it can’t. Byron York, upon perusing the latest polls, reports that much of his support is coming from non-Republicans:

The Texas congressman is leading some polls in Iowa and is in a tie for second in New Hampshire. A candidacy once dismissed as sideshow is now being taken very seriously; the front page of Monday’s Des Moines Register featured a huge spread under the headline “COULD RON PAUL WIN?”

Given Paul’s views on the Fed, the gold standard and social issues, not to mention his isolationist foreign policy, the polls have left some politicos wondering whether Republican voters have somehow swerved off the rails. But there’s another question that should be asked first: Who are Ron Paul’s supporters? Are they, in fact, Republicans?

In an analysis accompanying his most recent survey in Iowa, pollster Scott Rasmussen noted, “Romney leads, with Gingrich in second, among those who consider themselves Republicans. Paul has a wide lead among non-Republicans who are likely to participate in the caucus.”

The same is true in New Hampshire. A poll released Monday by the Boston Globe and the University of New Hampshire shows Paul leading among Democrats and independents who plan to vote in the January 10 primary. But among Republicans, Paul is a distant third — 33 points behind leader Mitt Romney.

York spoke with Andrew Smith, head of the University of New Hampshire poll, who indicated that many of these Paul voters are engaging in election mischief…

 In New Hampshire, Paul is the choice of just 13 percent of Republicans, according to the new poll, while he is the favorite of 36 percent of independents and 26 percent of Democrats who intend to vote in the primary. Paul leads in both non-Republican categories.

“Paul is doing the best job of getting those people who aren’t really Republicans but say they’re going to vote in the Republican primary,” explains Smith. Among that group are libertarians, dissatisfied independents and Democrats who are “trying to throw a monkey wrench in the campaign by voting for someone who is more philosophically extreme,” says Smith.

Paul tops the field when pollsters ask Republicans which candidate they are certain not to support. “When you ask people which candidate they are least likely to vote for, Ron Paul is pretty high, because most Republicans here really don’t want to vote for him,” says Smith. “His support is not coming, by and large, from Republican voters.”

Why are non Republicans even allowed to vote in some Republican primaries and caucuses?  Isn’t that how we ended up with John McCain in 2008? This needs to stop.

Related:

Ace has the latest fun fact revealed about Ron Paul:

Ron Paul on Video: The Bildersbergers Are Plotting To Control The Banking System And Our Natural Resources:

Remember, we’re fighting a “phony war” against Al Qaeda, and it’s all ginned-up neocon nonsense that Iran is cooking up a nuclear bomb, and Hamas was created by Israel.

But the thing we’ve got to really keep our eyes on is the Bildersbergers and Trilateral Commissioners.

MORE:

The Right Scoop: Bolton: If you’re thinking about Ron Paul, think again!

Doug Ross: 10 Fun Facts You May Not Have Known About Ron Paul

Linked by Michelle Malkin, thanks!