Ron Paul - Misunderstood in the Wall Street Journal by Randy Barnett

Yesterday's Wall Street Journal had an opinion piece about Ron Paul, Libertarians, and the war in Iraq. In it, Professor Randy Barnett displays a stunning ignorance of what Ron Paul's campaign is about.

He identifies Ron Paul as a "libertarian," and then goes on to discuss libertarian reasons for supporting or opposing the war in Iraq along with war in general. In doing so, he completely misunderstands Dr. Paul's stated reasons for his opposition to the war in Iraq, and along with it the candidate's general message, most likely because he's never listened.

I have seen Ron Paul speak several times about this topic (and on many others). He is remarkably consistent in his core principles. He does not describe himself as a libertarian in doing so, neither in using that word nor in the substance of what he says. The word he does use to describe himself is that he is a "constitutionalist." He opposed the war and continues to oppose the war because the Constitution was not following in authorizing it, and he believes that if the Constitution had been followed, Congress would not have authorized the war. The war in Iraq was never properly authorized.

I am not, for a second, saying that Dr. Paul is not a libertarian. Certainly many of his policy views sound libertarian. But that is not the core of his campaign, nor of his voting record in Congress. Ron Paul believes, as I do, that the federal government is too large, powerful, and invasive in our lives. The Constitution does not authorize the federal government to give itself so much power. Our country would be better off with a smaller federal government, returning power to the states, local governments, and - dare I say it - to the individual as well. He would prefer that states and local governments also be more hands off, but that is for them to decide in his eyes.

Now, the Constitution is not the only reason Ron Paul (or I) opposed the war in Iraq. He frequently says that we cannot force democracy on other nations at gunpoint. Rather, we believe that the best way to promote democracy and freedom abroad is to lead by setting a good example at home.

Professor Barnett closes by expressing concern that Ron Paul might be misleading America about what libertarianism stands for by making them think that it means opposing the war in Iraq, and that this might somehow discourage people from embracing libertarianism. Apparently Professor Barnett is not following the polls about Americans and their support for Iraq. It seems that most people now think the war was not such a good idea. If they attribute that viewpoint to libertarianism, that ought to help the doctrine in the eyes of the majority.