If you've walked by Williams Hall this year, you've probably seen "Ron Paul" scrawled in large chalk letters across one of its brick walls. No slogan, just the name: a kind of modern-day "Frodo Lives." On first view, its guerilla aesthetic practically cries out for a subtitle: "Google It," "Wiki It," "ask a friend."
Paul, of course, is the Texas obstetrician-turned-G.O.P. congressman running for President. He first caught the world's attention when, at the South Carolina primary debate earlier this year, he blamed U.S. foreign policy for the 9/11 attacks. You could practically see the swell in Giuliani's pants.
Yet curiously enough, Paul's gone on to forge a zealous, generous coalition of disaffected Republicans, disenfranchised libertarians and, less flatteringly, white supremacists and conspiracy theorists. He wants to bring back the gold standard, stick to a strict reading of the Constitution, and challenge the power of the Federal Reserve - planks of a bandwagon that now includes college students across the country, as well. A well-attended rally at Independence Mall compelled our own DP to declare "a college revolution."
Are these really the issues driving "the revolution?" Are students actually clamoring for what Paul stands for?
No, there's something else buoying Paul among college students: the ironic value of a 72-year-old, oft-befuddled diminutive man raving about monetary policy. In a culture of "check this out" oneupsmanship, he's YouTube gold.
After the last seven years, I get that our generation is disillusioned with politics. But Paul isn't the new Howard Dean - he's not in a position to shake up the system. As the Times put it recently: "the internet has harnessed Ron Paul," not the other way around. Our Social Security-collecting hero is caught up in something he probably doesn't understand.
Supporting Ron Paul isn't cool. The irony of your campaign stickers won't impress your friends. This "revolution" is just political apathy masquerading as radical politics: a refusal to engage with the candidates who can actually make a difference in our lives. That's what's really written on Williams Hall.
Just listen to the man's gee-golly rhetoric, and it's clear: there's a lot more to "the Ron Paul revolution" than Ron Paul.
