Bill Moyers Journal: Crashing The Parties?

The "party crashing" must not terminate only because the established parties are nearing a finalization of their nominees. (Look for advanced conventions for tactical reasons.) John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich have had some shifting effect on Obama/Clinton, and even Paul on McCain. The exercise of the will of the people and this benevolent shift need not terminate prematurely. Third party vehicles (and independents) can be used to sober and critique the debate right up through election day. People like myself will really consider voting for Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKenny or others as an exprression of our fervent beliefs. They are not "spoilers" and our votes are not wasted when we make that choice. The actuality is that if our most important issues are not properly addressed by a Democrat or Republican that it is our right and responsibility to look elsewhere. Politics is not sports and we are not betting on a winner. If you are voting on the basis of a personal payoff (tax cut, rebate, winning a fuel war)you are sadly mistaken because you are thinking in selfish short term gains at a time when democracy and ecology are both in danger. New choices have to start small...

Posted by: Jack Martin | February 7, 2008 4:30 PM

Thank you, Bill for trying to balance things by bringing to the front those individuals who are not brought to the front by the vested interests. As we see the world economy crashing around us and the front-runners talking about more spending you begin to wonder if you aren't living in some planetary insane asylum. But if you look at the front runners and where they are getting their money, it all becomes clear. Listen to the front runners and note what they advocate - then figure out what special interest this would benefit. Then go and look at the contributions and a light may dawn. Thanks to the internet, this whole thing becomes more transparent, but we all have to take the time to LOOK or we will get swept up in the blather put out by the special-interest controlled media. As Paul said, it's not a democracy anymore, rather it's a soft fascism. So if you want to see who owns the front-runners and who isn't owned by them go to this link. And try using the contribution lists to pick a candidate instead of sound bites. And, while you're at it, ask yourself who these guys owe...

Posted by: Robbie Robinson | January 23, 2008 6:15 PM

Kucinich: Amy Goodman found a way for him to participate in the Las Vegas debate. GE excluded him, he said, for selfish financial reasons, and there lie many implications about how conglomerates control and censor media. It is analogous to the loss of net neutrality. Anyway, if you are Kucinich-curious check last week's archive at Democracy Now. It runs easily on most players as audio or video.

Posted by: Irene | January 22, 2008 9:58 AM

Thank You for finally giving the Democratic peoples choice a voice on the media. Poll after poll after poll shows that Dennis Kucinich wins hands down as the True Democratic party candidate. Listening to the media's choice of candidates - I see little difference from the ones that are shoved at us and the Republicans that are shoved at us. In watching the media's campaigns for a candidate - each election year it becomes more of the same old thing and less of a true new direction and change. Is it any wonder Americans are becoming apathetic and staying away from the voting booth in droves??

Posted by: Linda | January 21, 2008 7:49 PM

As long as we allow corporate media to decide our leaders we will have a corporate president. Just follow the money and you will have a president whose only interest is maintaing the status quo of big business and Wall Street enjoying great wealth while the rest of America are is facing a deep recession and the middle class is dying. We stand by Edwards. Varda Burns Norwich VT

Posted by: Varda Burns | January 11, 2008 9:33 PM

I do not believe that a candidate who accepts millions of dollars from special interests will provide the kind of leadership that will change the status quo and stop the feeding frenzy that big money and powerful corporations have been enjoying. This powerful web that as Edwards says has an iron grip and a blank check from congress is why we are voting for Edwards who has been talking to people one everywhere as the media has tried to ignore his 2nd place win in Iowa. The people in power do not like Edwards exactly because they know he will challenge the status quo and this is why they are ignoring him. Who ever can't understand this is in denial. I'm very glad that Kucinich is demading a recount.

Posted by: Varda Burns | January 11, 2008 9:19 PM

Thank you, Mr. Moyers, for interviewing Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich. I happen to very much admire both men, but even if I didn't, I would still applaud your efforts to give these gentlemen a hearing. Why? Because every candidate for the office of U.S. President deserves equal exposure. Our current system, in which the candidates who are willing to sell their souls for campaign contributions are the candidates we see plastered all over the airwaves, is a travesty.

Posted by: Denise Donaldson | January 11, 2008 3:05 PM

It would be nice if you could provide a place and time to talk for all the lesser candidates one on one. That would be nice for democracy

Posted by: Emi ly K | January 11, 2008 2:49 PM

As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed this week's program. I thought it was highly informative and compelling tv. I am a thirty something liberal and am very frustrated. The issues that seemed to be covered in the MSM are of little importance to me. There seems to be very little discussion on campaign finance reform, media consolidation, or preventative health care. I am just glad there are Bill Moyers, Gil Noble, and Frontline around tackling these issues.

Posted by: HJV | January 10, 2008 4:36 PM

Thank you Bill Moyers as you continue to provide both forum and depth of analysis so desperately lacking in the mainstream, corporate-controlled media. The two-Party system and the money required to generate viable support in American politics these days hurts the political process. When combined with a "fast-food", drive-through journalism that emphasizes "sound bite" more than it does a well reasoned idea - it only serves to further anesthatize a nation already pretty drunk on bread and circus. We live in a country where what used to be the obvious question is neither obvious nor asked; where the issue is not "The Emperor has no clothes", but rather, "Why do we even suffer an Emperor?" Yet a few couragous souls like Bill still dare to bring these critical issues to the table. And while I support Ron Paul's bid for the presidency, I also very much respect Mssrs. Kucinich and Gravel. All three are modern-day freethinkers who place polity over Party.

Posted by: John Mascaro | January 9, 2008 5:02 PM

I look forward to your show each week as one of the only shows of depth and intellect. Oh I watch and enjoy Tavis Smiley and Charlie Rose, but Bill Moyers regularly is the best of my week on TV. Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich both have ideas and principles that are revolutionary but have marginalized them by the national parties and media. The saving grace is that their message is being heard and will likely be largely integrated into the "first tier" candidates. Ralph Nader really had this effect the last time around and thank God for these vocal thinkers. Most of all, I thank God and PBS for the courage and conviction to keep Bill Moyers speaking for and to me each week.

Posted by: Chuck Hummer | January 9, 2008 10:04 AM

While watching the show, I wondered how effective Ron Paul would be as president. I like his ideas, but I doubt that congress would pass legislation to support those ideas. I can't imagine what course the country would take with Ron Paul as president.

Posted by: John | January 8, 2008 9:53 AM

Ron Paul is good but Dennis Kucinich is better. I'm a democrat, but if by some miracle Ron Paul won the Republican nomination, and Dennis Kucinich didn't get the Democratic one...I'd consider jumping ship in the general election. These guys are the sh*t and a half, and everyone else is just playin' to the man. Well, I'm not the man, and I don't like it. P.S. I think some sort of forum with Ron, Dennis, and Mike Gravel would be the greatest hour of television or radio or podcast ever devised! Somebody do it!

Posted by: Annette | January 8, 2008 2:29 AM

The independent – undecided voters in New Hampshire account for 45 percent, are majority, and are being asked by the democratic party of 30 percent and the republican party of 20 percent to vote for, either Democratic or Republican party. A person would think that it would be the other way around i. e. the Independent party should have been asking that the Republicans or Democrats vote for an Independent candidate. It would only than be a realy - true change. A change to the future, a change for the “WILL OF THE PEOPLE” to decide their destiny, their Liberty, their Freedom, to live, work end express “THEIR WILL” on ALL MAJOR ISSUES. The candidates of both party have been talking about change for decades, for change in a bigger and deeper whole, hopes of empty promises – brain washing, that tomorrow will be better for “tomorrow never comes”! The two party and the media manage to keep out other candidates from participating in the debate as they did in the last election. The media even went to the ex stand of a personal insult, that one candidate is “more like-able than the other” as that had anything to do...

Posted by: Chris | January 8, 2008 1:16 AM

I would love to see a Real DEBATE between Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel and Ron Paul. I bet it would be the MOST WATCHED gop program on TV. With emphasis on How they would Fix & Resolve their top 5-7 issues. Can we do Another -- PBS DEBATE Special(s) 'The Other Side -Talking Sense' ? Too bad we can't protect our Ballets when there are modems are in the voting machines. Send absentee ballots!

Posted by: CORPARAnoid | January 7, 2008 10:40 PM

Keep up the good work Ron Paul! This Republican supports you all the way!

Posted by: Trish | January 7, 2008 6:07 PM

It's not the "power of the people" that anyone fears, it is the loss of their own power. An interventionist government makes a few people very, very wealthy. They don't want to give that up, be they Xerxes, Alexander Hamilton, FDR or George Bush, or any of the "business" moguls who have made their fortunes through leveraging government power for their own benefit. Ron Paul is a threat because he talks about divesting power. That's all he has to do, and suddenly he's a threat to all the vested interests. That's why Fox wouldn't let him on their debate, he's a threat to their profit margins.

Posted by: Curt Howland | January 7, 2008 2:43 PM

so much talk about being the candidate of 'change' in fact Ron Paul is the only only of either party who advocates real meaningful change this country needs him badly

Posted by: ethan allen | January 7, 2008 2:00 PM

The U.S. public needs the solid information our conventional news outlets are so far proving incapable of providing. Does corporate news wake up to understand the global and long term stakes involved in its failure to support a process requiring an informed public (?), or does U.S. politics continue its slide into the quagmire of delusion, disinformation, and fear, fed by media shocks and mergers, and concentrations of power and wealth that presently drive this process ? In search of freedom from manufactured fears, for openness, and common purpose, thank you, Bill Moyers, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Dennis Kucinich, and Ron Paul, for encouraging the “great debates”, keeping the focus on ideas, and the subversion of corporate media trivia. Farley Andrews

Posted by: farley andrews | January 7, 2008 1:59 PM

Last Friday's show was intelligently presented on all counts. I wish I could say the "counting" in the Iowa Caucus was as intelligent. As an attendee of my local precinct caucus in Iowa last Thursday, I was already angry, not only about the outcomes, but particularly by the way the media handled them. And honestly, the media is responsible for deciding the contest. Who gets the most airtime, both paid for and in "news"? Where was any sort of parity in the presentation of the candidates during the ten months of campaigning that we had to endure? Do you want to know what really happens at a tremendously crowded caucus site? Most people, if they've made up their minds, stand around like sheep. The campaigners for the "un-viables" run around trying to get the uncommitted or holdouts for the other un-viables to change their minds so a delegate can emerge for the county caucus--even an uncommitted delegate. The holdouts finally give in, and join a front-runner, or go home. There really wasn't much discussion of issues and priorities in the rooms of the "lesser" candidates; it was all about the numbers. And the persuasion idea was simply this, from the...

Posted by: Tom Y. | January 7, 2008 1:16 PM

Mr. Moyers, great job on the show. I am a Ron Paul supporter and watched the show because he was on, however I found that you were actually being fair and unbiased and I will be watching more of your show in the future. I know see why people are excited about Dennis Kucinich - I don't agree with him, but now I respect him - I think he is honest and truthful. The economy and the national debt worry me the most and Ron Paul is the only candidate that I think really understands these issues. Thanks again for at least giving both men a fair shake.

Posted by: TJF | January 7, 2008 11:03 AM

I'm a Canadian and I'm definitely very impressed with Ron Paul. When it comes to government, small is beautiful and that's why I would support Paul were I an America. The rest of the world really is sick and tired of American messianic delusions and politics. What the world needs is for America to get out of our face. Really, that's how it looks to a fiscal and social conservative in Canada. The war in Iraq is truly an evil thing and the sooner the troops come home the better.

Posted by: Ras Erasmus | January 7, 2008 3:10 AM

Excellent interview. I would also suggest viewing the highly informative interview series John Stossel of ABC News recorded with Dr. Paul. They have not been aired, but are available on the web: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=3970423&page=1

Posted by: Rick Toone | January 7, 2008 3:01 AM

Almost everywhere we hear campaign coverage, the focus is on who's ahead or behind in the polls, who's raising the most money, who made the latest verbal fumble. The issues get scant airplay, and then most often as a sound bite related to a gaffe or a personal attack. The campaigns are treated like sports talk in the run up to the Super Bowl; it's all about strategy and scores. But this is not a sporting event, it is a job interview. We desrve to hear the candidates stand on the issues, because if we don't have this conversation in the marketplace of ideas, it will largely be held in the commercial arena through campaign adds. In their stump speeches, the candidates try to appeal to us through reason, but in commercials they appeal to our emotions, which are manipulated far easier than reason is. We are ill served by allowing money to be the loudest voice in our democracy, when Disney has the power to exclude Dennis Kucinich from the debates. Shame on the Democrats for going along with Disney.

Posted by: Donald Shank | January 7, 2008 2:49 AM

I too would like to add my voice to the chorus of incredulous viewers who watched the Moyers interview with Kathleen Hall Jamieson and were astonished that the name of John Edwards never once passed through their lips. It was particularly astounding given Ms. Jamieson's fevered defense of Ron Paul whom she described as someone "who gets largely ignored for a very fine 10% showing last night which should have been regarded as remarkable". That John Edwards could finish second with a 30% showing and not even garner a passing mention in the conversation is not only truly remarkable, but utterly shameful.

Posted by: Marco Luciani | January 7, 2008 1:39 AM

I am absolutely livid about the debate on Saturday night. ABC has no right to limit the participation of valid candidates. The Democratic Party should have stood up to ABC for Dennis Kucinich the way the GOP did to FOX for Ron Paul. The other Democratic candidates should have refused to participate if everyone wasn't included. What a sorry lot they are serving up to us to choose from. My support is going to Kucinich. After this shoddy behavior, I am only a member of the Democratic Party so I can vote for him. I am ashamed of their lack of integrity.

Posted by: Morgaine Swann | January 7, 2008 1:00 AM

Thank you Bill Moyers, for figuratively giving Ron Paul some rope so he can get on with hanging himself. I'd already evaluated his positions because I'd read his integrity and dedication to our Constitution were similar to those of Dennis Kucinich, and I'll grant you that they do appear to be. He was worth the look and, because of his grassroots following, bears watching closely. Unfortunately, too many of Ron Paul's supporters don't apply enough scrutiny to some of his proposals, which should sound painfully familiar to anyone over forty. Too many and too recently, tax cuts, industrial deregulation, free global trade and all manner of other juicy sounding Libertarian / Republican fallacies have been tried - and they’ve failed us miserably. Worst of all, when their resultant debts and job and income losses are combined with the theft of our social security funds and strangulation of our social and educational programs, the least among us continue to bear an ever greater share of the burdens of these failures. For what it's worth, I know you understand this and wish you'd challenged him with that awareness. Simply put, I don’t think Dr. Paul’s supporters appreciate that even if we do...

Posted by: Donald Rankin III | January 6, 2008 9:09 PM

Great work, as usual, from Bill Moyers and PBS. Thanks for giving such a fine venue to these candidates who have been much ignored and who both have the kind of high integrity most needed at this perilous time in American History. A number of people have noted that John Edwards didn’t get much mention on last night’s show. I like John Edwards, too, and would like to hear more of him, not to mention Joe Biden, but please remember time on any program is limited. The point of this program is an essential American principle being wilfully ignored and examples were shown in the form of two excellent candidates, each supposedly in good standing with their respective party, being systematically kept from the attention of the American people. And, of course, the Greens and other small parties didn’t and don’t get the media time they need and deserve. That’s why we have to get Mickey and Bugs out of the news business! We the people have to take back the airways from the conglomerates and see that the internet stays free and open. Go to http://www.freepress.net/ and push hard to make this happen. By the way, I wouldn’t be...

Posted by: jgmccue | January 6, 2008 7:59 PM

Duane- The Ron Paul vid works for me, but you can also watch it on YouTube here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=R2r29HcH5nA

Posted by: Sam | January 6, 2008 5:36 PM

Is anyone else having this video (Ron Paul) cut off after 30 seconds to a minute or two? My buddies and I are. It is not happening on the other Moyer's Journal videos, such as the Dennis kucinich interview, just the Ron Paul video.

Posted by: Duane Bowman | January 6, 2008 5:21 PM

I do care about the rest of the world. But, I care about the United States and Americans a lot more. That's why I believe in Ron Paul.

Posted by: John | January 6, 2008 4:21 PM

While Dr Paul's main planks in his platform are sound money, federalism, constitutionalism, and foreign policy, he also takes significant issue with our electoral system. If one listens to Paul's answers about returning to the Republican Party after his '88 LP run, every now and then he brings up the difficulties of running as a third party or independent candidate as he did in this interview. It is important to remember to think as Karl Rove has and remember that the popular vote doesn’t matter at all, it is all about the Electoral College. H Ross Perot who launched the most successful campaign since Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party, received an amazing 19% of the popular vote across the country, yet received no electoral votes. Paul, who cannot match Perot for media coverage or monetary worth, would face the very same struggles and would without a doubt not receive a single electoral vote. Massive electoral reform is required in this country. The system is corrupt and undemocratic, and something must be done in order to have the true voice of the American people heard. Proportional electoral votes being proposed in California as well as other states would actually provide electoral votes...

Posted by: trp | January 6, 2008 4:13 PM

The 2 party system is not providing the type of choice and direction needed. I feel Ron Paul has the right types of ideas to change the course and focus of our country. What I'm worried about is who will be the lightening rod after him? This is his only shot, he is not going to win anything, and what person is in the pipeline to pick up where he leaves off? This predicament might help the Dems & Reps because it will be back to the status quo again with the same stale air.

Posted by: Jeff G | January 6, 2008 3:03 PM

I am responding to Jane's letter regarding the American's seeming current preferences for Britany Spear and more engaged in the process of voting for American Idol instead of political canditates That is partially a result of our feeling of hopelessness. So many of my friends and acquaintenances have told me recently that they feel their voice means nothing anymore in government because of the "powers that be". That cyincism is going to lie at the base of losing our free society. In literature there are many examples of how public opinion can be shaped by subliminal messages. For instance, in Ray Bradbury's Farenheit 451 written many many decades ago before reality TV, there is a world depicted where people's walls are really built in Televisions depicting stories and adventures with people's own faces in those telecasts which fascinated the population so much they were distracted by the control the government was utilizing over what they read, how they could work, etc. (How far away are we from that: "reality TV" producers already admit that the "reality "they broadcast is actually contrived. In Bradbury's story, The government had learned how to direct human emotions of sadness, disappointment and despair into the...

Posted by: Linda | January 6, 2008 2:37 PM

Bush and Hillary are copying Obama on key aspects of his foreign policy agenda. Obama has been talking about STRIKING at bin Ladin and al Qaeda WHERE THEY LIVE. It's time. It's time to eradicate al Qaeda already. It's time to stop pussyfooting around in Iraq. It's time. Now Bush is copying Obama. Hillary is also making similar noises. I say we vote for the leader on foreign policy, Obama. Obama knew Iraq was trash from the start. Obama knew we needed to finish business in the Afghanistan region. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/washington/06terror.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Hillary_seems_to_raise_possibility_of_0105.html This is more proof that the self-proclaimed "experience" of the current politicians like Hillary and Bush are four steps behind Obama. Sorry to sound like such a cheerleader, but I am calling it like I see it.

Posted by: Duck Soup | January 6, 2008 1:32 PM

Your Jamieson interviews are always important, intelligent and interesting. In last night's, however, Jamieson comments on how "boxing in" candidates makes results appear too black and white - winners or losers - when many or most may be acceptable, with factors other than personal preference (perceived electability, tactics, etc.) influencing primary votes. Polls would be much more revealing if they enabled those polled to rank order all potential candidates. Doing so, I am sure would show Hillary with much less popular appeal than current polls show.

Posted by: Steve J | January 6, 2008 1:20 PM

I am not sure which program is the very best you have done, Mr. Moyers. It would be hard to choose between the discussion of impeachment and this one. Here you went one better and had three amazing guests rather than two. All I can do is add my voice to the many citizens thanking you from the bottom of our hearts. Edward R. Murrow is smiling.

Posted by: juliania | January 6, 2008 12:44 PM

The truth “if gold were money, the oil price would not have gone up!" The issues that were not address on January 6, 2008 at the debate: The National debt, earmarks of billions of dollars such as “bridge to nowhere”, wasts of over 19 billions of dollars in aircraft parts , Federal Reserve filling the banks coffers by 100 billions dollars, Confiscation by a printing press, Failing to abide and enforce the constitution, approving laws without reading, denying other political parties to participate in the process, Corrupt justice system, denying the people to “express their will” on all major issues [wars, laws, economy, earmarks, health care etc.], Loss of civil liberties - “unreasonable search”, “the front doors of the courthouse will have an X-ray machine. Visitors will not be allowed to pass the checkpoint”! “We are not moving toward Hitler-type fascism, but we're moving toward a softer fascism. Loss of freedom civil liberties...” “unreasonable search” is a fascism! Building securities walls is a communism. It is a reminder of “Mr. Gorbacev take that wall down.”! The candidates have failed to perform their duties, responsibilities assign to them by the constitution. To day, in the United Europe, there are 25 countries...

Posted by: Chris | January 6, 2008 10:31 AM

Great interview Mr. Moyer, I have a hard time finding substance in most candidates answer's, except when it comes from Ron Paul of all people, by my view point, he is top tier electable byond his counterparts. The media more than often has a hand in selecting their viable candidate, but it does not always reflect the viewer's position....I think there's a far contrast from delivering the news, and delivering commentary.

Posted by: Alex | January 6, 2008 10:30 AM

Mr Moyers, I hope you read these replies because you have been my hero since "Buying the War". In this day and age, heros are few and far between. Thank you for being one of mine! Every Friday you impress me with your willingness to discuss issues that other journalists fear. You are articulate, non-inflamatory and even handed with your guests. Keep up the great job and know you have inspired me to donate $300 to PBS this year. I am an active supporter of Dr. Paul and also respect Dennis Kucinich's impeachment efforts and pro-peace position. Wouldn't it be something if they voluntarily renewed the old practice of each party being represented in the White House? One President, One VP and both 100% behind our Constitution. What a great way to Unite our divided nation.

Posted by: Jack W. Heginbotham Jr. | January 6, 2008 8:58 AM

I wish you would do an investigative story on why Dennis Kucinich was excluded from 2 debates. One sponsored by the Des Moines Register and the other by ABC News. I am absolutely livid over this as are many others.

Posted by: David D | January 6, 2008 8:54 AM

Thank You Bill Moyers! Why is it so hard for these lesser-known canidates to get some air time?? Something is wrong with our system!!! After watching your interview with Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich I KNOW our political system is flawed. Here are two REAL AMERICANS, with straight-forward ideas, honesty, and integrity, and they are not well known. well, not if I have anything to do about it, I have started letting people know that there are REAL PEOPLE running for president and to look them up. I agree with Ron Paul and will be voting for him!!! Thanks again for the excellent show and for PBS.

Posted by: Dan | January 6, 2008 8:54 AM

I am blown away by this.... Ron Paul is truly the beacon. What lends him the power is his beliefs, and statments not his stature or mannerisms. The man simply speaks truths. Rid this continent of the weak, remove these rodents from our country... thank you Paul, though it may be the end of you, your message will live on...

Posted by: Ethan | January 6, 2008 6:46 AM

I have great respect for both of the men in this interview and it was a pleasure to hear them discourse. The interview started out slow, and reached a nadir when Bill gaffed and asked the "Why are you a Republican?" question that has been intended from the beginning as a republican establishment hit against Ron Paul, right up there with "Why hasn't your internet support translated into 'real' support?" and "You're not going to win. Why are you running?". But after that in the last 8 minutes or so the conversation finally got going and I have to say that despite the slow start and some meaningless wandering this is the best interview I've ever seen with Ron Paul. He really got a chance, in this longer forum, to get comfortable with expressing his ideas in more than sound bytes, and his message really rang out and reached deep in the last few minutes. Thank you Bill Moyers. Thank you Ron Paul. Keep up the good work, both of you!

Posted by: Caleb Friz | January 6, 2008 5:53 AM

It would have been good to see Dennis Kucinich's photo included in the article, along with Kathleen Hall Jamieson's and RP's. It was clear to me that Dennis was very tired. I'm glad his campaign is suing ABC for excluding him from the debate for no good reason.

Posted by: RJ Wolfe | January 6, 2008 4:46 AM

The MSM are NOT ignoring John Edwards. Heavens to Betsy — he was on the cover of Newsweek just a couple of weeks ago. Who owns Newsweek? Some of the biggest corporations in the U. S. contribute to his PACs and his “One America” organization. They do not feel threatened by John Edwards because he’s only recently begun to stand up to the corporations. His votes to fund the War on Iraq have benefited some of the wealthiest military corporations. His vote in favor of the “China Free Trade Agreement” has benefited major corporations in the U. S. and in China. His mandated for-profit insurance company-based healthcare system benefits the insurance industry. The corporately-sponsored debates, forums, and other “democratic” events in Iowa and New Hampshire have not barred John Edwards. They have excluded the longtime opponent of corporate rule in America, Dennis Kucinich. Please look at this objectively. The corporations do not oppose John Edwards. I see and hear him all the time on the corporate networks. Chris Mathews and several others in the corporate media feature Edwards frequently on their programs. Since Edwards has not been consistent on the issues on which he’s now campaigning, they know that they...

Posted by: R J Wolfe | January 6, 2008 3:50 AM

Thank you Bill Moyers for the excellent interview with our good Doctor Ron Paul. There is an excellent piece written by Jon Ryter, a journalist, regarding how the voting system here in America works. Very interesting piece of journalism. Well worth the read. http://www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon209.htm

Posted by: Liz | January 6, 2008 3:27 AM

Thank you many times over to Moyers ability to thoughtfully approach and attempt to equalize, in some small measure, the travesty of the media's stifling of Kucinich, Paul, and others' exposure. I have to say though, what I think about Rep. Kucinich's exclusion from the ABC/WMUR debate on Jan. 5th (the LAST Dem. debate prior to the New Hampshire primary on the 8th). In a Jan. 2nd WMUR/CNN poll, it states: “However, only 42% of likely Democratic primary voters say they have definitely decided who they will vote for, 27% say they are leaning toward a candidate and 32% said they are still trying to decide.” That statement from one of WMUR’s OWN polls, discredits their basis for excluding Kucinich, because they base it on how high candidates are polling; that is, it is clear that the polling is not a valid justification for this, given that upwards to 58% of Dem. voters are undecided–as in, they could, to overstate the obvious, choose Kucinich, they’re simply looking for more information still. Therefore, the question becomes, if only 42% of these New Hampshire Democratic primary voters have "definitely decided," how will the other 58% make up their mind? Well, one might...

Posted by: Brendan in VA | January 6, 2008 3:23 AM

Anti-corporate candidates Paul and Kucinich certainly deserve your attention, and I thank you for giving it. There is another candidate, who has a vision for democracy in America, who also deserves your attention: Mike Gravel has said his running is his "bliss." The world needs a U. S. President who says things like that. There is one journalist who could elucidate it. Isn't there?

Posted by: Mike M | January 6, 2008 3:13 AM

"If the government in bed with big business is soft fascism, how is getting rid of government regulation entirely not HARD fascism?" Because corporate fascism requires government intervention. Corporatons need the benefit of legislative and regulatory favoritism to stifle competition. In a truly free market, the only way to wealth for business is to serve the mass of consumers with a superior cost-effective product. In order to stay on top, a business would have to pay a competitive wage in the face of unrestricted competition. When government is "is bed" with Big Business, you do not have "laissez faire." Corporate lobbyists don't line up in DC trying to get government out of the way; they are vying for favoritism, they want government to get in the way of any potential comptetition. If you believe that individuals have a right to privacy, why do you NOT believe that women should have freedom to choose whether or not to bear children? Thta's just absolutely ridiculous. Of course he believes women should be able to choose whether or not to bear children; its absurd for you to even imply otherwise. He just doesn't believe women should be able to murder their baby while...

Posted by: Steve Bachman | January 6, 2008 1:29 AM

Thank you for taking the time to interview Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. Paul certainly reflects the libertarian wing of the Republican party and Kucinich the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. It was immensely refreshing to hear these two outlyers speak and to hear something of political substance. Kucinich seems to have some realistic responses that are in the public interest.

Posted by: Bob Fraser | January 6, 2008 1:26 AM

We the good People of this great Nation believe Congress and the Federal Government has reversed its Constitutional role and no longer serves the people. So We the good People of this great nation follow the directives given in our Constitution to protect our inalienable rights. Said rights have been attacked,eroded and neglected by collective actions of our legislative, judicial, and executive branches of Government. We the People herein state that a Congress that will not act on impeachable offenses committed by the President ,the Vice President and Attorney General is not worthy of the offices it occupies. We the People believe that our Congress will neither uphold their oath of office, the constitution nor rule of law. We further believe that our Federal Government has abandoned the confidence of the majority. We the People herein state numerous instances that Congress has forfeited our confidence. We the People have no confidence in the integrity of the manner by which federal taxes are levied,collected and distributed by the Congress and President. There is no confidence that our taxes are being actualized for the betterment and welfare of our good population. Furthermore it is observed that the Federal Government instructs an...

Posted by: emily peyton | January 6, 2008 1:25 AM

I appreciate the opportunity to hear and see this interveiw. If We elect a Republican that has the new "Republican values" that Mr Moyer attributed to the Republican Party, Would we have the opportunity to see an interveiw such as this the next Presidential Race? Fox news and the media lock down should wake America up. As Ron Paul stated we still have enough freedoms left as of right now that he can be heard. Will we tomorrow?

Posted by: Kimberly S-H | January 6, 2008 1:23 AM

We can never give up the hope of getting back the power that the constitution gave us. We have more information now and I think that, if we can get a constitutionalist back in power we will not give up our freedom again, ever. We have tasted freedom but been lulled back into complacency and convinced we are to ignorant and immoral to decide our own destiny. The truth is tat no one else can decide what's right for us and I believe, given a chance to make our own decisions, that we can rise to the occassion. We are told we Can't but if the American people can't, who can. If we do the right things we can even lead the world in a new and yet 200 year old vision of government of the people, by the people and for the people, or put another way, liberty, fraternity, and equality. Are we ready now? I sincerely think that the explosion of information on the Internet and the free exchange of ideas on the Net has prepared a sufficient number of people to run the world and our own destinies. There are seven billion people waiting for us to...

Posted by: Harold | January 6, 2008 1:08 AM

Thanks so much! Bill Moyers you did such a great job letting Ron Paul speak his ideas. We need more people like you in news and reporting. Leroy

Posted by: Leroy transfield | January 6, 2008 12:57 AM

Brilliant interview: very well done, Mr Moyers. You are a true professional.

Posted by: scott | January 6, 2008 12:16 AM

This was the best interview to date with Ron Paul. He was treated with respect for a change, and Bill Moyers did an excellent job of asking pertinent questions which covered much territory. Ron Paul speaks the truth. He delivers speeches and answers questions as a thinking man of much intelligence and integrity. I am voting for Ron Paul.

Posted by: Gwenythe b. Harvey | January 5, 2008 11:13 PM

I was delighted to hear you interview Kucinich & Ron Paul in such a forthright manner, plus the fact they were given the air time they both deserve. Paul is the president we should have but , unfortunately it will never happen. I'm sure the republican party .would never nominate him.He was on CBS pres. debate 1-3-08. It was handled the way all previous q & As should have been done. An actual controlled debate. Kucinich was banned from the dem. portion. Paul from the next Fox Rep. debate. Maybe they're afraid Paul will over-take McCain and Rhomenmy(?) If we can't have Kucinich, or Paul my next choice is Obama. My greatest fear is, because of our tyrannical gov't, and no-one will impeach Bush & Chaney, that Bush & co. have a whole year to destroy this country and part of the world.

Posted by: Janice Pound | January 5, 2008 11:00 PM

Never before has the truth about the real issues facing this nation and their solutions been so crystal clear. Unfortunately the political system has become hijacked by the rich and powerful. We have allowed the tools for Democracy to become lost and broken. As the line between greed and fear continues to sharpen we can only hope there will be no shortage of men of courage and wisdom like Ron Paul to lead us to salvation.

Posted by: Warren Holub | January 5, 2008 10:45 PM

Kathleen is clearly a fan of Hillary Clinton. So she has deployed this hit job on Obama saying all he is is a nice orator and nothing else. Please Kathleen. Hillary Clinton was clearly looking at the polls when she voted to send American troops into Iraq. She didnt think of the Iraqi mothers who lost their children and the Iraqi refugee girls who are now turning to prostitution in Syria and Jordan. Kathleen is so obsessed with power and the thought of a morally compromised female at having it that she will go at any length to slime Obama. Shame on you Bill. Maybe you really havent regretted your time during the Johnson years. while you are at it, why dont your hire the KKK to make some comments on Obama too?

Posted by: dass | January 5, 2008 10:27 PM

Great interview of Dr. Paul! Thank you for acting like a professional, Mr. Moyers. If only other reports/journalists/hosts behaved so respectfully even while asking tough, pointed questions. Dr. Paul answered your questions in the expert manner that he always does in any media. In my view, he handles the media better than any other candidate out there. That's one of many reasons why Dr. Paul was recognized as PowerWealth.com's 2007 Person of the Year. Thanks again for an excellent interview! Logan.

Posted by: Logan Flatt, CFA | January 5, 2008 10:18 PM

"Kathleen's points are completely ignorant." In case this was directed at me, I'd like to respond. As a matter of fact, Dr. Paul is an ob/gyn and is personally anti-abortion. At least he comes by this opinion honestly, as a medical doctor who has delivered 4,000 babies. I can understand his personal viewpoint. But the remarkable thing about Dr. Paul is that his personal views are irrelevant because he does not want to inflict them on me by force. Dr. Paul is guided by the Constitution, which was created to limit the power of the federal government. He believes (as I do) that matters of personal morality are just that--personal. He believes that the most contentious social issues (teaching evolution/creationism in school, prayer in school, gay marriage/civil unions, abortion, etc.) should be decided by the local people in their own communities or states. Different states would choose differently, of course. Just as states and localities differ today. If abortion on demand is really important to you, you'd probably live in a state that permitted it. (Or you'd work within the political system to ensure it was available in your state.) If taxes are an issue to you, you'd move to...

Posted by: Kathleen | January 5, 2008 10:17 PM

"Kathleen's points are completely ignorant." In case this was directed at me, I'd like to respond. As a matter of fact, Dr. Paul is an ob/gyn and is personally anti-abortion. At least he comes by this opinion honestly, as a medical doctor who has delivered 4,000 babies. I can understand his personal viewpoint. But the remarkable thing about Dr. Paul is that his personal views are irrelevant because he does not want to inflict them on me by force. Dr. Paul is guided by the Constitution, which was created to limit the power of the federal government. He believes (as I do) that matters of personal morality are just that--personal. He believes that the most contentious social issues (teaching evolution/creationism in school, prayer in school, gay marriage/civil unions, abortion, etc.) should be decided by the local people in their own communities or states. Different states would choose differently, of course. Just as states and localities differ today. If abortion on demand is really important to you, you'd probably live in a state that permitted it. (Or you'd work within the political system to ensure it was available in your state.) If taxes are an issue to you, you'd move to...

Posted by: Kathleen | January 5, 2008 10:17 PM

This is the best interview with Ron Paul that I have seen yet. All interviewers should aspire to be as informed, thoughtful and courteous as Bill Moyers.

Posted by: Scott Frost | January 5, 2008 9:51 PM

PBS has some excellent programing. But as a diehard libertarian, I don't believe in the concept of public broadcasting. This episode has "almost" changed my mind. It was the best show on politics this election season. My compliments to Bill Moyers and his staff. I may just have to send some of my donation-bomb money to PBS. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Gary Schor | January 5, 2008 9:43 PM

Thank you Bill and Kathleen for putting together a stellar program that gives voice to those who the establishment seems to want to exclude. Paul and Kucinich are great candidates, whether I agree with them or not. I support Paul, and wrote on my web magazine about the momentousness of Bill's interview with him. I am now watching the Kucinich interview, and am (a) embarrassed that I didn't know more about him, and (b) exhilarated that someone in the Democrat party has the courage to speak out about the heinousness of American foreign policy. Paul and Kucinich NEED to be included in all debates so that each debate has TWO points of view instead of ONE.

Posted by: Frank Staheli | January 5, 2008 9:24 PM

I think there should be a federal law that all people running in an election must all be placed on all ballets and be allowed in all public debates equally.

Posted by: Jason from NH | January 5, 2008 9:14 PM

I try NEVER to miss BMJ-it's a Friday night MUST-SEE! Kathleen Hall Jamieson is one of the most intelligent, knowledgeable, reasonable experts on journalism (all media). She is on TV far less often than she used to be, and I miss her pertinent comments and wise discourse. I was delighted to listen to her, and I DO think the media need to take a better look at how they cover elections. Since they are now ALL corporately owned (except CSPAN and PBS) I don't trust that they are looking out for anyone's interests other than their own - read "bottom line". As for the debates, the questions were in large part ridiculous, frivolous, and not what REAL VOTERS WOULD ASK A CANDIDATE, given the chance. I think some of the moderators were way off the mark in the types of questions they asked candidates, and NO ONE took the candidates to task to ANSWER questions. It was and will be just the same old BS we've had in the past - question asked, candidate turns it to his/her talking point and never responds to the question. Debates do nothing to make them accountable for their positions. I see more realism...

Posted by: babslovesbillmoyers | January 5, 2008 8:49 PM

Great interview Bill, here is the answer for the "Narrow Media Question", if all interviewers would be brave enough to ask real questions like yourself the media would not be so narrow. Well, if they were allowed maybe.

Posted by: Kol | January 5, 2008 8:26 PM

I too was terribly disappointed with your Dennis Kucinich interview. Why did you keep cutting him off? Why did you cut him a shorter interview. What was your agenda here? The difference with Paul was evident. Why?

Posted by: Tevin | January 5, 2008 8:26 PM

This election season demonstrates, once again, that the two-party system no longer serves the health of our democratic republic. In my opinion, the collective will of We, the People would be much better served through a national primary. Or, better yet, a system in which all candidates run on the same ballot, without party designation, and the field is winnowed through one or more primary elections.

Posted by: JGM | January 5, 2008 8:04 PM

I ran across a great quote that fits Dr. Paul's message to a "T": The state, according to Bastiat, "applies itself to loading everybody's brain with prejudices, and everybody's heart with sentiments favorable to the spirit of disorder, war, and hatred; so that, when a doctrine of order, peace, and comity presents itself, it is in vain that it has clearness and truth on its side; it cannot gain admittance." Our founders guarded above all else, individual freedom. Dr. Paul's message represents that, if we just follow the Constitution. The supreme law of the land, what all military members and elected officials swear an oath to, just follow the rules THAT GUARANTEE INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM!

Posted by: Brian Woodard | January 5, 2008 7:52 PM

Thank you so much Mr.Bill Moyers for introducing me to Ron Paul. Through your well placed questions Mr. paul was able to cover a wide spectrum of issues in a amazingly short amount of time. Well done Mr. Moyers! I feel I know every thing about the man that there is to know. Thank You for showing me who I will be voting for in the up coming California Primary!

Posted by: Gregory DeValle | January 5, 2008 7:46 PM

Just another voice out here in Arizona, thanking Bill Moyers for giving Dr. Paul and Dennis Kucinich decent interviews with enough airtime to be heard. Big media elitists want to preselect our choices for us. Thank you for putting it on the net as well. Right now this is the only way around the corporate black-out.

Posted by: Bekki D. | January 5, 2008 7:37 PM

Dennis Kucinich deserves our gratitude and respect for his tenacity. His role as "gadfly" is a benefit that goes largely unappreciated. Ron Paul is currently enjoying popularity because his sloganeering contrasts nicely with other candidates. Sadly, few of his adoring fans have considered the consequences of Paul's policies--were they ever to become reality. I am stunned that a proclaimer of individual freedoms would complicate--if not totally bar--a woman's right to choose. Dr. Paul is certainly old enough to remember the days of the coat hanger and other forms of septic abortion. I regret that in an otherwise fine interview, the issue of choice was not included.

Posted by: Marianne Richardson | January 5, 2008 7:31 PM

What an amazing interview. Ron paul really is revolutionary in his ideas and his principles. I hope everybody listens to his ideas and thinks for themselves what is best for the U.S.A. Best wishes, Jean.

Posted by: Jean Cote | January 5, 2008 7:20 PM

Chris, Ron Paul is not anti-abortion, rather he is opposed to federal intervention in the matter. Also, in the absence of abortion their remains the choice of many methods of contraception. Doesn't this favor the woman's right to choose whether to bear children? Disbelief in evolution, and religious affiliation are not things that make a leader theocratic. Enacting them into law are. As much as I find the widespread disbelief in evolution disturbing, Ron Paul has suggested nothing about enacting laws to prevent or promote the spread of these ideas. That is what makes a theocracy.

Posted by: Travis | January 5, 2008 7:19 PM

Ron Paul is an exceptional person taking the position he does when the present administration is methodically undermining our freedom and liberty. The loss of the freedom of press is making it obvious that we are no longer a Democracy. We are an Oligarchy run by a few rich and powerful people. We are no longer a nation of the people, by the people and for the people. I hope the next election will change that condition.

Posted by: David Eddy | January 5, 2008 6:55 PM

I bet there are more comments on this interview than any other they have ever done......6.5mm page views on his YouTube site....and there's always hundreds of comments on his youtube clips...more than any other...it speaks volumes about how whacked out Fox is for excluding him from the debate....Corporate Fascism at it's finest...hey who owns Fox News?

Posted by: Jimmy Crackhorn | January 5, 2008 6:33 PM

Keep in mind that what Ron Paul is speaking to is a philosophy more than a mandate for specifics. Many intereviewers try to pigeon-hole Dr. Paul but he finds a way to say things in a bigger picture manner. As president he could use the bully pulpit to get congress to act on specific mandates....we need him to be a gatekeeper, an adggitant-general, toa hickory stick on their backsides to force the government from continued devaluation of our economy. I am worried though that a reduced federal government would probably result in another million folks unemployed. With a reduction in our manufacturing base there will be fewer jobs to return to outside of civil servitude. Not to fret, the dollar will devalue even further and mysteriously technologies will be there to bring jobs back into the USA. In the meantime, bell peppers that used to be 35 cents are now $1.35 and Gasoline will most likely hit $4.50 by end of this year....it won't matter who's president, we're toast.

Posted by: Jimmy Crackhorn | January 5, 2008 6:31 PM

"one MORE example: When he talked about the individual’s right to privacy, why did you NOT ask him the obvious question: If you believe that individuals have a right to privacy, why do you NOT believe that women should have freedom to choose whether or not to bear children? And you should have asked him if his opposition to choice and to sex education and his disbelief in evolution were not an insertion of his own religious beliefs into law, i.e, theocracy." -- what the man believes (abortion,sex ed., religion,ect...) and what he tries to enact "as law" are two seperate things. The abortion issue has been ans. many times over elsewhere and should not need to be reiterated again here (if you really desire to know, it is not that difficult to look it up, trust me. :))

Posted by: chris | January 5, 2008 6:21 PM

"Why did you not ask him the obvious question: If the government in bed with big business is soft fascism, how is getting rid of government regulation entirely not HARD fascism? How is it not turning the whole show, the whole power structure, over to businesses, especially large corporations?" -- because he is not talking about govt. "regulation" but rather "mercantilism" (where the govt. becomes the instrument of business to keep out actual free market competition through high entry fees, taxes, ect... thus helping to create and maintain monopolies). The awful truth about Ron Paul is that, while he descries “soft” fascism; he would replace it with a much harder variety. We NEED government as the only restraint possible against corporate greed. -- So true free market = hard facism? That is a new one to me.

Posted by: chris conlin | January 5, 2008 6:13 PM

Thank you for a fine interview. Many who have commented here on specific points would do well to visit the youtube site and get further educated on what Ron Paul is all about. As a 70 year old, I'm not afraid of eliminating SS or medicare. I am afraid of this "Never-ending" war that we're now in with no sure way out and a media who fails consistantly to bring this message to the American people. I check the internet for news at many foreign sites; otherwise, I get schmoozed at Fox Schmooze. Ron Paul doesn't need the fame that comes from being a President of the US, he's not broke and won't add to the obvious graft! What I like best is his knowledge of what's really happened and is happening. Go Ron Paul! May you become the US President in the 2008 election.

Posted by: Gail | January 5, 2008 6:07 PM

Economic liberty and personal freedom ARE quite linked. When you are forced to endure a monetary system based on debt, the result is that you only have equitable interest in your stuff. That's because you haven't paid for it substance-for-substance. With the Constitution always functioning on the equity side and not the common law side the result is that contracts govern everything we do. And it isn't even necessary, under the U.C.C., to be aware that you ARE under contract to perform. This is a subject matter that is not easy for the uninitiated to grasp but everyone needs to study it. Because it is in fact very real and it does control our personal freedom whether most realize it or not.

Posted by: Lonnie | January 5, 2008 5:59 PM

Regarding the need for government to protect us from big corporations: If you check American history you will find that corporations originally had a finite life and they were required to dissolve. I think it was about seven years.

Posted by: Lonnie | January 5, 2008 5:45 PM

I was extremely disappointed that Bill Moyers SHORTED Dennis Kucinich by 5 minutes. Ron Paul got 20 minutes, Dennis Kucinich got barely 15. I expect this to be made up to Mr. Kucinich in the future.

Posted by: Brenda | January 5, 2008 5:44 PM

I was saddened to see the way in which Mr. Moyers handled his interview of Mr. Kucinich in last night's broadcast. The interviews with Ms. Jameson and Dr. Paul were absolutely first class. I was actually distressed to see the way in which Rep. Kucinich's interview was handled. While I will admit that Dr. Paul presented himself in a far superior way, Mr. Kucinich was given short shrift. It seemed to me that significantly more time was accorded to Dr. Paul and I'm sure that a review of the show will bear out this point. Mr. Kucinich seemed to be repeatedly interrupted by Mr. Moyers and Moyers' attitude was noticeably more hostile and bordered on annoying. The usual Moyers objectivity was missing.

Posted by: Robert Ross | January 5, 2008 5:32 PM

Thank you, Roger Fulton. You've already said here much what I wrote a few minutes on another thread about how this program ignored John Edwards -- just as the scared-*hitless MSM do. Edwards is the leader whom we urgently need -- and the candidate whom the corporatists desperately need to stop. He's the only one who's easily electable and capable of reversing their conscienceless plunder.

Posted by: (The Other) Katherine Harris | January 5, 2008 5:32 PM

Dr. Paul is wrong: Economic liberty and personal freedom are two very different things. True: Economic adversity often precludes personal rights under our Constitutional interpretation. Take the right of privacy, security in your our domicile, in your papers and other media until a writ is rendered. In the last days I have seen the personal papers and financial records of several families strewn up and down the street by evictors and scavengers. And do they not invade my home when they track my every purchase, my ATM withdrawals, my internet searches and my cable media behavior? How does "government" enforce a Constitution that is so-o-o-o obsolete? My idea is that personal freedom and privacy supercedes economic liberty under law. With real protection and citizen solidarity we would not need to attempt property hoarding and accumulation in order to protect our rights. Rights as outlined under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights are really the only fair standard. The main reason we have lost compassion and empathy, that we are so materially and commercially focused is the prevailing consumerist milieu fostered by corporate business dominance. It has ruined the idle curiosity necessary for meaningful education and relegated cultural resources to...

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | January 5, 2008 5:19 PM

One major point Paul made regarding the Constitution was that if it needed some change he would be willing to do that. What??? Why??? In my estimation, that would be the biggest blunder anyone of us could make. The Constitution is wonderful the way it is, if the actual laws and protections it represents were followed and not circumvented. The Constitution protects "we the people" from the government. They are the laws the government is supposed to adhere to and govern and be governed by. We need all the separations it gives along with the "Bill of Rights" stating unequivocally that government can't take away the rights we inherently have - they have to abide by our rights first and foremost. Too bad, that was signed away by the "Patriot Act" hummm wonder why? My vote is for Kucinich - he best represents what the founding Fathers laid out and intends to keep it that way. Hurray for him. I wish to thank you Bill Moyers along with your peers for all your's and their good works bringing us information we might never have gotten otherwise. You all are true Patriots. I as an American thank you again.

Posted by: Louise | January 5, 2008 4:21 PM

I cannot understand why everyone in the media skips right over John Edwards.....who won second place in Iowa. They have decide to write him off........why? Even Moyers and Jamieson did the same in their evaluation.

Posted by: Elizabeth Atwood | January 5, 2008 4:09 PM

Your interview with Ron Paul was good, but you might have found out why voters aren’t jumping on his bandwagon outside of online polls and internet if you’d gone a step deeper into his proposals. I’ll just give one example: Ron Paul said: “Were not moving toward Hitler-type fascism, but we're moving toward a softer fascism. Loss of civil liberties, corporations running the show, big government in bed with big business. So you have the military industrial complex, you have the medical industrial complex, you have the financial industry, you have the communications industry. They go to Washington and spend hundreds of millions of dollars. That's where the control is. I call that a soft form of fascism, something that is very dangerous.” Why did you not ask him the obvious question: If the government in bed with big business is soft fascism, how is getting rid of government regulation entirely not HARD fascism? How is it not turning the whole show, the whole power structure, over to businesses, especially large corporations? The awful truth about Ron Paul is that, while he descries “soft” fascism; he would replace it with a much harder variety. We NEED government as the only...

Posted by: Ma Bell | January 5, 2008 3:45 PM

Richard:Jan. 5 @2:57pm You have stated my appraisal of 2008 with a concise and perfect eloquence. It is unfortunate that Kucinich explained his communitarianism as The Great Society, The New Frontier, and the New Deal in a nation brainwashed by Disneyesque Reaganism. When I heard how Johnny Edwards sidled up to Hillary in an effort to eliminate "second tier" candidates from televised debates, it showed that he is also a corporate shill (and his damn hair too). I hate myself for believing his mill sweeper rhetoric. A Depression is probably coming, and we will need leaders of great compassion and peacemaking, not colluders of great corruption. beretco.op@gmail.com

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | January 5, 2008 3:39 PM

Dear Bill-In the 1/5/08 interview Kucinich was disappointing. As usual, he was talking about some of the grave symptoms but not about the underlying illness of our Republic and how it could be cured. As happened before, once again, by concerning himself exclusively with the symptoms - known to most of us! - he lost my interest. Ron Paul has incomparably more substance and could be a great president.

Posted by: Mark Goretsky | January 5, 2008 3:24 PM

Well done, Mr. Moyers. Your interviews were a treat to watch. Ms Jamieson Hall always offers some fresh insight into politics and the two candidates were very interesting as well.

Posted by: ishmael | January 5, 2008 3:11 PM

To Bill Moyers: We watch your program every week and thank you so much for all your interesting topics, but especially for having Rep.Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul on your program last night. It's outrageous that they are not included in the debates or in the news as it speaks of how broken our election system is. Rep. Kucinich is the voice of reason and common sense and for the true values of our country. We hope he stays the course.

Posted by: LaVerne | January 5, 2008 3:09 PM

Ron Paul has assembled a list of hot button issues for a large segment of the American population that never received an invitation to the party that a select group of wealthy corporate executives, bankers, and political power brokers have been holding for the last seven years. But I still hear many of the same old Right-Wing laments about government being the cause of all our problems, but that seems to only be the case when they are in charge and need to justify diverting available funding and resources to their own little pet projects or as subsidies to their corporate donors. Young people need to take his “government is the root of all problems” mantra with a grain of salt and consider the current Right-Wing economy that launched 25 years ago and is now in the final stages of collapse with an increasingly worthless dollar and a national debt that is approaching 10 Trillion Dollars, a debt they will have to pay off for years to come. This will cause a significant reduction in their living standards considering the large number of low wage service jobs that are forecast. They also need to consider the various international trade agreements...

Posted by: Richard | January 5, 2008 2:57 PM

Kathleen Hall Jamieson's analysis was the most in-depth study of the candidates' styles and marketing profiles that I have seen, ever. What made it more remarkable was the fact that her analysis was based on a review of events within only the prior 24 hours. Remarkable job!!!

Posted by: Patrick | January 5, 2008 2:56 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I don't often listen to your show but I caught it last night with Ron Paul. I have forwarded the PBS.org link to all my friends for them to watch also. I want to add my post to those who compliment and thank you for the fact that you had him on at all AND that you treated him with such respect and allowed a substantive converstation. Most TV interviewers try to ask him questions designed to make him look like a fringe candidate 'kook' and it becomes a game of his trying to get his message out through the game of "Explain this 'extremist' statement we dug up on you, Dr. Paul. Do you really want to get rid of the IRS?(snicker snicker)" Instead you allowed the development of thoughts, how he views the issues and examined some of the philosphy behind the man which is what America is responding to so well. You derserve all the praise you get for this and I encourage you to have Ron Paul on as a Presidential candidate again. Thanks,

Posted by: Jim Wolfe | January 5, 2008 2:52 PM

Mr. Moyers; Thank you very much for last night's (1/5/08) broadcast. You know, in MY perfect world, we would have a Paul/Kucinich co-presidency. They would pursue only the goals they agreed upon, and would drop those they did not. I'm sure that after two terms, they would have so altered the political structure, that we could safely relax a bit about the world being handed to our grandchildren. I look forward to your further conversations with Kathleen. What a treat! I sometimes wonder where you get the strength to maintain your strength of character and purpose in these most trying times, but last night, I was, once again, very grateful that you do have those reserves, and that you share your abilities with the world. Thank you.

Posted by: old timer | January 5, 2008 2:51 PM

Thanks for an excellent interview with Ron Paul. As the American economy sinks deeper into debt and the dollar speeds towards hyperinflation, I predict we will be seeing a lot of Ron Paul on TV in 2008. His knowledge of Austrian economics, sound money and monetary policy will make him the media's darling. The other presidential candidates don't have a clue to these things, so will be left in the dust. Ron Paul is the ONLY presidential candidate who can define the problem and make it comprehensible to the masses, and best of all, prescribe the correct solution. America needs a doctor, not a lawyer.

Posted by: Don Hull | January 5, 2008 2:39 PM

The traditional exclusion of third parties in national presidential debates is a shining example of the two parties' failure to support real democracy, and this is an extension of what's going on within the parties themselves. The party leadership cannot be excused for not challenging the exclusion of their own candidates from debates sponsored by the media. If a candidate is on the ballot, the public have a right to hear him or her challenge his or her opponents in debate. The argument that a candidate should be excluded from consideration because they're not raising enough money and polling well enough is specious, in that the biggest reason they aren't doing so is because they haven't gotten the media attention in the first place. Plain and simple, money elects our representatives all the way to the White House, and while the average person knows this in theory, they don't connect the dots when they are being hoodwinked. I do appreciate Mr. Moyers inclusion of Congressman Kucinich on the program. The fact the a candidate for national office, a national officeholder himself, could be excluded from New Hampshire's debate is a cartoon of absurdity and travesty of monumental proportions, unfortunately not...

Posted by: davidly | January 5, 2008 2:19 PM

The 2-party system is not working. Nearly all the republican & democratic candidates are interchangeable. The only ones that stand out are Dr. Paul & Kucinich & I'm lucky if I can find 5 minutes of MSM coverage a day on Dr. Paul. I have to go online to find fair & balance coverage. An example of this is Fox's coverage during the Iowa Caucus. They were reporting from a downtown bar with a majority of the background people being fans of Hannity. When I went on youtube I found a video of about 1 dozen Ron Paul supporters that were not allowed in. One was forcibly thrown out after sneaking in. Dr. Paul himself said that it's almost impossible to run as an independant unless your a billionaire. What I found really disgusting was the blatant bias throughout the debates. When Giuliani & Romney got up to 35 minutes to talk while the rest were lucky to get 5 minutes was just unforgivable. When Dr. Paul spoke at the Fox debate they raised the volumes on the other microphones in order to hear the snickering & giggling of Giuliani & the others which was just childish. The other thing...

Posted by: Frank M. | January 5, 2008 2:06 PM

Thank you so much for having Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich on Journal. It is outrageous that these two candidates have been excluded from ABC's weekend debate. Maybe ABC viewers should forget about viewing that channel altogether. Post Iowa caucus, it is equally outrageoous that John Edwards is not receiving viable media attention for his second place win. Having viewed both the democratic and republican Iowa caucus on C-SPAN, it appeared to me, the democratic caucus format disallows many registered voters the ability to cast a vote for their preferred candidate. How can that be legal?

Posted by: Pat, Maple Valley, WA | January 5, 2008 2:01 PM

I am a longtime, faithful viewer and supporter of your various media endeavors. I was very surprised and disappointed to observe that during your post-Iowa-caucuses discussion on your January 4 Journal program that you made no mention of the second-place finisher in those caucuses: John Edwards (except for a very brief, tangential mention of him in a question to Kucinich). How you could leave out mention of the second-place finisher in your otherwise thoughtful discussion with Kathleen Hall Jamieson is a mystery to me. I was so flabbergasted after viewing that segment that I checked the transcript to ensure that I didn't somehow miss a mention of Edwards. It's a common meme among many progressives right now that the MSM is ignoring John Edwards at every opportunity; the MSM are terrified of an anti-corporatist actually becoming President. Definitely with DLC Clinton, and quite likely with follow-the-money Obama, the MSM and corporations in general would have one of their own in the White House. Please tell me that you and PBS have not jumped on the "ignore John Edwards at all costs" bandwagon!

Posted by: Roger Fulton | January 5, 2008 1:22 PM

Mr. Moyers, I just wanted to thank you for such a classy interview and your respectful treatment of the candidates last night. It is beyond sad that no other journalists have the integrity to give these two public servants the respect they deserve. I support one of them 100% and wish that the other party would also allow their "lesser candidates" to be heard and part of the platform. No two parties do not work for me, but I am choosing for the first time since the early 90s to vote and to switch party affiliation. If the election is rigged again, perhaps I will fly to the moon, the front runners that we are spoon fed are cut from the same cloth and will only continue our wars, our spending and our decline. How sad that our children's children will only think of personal liberty as a quaint fairly tale.

Posted by: Meghan Ryan | January 5, 2008 1:21 PM

What is interesting, that the so called Paul revolution did not manage to draw actual voters in Iowa, just money. I guess libertarians were too libertarian and so free market that they thought they could buy it without organizing. That somehow that clever market would do it's magic and they could just wish it to do the right thing. The contradiction of Paul's positions are beyond logic and reason.

Posted by: Clio | January 5, 2008 1:16 PM

Kathleen's points are completely ignorant. Dr. Paul supports everyone's rights as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. A woman's right to choose only goes as far as she doesn't infringe upon the rights of another human being, in this case an unborn baby. Also, Dr. Paul is 72 years old. He comes from another era. His generation has always referred to the military as "the boys." If you check his views in totality, you will see that he supports women's rights, as well as those of atheists. He is the only candidate that truly treats everyone's rights equally. As a woman, if you want your rights as an individual American, not just as a woman, you better vote for Paul.

Posted by: Paul | January 5, 2008 12:42 PM

Mr. Moyers, I was very excited to watch the interview with Dr. Ron Paul last night on NOW. While my politics always leans towards the libertarian view, I try to catch your show every Friday night. I think that Paul is still working on his message, but otherwise I loved it! I would like to see his transition plans posted to his campaign website for analysis (if they aren't already -- I couldn't find them). A few thoughts -- **I wish Dr. Paul had explained more of the connection between big media, the FCC and too-much government. Without government influence in the market, big media wouldn't stand a chance. If I could start my own independent TV or radio station, how would big media cope with that? **Corporate power-- I believe Dr. Paul is correct in asserting that we are heading towards a corporate dominated "quiet dictatorship". Its already starting to happen. Read the piece by John Hockenberry in the current issue of Technology Review. News rooms are already starting to edit themselves to portray larger events in a light that makes the megacorps look good. Corporations derive their power from the government -- to give them unlimited spectrum, to...

Posted by: Quanta Torok | January 5, 2008 12:40 PM

Kathleen's points are completely ignorant. Dr. Paul supports everyone's rights as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. A woman's right to choose only goes as far as she doesn't infringe upon the rights of another human being, in this case an unborn baby. Also, Dr. Paul is 72 years old. He comes from another era. His generation has always referred to the military as "the boys." If you check his views in totality, you will see that he supports and acknowledged women's rights completely...as well as those of atheists. He is the only candidate that truly treats everyone's rights equally.

Posted by: Paul | January 5, 2008 12:39 PM

Democracy? Democracy can be defined as a governance or freedom of self-rule, self-determinism. Then, electing someone to govern or rule over me, would be an absolute contradiction of my personal Democracy, or my freedom. Self-reliance on the other hand is the truest and purest form of governance, the truest form of Democracy; self-reliance is freedom. Self-reliance, self-governance, self-rule, self-determinism is the strength, the ultimate purpose, and the untimate freedom of our lives. Electing someone to govern us only destroys our strength of self-reliance, and restricts, or takes away our freedom. Governance is the cause of our weakness. Do we have to be governed or led like sheep? I want to be truly free! = MJA PS: Perhaps JFK should have said, ask not to be governed, but rather, govern yourself.

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | January 5, 2008 12:37 PM

Best political interview I've ever seen...period. I'm afraid this is our last chance America. If we don't elect this man and turn the tide in Washington, I don't think it will ever happen. And for all the pundits who refer to us as "The Internet"...we are people...WE THE PEOPLE! Dr. Paul has tremendous support from Americans, not the Internet.

Posted by: Tim | January 5, 2008 12:33 PM

I agree that we need change in this country. We have been controlled by the 2 party machines for too long. It is, however, distressing that a person who supposedly stands for peoples rights does not stand for a woman's right to have control over her own body. What could be more important or personal than that? Ron Paul's attitude toward the equality of women is clearly shown in his statement about our 'boys' being sent to Iraq. Don't the candidates realize that women outnumber men in this country and that since 1920, at least, we are able to vote? We need a president that will represent ALL of the citizens of this country. Both sexes and all religions, yes, even the atheists.

Posted by: Kathleen | January 5, 2008 12:27 PM

First the MSM (main stream media ) AND now you ignore John Edwards? Why for gawds sake? John is the best candidate, and is not angry but is reflecting the truth of those that actually know what and how is happening in america. I like Obama (and Hillary) but he is a DLC man and may never take on those corporate interests.

Posted by: swolff | January 5, 2008 12:19 PM

A great interview Mr. Moyers. After watching this one with Ron Paul I went and pulled out my dvd of your interview with Joseph Campbell from 1987. Your hair is a lot whiter now but your style and ease always brings the essence of the moment out in the interview. I am glad I found this web site here of you. Also, where you as terrified of LBJ as everyone else was?

Posted by: O'Brien | January 5, 2008 12:12 PM

Let Freedom Ring 2008 Bill Moyers is the Best journalist in this country."Bar None" Ron Paul is the Best candidate for President. "Bar None" They make me proud to be an Tax Paying American Citizen. Watch "The men who killed Kennedy" another super piece of investigative journalism by Mr. Moyers Thanks, Bill "Your the Man"

Posted by: Rick | January 5, 2008 12:07 PM

IT MAKES AMERICAN'S PROUD ANYTIME OUR VOICE IS LISTEN TO.MR MOYER YOU AND OTHERS LIKE YOURSELF (LOU DOBBS)CAN HELP MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANOTHER CIVIL WAR HERE. AMERICANS WANT THEIR COUNTRY BACK .I'M AFFRAID WITHOUT OUR TRUE FEELINGS BEING HEARD OUR COUNTRY WILL BE IN GREAT TURMOIL . GREAT JOB FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND OUR CONSTITUTION.

Posted by: RICH | January 5, 2008 12:01 PM

Very good interview! Hats off to Mr. Moyers for a thoughtful and interesting and very engaging interview with Dr. Paul. Thank you!!

Posted by: Patrick | January 5, 2008 11:55 AM

Thanks to both Jamieson and Moyers for a refreshingly fair and rational interview! Will Mitchell Ashburn, VA

Posted by: will mitchell | January 5, 2008 11:53 AM

Thanks to the good folks at PBS for a truly rare and objective piece of journalism.

Posted by: Rob LaFeve | January 5, 2008 11:45 AM

Great work, as usual, from Bill Moyers and PBS. Thanks for giving such a fine venue to these candidates who have been much ignored and who both have the kind of high integrity most needed at this perilous time in American History. A number of people have noted that John Edwards didn’t get much mention on last night’s show. I like John Edwards, too, and would like to hear more of him, not to mention Joe Biden, but please remember time on any program is limited. The point of this program is an essential American principle being wilfully ignored and examples were shown in the form of two excellent candidates being systematically kept from the attention of the American people. Get Mickey and Bugs out of the news business! By the way, this is the sort of thing Bill does every week, so if you liked this show, go back to the Moyers Journal Archives and see more. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/archives/archives.php I would especially recommend the July 13, 2007 issue Tough Talk on Impeachment, as it’s a subject near and dear to my heart and Bill approaches it from both the liberal and conservative viewpoint. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07132007/profile.html

Posted by: jgmccue | January 5, 2008 11:38 AM

Its wonderful that Moyers is actually the kind of investigative journalist that listens well, discusses, and doesnt bulldoze the candidate with his opinions. That is rare journalism indeed! Great job, nice interview!

Posted by: John Senin | January 5, 2008 11:36 AM

Thank you for interviewing the respectable Dr. Ron Paul in a very civilized manner.

Posted by: Franc | January 5, 2008 11:28 AM

Brilliant, Mr. Moyer. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

Posted by: Jacob Mentzel | January 5, 2008 11:27 AM

It is a distortion of the reality to describe the US political system as being a two-party system. Both the Republican and Democratic parties believe in ever-expanding federal bureaucracy, war as instrument of policy, limiting individual liberty through endless regulations, maintaining an economic system beneficial to the international coporations at the expense of individuals, and maintaining a welfare state. The only difference between the parties is essentially cosmetic - that of the compromise of Roe v. Wade. I say cosmetic because despite 7 years of government by a President who displays very little regard for the rule of law, or to our Constitution, Roe v. Wade compromise continues without any significant changes. In essence, like the Soviet system, America has one party system. The monopoly on political thought will not be so easily surrendered to the competition of a "third" party by those whose sole existence is dedicated to maintaining power. The only true alternatives to this system are Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel.

Posted by: Soo Young Chong | January 5, 2008 11:12 AM

Mr. Moyers, thank you for another outstanding program. Your interviews with Dr. Paul and Rep. Kucinich were terrific. There is no doubt that the American media, esp. Television, has robbed the American people of any chance at a free and open election for president.

Posted by: Deborah Toth | January 5, 2008 11:06 AM

If there was really a democratic process in this country, our choice would be between these two men of great personal integrity, honesty, good will and ability. Too bad the system - the permanent government and the neocon zionists who control it will never allow that to happen.

Posted by: ethan allen | January 5, 2008 10:27 AM

I've seen probably every clip of Dr Paul in the last year, and that was - without a doubt - the best interview I have seen. FANTASTIC interviewer. Brilliant style - listening attentively, interested, and formulating questions based on the interviewee's response. Bill Moyer's is a credit to journalism. And as for the responses, well, how can anyone not become a devotee of Dr Paul's after having LISTENED to his responses? Bravo, PBS! Bravissimo, Dr Paul!

Posted by: Mike | January 5, 2008 10:17 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers and PBS, Thank you very much for the interview last night with Ron Paul. It was one of the most straightforward and honest interviews I've seen of any candidate, as was your discussion with Mr. Kucinich. It's good to see that honest reporting still has a home at PBS--fair reporting for the public. Thank you.

Posted by: Abraham | January 5, 2008 10:08 AM

Libertarians are split, just like everyone else, on the abortion issue. As POTUS Ron Paul would follow the Constitution and allow each state to decide the abortion issue.

Posted by: Paul Zimmerman | January 5, 2008 9:45 AM

Thanks for a great interview. To the poster who said he is inconsistent with his libertarian views, to do with abortion: not at all: libertarians believe that no one's personal rights are to be violated. Since when would a libertarian believe it is okay to murder? What about the rights of the not yet born?

Posted by: Audrey Snitko | January 5, 2008 9:03 AM

For those who do not understand Paul's comments, he makes it very clear that as president he has nothing to do with abortion issues. He deals only with constitutional issues. He has stated many times that the abortion issue should be decided by the states. Every Republican canidate except Giuliani is against abortion, so you might as well attack all of them just not Ron Paul. Paul makes it very clear that he as president should have no say in making policy on that issue other than on a personal level, and all free thinking individuals have thoughts that others do not agree with as long as they understand that they are only thoughts, which Paul has always stated and acted as if he does. He understands the presidents sole job is outlined in the constitution, and that there are no variables to that job outline. If that is not what we want in a leader of a supposedly free country then this is not now and never will be again The USA as our fore fathers invisioned it to be. Freedoms only price is that we understand it and live by its tenets, Something that Ron Paul seems to...

Posted by: BV | January 5, 2008 8:47 AM

Ron Paul talks libertarian, but there is one area in which he is opposed to individual rights: in his America, abortions would be prohibited. I'm surprised you didn't ask him about this inconsistency in requiring that women follow his religious beliefs.

Posted by: CKR | January 5, 2008 8:10 AM

I am extremely greatful to you and your guests for covering this important topic. I am a long-time Iowa resident and left-leaning Democrat in Des Moines' 15th precinct. When I attended caucuses the proceedings were deeply undemocratic, and your program shed light for me on what may have really happened. A common strategy for left-of-center Democrats at the Iowa caucuses is to go prepared to support the progressive candidate of one's choice (in my case, Kucinich) and then "re-align" after "viable" and "non-viable" candidates have been announced, hoping to get enough of supporters of second-tier candidates together in a single coalition so that at least one progressive candidate will receive a delegate. Otherwise one will have no influence on the proceedings, because each candidate needs to meet a 15% threshold to be "viable" and receive a delegate; any supporters of non-viable candidates who do not re-align are not counted, and might as well have stayed home. When I arrived at the caucuses, there was no sign for Kucinich or the other second tier candidates to indicate our designated gathering point so that those candidate's support could be gauged for viability. We managed to gather anyway (one of the other Kucinich...

Posted by: PJ Johnston | January 5, 2008 6:47 AM

Well, I turned off my tv last year in total disgust. I ran across your interview with Ron Paul on the net. I was blown away by seeing an interview that didn't include shouting at the guest, cutting off their mike, or interupting. I think a donation to PBS is in order. Thank goodness real journalism isn't dead

Posted by: leanne | January 5, 2008 5:19 AM

Thank God, PBS, and Mr. Moyers for Providing "Fair and Ballanced" Coverage of Dr. Paul. These quotes are for you. "The high minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think." -- Aristotle, philosopher (384-322 BCE) "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963) "In matters of conscience, the law of majority has no place." Mohandas Gandhi "Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God." - Thomas Jefferson "In a perfect world, the media would focus on issues and not the game of elections." - Magic Rat of Democratic Underground "The Constitution of the United States is a law for rulers and people equally in war and in peace, and covers with the shield of its protection all classes of men, at all times, and under all circumstances. No Doctrine involving more pernicious consequences, was ever invented by the wit of man than that any of its provisions can be suspended during any of the great extigencies of government." -- Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866)

Posted by: countsueulaw | January 5, 2008 5:01 AM

For all of you who are positive that Ron Paul is our only hope for our country go to Dennis Kucinich's "Issues" page and read, read, read! He answers questions we never even knew we had about how to make our country better. After you do you will look at Ron Paul differently... http://www.dennis4president.com/go/resources/issues-library/

Posted by: Andrea | January 5, 2008 4:33 AM

It's disingenuous to discuss candidates that are ignored in our corporate duopoly election system without mentioning or actually interviewing Green Party candidates. It's also a bit ironic that you chose to use the phrase "Crashing the Party", the title of Ralph Nader's books about the 2000 election, without giving Nader his due. For all the indifference shown to the Green Party by the corporate press and derision by the so-called progressive press, the fact is the Greens have 234 elected officials in 28 states - more than the combined total of all other alternative parties including the Libertarian and Constitution Parties. Voters, when given the opportunity, are listening to and supporting our message. Are you aware that former Democrat Cynthia McKinney, now a registered Green, is one of the Green Party's announced presidential candidates? She has a far more "progressive" record than Kucinich has. And there's much more of a chance that she'll be on the ballot in November than there is for Kucinich.The Greens are growing, whether you know it or not; whether you like it or not.

Posted by: Carl Lundgren | January 5, 2008 4:13 AM

I was so glad to see Ron Paul given the chance to sit down and explain his views without a barrage of interruptions or pressure to condense his words. I have a new respect for what PBS does, new energy for the Ron Paul campaign, and relief that the "main stream media" bias against Ron Paul wasn't all in my head! (A special thanks to Ms. Jamieson for that, and for the most stimulating conversation I've gotten to listen to all winter break)

Posted by: Tom A. | January 5, 2008 3:42 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers and PBS, Thank you so much for your wonderful Ron Paul interview. I am already a huge Ron Paul supporter of course. But I would like to invite anybody who isn't to join the club. It's not too late to get in on the Revolution. You will find that we are a pretty darn nice group of folks. And we are awfully normal as well. We've just realized, if we don't stand up now, when will we? Are you going to pass on your share of $9.1 trillion in debt to your children? How will they pay the $100,000 or more? Are you okay being the only country on earth that is simultaneously occupying two other once-soverign nations? And there are two, three, four more on the list!!! Are you serious about your rights? Or like the Germans will you watch them slowly fade away? Are you prepared to show your papers? If we don't stand up now, when will we? Ron Paul in 2008! PEACE, PROSPERITY, FREEDOM!

Posted by: David | January 5, 2008 3:35 AM

Dennis Kucinich is wise, fair, strong and irrepressible. He is an enlightened man and I am grateful he is alive. I am thankful there are people like Moyers, Paul and Kucinich who are dedicated to serving the people honestly and bringing truth and hope to our fascistic, addled, ailing country.

Posted by: helen hill | January 5, 2008 3:30 AM

Thank you - HUGE THANKS - to Bill Moyers & PBS for shedding light on these individuals and their vital ideas. We could let mainstream media pick our next president. All we have to do is sit on our hands till November, then choose the lesser of two evils. Or we can actually PARTICIPATE in our democracy by supporting one of these men NOW. The choice is ours. I suggest we get behind Ron Paul and tell everyone we know about him. He has the best chance of winning or at least forcing the issues of honesty and rational dissent in our so-called democratic process. (Kucinich is a great and brave man as well. But Paul already has a huge following and momentum.) A vote for Edwards, Obama or Clinton is simply not a vote for PROGRESS in our current situation: a democracy on life-support. Until these candidates begin to address the issues that Paul raises, they will remain mere actors in simulated opposition or 'change'.

Posted by: Vote For Progress! | January 5, 2008 3:16 AM

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! Wow! There is still freedom of speach left after all.! A tip of the hat to the courageous people of PBS!

Posted by: Peter | January 5, 2008 3:16 AM

Mr. Moyers, Thank you for an enlightening program. Ms. Jamison's analysis of the post Iowa Caucus press coverage was cogent and insightful. I look forward to seeing her on future programs. I also appreciate your providing a forum for Mr. Kucinich and Dr. Paul. We should all be outraged by any presidential candidate's exclusion from the official debates. As consumers, in addition to contacting ABC and Fox to object to their exclusion of Dr. Paul and Mr. Kucinich from the New Hampshire debates, we should boycott the products of the corporations who advertise on these networks! Finally, I surmise that Mr. Kucinich's decision to have his caucus delegates vote for Mr. Obama on a second ballot may have been related to the fact that it was Mr.Edwards who was caught on an open microphone discussing with Mrs. Clinton ways to exclude candidates from future debates?

Posted by: Concerned Voter | January 5, 2008 3:08 AM

Thanks for another excellent, fair and well-balanced program! Although I've been a life-long Democrat, I've become more and more a DINO. I've found that the party has lost touch with its constituency. Grass-roots reside within third-parties. Clinton-B managed to grasp the concerns of the people only after third-party, Ross Perot, showed him that "it's the deficit stupid". Clinton-H has yet to grasp the concerns of the average person. Both Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich voice legitimate concerns that many American have but which have been ignored by main stream media ... and for the reasons that both have articulated. I hope that Dennis Kucinich (and Ron Paul) will continue to hang in there and keep the rest of the pack honest. Val (California)

Posted by: Val | January 5, 2008 2:47 AM

The powers that run the two major parties must quake in fear when there are intelligent discussions of issues as happened with Jamieson, Paul and Kucinich. This episode of the Journal should be required watching for all students in every high school. It dealt with issues, it showed that there are more than two choices, more than two sets of ideas. It was disappointing to see Washington Week (which follows the Journal on my station) focus on campaign strategies while excluding issues and ideas. Intelligent discussion is hard to find, even on PBS. Keep up the good work Bill!

Posted by: Gene | January 5, 2008 2:21 AM

It's amazing how much better Paul presents when he's actually allowed to finish answering the questions posed to him. Well done, Bill Moyers. David Montgomery County, PA

Posted by: David | January 5, 2008 2:20 AM

Long live PBS! To think, the guys who own MSM (and congress apparently) have continually threatened the voice of commentators like Bill Moyers and the informative format of PBS by trying to remove funding. This is an example of valuable, sponsor-free information that Americans have consistently been denied. Let's not forget that only PBS has delivered. Thank you.

Posted by: Kitty | January 5, 2008 2:10 AM

Bill, I enjoyed your thoughtful discussion with Ron Paul. I just subscribed to your itunes podcast. Thank you.

Posted by: John | January 5, 2008 2:09 AM

Mr. Moyers, i have been a fan of yours ever since I read Power of Myth. This interview is evidence of your ability to give a fair and balanced interview, despite what I assume are your disagreements with some of Ron Pauls positions. Thank You John, Los Angeles, CA

Posted by: John | January 5, 2008 2:08 AM

I was glad to see tonight's piece on the worsening situation with the bias of our corporate mass media, and the BS that accompanies same. There is no excuse for denying any and all viable candidates access to not only the debates, but an opportunity to speak (Kucinich) AT said debates. Long before Keith Olbermann, before ESPN was even an idea, I've been working for change through Public Access TV (all but gone anymore), and now through the internet. Ever since college in the 80s, I've seen all of this (and WORSE) coming, and got my degree in Broadcast Journalism with the sole intent of hoping to change things for the better (oh, how I would've loved to have been able to have afforded Annenburg! And to get to work on something like the Journal--"Hey, Bill, where do I apply? I'll work non-gratis to help out! Seriously!") Sadly, I was never given the opportunities that I needed to effect real change on a national level, but I'll never stop trying. I believe, much as was stated in the program, that resiliency (or perseverance as I name it) is the key to changing this country, and Bill Moyer's Journal, and folks...

Posted by: Jerome | January 5, 2008 2:05 AM

Mr.Moyers, THANK you so much for a wonderful interview! You really treated Ron Paul the way he deserves to be treated, I mean all he is doing is looking out for the well being of us kids and young adults. We are the ones who are going to be stuck with no money in our social security account after paying half our paycheck our whole life, just because the elites who control the government and the media chose to spend our money on whatever they want and fill our TV’s with unfair coverage that brainwashes Americans into believing whatever they want us to. I must say it is refreshing to see a program ones in a while which reports the truth as it is. I loved the show tonight, this is my first time tuning into your show and I am very thankful you treated Ron Paul the way he should be treated, with Respect!

Posted by: Julya | January 5, 2008 1:51 AM

Mr. Moyer and PBS. Thank you for a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Paul and Mr. Kucinich, something that is sadly absent in the fast food media. Dr. Paul's message gives me hope of restoring the principles of freedom, liberty, and peace. RP 2008 is the beginning! Thank you again, Portland, Oregon

Posted by: Maria | January 5, 2008 1:48 AM

Thank you for providing Ron Paul a fair chance to share his message with the people. It is at this time in our nation's history which we must stand together and promote those who promote freedom and want to protect our liberties.

Posted by: Kutibh Chihabi | January 5, 2008 1:36 AM

Thanks Bill Moyer for the excellent and fair interview you gave Ron Paul! The whole nation needs to hear his views on a variety of topics. My husband and I think that any body with sense between their two ears can see he is the best and most qualified candidate out there. Wake up America and consider him!

Posted by: Mrs. L Kimball | January 5, 2008 1:20 AM

Dear Bill Moyers, Thank you so much for presenting the ideas and visions of both Dr. Ron Pau and Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Your interview was a breath of fresh air in a terribly stale environment. Keep up the solid work.

Posted by: unca mikey | January 5, 2008 1:18 AM

I was disappointed that you did not press Mr. Kucinich to explain exactly why he asked his Iowa caucus supporters to move to the Obama camp this time after having them support Mr. Edwards in 2004. If anything, Mr. Edwards has moved closer to Mr. Kucinich's progressive agenda since 2004. Very curious and also very curious that Mr. Edwards, who has raised more money than Mr. Paul, accepted public funding and received a larger percentage of support was not discussed by you and Prof. Jamieson.

Posted by: C. | January 5, 2008 1:17 AM

Thank you so much, Bill Moyers, for your fair and intelligent journalism in the public interest. Informed Americans know that Dennis Kucinich is the real Democrat in this primary. His courage in standing up to powerful corporate interests is inspiring. And although I disagree strongly with some of Ron Paul's positions, it is refreshing to hear a Republican candidate who is consistent and willing to tread where the commercial media fears to go.

Posted by: Tom Civiletti | January 5, 2008 1:16 AM

To pick up on comments by Tranquilli and jeka: I was irritated and puzzled that Moyers and Jamieson did not mention--much less discuss--John Edwards' showing in Iowa or the positions he advocates. This omission was depressingly like the general absence of attention to Edwards not only in the commercial media commentary on the Iowa results but also in the PBS coverage. Yet of the viable candidates (which Kucinich and Paul, for divers reasons, are not), only Edwards clearly campaigns against the corporate plutocracy (and in his career has fought it) and for the middle class, the working class, the poor, the people (essentially everyone who isn't really wealthy) who are being harmed and exploited by corporate behavior. One of Moyers' questions to Kucinich may point indirectly at a reason for a seemingly programmatic neglect of Edwards, thus resolving my puzzlement if not my irritation. Moyers quoted Edwards speaking against corporations and suggested that it sounded much like Kucinich. Well, it did, but Kucinich has never been able to carry that case effectively to the public, while Edwards was able to beat Clinton with it (and make, I thought, as good and fiery a speech afterwards as Obama did). So I...

Posted by: Mike McClintock | January 5, 2008 1:11 AM

An excellent program. These two men need to have their voices heard. Now you just need to interview Mike Gravel. As great as Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich are, I think Mike Gravel is the best candidate for president.

Posted by: beecham | January 5, 2008 1:00 AM

Mr. Moyers: I wish to thank you for having Dr. Paul on your show and your excellent questioning. You allowed Dr. Paul to explain himself and his positions. You did not scoff or laugh or roll your eyes at his viewpoints. Your respect for Dr. Paul was evident. I appreciate that more than anything. I believe that Dr. Paul is what this nation needs the most. We are at a crossroads between returning to the nation that our founding father envisioned and something that is totally distorted and meant for only the chosen few who rule. Your program this evening is what true journalism is all about--presenting the facts and letting your viewers decide. You single handedly did something that Fox News is afraid and unwilling to do--allow a dissenting voice to be heard. Thank you again!!

Posted by: Kim Eisenhuth | January 5, 2008 12:59 AM

Thank you Bill for giving Ron Paul (and Kucinich) a "fair shake". The mainstream media has a problem, and that problem is being passed on to the people. Thanks for amplifying the voices of alternative thought.

Posted by: Jeremy Parfitt | January 5, 2008 12:58 AM

Thank you Bill!!!! Excellent, fair, balanced!!!! RP2008

Posted by: Ryan | January 5, 2008 12:51 AM

Mr. Moyers, I have long been a fan of your interviews and was pleased with your fairness in how you interviewed Dr. Paul. I know that while you may not agree with many of his perspectives, you at least allow those thoughts to be expressed. This is journalism at it's best. No spoon feeding to intelligent viewers. Many people have different opinions about Ron Paul. What I rarely hear dissagreement on is that he is honest and really cares about his views...no pandering to the audience that he is speaking to. If you look at his interviews from 20 years ago, they are remarkably the same views that he is championing today. How often does that happen in politics. Anyway, I am a man with a wife and 5 daughters and I care about the future...my daughters futures. Thank you for not caving into the big business of excluding Ron Paul. Let the American people decide who they want to hear, not big media. My hat it off to you, sir! Thank you!

Posted by: libertyguy | January 5, 2008 12:45 AM

Thank you for the fair interview of Dr. Paul. I watch most of his interviews and it amazes me how often he receives loaded questions. Also, as you pointed out, he is offering well considered policy changes that do not fit into the MSM soundbite format. Thank you for granting him the time to explain his message. The Dennis Kucinich interview was excellent as well. Thank you. RP 08 Casey, NY, NY

Posted by: Casey | January 5, 2008 12:42 AM

Mr. Moyers, Love your style. Love Ron Paul. Thanks for letting him speak on the most important issues facing America. You should join the revolution Bill. Once again, you are the man! Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Brian | January 5, 2008 12:33 AM

Thank you PBS and Bill Moyers for a respectful professional interview. It was a pleasure. My heart is happy!

Posted by: Vickie | January 5, 2008 12:32 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers: I thank you for conducting such a professional interview of our American Idol - Dr Ron Paul. This is what America needs right now. With dollar depreciating and with no sense of this ever ending war on [terror/drugs/...], there is no way this government wants to check its expenses and use up all our hard-earned dollars. There is only one man who can save us and I, on behalf of Dr Paul's supporters, thank you from the bottom of our heart for showing a form of Journalism (that is unbiased and fair) that is hard to find in current media. My best regards to you.

Posted by: Mayank Goyal | January 5, 2008 12:28 AM

great show!!! thanks to pbs/bill moyers!!!! as far as "mainstream media", they do no service to the people of america in that they do exert a measure of control over the "who, what, where" etc that we come to know. to deny a voice in debates to dennis kucinich & ron paul & anyone else who chooses to participate is, indeed, an egregious affront to the very "democracy" we are trying to spread across the world like p-nut butter on fresh bread!!! really, we can't seem to make it work ourselves....who do we think we are?? the media can make/break a candidacy...just ask howard dean!!! wouldn't he have been a much better, safer president that the person chosen by the supreme court??? wasn't "the scream" just a normal reaction of a man who had just proven the american aspiration that any person can, indeed, run for pres.??? why, then, was it blown out of all proportion, and a viable candidacy ruined??? probably for the same reason as denying kucinich & paul the right to debate!!!! the very thought of losing power, money etc scares the media into using horrid tactics. why, then, do we allow it?? thanks, again, for giving...

Posted by: faith | January 5, 2008 12:17 AM

As a PR person, a former employee of Fox honcho Roger Ailes and daughter of a staunch Reaganite...I applaud your professionalism with Ron Paul and that you for creating an intelligent platform for discussion. You have earned your stripes in the revolution.

Posted by: Athena Roesler | January 5, 2008 12:13 AM

This was a welcome program exploring issues, but I was disappointed that John Edwards rated barely a mention. He remains a strong candidate, offering substantial differences from Clinton and Obama. As second in Iowa, beating Mrs. Clinton, his name never even entered the discussion. Mr. Moyers mentioned him for the similarity of his views to Mr. Kucinich. He deserves more time and attention to his views.

Posted by: Christine Heinrichs | January 5, 2008 12:09 AM

Thank you. And many thanks to these two men. Freedom isn't dead. Nor is it free. Please donate to these campaigns if you want to get their message out. Get involved. Do more than vote in online polls. We must find a way to get beyond the "chosen" candidates and the corporate media conglomerates. We really need a revolution.

Posted by: Tom | January 5, 2008 12:06 AM

I only wish you gave Ron Paul the whole hour. One very important thing you didn't discuss is economic reform beyond eliminating the FRB. I was particularly interested in Paul's transitional approach to effect a gradual approach to fixing the many problems the country has been suffering from for decades.

Posted by: Ayman | January 5, 2008 12:06 AM

Ron Paul said that Social Security was never going to pay out any money to retirees - a big obvious lie. I was disappointed that Bill Moyers , who criticizes the media for just presenting opposing opinions and not searching for the truth, failed to correct him.

Posted by: Bob Frang | January 5, 2008 12:05 AM

Mr. Moyers, I would like to thank you for having these two fine candidates on your program tonight. I have been a republican most of my life. However lately I to "feel" the corporate media doing a great injustice to the American people as Dennis said. I am an avid supporter of Ron Paul however I would gladly vote for either of these men when given the chance. Both stand for what "America" is really thinking. Thank you for having them on your program. Journalism was at it's best tonight. I just pray that people are paying attention.

Posted by: Dave | January 5, 2008 12:03 AM

Thank you thank you thank you Bill Moyers and PBS. This was a great series and it is what television's responsibility should be in the democratic process. But I digress. I only wish you had asked Kucinich about Bill Richardson - let's not forget that he's still in the race. He's in the final four! AND he will bring the troops home as soon as he takes office. Let's look at Richardson closer. The two party system clearly does not work. We need to look at a shift to Parliamentary system. Explore that possibility.

Posted by: Mary A | January 5, 2008 12:02 AM

Thank you PBS for delivering once more! I really do think it is unfair that Fox News is excluding Ron Paul from the debate. Many main stream media network anchors are saying that he is being excluded because he is low in the polls, and took 5th place in the Iowa caucus. But no, Rudy can attend, even though he placed lower than Paul in the Iowa caucus. And now many others are saying "Well, the only reason Paul beat Rudy is because Rudy didn't even try in Iowa." But the answer I have to that, is sure Rudy may have CHOSE not to campaign in Iowa, but he has got 100x the mainstream media coverage as Ron Paul since the very start of the race! You rarely heard Paul on the major news networks, but he still beat Rudy by 7%! And thats a lot according to the mainstream media obviously when they are boasting Obama and Huckabee's wins!

Posted by: Allyssa Johnson | January 5, 2008 12:01 AM

Thank you for spreading the message of freedom.

Posted by: Kenneth Biegel | January 4, 2008 11:58 PM

Dennis Kucinich is too complex for our dumbed-down electorate. RonPaul's simplemindedness is about their speed.

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | January 4, 2008 11:58 PM

Mr. Bill Moyers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for interviewing these two Admirable Men, Dr. Paul & Mr. Kucinich. Indeed they are the ONLY two candidates in this race who are speaking the TRUTH & who are addressing SERIOUS issues affecting our Middle Class which is currently being ABUSED by the rest of the candidates & by "our" Government as a whole. These two Honorable Men are the ONLY two politicians who genuinely represent The People! THANK YOU also for addressing the serious injustice & prejudice the Old Media projects towards the public. It is time to stop Ruppert Murdoch & Disney (amongst many others) from censoring REAL news to be delivered to The People of the United States. Thank you again!

Posted by: Marleny | January 4, 2008 11:55 PM

Mr. Bill Moyers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for interviewing these two Admirable Men, Dr. Paul & Mr. Kucinich. Indeed they are the ONLY two candidates in this race who are speaking the TRUTH & addressing SERIOUS issues affecting our Middle Class which is currently being ABUSED by the rest of the candidates & by "our" Government as a whole. THANK YOU for addressing the serious injustice & prejudice the Old Media projects towards the public. It is time to stop Ruppert Murdoch & Disney (amongst many others) from censoring REAL news to be delivered to The People of the United States. Thank you again!

Posted by: Marleny | January 4, 2008 11:53 PM

Fantastic interview! Thanks, Mr. Moyer for being "fair and balanced," more so that any other news outlet I have seen so far.

Posted by: Paul Ray | January 4, 2008 11:52 PM

Thank you so very much for the wonderful interview with Dr. Paul and Rep. Kucinich. I was outraged when I heard of ABC and Fox denying these two fine gentlemen their democratic rights to allow the American people to hear their views. Both put the other candidates to shame. They are right on as far as all areas they discuss.

Posted by: Theodora West | January 4, 2008 11:51 PM

Why don't the commentators hear the echos of Robert Kennedy in the speeches of Mr. Obama or see the parallels in campaigns/messages?

Posted by: Graham Clarke | January 4, 2008 11:49 PM

In listening to world media and examining financial markets in the last days I am convinced that a global food crisis is imminent, as well as the impending financial meltdown. Why doesn't someone ask Kucinich and Paul (both domestically focused) about how they would deal with the inevitable conflicts and crises that will result from global warming, thirst, hunger, discontinuance of government subsidies and rising prices for basic commodities. It would be no use to ask Hillary and Obama, dreaming of cigarettes and chocolate, or even John Edwards sleeping late in a bed of healthcare dollars. Ask anyway! beretco.op@gmail.com

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | January 4, 2008 11:48 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, That was the first non-attacking interview that I have witnessed with Ron Paul. I thank you for your interview style. We seem to have lost it within the main stream media. It was a pleasure watching this interview. I have been cable free for seven years now, and constantly can count on PBS to deliver. Please don't ever change!!! Matthew Indianapolis, IN

Posted by: Matthew Varner | January 4, 2008 11:44 PM

Thank you, Bill Moyers, for the most informative hour of television I can remember in a long time. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, your insights were at once enlightening and chilling! Thanks for sharing them...I'd love to see you do an hour of "mainstream" media analysis on a daily basis. I can't remember the last time I heard someone dissect the media with such finesse. I've been in the media relations business for nearly 20 years. And I'm sorry to say that as of this year, I've hung up my PR hat because I've become so disgusted with the conduct of corporate media. I first noticed a downward spiral during the Clinton administration. Now the pace has accelerated; now the media seems to be relentlessly divisive and dismissive and inflammatory. "If it bleeds, it leads." Bad news is shoved down our throats because sensationalism sells. I'd venture to say that Britney Spears' mental problems got more prime time coverage today than both Dr. Paul and Mr. Kucinich put together. And Bill, although I seem to vehemently disagree with you on a number of issues, I really appreciate your evenhandedness in your interview with Ron Paul. You asked him several questions I ask...

Posted by: Kathleen | January 4, 2008 11:44 PM

TO PBS, TO MR. MOYERS, AND TO ALL THAT DO PUT OUR INTERESTS AND IDEAS TO THE TABLE, I SAY GOD BLESS. MR. PAUL, WITH TEARS HANGING ON FOR FALLING FROM THE ABSOLUTE JOY OF HEARING THE THINGS LONG FORGOT IT SEEMS, THAT BEING COMMON SENSE

Posted by: RICK SIMON | January 4, 2008 11:44 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, That was the first non-attacking interview that I have witnessed with Ron Paul. I thank you for your interview style. We seem to have lost it within the main stream media. It was a pleasure watching this interview. I have been cable free for seven years now, and constantly can count on PBS to deliver. Please don't ever change!!! Matthew Indianapolis, IN

Posted by: Matthew Varner | January 4, 2008 11:44 PM

Mr. Moyers, of all days, I was forced to miss your program tonight January 4, 2007...I'd previously alerted some friends to watch it...Not sure if they were able to watch. Could you persuade on PBS to rebroadcast this program? Wish these two men could run together- Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich for the offices of the President and Vice President. E.A. Barry

Posted by: E.A. Barry | January 4, 2008 11:35 PM

I've just finished watching the January 4th edition of Bill Moyer's Journal and sadly admit that I am greatly distressed by the treatment accorded Rep. Dennis Kucinich by your program. Congressman Paul, who I admit appeared to have presented himself better than his Democratic counterpart, was treated by Mr. Moyers far more graciously, and given an obviously greater amount of broadcast time, than Mr. Kucinich. I am sure that any objective review of the show will support my point. That, in itself, is an admittedly small point. The far more important point, in my estimation, is the obvious distain and more frequent interruptions that Mr. Moyers employed in his interview of Congressman Kucinich. I'm sorry to say that Mr. Moyers fell far short of the journalistic standards which I have come to expect of him during the nearly three decades that I have been listening him. Mr. Moyers interview of Ms. Jameson was, as I have come to expect, superb. Sadly, Robert Ross

Posted by: Robert Ross | January 4, 2008 11:34 PM

Very awesome interview. Ron Paul is fascinating. I love to hear him talk. This is one of his best yet. It is difficult to imagine how anyone could possibly disagree with his message. It's the economy stupid! Go Ron Paul!

Posted by: bradley | January 4, 2008 11:33 PM

Mr Moyers, You allowed Dr Paul, and Mr. Kucinich a VERY fair interview. I have much respect for the amiable, and respectful way you conducted it. VERY fair! you do not see that with big media, I am a new fan of yours!!! Thank you very much, for allowing these two brilliant revolutionaries to get a good chance to express them selves, Especially Dr, Paul :) let FREEDOM , and the 1st amendment ring!~

Posted by: Jeremy | January 4, 2008 11:33 PM

When the mediocracy and the lobbyists are dictating the agenda for American polity, the republic is in danger. Ron Paul's optimism in the face of formidable odds is inspiring. Dennis Kucinich indicts the President and V.P. as well as the insurance and military profiteers, yet the mediocracy will try to minimize his values. Well, their views mirror my views and values. I am mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. Thank you, Bill Moyers, for creating a space where real dialogue and tough questions can have a hearing. Cancel the horse race! Let's have a debate which unmasks the true villains of corporate greed!

Posted by: Paul | January 4, 2008 11:31 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, Thanks for having three great minds on tonight. Kathleen was great, my man Ron Paul was his usual brilliant self, and I now respect Dennis Kucinich as a man of principle, even though we disagree on some issues. I sincerly hope a very large audience saw your interview with Dr. Paul. He should be our next President.

Posted by: Michael Henderson | January 4, 2008 11:26 PM

What we have is a “first past the post” electoral system, and the two party system is a direct result of it. Using different systems, like instant runoff voting or the single transferable vote, would make third parties viable and introduce some much-needed competition into our democracy. Short of changing our electoral system, I don’t see a way for us to avoid the problem of having two parties that exist only to continue their own power and only serving the people as much as is necessary to do so.

Posted by: Max Kaehn | January 4, 2008 11:26 PM

Well done interview with Dr. Paul! Bill Moyers has integrity and it shows in his questions and comments - as if he went back in time to interview Thomas Jefferson. This train is in high gear. Let's keep it on the tracks! Ron Paul 2009 - 2017 " A new beginning "

Posted by: Sandor Bors | January 4, 2008 11:22 PM

I'm more and more interested in the outcasts the more I hear of them. Thank you Mr. Moyers for providing a way for us to hear about them. I have been a conservative republican until the current Bush took on the Iraq war. I'm not so much a dove, I just don't believe in Iraq's case we were right. In fact we were very wrong. As I've aged (54 now) I'm mellowing in my beliefs. I feel we can do more in the world without war except to defend ourselves or course, by providing care for those in our own country with the basic needs of food, shelter and healthcare. We owe it to all. Then we have the ability to recreate who we are to the world with dignity and basic needs for all. Let's set an example to the world. When we do this we will even be more financially powerful because the world will then be able to purchase more and economies will actually be stronger. Give and we shall recieve. The main parties are often quite simply an embarassing (sp?) Why did we get in this mess: Greed. The powers that be need to understand you...

Posted by: Jay | January 4, 2008 11:21 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I watch your journal program whenever I'm able. What an awesomely pleasant surprise it was to see you interviewing Ron Paul and then following his interview with a Dennis Kucinish interview. These 2 men are far above the rest of the field in that they stand firmly on real principals and don't give in to the rest of the Beltway politician's group/mob think. They are not afraid to speak the simple honest truth. I support Ron Paul but also admire Dennis Kucinish. Thank you and God Bless you for your real and honest journalism as you are not afraid to take on the powers to be. Thanks, Charles Nemargut

Posted by: Charles Nemargut | January 4, 2008 11:14 PM

Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are just the tip of the iceberg that has ripped the hull of the United States. The dollar has lost at least one third of its value in the Big Bushiness years and many international economists are predicting a world financial meltdown. The dollar is being rapidly abandoned as the world reserve currency. "The Economist" recently proclaimed the end of cheap (soon unaffordable for 2/3 of the world) food. And 1/3 of our grain farmers are switching to ethanol production. No wonder Mexicans and others are at our borders with food riots imminent at home and government food subsidies being phased out around the world.. 57 countries had food production stunted by drought this year (global warming). The price of wheat and sotbeans has doubled. And what do we get? That the guilty pleasures of the front runners is choclate and cigarette cravings. Our news is stunted and censored and we have no idea of the conflict in store from hungry and thirsty people. (Knowing all this I can barely sleep.) Not even Kucinich and Paul (both focused domestically) have the first clue in dealing with the food, energy, labor and wealth polarization issues we...

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | January 4, 2008 11:09 PM

The same news network that will not allow Ron Paul in the upcoming debate is the same network that tells the American people that we must leave troops in the middle east to insure the flow of oil at a relatively low price. "God forgive me if I have sacrificed another mothers son so that I may save a dollar at the gas pump". Robert, Collinsville MS

Posted by: Robert Dulaney | January 4, 2008 10:57 PM

Thank you to PBS and Bill Moyers, for helping us the public, view and listen to two of the most sincere and concerned candidates in the presidential race. These gentlemen deserve just as much airtime in debates as do any of the "big" names do. The commercial media is culling the herd for their own views.

Posted by: Bill V | January 4, 2008 10:55 PM

Thanks for highlighting these two candidates. It's good to hear from their own mouths, in an environment where they can be listened to without springing issues and the moving to a commercial break. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to hear about what they believe and what they think they can do for our country. Let's get out of Iraq!

Posted by: Dan Wiley | January 4, 2008 10:52 PM

The Iowa caucus results proved that populism didn't quite die in Kansas. And just because Iowa is full of WASP farmers and not statistically representative of the rest of the country, does not mean that it is bigoted. Quite the opposite. It is only in places which, like Iowa, are politically and rationally mature that you ever find real tolerance, as they showed. With respect to Huckabee, I was most impressed by him when he replied to Charlie Gibson's question "What really gets your goat?" the other night: "People who are inconsiderate of others." He has also, as you implied, showed me that he is a real evangelical, not a phoney liberal one. I suspect he would turn out to be a real republican, too, like Paul. The closest candidate to those two is clearly Edwards not Kucinich, who is a "butter" Democrat, not a liberterian, and it seems unlikely that he really understands monetary economics or corporatism, like Edwards and Paul. If Huckabee, Edwards and Paul do not make the cut, they should really think about forming a party of national unity and reform. The answer to the question why the Republican party has blackballed Paul and Huckabee is...

Posted by: RE Mant | January 4, 2008 10:50 PM

Thank You Bill Moyers for having Ron Paul on your program. It would be wonderful for you to do a whole hour so that he could further explain to your audience his beautiful ideas of freedom and the rights of the individual!

Posted by: Kelly | January 4, 2008 10:49 PM

The Iowa caucus results proved that populism didn't quite die in Kansas. And just because Iowa is full of WASP farmers and not statistically representative of the rest of the country, does not mean that it is bigoted. Quite the opposite. It is only in places which, like Iowa, are politically and rationally mature that you ever find real tolerance, as they showed. With respect to Huckabee, I was most impressed by him when he replied to Charlie Gibson's question "What really gets your goat?" the other night: "People who are inconsiderate of others." He has also, as you implied, showed me that he is a real evangelical, not a phoney liberal one. I suspect he would turn out to be a real republican, too, like Paul. The closest candidate to those two is clearly Edwards not Kucinich, who is a "butter" Democrat, not a liberterian, and it seems unlikely that he really understands monetary economics or corporatism, like Edwards and Paul. If Huckabee, Edwards and Paul do not make the cut, they should really think about forming a party of national unity and reform. The answer to the question why the Republican party has blackballed Paul and Huckabee is...

Posted by: RE Mant | January 4, 2008 10:44 PM

We want change. We want change. We want change. No more Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton spin cycle. Obama has exercised superior, unique judgment among all the frontrunners in not supporting our frolic and detour in Iraq from the start. He alone can unify our country. United we stand. Divided we fall. No unity, no change. More on why Obama is the only candidate who can unify America to achieve real change: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/2/22840/86271/686/429523

Posted by: Duck Soup | January 4, 2008 10:43 PM

Bill, YOU ROCK! Keep up the diligence of truly great journalism!

Posted by: Barry | January 4, 2008 10:41 PM

I was very pleased that Bill had both Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich on his show tonight. There is a reason that both men are marginalized within their parties- they have strong principles and integrity. I also think that Edwards and Obama have integrity, and I am glad that they came in first and second in Iowa. I hope Bill had Paul and Kucinich on the show because both have been greviously ignored by the media in a way that Obama and Edwards have not experienced. I plan to put Kucinich and Paul signs in my yard in advance of our primary- that ought to shake up my neighbors! This year will be interesting, and as much as I relish the idea of a woman president, I was relieved that Hillary came in third. She does not represent our best interests, and there are surely women who would serve us better. Let's enjoy this historic race that includes a woman and man of color, and revel in the sublime realization that a black man won a caucus in a mostly white state. We are one step closer to the kind of world so many of us would like to live...

Posted by: Kadira Belynne | January 4, 2008 10:37 PM

THANK YOU Bill Moyer!!! Your interview with Ron Paul gives me hope that we can yet wrest our nation from the suffocating stranglehold of multinational corporations and the globablist oligarchy. Thank you Bill for asking the questions that need to be asked about the role corporate sponsored "mainstream media" is playing in stifling voices such as Ron Paul. Dr. Paul came across as lucid and bright as he articulated his reasonable and constitutionally based positions. I'm amazed that Dr. Paul has gone from a mere 1% in the polls to winning 10% in the primaries. We should all be "amazed" at how poorly the polls were at predicting this. Dr. Paul has raised more money than another other Republican candidate during the 4th quarter of 2007 and raised more money in a single day than any candidate in American History!!! He secured double digits in Iowa which is hardly Paul territory. Yet Fox News inexplicably excludes him from the New Hampshire debates?? In doing so they have destroyed any remaining pretense of being a news organization and have revealed the ugly truth that Fox "News" is nothing more than a propaganda machine for war profiteers. Ron Paul looks strong and...

Posted by: Mark Century | January 4, 2008 10:34 PM

To Me it is just incredible to hear these two Men,Paul--Kucinich, for ten to fifteen minutes on the Journal and come away with a feeling of crystal clarity as to what needs to change in our Politics and our country! No wonder the Fat-Cat corporations are stifling their messages.It feels lousy,and against my natural instincts to be a Pessimist! OH-WELL!!!!

Posted by: Tommie27 | January 4, 2008 10:13 PM

What happened to to Bill Moyers Journal tonight? I live in Denve Colorado metro area, Journal was supposed to air at 9 pm 1-4-08. I have dish network that has "Alaska 49th Star listed. More media suppression/censorship?

Posted by: DK | January 4, 2008 10:05 PM

Some of the young people in my Ron Paul meet-up group were researching Costa Rica and New Zealand to relocate to before they found Ron Paul. Anyone reading something here understands the terrible pain of knowing our taxes have been used for torture. One fellow says he watched Ron Paul alone responding to every argument for the Iraq war with carefully crafted, backed up refutations. This man has walked his talk, and he has the back bone to stand alone when need be. It blows us away to watch him talk about issues with practical details and faith in not only our grassroots here, but in the grassroots in Pakistan and other places around the globe where corruption has interfered with self-determination.

Posted by: Mary Saunders | January 4, 2008 10:04 PM

I suppose it's just wishful thinking on my part, but I would truly like to see a Paul/Kucinich split ticket in the general election. I believe such a ticket would take such a huge bite out of the great disenfranchised middle that they could walk away with the election.

Posted by: No1UKnow | January 4, 2008 10:04 PM

I am so frustrated at the current situation. God Bless Bill Moyers for consistently shining light on these matters. Every Friday evening, no matter where I am, I make sure to tune into the program. Bill Moyers: an American Treasure.

Posted by: Paul D | January 4, 2008 10:03 PM

Listening to both Congressmen Paul and Kucinich I am deeply saddened that their voices are thoroughly ignored by most of the corporate media except for programs such as PBS and sometimes MSNBC and CNN. What will it take for people like you and me to demand that the networks do what they are supposed to! Viewers of the United States unite!!!!!!

Posted by: Ann Norton | January 4, 2008 10:03 PM

Excluding Rep. Kucinich from the debates in New Hampshire seems to have been based on your judgment that he can't win. In a mass media outlet such a judgement becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Without Dennis getting anywhere near the national exposure the others get, the voters are denied even a look at his candidacy. This is a real disservice to the democratic process and our nation as a whole. "I like him best but he can't win." is the remark bred by the mass media outlets’ refusal to cover his campaign.

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 10:02 PM

It guarantees that no candidate will get to the nominating conventions without having sold tens of millions of dollars of future considerations for the trip. Yes, you are in a profit-making enterprise and must maximize that result. But, you are also using public airways virtually cost free for those profits. Implicit in that trust is that you will act “in the public interest.”

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 10:01 PM

Is forcing aspirants to public office to sell their future favors in order to warrant your attention even remotely in the public interest? In fact, it is most retrograde to the public’s interest. It violates the trust put in you when you were granted use of the air ways. Further, and much worse, it strips the electorate of its freedom of choice. We are left with only those so hungry for power that they have sold out to the highest bidder. In the public interest, my ass! You do only what is most profitable. By any measure of fairness, this is not right!

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 10:01 PM

Yes, this is very heavy-handed but, with what’s at stake in this election, it’s called for if Kucinich is banned. We shall be vigorous in our quest to show you where your profit potential is greatest. You may expect a national campaign to develop quickly. Better prepare your stockholders.

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 10:00 PM

Ron Paul is the Hope for America. The main stream media continues to ignore him while Americans at the grass roots level are starting to listen to what he has to say. If you actually sit down and listen to his explanation of the issues you say "This guy is right. That is exactly how I feel about that issue and no one from either party is doing anything about fixing these problems". In fact maybe the main stream media and the political parties we have now even work to perpetuate the problems. Dr. Ron Paul is a true statesman and is bring up issues that the American people are longing to hear. If the main stream media and those in power continue to ignore Dr. Paul and this movement that has begun they do so at their own peril.

Posted by: Jeremy | January 4, 2008 9:58 PM

Yes, this is very heavy-handed but, with what’s at stake in this election, it’s called for if Kucinich is banned. We shall be vigorous in our quest to show you where your profit potential is greatest. You may expect a national campaign to develop quickly. Better prepare your stockholders.

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 9:56 PM

Fine, then let us try this another way. Your profit is made by selling our attention to marketers. They pay you to let them use our attention to sell us things or services. If, however, their message elicits a decision on our part to BOYCOTT their business, then advertising with you becomes a negative value. Not only will I take note of which advertisers use your medium and boycott them, I will advise the merchants I trade with that I am offended by the presence of your advertisers’ products on their shelves. Finding them there will serve to discourage me from patronage. What’s more, I will forward this list to every supporter in my data base and have them do likewise. I have no doubt they will.

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 9:55 PM

SUGGESTION: Bill Moyers' Journal should host a debate between Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich?

Posted by: GDubU493 | January 4, 2008 9:55 PM

The founders gave their blood to win our republic and questioned whether future generations could keep it. It only took 130 years for our country to then loose control of our money supply to the private international bankers, as Rothchilds predicted. The two party system is now a charade and our citizens don't see the collusion between Washington and the Fed where we must beg for a crumb to fall once every decade or so while these crooks spent all the social security money, created a fiat ponzi scheme with our dollar, exported our manufacturing and wealth and are now creating the massive inflation that Ron Paul has warned us about... The big yard sale of America is next folks and they'll be buying what's left for 10 cents on the dollar before merging us with Mexico and Canada and giving us the Amero so we can be "competitive" with the Euro and China... unless we wake up and shut the FED down now! Our country is $9 trillion in debt and has $50 Trillion in unfunded entitlements, not including Trillions in toxic fraudulent "sub-prime" debt... and we are told by the MSM that "universal health care" is the BIG...

Posted by: Mark Leclerc | January 4, 2008 9:54 PM

Is forcing aspirants to public office to sell their future favors in order to warrant your attention even remotely in the public interest? In fact, it is most retrograde to the public’s interest. It violates the trust put in you when you were granted use of the air ways. Further, and much worse, it strips the electorate of its freedom of choice. We are left with only those so hungry for power that they have sold out to the highest bidder. In the public interest, my ass! You do only what is most profitable. By any measure of fairness, this is not right!

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 9:54 PM

It guarantees that no candidate will get to the nominating conventions without having sold tens of millions of dollars of future considerations for the trip. Yes, you are in a profit-making enterprise and must maximize that result. But, you are also using public airways virtually cost free for those profits. Implicit in that trust is that you will act “in the public interest.”

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 9:53 PM

Excluding Rep. Kucinich from the debates in New Hampshire seems to have been based on your judgment that he can't win. In a mass media outlet such a judgement becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Without Dennis getting anywhere near the national exposure the others get, the voters are denied even a look at his candidacy. This is a real disservice to the democratic process and our nation as a whole. "I like him best but he can't win." is the remark bred by the mass media outlets’ refusal to cover his campaign.

Posted by: Will Tranquilli | January 4, 2008 9:51 PM

I too am shocked that Moyer's show in addition to the main stream media blatantly ignored John Edwards. I expected better from Moyers. He should have questioned why his guest intentionally left out Edwards. What is his threat to all media? This is beneath Bill Moyers. Everyone but Edwards? A message is being sent, although since I do not understand, could you make it clearer?

Posted by: Joe College | January 4, 2008 9:43 PM

The two party system is broken since both parties vote for earmarks and pork spending which has set America into a downward spiral from which there is little likelihood of recovery. America is set on what seems to be an irreversible decline of injustice, inequity and wasteful spending. Rather than investing in our children and their successful education our high school dropout rate is higher than in any other industrialized country. In every area America is going in a third world direction. Too many selfish, greedy people who care only about their aggrandizement rather than the Common Good. All we have heard for more than twenty years is no taxes, no taxes - appealing to the lowest of values - selfishness and greed. This is what our once great nation has become. Instead of investing in a viable education system we have teachers who are more interested in their welfare rather than the success and achievements of the students they teach. Everywhere that we look vested interests rather than the Common Good has dragged us into great decline and deterioration. That is why so many people are turning out this election period because the status quo has TKOed America and...

Posted by: Gerri Michalska | January 4, 2008 9:43 PM

Ron Paul is a very courageous, honorable man with high integrity and morals. His ideas of freedom, peace and prosperity remind us of how much our government deprived us citizens of our liberties and is continuing in doing so using fear as one of its methods of control. we are forced to vaccinate our children even though there are controversies regarding unsafe vaccines. We are not allowed to drink unpasteurized milk. There are going to be put restrictions on vitamins and natural supplements. IRS is against constitution. War on drugs does more harm than good. Economy is going down, dollar value is now 4 cents. And still nobody seems to care about America except for this one man Ron Paul whose wisdom, integrity, and common sense is just superior to all other candidates. But still mass media is ignoring and ridiculing him. Ron Paul is the only chance for America. He is the only candidate who wants to bring troops home now, and not only from Irak but also from North Korea, Germany, etc. He is true hope for America.

Posted by: jeka | January 4, 2008 9:37 PM

I was disappointed, although not completely surprised, when Kathleen Hall Jamison and Bill Moyers left out any reference to the impressive second place showing of John Edwards in the Iowa caucuses. Because he insists on reminding us of the existence of poverty in the United States, as well as the condition of the declining middle class, he is being marginalized by most of the press. I am really tired of hearing that Americans think that Edwards is too angry because he asserts that these economic problems need to be addressed.

Posted by: Nancy | January 4, 2008 9:34 PM

Ron Paul is a great candidate and will be a serious contender. It's both his message and his belief in his message. He practices what he preaches so to speak. He's right concerning the state of the political system, both parties are the same and nothing changes. I disagree with Ron Paul because he credits it to government ineptness whereas I credit it to a conspiracy of like minded people. Maybe it's just a meeting of the minds of people who believe in communism, socialism, corporate fascism or just oppressing people with debt slavery. The bible says Satan would decieve all the nations so maybe that's what we're seeing happening?

Posted by: Ed Jones | January 4, 2008 9:23 PM

Ron Paul is the only viable anti-war candidate who has had the courage to tell the American public that Israel is pushing for the coming war with Iran via itself and proxies such as AIPAC, JINSA, PNAC, etc. Kucinich knows as much but doesn't have the courage to address such (and instead says that the war in Iraq and the coming one with Iran is all about oil which is disingenous as reading James Bamford's 'A Pretext for War' book and the Mearsheimer/Walt book (see www.israellobbybook.com) with tell you such as well. Mr. Moyers, when are you going to do an interview with Mearsheimer and Walt about their 'The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy' book? See the latest blog entry by Philip Weiss via the following URL to see how Chris Matthews doesn't have the courage to either: http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/01/chris-matthewss.html NEOCONZIONISTTHREAT.BLOGSPOT.COM

Posted by: James Morris | January 4, 2008 9:12 PM

I feel that Ron Paul is the only true conservative running. He believes in small (not just smaller) government, less taxes, lower spending and what I believe to be a more sane foreign policy. Why isn't anyone else saying these things?

Posted by: Hal Meeks | January 4, 2008 8:57 PM

Without exception, Dr. Ron Paul is the only 2008 Presidential contender capable of reasoning from the objective principles of individual liberty, Constitutionally limited government, and sound fiscal/monetary principles and responsibility to both rational and practical standards, policies and solutions on both domestic issues and in foreign affairs. No other candidate would dare discuss in public-- even if they knew how-- these "core" concepts which are so essential to the survival of our republic.

Posted by: Thomas O. Paine | January 4, 2008 8:50 PM

The role of news media is to inform, not censor. Unfortunately it appears that the inmates are in charge of the asylum... deliberately so, I fear... MSM is so much mind-numbingly NON-news that we don't have a chance of actually learning anything. Long live Bill, Amy, Jon and Keith!!!

Posted by: Dorothy | January 4, 2008 8:20 PM

The sad thing is that Ron Paul is more Republican than any of the other Republican candidates; yet he has to raise $20 million in 3 months for the media to even whisper his name. And when they finally do mention him, they take every opportunity to discredit him. I fear that barely a generation will pass before we have succumb to the NAU and Amero. But, alas, I am just a loony conspiracy theorist.

Posted by: Habeas Corpus | January 4, 2008 8:01 PM

Ron Paul does not waiver, he does not slide around the questions. You get a straight educated answer from him that really hits home for alot of people. Thanks for waking America up, especially the younger generation. Mike, Arlington, WA

Posted by: Mike | January 4, 2008 7:54 PM

Both Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich are at the forefront of a New American Revolution. The American people have been trampled upon for far too long by a system that caters to the increasing socio-economic divisions between the rich and poor. There is NO DOUBT the big corporate run media outlets give precedence to candidates who they believe appease their agendas either economically or politicially. Ron and Dennis are the real deal and they scare the pants off those who fear the power of the people.

Posted by: Anthony Prasad | January 4, 2008 7:46 PM

Crashing The Parties?

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