They just can’t win. Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is too unconventional to win in the National Football League. GOP Presidential Candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s unconventional stances on foreign policy, the war on drugs and the role of the federal government also have pundits and members of his own party steadfast in their belief he simply cannot win the nomination.
In both the quarterback and politician’s case, it seems the pundits are wrong.
Both Tebow and Paul are making so-called professionals look bad. In his seven starts this season, Tebow, resembling more of a power-running fullback than a traditional NFL quarterback, has secured six wins. Furthermore, of the 10 games Tebow has started during his brief NFL career, he has led his team to game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime five times.
Paul, too, has surprised his opponents. In the Ames, Iowa, Straw Poll in August, Paul lost to media darling Michelle Bachmann by less than 1 percent. Since then, Paul has earned victories in dozens of straw polls nationwide, far more than any other GOP contenders.
And now, whether the critics and media commentators want to admit it or not, Tebow and Paul are poised for a deep run into the postseason — the NFL playoffs for the quarterback and the primary elections for Paul.
Paul’s numbers are skyrocketing just weeks ahead of the nation’s first primary election, polling only behind GOP flavor-of-the-week Newt Gingrich; and Tebow’s Broncos are atop their division with just four games left to play.
So those who believe Ron Paul and Tim Tebow aren’t viable contenders are putting too much trust in the mainstream media. (I’m looking at you ESPN, FOX News, CNN and MSNBC.)
But Tim Tebow controls his own destiny; Paul does not. Even if no one believed in Tebow, it’s still up to the 24-year-old to perform. On the contrary, media perception often turns into reality for politicians as voters get their information from TV, newspapers and radio. As an example, Thursday, a CNN report said, “With about a month until the Iowa caucuses, our Jim Acosta takes a look at the state of play between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney as the GOP White House race heats up.”
Forgetting someone?
Gingrich is leading the pack in Iowa, but Romney is a distant third. Deliberately omitting a candidate for any reason goes against the very essence of what news outlets claim to be providing — fair and accurate information.
So, if Paul faces an uphill battle against droves of naysayers and a mainstream media flat out ignoring his existence — the Register is guilty, too, running pieces on virtually every GOP candidate but Paul — how is it that the 11-term U.S. Representative is weathering the storm? According to a recent editorial by BusinessInsider.com, “The people who like Ron Paul are intensely loyal and they will turn out [on caucus day] no matter what.” The editorial goes on to say Paul supporters show a type of loyalty not seen in any other candidates’ camps.
That loyalty, much like that of those Bronco fans who lobbied for Tebow’s on-field presence weeks before the second year quarterback got the starting spot, stems from, well, consistency.
No doubt, Tim Tebow’s approach to moving the ball down the field isn’t what we’ve come accustomed to while watching Tom Brady, Payton Manning or Aaron Rodgers; but that unorthodox style earned Tebow a Heisman trophy and a national championships while under center at the University of Florida. Likewise, Paul has maintained policy stances that have always brought criticism.
Those media outlets in question often suggest Paul’s foreign policy positions — ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan immediately — are strongly opposed by the American public. Again, these so-called news sources are ignoring fact.
According to a Washington Post-ABC poll, 62 percent of Americans say fighting the Iraq war was a mistake; 78 percent of Americans support full withdrawal from Iraq; and two-thirds of Americans want to see troop levels reduced in Afghanistan.
It seems to me the opposition comes from the status quo political establishment — the same establishment that is seeing record low public approval ratings.
I am not alone. A recently published Forbes.com editorial echoed my attitudes.
“Most every other GOP Presidential candidate is an establishment panderer who is beholden to entrenched special interests,” the piece said.
So, whether a fan or supporter of Ron Paul or Tim Tebow, give credit where credit is due. Tebow is winning games and, in a sport where all the matters is a ‘W,’ he deserves recognition. Paul, though not the sexiest candidate to seek the nation’s highest office, is gaining ground despite hurdling every obstacle along the way.
Think for yourself and don’t let the media decide another election
– Joe Sneve
