Ron Paul: Thousands welcome him in Washington state (Video)

The Great Northwest LOVES Ron Paul and proved it with massive crowds attending each of the venues he visited the last couple of days. Washington state welcomed the Texas Congressman as if he was a celebrity, athlete or rock star. People lined up for blocks, some sang songs, many waved signs and lots of "President Paul" chanting took place.

In Vancouver, 800 people had to stand outside due to the overflowing crowd that could not fit into the building. The same thing happened in the Sea-Tac area where reportedly 3000 people showed up to see and hear Dr. Paul. Then the Tri-Cities Town Hall Friday meeting around noon drew 1,200 voters hoping to have a close encounter with the "Champion of the Constitution." The Spokane Convention Center packed in 2,300 people on Friday evening.

Why does a conservative candidate draw so many supporters in a liberal state? That's a very good question! It was kind of surprising to many, I'm sure, as Washington state is truly VERY liberal and Ron Paul is actually quite conservative in his personal views. Just this past week gay marriage passed, but do you think that makes Ron Paul flinch? Heck no! Ron Paul believes those kinds of issues belong to the states, not the federal government.

Ron Paul doesn't believe the White House should decide what choices women should make with her bodies, which gender they can or cannot marry, or what they smoke in the privacy of their homes. Because you see, Ron Paul believes in people keeping their civil liberties, he believes in government minding their own business whether it's policing the world, bailing others out, or fighting other people's wars.

In Vancouver, Dr. Paul said, "If we are allowed to deal with our eternity and all that we believe in spiritually, and if we're allowed to read any book that we want under freedom of speech, why is it we can't put into our body whatever we want?"

Ron Paul is all about people making their own decisions and government staying out of their personal business and protecting America's borders instead of building bases and spending trillions in other countries in careless, endless wars. But here is a big area where Ron Paul is misunderstood.

Many think Ron Paul is against war -- but that is not true at all. He is against unconstitutional wars. He's against the president declaring war without the backing of the congress, or the people. Even Washington State Representative Matt Shea (R-Spokane Valley) got in on the act this week by endorsing Ron Paul. Rep. Shea stated:

“Ron Paul is right. A bloated, out of control, unaccountable federal government and Federal Reserve threatens the very existence of our Republic. America needs a dramatic change in direction…not mere talk. For 24 years Republican Ron Paul has consistently practiced what he preaches – lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. From introducing legislation to exempt restaurant tips from the income tax to demanding an audit of the Federal Reserve, Ron Paul has served by example and changed the debate for a generation."

Shea went on to say, "On foreign policy matters, I support Israel and that is why I support Ron Paul. He is the only candidate to consistently vote against foreign aid to Israel’s enemies and publicly back Israel’s right to defend itself without U.S. permission, illustrated by his lone 1981 vote to not condemn Israel for attacking the Iraqi Osirak Nuclear Reactor. Ron Paul is the only one who has a real plan.”

With his "bring the troops home" message, cut a trillion dollars his first year, absolute genius mind in Austrian Economics -- Rep. Ron Paul is resonating with many in the U.S. and Washington state is proof positive he is a very popular no matter whether a state is liberal or conservative.

Sources:

The Daily Paul

Ron Paul web site, Matt Shea endorsement

Ron Paul 2012, Ron Paul's plans

The Tacoma News Tribute, Crowd cheers Ron Paul

Lew Rockwell, 2300 hear Ron in Spokane

Huffington Post, Ron Paul War on Drugs

Follow Stephanie Ealy on Twitter @stephealy