DAVID SHUSTER: Yesterday on this program, we reported on the full-throated endorsement Donald Trump gave in Las Vegas to Mitt Romney. Today, we have an update on another firm Nevada endorsement. This one for Ron Paul.
As you know, Paul is a Libertarian, and relatedly, he believes that certain issues — such as the legalization of drugs and prostitution — should be up to individual states.
(Excerpt from video clip) PAUL: If I leave it to the states, it's going to be up to the states. Up until this past century, you know, for over 100 years, they were legal.
SHUSTER: That statement went down really well in Nevada, particularly at the state's most famous brothel, The Moonlite Bunny Ranch. Prostitution is legal is nearly a dozen Nevada counties, and the working girls at the Moonlite Ranch, who reportedly love a good caucus, met and decided to endorse Paul's candidacy. They put up a sign — "Pimpin' for Paul" — and owner Dennis Hof promised special favors for any customer who joins the campaign.
(Excerpt from video clip) DENNIS HOF: If a client comes into the Bunny Ranch and says, "I'm pimpin' for Paul," they're going to have a real good time, aren't they, girls?
(Excerpt from video clip) MOONLITE BUNNIES: Yeah!
SHUSTER: Yay! Given that level of enthusiasm, one wonders if the girls are really into this for the politics.
Anyway, endorsements usually mean nothing to most voters. Still, the endorser's logic can be entertaining. And in the case of the working girls, more than a few said they were impressed that Ron Paul is a doctor.
(Excerpt from video clip) WOMAN: He know what women's wants and what women's needs are, and when it comes to a man that's going to be in office, you want a man that knows his way around a woman.
SHUSTER: Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. He knows his way around a woman? Good grief! By that reasoning, you should have endorsed Newt Gingrich.
Several girls noted today that they endorsed President Obama back in 2008. But last year, they apparently became disillusioned when Mr. Obama approved a law that allows the consumption of horse meat. Curiously, one of the working girls is able to speak for animals, including her pet dog.
(Excerpt from video clip) WOMAN #2: We're all animal lovers, and Gucci is also supporting Ron Paul because he feels like if Obama will let us eat the horses, he could be next.
SHUSTER: Yeah, that's exactly right — since horse meat is now legal in very limited circumstances, get ready for dog meat. Cami, don't quit your night job.
Thankfully, the story has a happy ending, at least concerning the Federal Election Commission.
You see, the Bunny Ranch girls collected nearly a thousand dollars for the Paul campaign. Then, when they tried to hand it to his staff, Paul's campaign workers declined to accept the money. They noted some campaign-finance issues and encouraged the girls to give the cash — in 20s, 50s and 100s — to Ron Paul's super PAC.
That's right. Whereas Citizens United at the Bunny Ranch once meant an orgy, now — thanks to the Paul campaign — even some prostitutes have gotten a lesson on campaign finance. And they've learned there are multiple meanings when you talk about hard money and soft.
Ron Paul, bless you.
