Politics & Government

Councilman To Help Welcome Ron Paul To NYC

Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, will attend speaking engagement at Webster Hall in Manhattan tonight.

It's a storied space that over the decades has hosted the likes of rock icon Elvis Presley, heavy metal band Aerosmith and modern day crooner John Mayer.

Now add to that illustrious list another, much different public figure: Queens Councilman Dan Halloran. 

The Whitestone Republican will be a featured guest at an event tonight headlined by Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex. And in a show of the former presidential candidate, libertarian hero and surprise Beltway insider's unconventional appeal, the speaking engagement will take place at legendary rock venue Webster Hall in Manhattan. 

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After running a mostly outsider campaign for President in 2008, Paul has been catapulted into the spotlight courtesy of two major events in recent years — one economic, the other, political. 

First was the financial crisis that reached its apex with the collapse of investment group Lehman Brothers and mega-insurer AIG in the fall of 2008. The economic conflagration and the massive bailout that followed drew attention to the practices of the Federal Reserve, and in the process, one of the institution's chief critics: Paul.

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Then came last fall's Republican takeover of the U.S. House, which led to Paul's installation as chairman of the influential Financial Services subcommittee, with oversight over — you guessed it — the Federal Reserve. 

As for fellow invitee Halloran, the council member will share more than a stage with Paul at tonight's Webster Hall event. Since his election in 2009, Halloran staked out many so-called "libertarian" positions at City Hall, voting "no" on bills covering topics as diverse as a ban on smoking on city beaches to a law requiring pregnancy counseling services .

"The councilman is happy to introduce Congressman Paul," said a Halloran spokesman. 

For those looking to attend tonight's speech, which also features New York Republican County chairman Dan Isaacs and Euro Pacific Capital CEO Peter Schiff, check out the event's Facebook page

Tickets are $20, with doors opening at 8 p.m. And in a possible Webster Hall first, there will be a dress code: business casual required. 


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