How do you know it’s a “large portion?” I’m sure it would be interesting to examine the donation history of the couple-thousand-some donors reported by the FEC, and see where their >$200 political money has gone in the past.
>> How do you know it’s a “large portion?”
Anecdotal evidence only.
However - based on the Paul supporters I have encountered, read or viewed ... online (including here, DU and elsewhere), offline (via a few acquaintences who are Paul supporters), and those that I’ve seen on television - it seems a safe assumption that a large portion of Paul supporters are complete wackos.
Its only by my gracious optimistic nature that I didn’t substitute the word “all” for the phrase “a large portion of”.
When you’ve been endorsed by conspiracy-theorist extraordinaire Alex Jones, the 9-11 truthers, and those that think the moon landing was a hoax - it follows that many of your supporters will be entirely certifiable.
What frightens me more than the fact that Alex Jones supports Ron Paul, is that Paul himself does nothing to discredit the abject lunacy of the fringe conspiracy crowd and tinfoil hatters. He might get more traction if he’d actually distance himself from these people. Instead, he seems to welcome the support of people who are single-handedly relegating him to the dustbin of history.
Unfortunately, I cannot surmise whether Paul is begrudgingly accepting the support of the lunatic fringe only because they’re his largest base ... or whether he enthusiastically welcomes their support because he’s one of them.
I hope for the former ... I expect the latter is closer to the truth.
H