Are Ron Paul Supporters Real?

Blogger News Network ^ | November 7, 2007

[theothercheek]

Second-tier presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) pulled off a first-rate fundraising coup, netting $4.3 million in online contributions from 38,000 donors in a single day, bringing his total haul to $7.3 million in 4Q 2007. No other Republican comes close to Paul’s 24-hour feat, but Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has him beat at $6.2 million.

Paul supporters flashed their cash in honor of Guy Fawkes Day, which commemorates the would-be assassin of England’s King James I on Nov. 5, 1605. Guy Fawkes was also the inspiration the novel-turned-movie "V for Vendetta," in which the lead character takes on a fascist government in England. In several GOP presidential debates, the libertarian Paul has all-but called George W. Bush a fascist – taking issue with the Administration’s policies on domestic spying, for instance.

So does this mean Paul has a shot at the nomination? In a word: Nah. The Stiletto agrees with WaPo political blogger Chris Cillizza’s: take:

Paul was widely seen as a political gadlfy when he entered the race, but through skill, luck or a little of both he has built himself into an Internet phenomenon. …

It's not yet clear that Paul's online national community can deliver actual votes for him. … While Paul is at the center of a national movement, it won't help him in Iowa or New Hampshire if thousands of people from California or Illinois are backing him. …

There has always been a pot of money that exists for unconventional candidates who believe the system is fundamentally broken and are only tangentially affiliated with a party. …

[H]is money and his message make him a actor in New Hampshire ... he remains a decided longshot ... the excitement and attention he is drawing would seem to be a perfect lead up to a third party candidacy if and when he loses the Republican nomination.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Jonathan Bydlak, the Paul campaign’s fundraising director posted a message on the candidate's Web site that the ka-ching means just one thing: “Ron Paul is for real." Maybe. But it appears his supporters are real (second item).

Note: The Stiletto writes about politics and other stuff at The Stiletto Blog.

[George W. Bush]

Not worth the risk, but nice try...

Isn't it kind of dark and uncomfortable to post at FR while hiding under your bed with a laptop, waiting for the Muslim hordes to wade ashore off Santa Barbera?

Really, calm down. We'll be much safer after President Paul closes the southern border. DHS Secretary Hunter and Immigration chief Tancredo will get the situation under control by summer 2009.

[mvpel]

You left off Anti War... That’s kind of a biggie and a wee bit o’ a sticking point with the boss and many of the rest of us...

But it's a selling point to 35% of Republicans, 70% of independents, and 90% of Democrats. Are you willing to charge into the jaws of defeat waving the banner of warfare justified by United Nations resolutions?

[B Knotts]

Ditto here in Oregon/SW Washington. I’ve seen more Ron Paul signs and bumper stickers than I would have thought.

Yesterday, I was driving home, and passed a Ron Paul convoy of some sort...several cars and minivans with huge signs and stickers supporting him.

I’m not crazy about some of his positions, frankly...but I admit that he does have a certain level of actual support out there.

[B4Ranch]

If Ron Paul doesn’t win the primary, what will be the reaction of his supporters?

[ejonesie22]

Because he is a spoiler for our side that they can back legitimately as an Anti War nut.

[mvpel]

We won’t be stunned, and we’ll have to consider carefully whether we’ll want to support and vote for the presumptive anti-gun, pro-abortion, pro-gay-marriage, ex-Democrat nominee at the expense of the future of the principles of the party.

By then we’ll have another several months of California’s experience along the same path to review for guidance.

[George W. Bush]

Anyone who understands that there's more to being conservative than nuking Iran or torturing terrorists.

If you don't cheer on the Spanish Inquisition, they'll probably start crying again.

Running as the torture party in 2008 seems to offer a very limited payoff potential, no matter how many re-runs of Jericho and 24 some young non-voters watch.

Well, I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. Maybe America is really far more pro-torture than I think.

[The_Victor]

From an anti-war rally in Chicago detailed here

Doesn't mean anything.

Just that there was at least one Ron Paul supporter among the leftists, commies, and anarchists at the rally. Deduce whatever you want from that.

[ctdonath2]

Well, pretty much the same can be said for Rudy: broad consensus is that if Rudy is nominated, Hillary will be elected because too many Republicans just can’t support him because of his whacked-out views on key issues.

[B4Ranch]

>You left off Anti War... That’s kind of a biggie and a wee bit o’ a sticking point with the boss and many of the rest of us...<

Did you notice that the World Bank is loaning Iran 900 MILLION bucks? Is that so they can prepare for war with the us? Why didn’t we use our veto to stop the loan? Do you have any family members who will be wearing our uniform in the upcoming battles with Iran?

[ksen]

If Ron Paul doesn’t win the primary, what will be the reaction of his supporters?

I'll hope he changes his mind about a third party run because I am not voting for McRomnianison.

[ejonesie22]

The border is just one of our problems at this time, your lack of understanding of that point speaks volumes about how little you really know about the realities of 21st century warfare. Here is a clue for you:

First Iran has hit another milestone on nuke development:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380756670&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

So they are on their way.

Pakistan is seeing tremendous unrest. Don’t know if you understand this or not, but they have about 30 devices in stock ready for immediate shipping.

Now is not the time to retreat behind our borders and hope for the best.

As for the rest of your normal BS, don’t worry, we adults will make sure you are as safe as possible.

[ejonesie22]

Is surrendering to terrorist your idea of victory?

You are indeed a Paul supporter.

This is the future of our nation, not a political stunt.

[mvpel]

Unlike Rudy’s anti-abortion, anti-gun, pro-gay-marriage views, which have no potential to peel off independent or single-issue Democrat voters from the Democrat party, Paul’s anti-interventionist position does have that potential.

Seventy percent of independents oppose the Iraq situation as it stands, and 90% of Democrats. What percentage of those Democrats see getting out of Iraq as the ONLY issue in their vote decision, and thus recognize Hillary as a fraud and would consider a vote for Paul even as a Republican?

Wouldn’t it be nice to trick Democrats into voting for a small-government, low-tax, anti-entitlement Reagan conservative for a change, instead of the typical RINO problem that we’ve had in the GOP for so many years?

[George W. Bush]

Well, pretty much the same can be said for Rudy: broad consensus is that if Rudy is nominated, Hillary will be elected because too many Republicans just can’t support him because of his whacked-out views on key issues.

Not at all accurate.

Ron Paul is in full agreement with the long-established party platform since the Reagan era. Contrary to popular belief, the shift toward tolerating nationbuilding is quite recent, essentially, since 9/11. So Ron Paul is still fully consistent with the platform which built GOP majorities and elected GOP presidents (including GWB).

Rudi is the known and aggressive enemy of all the signature Republican party platform policies (Second Amendment, pro-life/pro-family, etc.).

It's quite easy to confuse past statements of Rudi's as being those of the Xlintons. That is because they have essentially the same policies and always have. That's because Rudi is an ally of the Xlintons and he always was.

Whatever your other complaints about Ron Paul's foreign policy, for instance, Ron Paul has never been a friend or ally of the Xlintons. Not even remotely. His policy positions are anathema to them as they are to the leftwing mayor.

[ejonesie22]

About 30 friends and family, you?

I don’t know if you understand this, but if you look at the strategy that many are pushing the money makes sense. Look at what the cash is for.

Remember we are trying to effect regime change internally first.

[ksen]

Because he is a spoiler for our side that they can back legitimately as an Anti War nut.

I suppose he could be . . . but my money is that he is seen as the last hope to rescue the GOP from committing suicide.

[darkwing104]

This is the future of our nation, not a political stunt.

Good line. I like it.

[ksen]

Did you notice that the World Bank is loaning Iran 900 MILLION bucks?

I wonder where that $900 million came from?

[B4Ranch]

Why didn’t we use our veto to stop the loan?