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.

[Dreddnafious]

Yeah, its definitely a big tent. His stance on War isn’t the selling point for me frankly, it’s just what i tend to have to address when talking to conservatives. If Paul wanted to continue business as usual in Iraq and the WOT then most freepers wouldn’t be very divided over their support or lack of support, the dude’s a conservative icon on the issues, and has the best voting record in congress on conservative values.(fiscally at least, so we can dodge the war issue)

I’d argue that if he were pro-war he’d lose though. So in my view, your either looking at hillary prosecuting the remainder of the war(and god knows what that will amount to), or else Paul getting us out of it.(Which i prefer to what i imagine hillary will do to the american people under the guise of war)

I don’t believe a prowar candidate(especially giuliani) can beat hillary. It kind of puts you in a tough spot.

On the positive side. Im an austrian economist, so is paul.
On all the non-foreign policy issues Paul’s not only in the right camp, he’s vocal and sincere about it. Does anyone here really believe a vote for giuliani is a vote for small government?

He’s also a man of integrity, he’s an obgyn, he’s prolife, hes pro second ammendment.

So he’s got me on the social issues and hes got me on the fiscal issues. The dollar is trading under the canadian dollar, how sad is that?

[B4Ranch]

I could have said the moderator didn’t like Ron Paul or his supporters but I won’t. Let’s wait for the moderator to express her own opinion.

[Dreddnafious]

Well, ive been respectful, and done a bunch of posting, and hopefully explained my reasons from conservative viewpoints and havent been zotted.

Some Paul supporters likely deserve a nice zot, although i didn’t see the thread in question.

[trisham]

I could have said the moderator didn’t like Ron Paul or his supporters but I won’t. Let’s wait for the moderator to express her own opinion.

**************

Why do you assume the Admin Mod is a woman?

[B4Ranch]

There is little toleration for Paul supporters when they behave as the others commonly do.

[B4Ranch]

Let’s just call it a hunch. I have two adult daughters and been married to the same lady for 30 years so I do have *some* experience with females.

[trisham]

Let’s just call it a hunch. I have two adult daughters and been married to the same lady for 30 years so I do have *some* experience with females.

*************

No kidding. An expert, you say?

[B4Ranch]

No, no, I’m not an expert. You probably are though.

[trisham]

I’m not the one claiming to know about the Admin Mod, honey. You are.

[wagglebee]

Speaking as a normal American male, I quit trying to figure out the how females think when I was about 13.

[trisham]

LOL! A wise man.

[ejonesie22]

Excellent response. I have some differene with you and I’ll dive into them when I am not typing on a 1 inch tall keyboard on my smart phone. But is is nice to not have an argument wrapped up in the normal “Its unconstitutioal” etc. blather..

[Fledermaus]

The cat looks VERY annoyed! ;-)

[mountainfolk]

Having read many of the posts regarding Ron Paul it is obvious to me that the one thing he and his supporters will accomplish is, as elizabetty says, to shore up the Hillary Clinton Presidential election campaign. I know several Paul supporters and I respect their fervor for libertarian views up to the point of a reality check in the event they succeed in putting a socialist RAT in the White House. These Paul supporters believe in any number of conspiracy theories but are reluctant to include the most likely one pertaining to the current Presidential race. No way have the RATS not factored in a Perot type third party to give them the extra points needed to win. It worked for them before. And no way are they leaving anything so crucial to chance. Sorros money is unlimited and buying a third party amounts to CHUMP change for him. I think the Paul supporters need to explain what they have done to actually change those conditions of government they find wanting. Are they just spoilers who use the Republican party as a platform to criticize the achievers in office and expound on the evils of big government? Seems to me that putting this Republic at danger of morphing into a socialist, one world government is short sighted. And lazy. Their concerns will all be moot if the Clinton grifters move back into their command center at the White House. Socialism does not cater to concerns about big government, the federal reserve system, etc. Quite the opposite.

[Fledermaus]

I’ve always wondered...what does it look like inside a pile of sand?

The world is dangerous and small. You can’t hide, you can’t put up a defense that only tries to stop attacks. You have to take it to the enemy and there is nothing unconstitutional about doing so.

I’d have more sympathy for Paul’s beliefs when it comes to foreign policy if he wasn’t one of those “declaration” purist.

When you tell me that the president doesn’t have the authority to use military force because Congress didn’t specifically write down “declare” then you are parsing. That’s the same silly trick liberals use to try and justify anti-gun laws by holding up the second amendment with the “in order to maintain a milita” words.

Thomas Jefferson sent the Marines to Tripoli. I bet Ron Paul has a problem with that.

[Fledermaus]

For goodness sakes, people like you probably whine about Grenada.

[ejonesie22]

I think it was Taxed2death or something. Had a thread on Bush being an armogeddonist..

[George W. Bush]

China is funding our M.E. expedition, and they just announced they were going to diversify their holdings, which means they’re about to start buying euros.

Actually they said specifically they wouldn't be buying euros instead and will seek a variety of hotter performing currencies, apparently in the growth sectors in Asia. We'll see which ones they buy or whether Bush has a carrot or stick big enough to keep them buying dollars. After today's drop, I can't imagine them being interested.