Posted on 10/16/2007 8:17:43 AM PDT by mnehring
Reaction to the Times’ profile of long-shot GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul was swift Monday. And relentless.
It can make for a long day if you’re on the wrong side of the Ron Paul grassroots Internet machine. One e-mailer, in two separate messages, called the author of the story a piece of garbage and a child molester. Their anger is at the way they believe the mainstream media, and the Times in this case, are treating their candidate.
“Ron Paul is not a nutcase,” wrote Mike Toles, of Colorado, responding to the comments of a former aide, Eric Dondero. “(Paul) is the only one speaking truth with a record of integrity to back him up. Maybe you are the nutcase for wanting more of the same from government, and continuing the media's libelous campaign against the good doctor.”
In about 100 e-mails so far and 20 or so phone calls, most called the profile a hit piece (it’s a phrase Paul supporters commonly use for stories they don’t like). They particularly did not like the list of some of the people supporting Paul’s campaign. About half of the calls and e-mails appeared to come from Florida. About half came from places outside of the state.
In the larger context, Paul’s candidacy is tough to pin down. Paul is simultaneously raising money for his congressional campaign while he’s campaigning for president, but his own followers say he has a shot to win. Most national polls have him in the back of the pack, but supporters point to much different results on the Internet, and at state straw polls.
Here’s some more of what folks had to say.
“Gee, don't hold back - tell us how you really feel about Ron Paul. Maybe you can find and report on a convicted pederast who supports him but, like the Fla. white supremacist, has no connection whatsoever to him or to his campaign. Reporting used to be objective gathering and dissemination of news. Find a new job or report to Fox News.” -- Bill Faust, Philadelphia, PA
“Supporters of Ron Paul in Clearwater, St.Pete, Tampa, and half dozen area MeetUp Groups are planning protest rallies right now. WE ARE FURIOUS. WE demand a retraction of hearsay and slander. We demand coverage WORTHY of such a principled man of integrity and outstanding public service to our country and our Constitution.” Stan Carter
“Read you article and it makes me wonder if you feel Dr. Paul is so irrelevant why waste valuable newspaper space and your time writing about him? I think we both know the answer. You don't care for his policies and fear they could actually come to fruition. Fair enough. Problem with your article is that its tone is the type that most voters are now getting very tired and suspicious of.” Mark Caredda
“Your biased hit piece on Ron Paul is not appreciated. It is because of people like you, that our country is in the state of decay that it's in. You and uninformed, apathetic people like you deserve to suffer the ravages of inflation. People in construction trades deserve to be unemployed. People deserve to lose their homes in foreclosure. This state of Florida deserves what it gets, because we choose to do nothing about it. Have a nice day.” Michael Norton
“I haven't read such a shallow superficial and inaccurate hit piece on Ron Paul in months. Isn't amazing that this grumpy old man has a huge youth following that cuts across party lines ? You really seemed to miss who the man really is and what he stands for. Its called Freedom. Did you do this on purpose?” Len
“Your story lacked the facts with regards to every aspect covered in your article. It lacked integrity, truth, honesty, and frankly was so misleading to the public, you ought to be sued for such mis representation of one of the finest Americans in this land. But, you are among the un-informed, and it is just shameful that you are in a position to inform. Get the facts or get a job somewhere else.” Sydney Walsh
Ping
I don’t care what they say...Ron Paul is still a nutcase. :0)
There are many people so starved for something better from our politicians that they jump on the bandwagon of the first unusual person to come around.
The last time around it was Perot.
There is still the question on if this is real or a parody. The problem is, the date is bad (11/31), however, this is appearing in several legitimate news sources, not on parody sites.
Thanks. Now that I see the article I’m a little wary of it—does smell a bit “hoaxy” to me.
This article is wrong. It does not mention that he is a traitor!
The article strikes me as fair.
It probably is.. the sad part is that it wouldn't surprise anyone if Paul showed up at something like that, thus, making the hoax somewhat believable.
Angry little troll RuPaulettes aren’t they?
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Unintentional humour of the day award.
I hear the Ron Paul campaign took a turn for the worse when he stopped receiving instructions from Pluto. Now he is just kinda lost and his Paulestinians have taken over on his campaign direction. It is sad really because he did have one really good idea though I cannot remember what it was as it has been lost in the flurry of nutball ideas that have come since.
All political parties in nations go thru periods of turmoil. These periods always draw out the extreme fringes of political thought from each party.
In recent US history, it started with the Democrats. Having lost political power in the 80’s with the Republican Revolution, Reagan, and the Contract with America, liberals needed to reassess and redefine themselves. People from the extreme left fringes (greens, Peta, anti-war, etc.) moved into the mainstream for a chance to be heard.
Republican are currently undergoing a similar period of redefinition and the subsequent turmoil. Again we see the extreme fringes (Paulistas, truthers, isolationists, libertarians, anarchists, etc.) moving into mainstream conservatism.
The Democrats have lost their party to the fringe element for the time being. No more Joe Lieberman’s or John Kennedy’s are allowed. Mainstream liberals await the awakening and the return to moderation.
Republicans have not yet lost their party to the fringe element. Time will tell whether conservatism will come to be temporarily overtaken by our fringe elements. Let us pray and work hard so it is not.
The age of rino’s and dino’s has been entered.
Good one! That's what my friend Shlomo said the other day.
There is no way I could support Ron Paul for President unless he is running against Hillary. His comments and views are way too over the top for me.
Fred appears to be the truest conservative running.
Great point.
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