Posted on 11/05/2007 6:34:09 PM PST by grundle
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, aided by an extraordinary outpouring of Internet support Monday, hauled in more than $3.5 million in 20 hours.
Paul, the Texas congressman with a Libertarian tilt and an out-of-Iraq pitch, entered heady fundraising territory with a surge of Web-based giving tied to the commemoration of Guy Fawkes Day.
Fawkes was a British mercenary who failed in his attempt to kill King James I on Nov. 5, 1605. He also was the model for the protagonist in the movie "V for Vendetta." Paul backers motivated donors on the Internet with mashed-up clips of the film on the online video site YouTube as well as the Guy Fawkes Day refrain: "Remember, remember the 5th of November."
Paul's total deposed Mitt Romney as the single-day fundraising record holder in the Republican presidential field. When it comes to sums amassed in one day, Paul now ranks only behind Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton, who raised nearly $6.2 million on June 30, and Barack Obama.
Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said the effort began independently about two months ago at the hands of Paul's backers. He said Paul picked up on the movement, mentioning in it speeches and interviews.
"It's been kind of building up virally," Benton said.
The $3.5 million, he said, represented online contributions from more than 22,000 donors.
Paul has been lagging in the polls behind Republican front-runners. But he captured national attention at the end of September when he reported raising $5.2 million in three months, putting him fourth among Republican presidential candidates in fundraising for the quarter.
Paul as of Monday had raised $6.3 million since Oct. 1, more than half his goal of $12 million by the end of the year, according to his Web site.
Paul advocates limited government and low taxes like other Republicans, but he stands alone as the only GOP presidential candidate opposed to the Iraq war. He also has opposed Bush administration security measures that he says encroach on civil liberties.
While you have your crystal ball out, why don’t you tell us who wins the election so we won’t have to deal with the politics.
I thought the Bloomberg stuff blew over a few weeks back. What a joke!
http://www.americanfreedomcampaign.org/
And it is apparently touting RP's new 'freedom' bill, which is all well and good, but the founder of 'americanfreedomblahblahblah' is also the co-founder of moveon.org
Why would the cofounder of Moveon.org be supporting Ron Paul the republican?
Are they setting up RP to be the next Ross Perot?
No problem. It was simple enough, sorta just reflexively banged it out.
Paul must be stopped at all costs. He’s bleeding donations away from worthy, viable Republican candidates and he’s going to use that money for a 3rd party run that will guarantee a Democrat in the White House.
I gave him $100 myself. :)
Agred. He could raise 106 Million and still not win the Republican nomination. I still maintain when he runs third party, he draws more Democrat then Republican votes.
I saw two billboards, for Paul, in Richmond Indiana today. I think they are trying to come up with another Ross Perot, to elect another Clinton.....
You ever been to one of those small track, wannabe NASCAR races, where there's maybe 3 or 4 cars up front with a lot of sponsors, nice cars with lots of stickers on em? And then there's the so-so cars in the middle, with some sponsors, but they're sort of lame, small-time local sponsors, like say, Billy Ray's Bait and Tackle? And then in the very last spot is a banged up old beater painted primer gray, with a hand spray painted 00? That's Ron Paul. He ain't winning. Sorry.
How tough is it to grasp that when he loses the GOP nomination, he’ll have the option of running as a third party? The more people empower him now, the more chance that happens. That’s simple.
I don’t think he’s bleeding anything from GOPers. He’s a RINO. He’s getting libertarian money, and only from that segment of libertarians who are basically 3rd party folks. They wouldn’t send money to a mainstream GOPer. You have to be antiwar to support Paul, for one.
Scared? You should be. We might actually get a conservative to win the Republican nomination! Also, I can’t speak for anyone else, but not one of these other jokers running would’ve gotten money from me - only Ron Paul. There’s been nothing to suggest he’ll make a third party run, but I’ll support him even if he does - I’m not going to be forced to choose between Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
BTW, those who claim it is Soros should put up or shut up and provide some evidence. Of course, they can't.
I agree with you. I did not vote for Tweedledee or Tweedledum in ‘04. Too bad I voted for Tweedledum in ‘00. Should have voted for Keyes.
Regardless of what comes, I’m pretty sure this country is toast.
It’s over then! Learn to say ‘President Paul’!
He’s made it pretty clear he won’t make a third party run. Honestly, that makes me sad, because if he doesn’t win, there’s very little chance I’ll be supporting the GOP nominee next year.
What is more pathetic is your notion that your ‘brilliant’ race track analogy will determine the outcome of the primary election.
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