Some of Ron Paul's appeal stems from his clear message that our war on Iraq and prospectively on Iran does us great hard as a nation, that this spills unnecessary blood, wastes our substance, and evaporates our reputation as a decent world citizen who can model good things but not impose them on others.

However there are a few horses in the running that are better placed to win and thereafter end this terrible and costly mistake. Edwards comes to mind, if he's still in the race. Obama is a promising bet. And Huckabee speaks out forthrightly about the myopia of the arrogant White House bunker worldview.

> what does Paul's financial success mean?

The obvious is that the reason Ron Paul had raised almost no money before this quarter is that the jaded, cynical majority turned off by politics in general had not heard of him and weren't looking.

I have read the average donation to Ron Paul is $75.

This means for everyone who donated $1000 (like I did) there were many who were able to spare $5, $10 or $20 who understand Ron Paul's message of peace and freedom.

What this also means is that, while Barack, Rudy and Hillary's supporters are tapped out, having given $2300 each, Paul supporters are far from maxed out, will follow his campaign, and if he shows well at the early primaries will be repeat donors. This is all optimistic news for our next president, Ron Paul.

Ron Paul cured my Apathy. I was part of the Reagan Youth and Revolution of 1980 & 1984, then I became illusioned with all of his predecessors. I voted for Ron Paul in 1988 as a protest again the first Brush when Jack Kemp didn't get the nomination. I have never contributed to a campaign until now. A lot of my generation is really pissed off at how the republicans and democrats are running the country into bankruptcy and destroying our personal liberties and freedoms. They have made most of the rest of the world hate us and we are fighting wars with no end. While Rudy Guiliani has $2300 breakfasts and diners with wealthy people looking for special tax breaks and government handouts to their multinational companies, Ron Paul is receiving money at $20 to 100 dollars a person. We reject voting for the lesser of two evils, because they are still evil. Viva la revolution.

If government supervision and regulation is abolished, who do you think is going to run the show? Hint: it isn't going to be you.

Posted by: TheBogus | December 20, 2007 05:32 PM

When there are no lobbyists and special interest groups to compete with the profits of the market, American consumers will have more power than ever. I already choose where to spend my money based on a company's business practices and ethics, don't you?

I am a Paul supporter and one thing that RP's money bombs mean is that the power of the internet greater than most expected.

@ TheBogus;

"It never ceases to amaze me that so many people would state their support for Paul on the grounds that corporations are running our government and putting profit before patriotism and Ron provides the antidote. Yet they are willing to embrace the libertarian view that government should be abolished, or at least sizably reduced. If government supervision and regulation is abolished, who do you think is going to run the show? Hint: it isn't going to be you."

Oh, you mean the multinationals don't run things exactly the way they want now, with a democratic veneer of respectability? Please examine your premises. More important, read some serious history.

Ron's financial success means even in a system where outsiders are largely ignored, he will now be increasingly considered a substantial candidate. A third place in Iowa and / or New Hampshire will likely sustain a run up to the convention, given his organization and his volunteers. If he isn't nominated, he will still influence the Party platform, as already the other candidates have been appropriating his rhetoric (if not his views) for a while now.

What does Ron Paul's financial support mean?

George Soros has found an incredibly smart way to spend about $6 million dollars to keep the Republicans out of the WhiteHouse in 2008.

Hillary's best shot is a 3-way race where Ron Paul plays the role of Ralph Nader.

Posted by: viscobob | December 21, 2007 01:03 PM

OK, smart ass! So whaddaya think we should do with our other $ 12 mil??

* Paul was born and raised in Pittsburgh

* Graduated from Gettysburg College & Duke University School of Med

* Served 5 yrs in the U.S. Air Force

* Moved to Texas 1968 with wife of fifty years Carol

* Retired OB/GYN who delivered over 4,000 babies

* Has 5 children, 18 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild & can name them all

* In 10th term of Congress as Republican since 1976

* Never voted to raise taxes or for
an unbalanced budget

* Never voted for restrictions on gun ownership

* Never voted for Congressional pay raise or taken a government-paid junket

* Never voted to increase power of the executive branch

* Voted against the Patriot Act

* Voted against regulation of Internet

* Voted against the Iraq war

* NOT in favor of entangling treaties or alliances

* NOT in favor of Nation Building

* IS a true Concstitutionalist

* IS a Non-Interventionalist

* Has Always returned the balance of his Annual Budget to Treasury

* Against amnesty for illegal immi
grants or their U.S. born children

* Will enforce U.S. Borders

* Against all forms of Federal Taxation

* Against Federal Rsrv & Inflation Taxes

* Will close ALL FOREIGN MILITARY BASES

* Will build & maintain strong NAT'L DEFENSE

A vote for Ron Paul
Is a Vote for America !

Previous comment made with tongue planted firmly in cheek. . . sort of. . .

What does Ron Paul's financial support mean?

George Soros has found an incredibly smart way to spend about $6 million dollars to keep the Republicans out of the WhiteHouse in 2008.

Hillary's best shot is a 3-way race where Ron Paul plays the role of Ralph Nader.

After Ron raised the record revenue Sunday Yahoo among other media giants had very little to say about it. CNN at least acknowledged it and included the most tell tale comment by Paul himself--and that is that he wishes his message would take precedent over the money. Ron represents true American basics yet the media has slandarized him and spent more time on religious rhetoric about the candidates identity with God then it has on the core issues. If things were done the way they are being done now back in colonial times we would still be under English rule-- thank God for Ron Paul--he is at least something to believe in. Keep it rolling/Waldo

Once perhaps every century, a number of things coalesce to enable a special kind of movement. I believe this is happening now. It means that Americans who support Dr. Paul finally see what is the truth and what has been for so long wrong in America.

We have had a terrible foreign policy for many years that has kept us in wars. We have had our economy manipulated and now close to ruin for many years. We have had a monetary system imposed upon this country that has doomed the middle class to slip into poverty and the rich to become richer. Worse, in the hands of private bankers, something forbidden by the Constitution, it has led to our government being completely run by a powerful and rich elite who have not the best intentions for this country, but rather only their own arrogant, greedy desires at heart, regardless of the cost in human lives and regardless of the loss of our liberty and sovereignty in the process of achieving their ends.

We the people have allowed ourselves to become beaten down, accepting of our fate, complacent and apathetic in our own personal struggles to make ends meet. We have allowed ourselves to be persuaded to be ruled by fear. And we have become dispossessed by the political system and substituted entertainment and material things to replace any power and loss of liberty and privacy we may have ever thought we had.

Along comes the right man at the right time, a man of undeniable integrity, intelligence, common sense, and love of country and freedom. Luckily, many Americans are beyond fed up and have become angry that our country has isolated us from the world with its policies abroad and condemned us in the eyes of the world with its hubris. We Americans who love our country know in our hearts and minds that we were never intended to rule an empire. The knowledge that we have seen the beast and the beast is us is a devastating truth.

The honorable man has awakened us to the goodness within ourselves and the goodness that once was our country. Main Stream Media and other powers have tried to suppress his message and this further angers Americans.

Summed up, he humbly offers the right message with viable solutions, that simplify sensibly what all the other candidates are trying to further complicate as they speak down to us from their lofty planes. He reminds us what our government should be, rather than what many politicians who seek only more power through bigger government want it to be. He reminds us that our monentary system is close to collapse, and then all else will fall with it. He reminds us that we were not meant to rule the world.

He is angry, we are angry, and we want our country back. Only a leader with integrity at this point in our country's history can begin to accomplish the task that lies before us. The usual suspects with their plastic, polished lies are not an option.

The once in a lifetime circumstances, the once in a lifetime leader, and the finally awakened populace filled with determination wants to be heard and wants to restore the liberty, privacy, rule of law, and honor that were originally this country as set forth by our Constitution. And so we begin the journey, by opening our wallets, then volunteering in a myriad of ways to help that man help us.

Novamatt, in response to your question (and I have skipped over quite a few posts, so I hope I haven't missed anything):
I'm a libertarian, and until Paul ran have been registered as such for most of my adult life (I'm 34). I almost always vote libertarian. Paul is a libertarian, so I will vote for him in the primaries. I don't expect that he'll win, although I do think people tend to underestimate how willing (I would say extremely eager) most of his supporters are to actually show up and vote for him.

If he doesn't win the nomination, I will do what I always do, and vote for who I believe to be the most principled, honest candidate I can find who isn't interested in using what I believe to be overly coercive and unconstitutional means to acheive their desired ends -- or at least back one that I feel it won't compromise my principles to support if I feel they're more likely to advance those principles publicly.

As far as Ron Paul newbies (most of his supporters have only heard of him recently). I have a feeling they'll be looking for similar options once they realize they're available. I hope to see the libertarian viewpoint injected into the political dialogue in this country as a result of Dr. Paul's campaign, and I'm pretty sure we will see some ripples. If Paul has done anything, he has "created" a demand, and to the extent the laws of economics apply to politics, I think more competition will spring up to supply it. Good question.

It never ceases to amaze me that so many people would state their support for Paul on the grounds that corporations are running our government and putting profit before patriotism and Ron provides the antidote. Yet they are willing to embrace the libertarian view that government should be abolished, or at least sizably reduced. If government supervision and regulation is abolished, who do you think is going to run the show? Hint: it isn't going to be you.

Ron Paul's financial success is due to his supporter's ability to harness the internet to reach thousands of like-minded people. Whether or not the Paul campaigns prowess at raising money can lead to success at the polls is as yet unknown. There is a slow but steady increase in support for Ron Paul that is showing up when likely voters are polled via landline telephone.

The problem for Ron Paul is getting his increasingly popular message out before the primary season begins in earnest. Many states have moved up the dates of their Republican presidential primaries. If his campaign can marshal its cash hoard, Congressman Paul could do surprisingly well in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Ron Paul represents true change to the present and corupt two party system. The media wouldn't be surprised if it had the courage and forsight to report on all the candidates with equal fervor. Reporters tend to editorialize when reporting on what they label as lower tier candidates failing to realize that there is only one tier. All candidates are equal until the election. Now the question is why? Is the media controlled by some unseen force or are the reporters intellectually challenged? I for one do not agree with all that Ron Paul stands for but I can also say that I do not agree at all with the other candidates Dems or Repubs. So until Lou Dobbs joins the fight I'll go with Ron.

re: k_henryv comments

You have made some very good observations and honest ones; with a couple exceptions, you say 1) "These people are not numerous"... 2)"Paul has no delusions about winning the nomination"...

This is just supposition on your part. You have no idea what is happening at the grass roots level or how many there are of us, nor do you 'know' how Ron Paul thinks about winning the nomination.

Romney and McCain will fall out of the race after New Hampshire. Biden is not viable. Much of Huckabee's current support has come from 2nd Amendment activists. He will lose those supporters to Paul.

The democrats have no electable candidate.

The State of Affairs of the United States is in a helluva mess. Who will clean it up? The same old politicians with the same old rhetoric?
The 'silent majority' is back, and we mean business.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Checkout the Ron Paul blimp www.Ronpaulblimp.com

Dr. Paul's financial success could, I think, most generally be attributed to the number of people who are keenly aware of how far from the founding principles of this country our government has strayed. These people are not numerous within the American electorate, but they are the most politically aware and in my opinion, when a man comes along and speaks like Paul about the original values and philosophy, the lucid, fed-up voters take notice and donate.
Paul's foreign policy stance also speaks to the entire anti-war, anti-empire crowd and as Iraq continues to be a perceived failure among most Americans, Paul's words resonate on a deep and visceral level. The opposition to war is a gut reaction and it's one a majority of Americans now feel. No other candidate has delivered a message as clearly and vehemently anti-war as the one Paul has. Why his supporters are actually donating money to a longshot candidate is, I guess, more a psychological debate. But obviously, for whatever reason, plenty of individual voters find Paul's message so appealing that they feel they should deliver money to him. I personally think Paul has no delusions about winning the nomination, but rather wants to make a point with his candidacy and with every fundraising success, his mission is that much more complete and successful.

Ron Paul is having unprecedented success in his campaign because he is saying the right things at the right time. Americans are looking for a change agent and Paul is nothing if not a change. Whether or not he is sincere or capable of accomplishing his stated goals doesn't matter as much, to a dissatisfied public, as his guts to actually say things that are contrary to the ordinary.

All of us self-absorbed baby boomers are joining with the perpetually self-absorbed first-time voters in the belief that we can actually "make a difference" - this time for sure.

The dems know that a strong showing for Paul might lead to a 3rd party, thus assuring a victory for themselves. Just like it did in 1992. That is also where some of the money is coming from.

Chris, please post this along with my plea for all the Paul supporters to work very hard to get their man on the ballot, as a Republican. He would do a lot of good and, just like any Republican candidate, would be 100 times better than ANY democrat. However, if for some reason he doesn't get the nomination, I beg the Paul supporters to support the Republican candidate and work to get the Paul ideals you believe in included on the party's platform. The system will work. Please work within the system.

America cannot afford to reverse the positive direction we are going in now. Maybe Paul can speed the boat but getting any democrat president would definitely take the oars right out of our hands.

What it means Chris is that you have eyes but you cannot see. Common people - the masses - the majority of Americans are sick and tired of the ruling elite trampling on their freedoms. You have to ask? Ron Paul, barring death or concerted cheating during the elections - will be the NEXT President of the United States. Helping corporate interests won't save your salary Chris. It will only lead to a future wherein China is a world power above that of the USA. Drop the pretense or drop the bias against Ron Paul.
$6+MILLION raised in a single day - the largest grassroots contibution in history - and not on the front page of your paper? You guys are the actual chains of slavery to special interests, the tools of inequity and a self-fulfilling evil. Ron Paul is fighting for my Freedom!!! That is why I am fighting for him.

I can only speak for myself, why I would like to see Ron Paul as president.

#1 reason, the economy. He is the only person speaking the need to stop the deficit spending and strengthen the dollar before this country goes into a depression. His views on a allowing competing currency such as gold and silver make sense. Most people don't understand ecomomics so it is easy for them to write off Dr. Paul's ideas as kooky when in fact they are very good ideas but to the ignorant masses they would seem kooky.

#2 His understanding to bring the troops home, not just in Iraq but in Asia and Europe too. This to me is very much tied to the economy. If the government keeps overspending overseas it will collapse the economy. All the other candidates ignore the giant elephant in the room, it is nice to say the surge is working in Iraq but they never expect to pay for it just pass it off to the next generation, that will be disasterous to the ecomomy and long term security of this nation. Only Ron Paul has the foresight to see this urgent need to restrain government before it collapses from its own weight.

#3 Dr. Paul's Congressional record shows he means what he says. He votes with the Constitution. All the other candidates have excuses for why they voted for something when now they run opposed to a particular position they once supported.

There are many people and many corporations that make a lot of money off of the current spending and would say anything to keep the status quo. Companies that make money from America's foreign policy and domestic policy will vote for any candidate rather than Ron Paul. There is little difference between Hillary and Rudy, or Huckabee and Edwards, the big corporations win either way. Ron Paul will stop the corporate subsidies masquerading as foreign and domestic policy.

That is why I support Ron Paul.

The support Ron Paul is getting shows the appeal that simplistic solutions have for those Americans who live a dream world of 1950s stereotypes. Isolationism is a popular theme in our history, but it has never been a realistic one. Even in the early days of the republic, when communications moved at the speed of sailing ships, world affairs in the form of the French Revolution and the Barbary pirates affected us. In a world of ICBMs and the Internet, the idea is totally insane.

Smaller government sounds nice, but is it realistic. What are we going to cut? It would be Congress that decides, not the president. Paul could veto spending bills and wreck the nation's credit, perhaps, but if you all think that Ron Paul can do anything to make your life any safer or more prosperous, you are dreaming.

Ron Paul is just a Libertarian in GOP clothing. Just because fringe groups will send him money doesn't mean that he is worth supporting. Look at what his ideas really mean beyond the feel good slogans. It would be hard to find someone less aware of how the real world works than George W. Bush, but Ron Paul is the man.

When middle-of-the-road people look at his beliefs, they will run from him in droves. A GOP nomination of Ron Paul would be the best thing possible to assure a Democratic victory next year.

I can understand the anger at the way things are going. I'm angry too, but turning to a fool who lives in a dream world to save us is not the solution.

AN ARDENT DESIRE FOR CHANGE is behind this groundswell of support. History is being written here and American politics are changing forever.

Why I Support Ron Paul
Some people believe that Ron Paul is just an Internet fad, backed by spammers and young people on the Internet who have no real grasp on the issues. I can understand why some people think that -- that's what I thought for a long time.

I continued hearing more and more about Ron Paul from friends, so one day last month I decided to take a close look at him and all the other candidates. I had been supporting Fred Thompson mostly because he was the least painful of the candidates on the issues when comparing to my views and principals. After looking at Ron Paul, I was shocked at what I found, and have never looked back since.

First, Fred Thompson looks to be a formidable candidate. He seems very presidential and I think he's going to pull ahead of Romney and Giulini in the polls after Iowa. I think he's got potential, but I don't think he has motive for Change. Change is something people of this election cycle want, and Change is something that will set apart a candidate from all the others.

I believe Ron Paul has change.

What is it with the media, and everyone out there thinking all Ron Paul supporters are off on some trip? I'm real, a real American that belives in our constitution, what happened out there that we have forgoten what that means. I support Ron Paul, and so do alot of other true Americans... All you have to do, is go to his site and look at his issues, he's an American with all sence of the word!!!

First of all, it should be recognized that Paul's support might very well be broader then the polls give it credit for. Much discussion has been made concerning the many, many reasons for this.

One is, as you mention in the blog, that many people are frustrated with their respective parties. Dems are not accopmlishing in Congress what they promised to do (end the war, open up government), and neither did Republicans (cut spending, shrink government). Not to mention many realize that each party, when in power, looks remarkably the other wjem IT was in power. Paul's integrity of record--over decades--speaks to these people, and to many apathetic non-voters.

Further, Paul has allowed a very bottom-up campaign. That is very unusual for control-obsessed politicans, and it has (along with the message) made people very active for him. They feel it is on their shoulders, they they are buoyed by the results of their actions they see in the media after things like the Ron Paul Blimp, the two money bombs, and the increased exposure when they through big rallys.

Finally, Paul has a unique message. There are four to six Democrats each saying mostly similar things, and there is an equal amount of Republicans, all mostly saying the same things. Paul is spreading a message that is very unique, that stands out, and that hasn't had this much exposure in a long, long time. Therefore as his opponants on either side split the money and support of their ideologies, Paul takes ALL of his. Unfortunately his support is not captured in the "scientific" polls, but the money is. And the money is making waves, and forcing questions, such as the ones posted in this blog, to be addressed. We're happy to help.

It's a great message of freedom, responsibility, and peace being spread by an incredible man of integrity, wisdom, and intelligence. And, win or lose, it will affect people like me for decades.

Ron Paul's popularity shows that there are a lot of Americans who understand that all 2-part systems work the same way, whether they are 2 political parties, symbiotic/host pairs, binary star systems or anything else.

The "R"s and "D"s have become essentially alike, differing only in which "wedge" issues they claim as their own.

Neither party serves the citizens, or places citizens' interests above those of the corporate campaign financiers.

Hence THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM MUST DIE.
They will not write reform to clean up their own bribery networks, or to stop the revolving door to lobby shops when they cash out their office.

PEOPLE HAVE TO FORCE THEM.
CITIZENS MUST REVOLT.

Start by having the courage and conviction to NOT vote for the "top tier" from the bi-opoly (as opposed to a mon-opoly) party system.

I'm not saying to vote for Ron Paul, and I don't think I will, (Go Richardson!!!!) but by supporting, promoting, nay DEMANDING the 2-party bi-opoly death grip on our politics be dismantled.
The laws and campaign regulations they have written to keep themselves the only 2 viable parties must be wiped off the books.
We all must be smart and courageous enough to support MANY other parties.

Basically...I believe Ron Paul's support has come from a political hunger for:

1. Less government control.
2. Using our troops for our defense only, and not as a world police.
3. Elimination of IRS.
4. Elimination of the Federal Reserve.
5. Personal freedoms secured.
6. Sound non fiat money system.
7. A low-cost government.

These are not new political ideas. They were common American policies during America's extremely prosperous years.
I think this is why there is such enthusiasm for backing Ron Paul. We're tired of immoral big spending socialist warmongers that are more loyal to american "interests" than American people, "We the People".

Thank you, Chris, for your invitation.

While many good points of view are already posted, it seems to me that America perhaps has simply come of age.

We of the older generation were told to essentially believe everything the media reported, trust our government, law enforcement, etc. In our public schools and our society: sit down and shut up unless you raise your hand, get permission.

The institutions have betrayed us. We have finally figured that out. The only logical step next is to DO something about it. Revolution!

Having lived a considerable number of years in Dr. Paul's district with many encounters, he has always embraced the same principals, given the same messages and has stood up for - in the face of regular opposition - those beliefs. Even the young school could safely presume: this has a ring of integrity. The most important thing the institutions have lost...even on your pages all too often.

It is counfounding that this supreme human characterist is parlayed in the media as some idiotic, fanatic loser status. Going further, as some commentors have here, and claiming anyone who supports such characteristic is also -- Ronbot, was it?

I am a natural-born American...Period. Partisanship - only two in this great country? - has shown allegiance which only fractionalizes the American people. What a muck.

Where is the best person for the job? That is the only thing I ever go to vote for.

But the money was your issue. So, I give to Dr. Paul because I believe he is the best man for the job.

To those inclined to socialism, Dr. Paul's agenda is likely a shock. Please consider that on the average "indigent" government program, there is a head honcho making six figures (the salary you pay him) to manage those "indigents."

When I began reading all these posts, I had absolutely no intention of spending my entire evening on this site; but that's exactly what I did! I thank you all for giving me a good overview of the opinions for and against Rep. Ron Paul! Most of your comments - even from the opposition - are well thought out.

There's only one point I can add as a latecomer to this party.

Ron Paul decided to become involved in politics in 1971 after learning that Tricky Dick Nixon had unilaterally removed the last vestige of gold backing from the United States currency. Dr. Paul recognized that this was a prescription for ultimate economic disaster. The financial press now confirms Ron Paul's prophetic knowledge on a daily basis!

As a paleoconservative Republican, a free-market economics professor, and a 30-year military veteran who still takes seriously the oath I took to defend the Constitution, I agree 100% with all of Rep. Paul's positions. Even if this were not so, however, the impending bankruptcy of our economy would propel me to support a presidential candidate who understands sound monetary and fiscal policies.

Ron Paul has not only demonstrated such an understanding; he has tirelessly swum upstream against the Washington establishment since 1976. Providence has placed this uniquely gifted, talented, and patriotic statesman in a position to mobilize the efforts of the remnant of Americans who still treasure the priceless gift that this country represents.

The thousand bucks or so and the thousand hours or so that I've given to the cause of nominating Ron Paul is the best investment I've ever made! If America falls from the massive internal corruption that besets us, none of the "issues" that the media and the other politicians consider important will matter.

I encourage all my fellow RonPaulicans to re-double your efforts to get out the vote on February 5th, or whichever day is the day in your state!

John Nehring

There is no secret to the popularity of Dr. Paul. The message of freedom, individual liberty, and personal responsilbility resonates with many, many people in America.

The fundraising success of Ron Paul is based on the substance of the principles held by Ron Paul in his view of the integral necessity of Constitutional fidelity to the spirit of the law or principles contained in the Constitution. This is the appeal of Ron Paul to his supporters...and this meeting of minds has blown like a breath of fresh air across the U.S. along with Ron Paul. This shared vision of restoration of the Constitution into the rightful place of importance in the structure of this democracy has caught fire in the hearts of patriots because it is a vision of hope! Ron Paul is a thoughtful, intelligent, yet unassuming man but he has pointed the way toward hope and inspired across a broad range of culture, race, age, social class and political parties. The primary element of Ron Paul's appeal is his willingness to lead this country back on the course it was destined in the creation of the U.S. Constitution without the distortions that have been so craftily applied in a return to a government 'by and for' "We the People". Ron Paul = Hope for America. May God Bless America!

The fundraising success of Ron Paul is based on the substance of the principles held by Ron Paul in his view of the integral necessity of Constitutional fidelity to the spirit of the law or principles contained in the Constitution. This is the appeal of Ron Paul to his supporters...and this meeting of minds has blown like a breath of fresh air across the U.S. along with Ron Paul. This shared vision of restoration of the Constitution into the rightful place of importance in the structure of this democracy has caught fire in the hearts of patriots because it is a vision of hope! Ron Paul is a thoughtful, intelligent, yet unassuming man but he has pointed the way toward hope and inspired across a broad range of culture, race, age, social class and political parties. The primary element of Ron Paul's appeal is his willingness to lead this country back on the course it was destined in the creation of the U.S. Constitution without the distortions that have been so craftily applied in a return to a government 'by and for' "We the People". Ron Paul = Hope for America. May God Bless America!

It's plain and simple.

He is the first Honest Politician in a Long Long Time.

People say don't trust him, but if you review his record, history, etc...

He says exactly what he is going to do and he does it.

As a businessman I believe in honesty, if you can't trust someone then why even bother?

That is why I donated the max. I trust him completely. As for his issues, I understand some people have issues. But having studied history, economics, and foriegn relations I personally believe he is the only one that has done his research and is correct in his judgement.

I would be proud to call him Mister President and I would be glad to call him my employee as every other government official is, or as this type of government is suppose to function. By the people and for the people!

Thank you for allowing me the time to post this message.

Yours,

Tone T.

You were underanalyzing it. Spend a few days studying Paul's unchanging Libertarian beliefs and resultant actions,then look closely at the hordes called the the "phenomenon," like I did. Read all their blogs. We are flesh and blood and Many. Yes, our children are in Iraq. The country we were taught about in school bears no resemblance to the Bad Joke which passes for government now.

Congressman Paul didn't raise the money. It was done for him by us, the every day multitudes, the ones who have been disgusted to death since the Vietnam WAR, yes WAR. We are the ones who only have cell phones, and don't get polled! And hell yes, we know that in a revolution you need bullets, defined now as votes, and we are registered to win. Internet and cell phones have empowered the people, even those of us whose kids had to show us how they work, so elections and polling methods better catch up, if they can. I don't think anybody can keep the wool over our eyes or make us feel powerless again.

I can't Wait to read all the comments.

Mom

Howdy to da Fix,

Thanks for you good column, and the different issues you address. You are doing a good job of bringing many interesting things to the mainstream press.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I truly believe much of the support for Ron Paul is a validation of Paul's "out of Iraq now" position, and his claim that we need to take responsibility for the problems with our foreign policy. I do not think it is a sign of widespread dissatisfaction with the two-party system, but a real dissatifaction with the candidates and their status quo positions on important national and internation issues. While I do not agree with Dr No on all things, I admire the way he speaks his mind, and is not swayed by the polls or media coverage.

Ron Paul seems to have very good and well thought out reasons for his positions, and I think he will surprise a lot of people at the polls. Many people are very afraid of the rise in fascism here in the U.S. and he seems to be the only candidate that is really addessing many of these serious issues in a direct and meaninful manner. People feel they are not being heard, so are voting with their wallets.

We need new ways of addressing our problems. If we do what we have always done, we will get what we always got. It is time to start thinking about future generations and what we are leaving behind for them.

Happy holidays, and me thinks the upcoming polling will be very interesting. Dr. Paul is helping to make it that way!

I believe
Posted by: jimd52 | December 19, 2007 06:52 PM

is partially right but did not go far enough...

A huge base of the Republican and Democratic voters have left and become alienated with government...Alot of Republicans stayed home in 06..They let the Democrats win...Now the Dems have ticked off an important part of their base...Dennis Kucinich has come out in support of Paul and I would keep my eyes on those two..
I smell a new party and I believe it to be the "Consitutionalist" party.
I believe their will be alot of people in this party..
I know how Rons brain works..He is not very complicated all though his brain does work on several levels and you must keep up..
He does not think in terms of what is moral, or what makes people happy or even if mother would approve, he looks to his Constitution just like Dennis does and this is what we need.
This is how he will cut foreign aid to Israel...Or Saudi Arabia or anyone else...He may feel it morally wrong, but the Constitution does not tell him to be moralistic in giving aid.
The Constitution says "stay out of entangling alliances".
He says our constitution has a fix for about 80% of what ales this country and with the peoples help he will try to fix the remaining 20%..This is why he says it will not be that hard...All we have to do is follow our constitution...We have directions in writing for what to do..
We must use this now.
I agree!
So do All Ron Paul supporters.

hUCKABEE HAS UNLEASHED HIS NEWLY FORMED FULLY FUNCTIONAL cHRISTIAN ARMY ON rON..
They have invaded threads and pollings...They have been going into forums and putting links saying "donate to ron paul" then when you get to the link if you look close it is a Huckabee site..
Hucksters were found phoning Romney supporters in Iowa and NH.
They have been behind this telephoning pranks and the like..
Huckabee and Romney have been chosen and if going against Hillary Clinton Im off!

One more note: Something strikes me as suspicious about the first post at the top. I'm not so sure that was actually posted by a supporter of Ron Paul. If it was, it doesn't make any sense.

Ron Paul has attracted the support of millions of disaffected Americans. Close to 70% of Americans, according to the polls, say the country is heading in the wrong direction. The middle class is very anxious about the economy, outsourcing and immigration. They are sick of politics as usual and Ron Paul is the antithesis of the modern, poll-driven, focus group tested, pre-packaged political product. He speaks in simple direct sentences and offers simplistic solutions that are appealing to many people.

Ron Paul has attracted a very incongruous group of followers. I would identify them as follows:

1. The commited ideological Libertarians - a very small but articulate and motivated minority.

2. There are a lot of people who are fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Ron Paul has a lot of appeal to these people. Many of these people are independents and the overwhelming majority of independents oppose the Iraq war. His message of fiscal restraint, limited government along with his 'live and let live' social issue positions resonates with these people, many of whom are more educated and affluent than the average citizen.

3. Old fashioned Robert Taft-Barry Goldwater Republicans - there was a strong isolationist strain in the pre-WWII Republican party and, with the end of the Cold War, this attitude is reasserting itself. These folks are disgusted with the runaway spending, growth of government, and Wilsonian foreign policy of the Bush administration. Ron Paul has struck a very responsive chord with these voters.

4. As evidenced by some of the posts above, he is also attracting the support of many of the conspiracy theorists. His argument that the government has been violating the Constitution for the last 90 years or so and that he will abolish the IRS appeals to many of these people. There is a cult out there pushing the notion that the federal income tax is unconstitutional. Several of them are in jail for tax evasion. He also has the support of the people who see black helicopters hovering on the horizon poised to impose one world government under the UN courtesy of the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Rockefellers and a world-wide Jewish conspiracy.

He is also a very appealing candidate - this will be a change election and the anti-politician image is very popular. However, there is a definite upper limit to his potential vote totals. Once the negative impact some of his policies would have on the economy is made clear, a lot of his support will fade away. I think the fair tax, abolishing the Federal Reserve, and putting the currency on a metallic standard represent true voodoo economics.

MY LIST TO SANTA:

I live in Rons district and we have seen him do this before...He only uses the power of the people! 97% of contributions to his house campaign here come from individuals. NOT corporations. The next closest is Sheila Jackson-Lee with 67% from individuals.
Ron is a truth sayer. Like it or not. He weighs his decisions on his votes very carefully against his morals, our morals, our laws and then the Constitution..If something comes up that he feels the Constitution does not grant him specific power to vote on as a FEDERAL official, he will vote NAY every time.

Rons appeal is that of several.
People like his being a baby doctor and see joy and love and life in it.
People see his truths.
People see his telling us to be warned, as REAL!
We know he is right. We can feel it. Why is what he says taken so far off base?
IS AMERICA BLIND?

I think Americans have gotten used to outsourcing their lives and Ron knows this power can be dangerous if placed in the wrong hands like it has..
See, Ron is one of the last few that still believes the power of the people, through the Constitution, is absolute power.
He knows this power is the only thing that can bring down this corrupted government that is in bed with the corporations.
I agree!
Ron does not hate these corporations. He sees them as vital to our way of life.
What he wants to do is cut the head off this huge, runaway, corrupted federal government and return power to the individual states(closer to the people).
If he had his way it would even be more local than that, but this would be unConstitutional.
The Constitution says the states have power.

This strikes many as odd.
But this is how things were for most of our great existence. This is what makes us unique.
It is not United of America.
It is United STATES!
States=different/ not same.
He believes most of our problems have been created because we have taken power from the states and placed it further from the people, and now we have virtually no voice.
He knows he is not the end all to all the problems we face.
He does not even say he has all the answers, though I think he has good ones.
He says the people are being restrained by our Constitution and the Constitution was made to restrain government.
He says we must reverse course or suffer a long hard fight to get our freedom back.
Better to live broke and free than broke and not free.
We will be broke for a long time to come. Ron knows this. But raising taxes and borrowing more to keep war going was a mistake made several times before.
He knows what needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.
He will call for a Constitutional Conference and with the help of the people and the congress and some good scholars like Bruce Fein and others, they will make the Constitution stronger.
Maybe even a Constituional Court, detached from the Supreme Court, like Spain(who holds the best civil rights record to date/ number 1 for civil rights...we should take notes, we are like 45 or 50th!)
We feel we must do something drastic.
We can never have this happen again..

Ron Pauls campaign is based on ALL the TRUE American qualities.
Ideas.
Imagination of a bright future.
No supporting of the evil in this country. NO MSM advertising, they will use local radio and TV and printers to do their work.
NOT TIME AND NEWSWEEK.
We view these as enemies.
You will see the work of a true politician.
He will begin to drop bombs now.

It has begun!
The time has come...

Watch how this man uses the MSM against themselves.
Watch how he commands attention and interviews but pays for NONE of them. Watch how he sits back and watches these corrupted platforms fight each other for the top spot, mean while they ignore him!
They are frustrated.
They cant attack him!
He doesnt even exist to them.
They have made this mistake BEFORE!
We have seen it..
Behold what America is in store for...
We will witness the true power of the American people for all the world to see!

Watch how MSM and others scramble to introduce Paul, so they can smear him!
Watch how he sits back and exposes the bias of the MSM, without lifting a finger.
Watch how they try to expose him, but cant, because he has lived his life spotless.

They should not even be allowed on the same stage as this man...

You are witnessing the biggest grass roots movement this country has ever seen and it is gaining massive strength..
They know this and they are afraid.
The neoconservatives lose to Ron EVERY time in our home district..
He has won 10 consecutive times here!

What a way to beat them! Using one of their own to take them down!
How American
They WILL go down.
The neos spent a million dollars to unseat Dr. Paul here in his home district.
They asked the Democrat to jump ship and join them against Paul. He did.
They promised him he would run unopposed.
Only problem was Dr. Paul did not agree to this and they lost to his 65% of the vote!(a wider margin than the election before!)
What does that say?
No big oil money in our big oil district, either?
The corrupted neos are forever embarrassed here, and will not even discuss it.
Hell, they cant even figure out what it is about him the people like.
Neither party can.
Even Karl Rove has said "do not underestimate the power Ron Paul has with the people."
Well, guess what?
They already have!
Again!
He will use these people against themselves and they can do nothing but shut up and take it.
The peoples voice will be heard, with or with out the MSM.

The answer to your question is:

We love him and we trust him!
Even though, he tells us not to.
Above all else, he has taught us not to trust government with our power and we DONT.
We will use him to get it back and he said he will permit himself to be the conduit for freedom and true happiness!!
We cant do it with out you, please help us fight.

Sorry so long..
Cant do it in 1 or 3 sound bites.

Go Ron Paul.

BTW: I have always liked you Chris...I have never blogged...

Please stay true to the people...This too is where you receive your true power!
:)

To answer the question, now, what the financial support means is that there is a segment of the electorate that feels shortchanged by the same old type of politics and is not afraid to put its money where its ideals are.

Ron Paul is genuine.

I have often heard him referred to as "fringe" and "unconventional", and in one post someone meantioned the word "anarchy". That confuses me because I don't think it reflects what I've heard him say.

Dr. Paul speaks plainly and consistantly. I think that's part of his appeal. Also he speaks to matters we don't often hear politicians speak to (because its not politically safe). When he said that U.S. foreign policy has contributed to bitterness, when he talked about "blow-back", he was not telling us his own theories. He was quoting official reports. It has been very easy and very cheap for many in the media, as well as Mr. Guliani, to misrepresent him and to change the meaning of his words. Ron Paul speaks straight to us. Many others would give us versions of reality that do not challenge us to check out the real situation, but would attempt to lull our minds. Many of us appreciate this about Dr. Paul.

I think many of us are aware that most major media outlets are owned by a small number of people, and that these outlets have ubiquitous influence on our perceptions. I think a number of people realize that the Federal Reserve is a private company which manages our economy and reduces the value of our money over time. And many people feel that government is no longer accountable to the People as, in a Republic, it ought to be. Ron Paul speaks to these matters, and a lot of us have ripened ears to hear him.

His ideas make sense. I would hardly call them radical. They're quite traditional, in the best sense of the word. Look into it. Read his writings, watch his interviews, see if it makes sense.

At the very least, he has a message that isn't being spoken by any of the other candidates, and it is a message that to a certain extent appeals to a bloc of voters (somewhere between 5 and 20% of the electorate) that is fundamentally ignored by the current two party system.

The part that I have trouble understanding is that Rep. Paul is viewed as a fringe candidate when his view on governance was the norm as little as fifty to sixty years ago. The idea of a Federal system has been thrown to the winds, even among those Republicans who pretend to believe in it.

I'm a libertarian who trends toward Democratic candidates because they have over the course of time been less destructive of individual liberty than Republicans, and I find Rep. Paul's message appealing, even though we disagree on much.

I also think it helpful to let Chris know when and where you first found Ron Pauls message..
When is key..
They all call us Paultards and act like we have been here forever..
I joined the campaign in March...I was not hip to his message until then..
Now I know it all...I did my homework...All 1000 hours of it!

I joined March of 07.

Ron Paul's financial success means that he is a true top-tier front-runner and deserves more respect from the media. All that is left is an appropriate showing in the primaries/caucuses.

One thing we all need to realize is that if the votes are counted behind closed doors in secret, that's a sure sign of fraud. Just visit any third-world election. What we need are paper ballots and public vote audits to verify the accuracy of the votes cast. Diebold machines are woefully fraud-prone. It doesn't matter who we support, we all want our candidate to win fair and square. Therefore, we need more accountability in the election process.

Case in point: You mention the Iowa straw poll in August. If you recall, that vote was counted in secret behind closed doors and Diebold machines were used, some of which 'malfunctioned'. The person charged with auditing the poll is on Romney's campaign staff. Who among us Americans are willing to say that scenario is not just a little fishy?

One more thing. If you've ever taken an IQ quiz, you probably noticed that most of the questions are pattern recognition. So in that spirit, complete the following sequence:

Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush, _____.

That's not a naturally occurring sequence as the relevant variables involved in producing it are quite numerous and complex. Only vote manipulation is a logical explanation.

Wake up. Use your noggin. Things are not as they seem.

You gotta love ROn Paul supporters. Go get em ladies and gentlemen. Let the gop know that this country is ours, not theirs. They represent us only as long as we let them. this is not a monarchy. Show the gop that we left the empire to found america. Hold the red coat party loyalists to account and hold their feet to the fire. The party is yours.

novamatt:

"Let's say Paul doesn't win the nomination, and Huckabee or Romney or one of the other top-tier candidates does. Hard to believe, I know, but play along with me."

There's no other establishment candidate I'd support, and I actually only grudgingly have come to support Ron Paul. I work for a gay-rights organization, I'm pro-choice, and I'm pro-immigration (it doesn't bother me one bit when a peaceful and honest person crosses some imaginary line), so I find some of Dr. Paul's positions -- and, more than that, attitudes -- to be highly disturbing.

Nonetheless, if I'm ever going to support any candidate who has a chance of affecting things positively, this is the time and this is the man. I do not believe that Ron Paul will win the Republican nomination, but I believe his star will continue to rise and he'll run an independent or third-party campaign (he'd be a fool to throw away all that grassroots support). And I believe he'll poll the ten percent or five percent or even two percent that is necessary, in these times of razor-thin electoral margins, to hold the Democrats' feet to the fire (on the war, spying, indefinite detention, etc.) as well as the Republicans' (fiscal sanity).

That's about the most I can expect for my vote or my contribution to accomplish these days.

To complete the answer to your question, if Ron Paul doesn't end up in the general election at all, I'll mostl likely support the Libertarian or Green candidate.

I think we see in Dr. Paul someone who has integrity and honesty, courage to speak the truth, strength to accept the derision from the media, and honor to stand up for his beliefs and never waver. He has given us the chance to rekindle our belief in the freedom and liberty promised to every American citizen. He has inspired us to believe in America and the feeling that We The People really matter. I have admired Dr. Paul even before he announced he was running for president. I have heard his views in the House watching C-Span, and I have subscribed to his newsletters for some time now. One of the best was his newsletter entitled "Neo-Conned." It gives one of the best descriptions of how it started, what they stand for, how it is harming our country, and the people who have made it the policy of the government. He is against everything they stand for. I am too. Finding a candidate who has your exact same views on everything would be fantastic, but I don't think it would be possible. Finding a candidate who embodies your belief in America and what she can be isn't. Dr. Paul does that. The owners of this paper, many of their writers and the Neo-Conservative think tanks they allow to voice their opinions, as well as other media conglomerates, ascribe to the New World Order and a one world government agenda of the groups mentioned in a previous post, who are intent upon bringing everyone under an elitist dominate group who believe the ordinary people don't have the intellect to know how to manage their lives and they feel only they have the knowledge to make the world run and be prosperous,peaceful, and equal for all people. Most all of the candidates are either members of these groups or are under their influence. Dr. Paul is not. He is independent of their plans for the world and believes in nations and their sovereignty, the right of countries to govern their way without the United States becoming entangled in their affairs, and the individual right to manage your own life without government intrusion. He doesn't say he is against protecting, preserving, or defending our nation against an invasion with military force. He just doesn't believe in going into another country pre-emptively. is not against military action against an invasion of our country. He does believe in maintaining good diplomatic relations with other countries and respecting each nation's sovereignty. He is a good and honorable man and deserves the support he has been given. I hope many will recognize this and support him. It would be a happy and liberating day if he could have success and send a message to the media that the American people reject being told only what the media wants us to hear and read.

Let me summarize why I think Ron Paul is
raising a lot of money; Honesty, integrity
and logic; things people identify with deep down!! Honesty should be easy--Ron Paul refuses to lie. Integrity--Ron Paul
refuses to cave in to politically correct
pressures. Logic--Ron Paul knows that you
cannot continue to give a blank check to a
corrupt Federal government and expect it to
balance its budget.

One poster here claims that Ron Paul has
about 3% backing at best...we will just have to see about that...and it is not
just kooky college students that believe
in Ron Paul's message. I am 53 and I served in the military and there are millions of others like me. Ron Paul's
message is coming through loud and clear
to young people and Baby Boomers alike.

If you take the time to listen to his message, you might learn something about
honesty, integrity, and logic.

As a Ron Paul supporter, I am absolutely delighted that he has been able to raise more than $18 million this quarter. What a thrill it was to see him pull in $4.5 million on November 5th and then set a single-day fundraising record with $6 million on December 16th! But will all of that money translate into enough votes to get Paul some key victories in the early primaries and caucuses and ultimately the GOP presidential nomination? With my heart, I certainly hope so. But with my head, I'm thinking it probably won't.

The reason I'm thinking the way I am is because I don't believe our country is ready for a great man like Ron Paul. That's too bad for all of us. No matter how much of that money Dr. Paul spends to familiarize voters with his stands on the issues, too many people are going to automatically reject his brand of politics. They have been conditioned and preprogrammed to do so.

In this country, people have grown too accustomed to having the federal government do what the states should be doing or even what individuals should be doing for themselves. They have become too comfortable with pandering politicians offering to "help" them with the management of their daily lives and promising to hand out more goodies than the next guy. Paul's style just cuts too much against the grain of the conventional foolishness. The general population of voters will find his minimalist approach to government too foreign to them and, due partly to irresponsible "reporting" by the mainstream media, they will be spooked.

Therefore, I believe Paul, despite all the money, will still have still have difficulty rising above single digits in most states. I see the only possible exceptions being New Hampshire and Alaska, where he could garner 15-20% of the vote. But, then again, maybe I'm wrong. I never thought the $18 million was possible.

Terry Mitchell
http://commenterry.blogs.com

PS.... i read this in an above comment

"Ron Paul attracts the disaffected fringe."

YES, THE ENTIRE MIDDLE CLASS OF AMERICA!

Ron Paul vs. The Philosophically Bankrupt

After reading the name-calling and other non sequiturs from the anti-Ron Paul crowd, I am of the view that their hostility arises less from his opposition to war, or the direction American foreign policy has taken for decades, or any of the other specific programs he has criticized. What troubles them the most is that Paul has a philosophically-principled integrity in what he advocates and that, to challenge him, one must be prepared to deal with him at that higher level.

But modern political discourse long ago gave up on principles, in favor of the pursuit of power as a sufficient end. There is an intellectual bankruptcy exhibited by writers and speakers on the political "left," "right," or "middle." Competing ideas and values that once engaged the minds of thoughtful men and women have given way to little more than pronouncements on behalf of narrowly-defined political programs; the validity of a proposition no longer depends upon reasoned analysis, but upon the outcome of public opinion polls.

Ron Paul's campaign interjects an energized, principled inquiry into the political realm, an undertaking for which men and women with no philosophic center or rigorous minds find themselves woefully ill-prepared.

I see you have generated a few posts here!!! tee hee

This is what the vote will look like....WE CARE and are tired of being lied to, stolen from and manipulated.

Ron Paul is brilliant, authentic, principled and OUR CHOICE! Welcome to the American Enlightenment!

brenda.little says
"I was dismissive at the time, but after he persisted in telling me to check him out, I did and have come to fully support him as does my son and MANY of his friends, all whom happen to be among those not included in most polls."


Are they voting in the GOP primary?

I know exactly why Ron Paul is so popular. But you could never believe me. The explanation is utterly contradictory to everything you believe to be true. Others will probably explain it, clearly and eloquently, but you will pass over the truth because it will appear to you to be irrational and fantastic.

What is behind the amount of money Ron Paul raised? His supporters are behind it -- in MUCH larger numbers than most "experts" or the mainstream media (MSM) understand. I am a 40 year old teacher, and though I have voted in every presidential election, have done so with very little enthusiasm or true belief in the candidates. It was more of choosing what I believed was "the lesser of two evils".

For the first time, I have donated to a presidential campaign (twice now), will be voting in a primary, am promoting a candidate with yard signs, bumper stickers, emails to friends & family, etc. Why? Because for the first time I actually believe in a candidate and his position on several extremely important issues. One of those being our totally out-of-control government spending resulting in a sickening national debt that is growing at an alarming rate. You can watch this growing at the rate of approximately $100,000 every 3 seconds on Ron Paul's official Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/ronpaul2008

I am representative of many others like me who believe that Ron Paul is the only candidate talking about issues that are CORE to America. And he makes sense -- he is straightforward with none of that double talking. He has sound, responsible ideas for addressing the most pressing concerns in our country. Most of us believe that any other candidate, regardless of party affiliation, regardless of empty campaign promises, will just continue on with "business as usual" in the federal government.

An interesting side note: My 22 year old son first told me about Ron Paul months ago. I was dismissive at the time, but after he persisted in telling me to check him out, I did and have come to fully support him as does my son and MANY of his friends, all whom happen to be among those not included in most polls.

So that's what's behind all the money that came in? Plain and simple -- its merely representative of the tremendous amount of support this candidate has. There's no mystery. The only reason the "experts" and MSM are baffled by the financial support Ron Paul has received is that they are relying on outdated methods for assessing the support a candidate has.

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but I couldn't force my way through all of the previous comments.

The way I see it, Ron Paul's fanbase is composed of this group of young, educated, pseudointellectual elites who were looking for something to latch on to after becoming disillusioned with the political process. Being 1) only recently disillusioned, 2) young, and 3) elite, they were able to 1) still be freely passionate about a cause, 2) be very savvy about new technology, and 3) fork over the necessary money. And that just got the ball rolling, because once he had this very passionate internet and college campus following, the mainstream media had to take notice. And, I mean, there's been a whole lot of plain old word-of-mouth advertising; his followers aren't afraid to speak their mind; if they were, he'd be in a far worse position.

A few of my friends (Ron Paul-ites) were discussing how to spread propaganda about him: "You tell a republican he's a *real* republican, and you tell and independent/libertarian/etc. that he's a libertarian." And looking at it that way, you do reach a wider base than someone who is just a third party candidate, or even someone who is a straight up Republican or Democrat. So perhaps that is another factor.

I think a lot of people who aren't comfortable with the idea of "socialism" but are in favor of increased civil liberties and the like (possibly secular fiscal conservatives, etc.) see Ron Paul's ideology as their own.

But basically he has supporters who are very politically aware, very tired of the status quo, very wealthy, and very willing to take advantage this perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really change American politics. And they have also spread the word to people less like them: you know, "average Joe"s and the like, expanding his fanbase (although I'm pretty sure all/most of the money still comes from the former group.)

I don't get where the confusion is coming in at. I'm a registered republican but did not vote in the last presidential election. Let's see... evil, or less than evil, what a choice! Post '04's administration has been an embarrassment to the party! I was nearly ready to denounce citizenship until Dr. Paul. Under the Bush regime (again, I'm a republican), we have lost all our liberties, and many Americans just don't get it yet. It was Bush that initially wanted Amnesty and his lap dogs followed (until they had to go home and face their constituents). Rule of law? What's that? It's Dr. Paul that will get this country back to its roots. Where we can again shine as a country and hold our heads up. This administration (both republicans and democrats) has led us into debt, poverty, shame and shackles. Dr. Paul is for the constitution; a 180 from the above. Gee... what's not to like about that? Americans are tired of the same ole same ole politics, what's not to get?
GO DR PAUL!!!

I don't get where the confusion is coming in at. I'm a registered republican but did not vote in the last presidential election. Let's see... evil, or less than evil, what a choice! Post '04's administration has been an embarrassment to the party! I was nearly ready to denounce citizenship until Dr. Paul. Under the Bush regime (again, I'm a republican), we have lost all our liberties, and many Americans just don't get it yet. It was Bush that initially wanted Amnesty and his lap dogs followed (until they had to go home and face their constituents). Rule of law? What's that? It's Dr. Paul that will get this country back to its roots. Where we can again shine as a country and hold our heads up. This administration (both republicans and democrats) has led us into debt, poverty, shame and shackles. Dr. Paul is for the constitution; a 180 from the above. Gee... what's not to like about that? Americans are tired of the same ole same ole politics, what's not to get?
GO DR PAUL!!!

1) Opposes the war in Iraq in particular and liberal imperialism in general.
2) Inspires those dissatisfied with the quality of the Republican candidates.
a) Honest. Wrong on nearly every count, but not disingenuous about where he stands.
b) Intelligent. Wrong on nearly every count, but able to make a case for most of his program.
c) Consistent. Ron Paul of today is Ron Paul of twenty years go.
d) Actually would dismantle government: the revenge of generations of Republicans who have voted for smaller government and gotten bloated bureaucracies and massive deficits instead.
3) Inspires Romantic Longings. David. Don Quixote. Robin Hood.
4) Has a blimp. Who doesn't love a guy with a blimp?

Hope at least a few of these Paul supporters stay with us through the early states. Still want to see their take on Paul's performance, the rest of the field, and whom they might support beyond him.

It's striking how much people want to believe that all of our political ills can be banished if we just elect this one guy. Ron Paul couldn't do that alone even if he were elected president in a landslide. I want to tell the Paul-ists that when their guy loses (which he will, sorry), don't get discouraged. Find other like-minded candidates running for whatever office and get behind them. Or run for office yourself. Idealism is good. We need more idealists, of many different stripes, involved in politics.

Ron Paul could be the last chance for America to return to an America of the people and by the people. The present administration and several past administrations have not been representing the wishes of the people. Ron Paul represents the constitution and, I for one, agree with him. If we continue on the present course for America, I hate to think what our future will hold. I hope the new funds he has accumulated will help him to get ellected. I wish the media would also give him equal coverage.

A Soldiers Personal Revolution

I joined the Army in the early months of 2001; my patriotism led me to the recruiter's office. I had grown up in awe of my grandfathers and their stories of World War II, and their reminiscing became my dreams. When I got to basic training I did not talk about missing home like the other recruits around me, I felt at home in ways I never had before.

The weeks after 9/11 found me in Kosovo, part of C co 3/7 Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, patrolling the border with Macedonia as part of our duties. We had ammunition to defend ourselves with and the authority to apprehend anyone crossing the border illegally. I will get back to why these details are important later.

Fast forward to 2003, I am rolling across the desert in the back of a Bradley fighting vehicle, part of the spearhead into Iraq. Other than those first three weeks of "Shock and Awe" what I remember most about Iraq was the people. Crowds of kids wanting to know about Michael Jackson and Britney Spears, open-minded adults wanted to know about our social freedoms, and ninety some percent of Iraqis just wanted to raise their families in peace and did not hesitate to tell us. I really fell in love with the Iraqi people. My platoon and I played soccer with some of those crowds of kids, we had dinner and shared food with families in their homes, we even went to a few house parties, and my lieutenant and I spent one very memorable afternoon swimming in an irrigation ditch with five young women. It is all of them I think of when anyone tells me we need to turn the Middle East into a sheet of glass or that all Muslims are our enemies.

I remember thinking on this briefly when I was there, but more so since I've returned, usually when I'm day dreaming behind the wheel of my van, but what we were doing when we were doing our jobs, patrolling the streets, conducting road blocks vehicle searches, bodily searching individuals, and searching houses, couldn't be helping our long range plans for winning hearts and minds. I really have to wonder, how long would it take me to move from a position of thanks for my despotic government being removed to feeling like I lived in a conquered and occupied country if I saw foreign troops on the streets of my hometown Tallahassee everyday? Add to this our having bases and troops in Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, ( I may have missed a few, we have approximately 700 bases in 130 countries ) some of them for decades, our Navy of their coast, our fighter jets in their sky's , the CIA in business with monarchs, dictators and thugs, and our State Department treating their leaders like irresponsible children, it's no wonder moderate Muslims takes to the streets shouting " Death to America" and a minority takes action against us. I would expect we would be doing the same thing if say, China had bases on our soil, and her Navy patrolled our coastline and Chinese fighter jets streaked across our sky. In short, this is all hard to admit, but our actions do have consequences.

Fast forward again to the present day, I am out of active duty, and in the Army Reserves. (I wanted to stay active duty, but my wife said I would be single, so we had a compromise.)To be honest the reserves has bored me to tears and I haven't felt like I'm giving anything back to my country, so I looked into getting attached to a National Guard unit on our border with Mexico for a tour or two. However, when I learned they don't have the authority to apprehend illegal border crossers and can only call up our overworked and overstretched border patrol when they spot illegal activity, I got myself in trouble again by thinking - about what I had done in Kosovo and about what I knew our military had done to our own people in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina ( disarmed law abiding civilians only trying to protect themselves when the police had failed to do so) . To add insult to injury, our Guardsmen and women on our own border don't have ammunition and have on several documented occasions actually had to retreat when facing fire from Mexican paramilitary groups. Now why would I want to sign up for that? To be witness to the violation of America's sovereignty? No one in the Executive branch of our government is doing anything about it, and it makes me wonder why I am even in the Army at all.

Why are we the worlds policeman when our own country is being openly violated? Why are we borrowing money hand over fist from nations not exactly our friends, just to spend it on our out of control foreign policy? I am starting to feel like the powers that be do not have America's interests in mind at all. It's starting to feel like our ruin is their objective. From our factories closing and moving overseas, to the plunging value of our dollar, America is crumbling. Yet I love her far to much to watch her fall apart.
This is why I am taking my personal revolution and joining forces with Dr. Ron Paul's revolution. His "bring all the troops home" non-intervention foreign policy and plans to put America first again are just what we need at this time in our history. I don't expect you to agree with everything he says, but I do hope we can all put our differences aside and join him in seeing that ALL the troops come home, the Republic is restored and America saved.

Dr. Paul's financial success is a reflection of America's disenfranchisement. America doesn't see hope in either the political party as reflected by the ridiculously low approval ratings of the Congress. Ron Paul's message simplicity resonates with the citizens who actually can't believe the "spiel" from the other candidates. Dr. Paul's followers cross age, demographic, political, and philosophical boundaries. The only boundary that Ron Paul won't cross is moral. The other candidates can speak about their "current" views, but Ron Paul's record speaks for its past, present, and future views. How can one say that? Easy, he follows the Constitution. Money is a symbol for the people's "hope" that their government will listen and work for THEM.

"What does Paul's financial success mean?"

It means that not even corporately owned media can hide a candidate of true integrity long enough to silence him out of the nomination.

It means that there is finally hope for the effort of the average joe in this country, to return to the average joe's in this country, the hard-earned tax money that has been getting sucked up by the disgustingly wealthy corporations only to have it squandered on new suits, electric hairbrushes, and murderous empire-building.

It means that the average joe who hears Dr. Ron Paul's message of letting the corporations pay for their polluting practices without subsidies from tax dollars, it resonates.

It means that American joe's have been anticipating a revolutionary leader of integrity, and that the time for realizing this dream has come.

PEACE.

thecrisis- "Craig...how exactly is Paul going to become the nominee? You guys know there is a process to becoming the nominee and it's called the caucus/primary process...I know that Ronbots want him to be ordained the nominee by magical aliens or something but at this point in the game, no amount of money is going to make Paul, a complete psychotic, have a chance in Iowa or New Hampshire."

I think that you (and the others like you) are going to be surprised by the turnout of the Paul supporters in the primaries.

That is when those who want to deny and belittle this "phenomenon" that is the Ron Paul revolution will be left confused and dumbfounded.

We actually "get it" and will be out there voting for Ron Paul when the time comes.

And to answer the other question about what I will do if Ron Paul doesn't get the GOP nomination. I will then vote for the Libertarian candidate (whoever that is) since that will be the person who most closely agrees with my political views.

Am I in 100% agreement with Ron Paul on the issues? - NO! Will I be in 100% agreement on the issues with whoever is the Libertarian candidate? - NO!

But either will be a hell of a lot closer to me than anyone else that is out there.

Ron Paul isn't perfect, but he is as close as we are ever going to get to what we want and need.

That is why we are putting our money, our time, and eventually our votes into the Ron Paul campaign.

Craig

The media is behind the times in a big way. Now that the internet exists, many get their news that way these days. This method of getting news also allows me to figure out, almost immediately whether or not the article is spin, because I can research it.

When I came across Ron Paul I liked what I read and what I heard in his videos. I researched his positions and statements and found them to be consistently true and I finally had a candidate to back that wasn't status quo and in whom I could trust to not become corrupt, and his record backs that up.

Realizing, through internet media, how corrupt the system is and the media alongside it, cheering it on. Hiding things about the Iraq war, economics, etc. made me realize that Paul will not get a fair shake in a system that is set up to keep "outsiders" out. So, we realize that we have to go above and beyond anything we've ever done before. Set fundraising records, make videos, have feet on the ground support. Something that I've never done for any other candidate.

To understand it, read up on Ron Paul's positions, watch a few videos on YouTube, go to a meetup meeting. I'm sure there's plenty.

We realize that we have the numbers, the support and a bullet-proof ethical candidate. At first, Ron Paul's positions may seem alien and over the top, but the more research you do, you'll realize that this guy has it right.

thecrisis: FYI Obama had a money bomb donation day. Guess what, he didn't even get to $5,000.00. So there's your grassroots for him. So-where did his campaign money come from? Well-BIG BUSINESS OF COURSE. He is not WE THE PEOPLE. He is ME FOR BIG BUSINESS.

Hi _Colin,

Hopefully I'm not mis-reading the question, but I beleive neither? From his past behavior as a Congressman I beleive he asks:
Does the Constitution authorize Congress to pass a law? And form there he votes. (rather than voting for what would benefit him)

Paul's fund-raising success isn't due to long-term libertarians like me, but to tens of thousands of people attracted to his principles and principledness, and who are repelled by what the Republican and Democrats have become.

No other candidates speak as clearly about what they believe and no candidate above him in the polls will commit to getting out of Iraq quickly.

Democrats and Republicans have absolutely caved in to George Bush's grab of government power. Ron Paul stands for the individual rights, rule of law, separation of powers, and minimal government ideas that our country was founded on.

Contributions to Ron Paul in the 4th quarter have averaged $147 per person. It is a grass roots campaign if there ever was one.

_Colin wrote:
"Is Rep Paul's position that those Supreme Court decisions are somehow invalid, despite the Court's unquestioned power of judicial review, or does he propose AMENDING the constitution to reflect his views?"

I don't know for certain. However, I've heard Paul's supporters claim that their candidate believes that the federal government only holds those powers specifically enumerated by the Constitution. Since judicial review arose from Marshall's interpretation of Article III rather than from a rigidly literal reading of it, my guess would be that Paul considers judicial review an unconstitutional expansion of the Supreme Court's power.

amazing-almost 300 posts and all of them ron paul supporters. congrats, i hope your guy pulls out a suprise win in iowa.

a minor quibble tho, my home state of michigan im noticing a bunch of homemade ron paul signs on the over pass(the most recent one on I-96 eastbound about a mile before the detroit border) could you guys at least put them on the side of the road? its a lot easier to read, rather than me having to turn my head and almost ram my car into a 18 wheeler.

but in all seriousness, now have you guys ever though say through some sheer luck, ron paul wins the nomination? do you honestly think that he would actually beat any of dems we have running right now? i cant even find any polls showing that(considering it would be a curbstomp).

but here's the 64thousand dollar question, if you paul doesnt win the nom, will you support the gop canidate, or vote libertarian en mass?

hey rufus: you misunderstand. I am 100 percent in favor of paul carrying his fight for the GOP nomination all the way to the convention, and then to a 3rd party bid when the nomination goes to one of the GOP hacks like Willard Mittens Romney.

Possible reason for alternative "Ron Paul"?

Someone of simple wisdom once said "Pile up a lot of money and you will attract thieves". No truer statement could be used to describe our government -- local, state, and national. Our National disgrace is magnified by countless billions, even trillions of current and future taxpayer dollars. We truly live in an extreme evolvement of a "Government for Sale". All other issue debates relate to the symptoms rather than this disease.

Political parties, politicians, agencies, contractors, corporations, foreign governments, etc. all benefit from the over (and probable under) the table decisions and stalemates prosecuted legislatively and administratively by our government. Even without the speaking fees and book deals, we send our Mr. and Ms. Smith to office only to watch the disintegration of their ethics, morality and conscience as they turn promises into well paid careers and pensions.

Regardless of your opinion of Wal-Mart, they will not allow any vested party to take their buyers to lunch, offer gifts or trips or anything that might taint the objectivity of their buying decisions. Not so with the leadership of our increasingly corrupt government. Today, there are lobbyists for every position of every issue from the most minute to the magnitude of war, health care, energy, social security, environment, education, and infrastructure and on and on. Long term solutions of any of these issues would terminate the flow of funds to all sides of those issues. Political parties and the elections of their candidates play to the same failure of our current system.

The sell-out and resulting wastes are unimaginable by many Americans. This "doomsday bomb of economic debt" will reach critical mass for future generations, but well after its creators, our leaders, have left the scene to their financially protected bunkers. Note: It will be interesting to see how much time Vice President Cheney spends in this country after January '09 versus in the palaces of Halliburton in Dubai.

Given our current crisis, our country would be better served by publicly funding a level playing field for elections rather than allowing a bought and paid for government by special interest. Additionally, term limits has and continues to be a key component to statesmanship versus career politicians.

As patriots, our bewilderment has lead to frustration, even anger, but the solutions seem insurmountable. Evolution of this corruption appears to many that only some form of revolution could resolve. Choices in the election process have only lead to disappointment and voter apathy; thus perpetuating the problem. It has taken generations to reach our current situation and may take generations to correct and only then if there is absolute resolve to do so. However, everything is at stake. Regardless of your party preference, our slogan should read "Re-Elect No One". Your current representatives are truly no better than mine. Both the pledge and action of our elected officials must be like Wal-Mart: to eliminate the funds that influence decisions and often indecisions. Local and state officials should be held just as accountable.

The teeth of this integrity law would include immediate dismissal from office, substantial financial penalties, potential prison time, and hopefully the shame of the country. Additionally, foreign countries should be encouraged to expose what are possibly the deposits or promise of deposits to offshore accounts in their name, their family, or their friends of the most corrupt. Money itself is not corrupt, but the desire to acquire it at the expense of our society and our country seems criminal to all but our leadership.