Presidential candidate Ron Paul’s supporters use passion and intelligence to vault their candidate into the upper rungs of the Republican Primary Race.
Ron Paul’s presidential campaign began as an afterthought for most. Viewed as a protest candidate with little potential for impact, mainstream media outlets generally dismissed Paul’s candidacy while other Republican candidates ignored his platform of liberty and constitutional restraint.
Evidence of this could be seen during nationally televised debates, where Paul was often treated as a second class citizen, receiving far fewer questions than his fellow contenders. When questions were directed towards Paul - a staunch opponent of the War in Iraq - they were often of an irreverent nature, including queries about whether or not he belonged in the Republican Party or if he would support the Republican candidate should he lose.
But Paul and his followers were resolute. The lack of respect shown for the ten-term congressman seemed only to fuel the fire of his passionate and growing base of supporters. On October 30th, for example, the campaign announced that its YouTube channel had produced its 30,000th subscriber.
On October 17th Paul’s fund raising coordinator held a press conference announcing that the campaign, following its receipt of over $5 million in contributions during the third quarter, was the third most solvent in the Republican field, ahead of more recognized candidates like John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.
And again on October 30th, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Paul announced to the nation that despite popular sentiment, there was indeed a chance that he might succeed in his bid for the Republican nomination.
The media, however, was unconvinced. Determined not to believe that a candidate so wholly dedicated to the Constitution could find political success in an age of special interests, the media shrugged off Paul’s accomplishments, claiming that his success was largely the result of a small sect of dedicated online supporters.
This would change, however, after a successful November 5th fund raising effort where the candidate generated an astonishing $4.3 million in contributions in a 24-hour period. The truly remarkable aspect of this drive, however, is that the campaign took no part in its organization.
It was entirely organized by grassroots supporters who had established two goals for what they hoped would become an overnight historic event. First, the day was intended to raise a large amount of money for Paul’s campaign, a goal which was clearly accomplished. Second, by raising such a significant sum in such a short period, organizers hoped to send the message to the media that Paul’s supporters were comprised of far more than few internet junkies.
And the strategy worked. The $4.3 million in cash poured in from over 35,000 of Paul’s supporters, and the response from the media proved invaluable as Paul would receive attention from dozens of nationally televised news broadcasts. The candidate himself would make multiple high-profile appearances, greatly increasing name recognition amongst likely primary voters. In addition, hundreds of internet and print articles covering the day’s intake were published, making it clear that the intelligent design of the event proved effective towards its goal of putting the Congressman at the center of the national political spotlight.
This demonstration of support, however, may well be dwarfed by the next major effort being planned by Paul’s clever grassroots campaigners. A massive one day contribution drive has been planned for December 16th, the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The initiative’s website currently boasts commitments from over 14,000 people to donate at least $100 each on that day. And with 30 days left until the drive, that number is sure to grow.
The earliest scheduled Primary is set to take place in Iowa on January 3rd. If Paul can continue to build his name recognition through demonstrations like the $4.3 million raised on November 5th there is certainly a chance that he can surprise those who viewed him as an afterthought at the beginning of this race. And for those unfamiliar with the candidate you can find more information about his positions at his website, http://www.ronpaul2008.com.
Derek is a college student majoring in Business Management and History. You can visit his blog here or contact him at dgetbnn@gmail.com .
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22 users commented in " Paul’s Grassroots Supporters Paying Dividends "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThanks for the very fair article about Ron Paul, Derek!
He really is what we need.
Very balanced and fair article compared to some of the smear mongers we find among a few ill-informed bloggers on the web. Although most articles are positive we occasionally get the “Ron Paul is a racist, anti-poor, want the US back to the stone age” articles. This is the type of nonsense I guess you can accept as flattery since no one would write that about anyone who isn’t growing in numbers and potentially threat to the other same old candidates talking up the usually storm of catering to whomever they see would vote for them.
Thank you
Thanks Derek, really good job. RP supporters appreciate the good articles.
Excelent job! Spread the word. Nothing is more important then our freedom, and Ron Paul is the only person who has a plan to protect it. Other candidates offer policies and ‘promise’ change, but only Paul sticks to the Constitution. Wow, what a great idea…following the constitution, how original…Oh…wait…that’s what we should be doing.
I like how you put that, “third most solvent”, as a way of acknowledging that most of Romney’s money is borrowed. Actually, now you could almost certainly say “second most solvent”, since there’s little chance that Thompson is still ahead of him after his big haul so far this quarter. Granted, it’s not provable, since Thompson’s numbers aren’t public. But we all know it.
I love RON PAUL…..GO RON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Exactly. Were it not for Romney’s personal fortune he would appear far less legitimate on the financial end. It’s curious that that escapes the mainstream media. Anyways, glad to see that you guys enjoyed the article. RP’s supporters are a very intriguing group and deserve more mention in the press. I’m planning another article for this weekend or early next week, so check back. –derek
A question for the audience:
How many Ron Paul supporters are there?
Not Meetup members, not youtubers, not donors,
but basic supporters who plan on voting for Ron Paul.
Does anyone know?
Refreshing to see a balanced well written story on Ron Paul.
Thanks
I’ve only recently found Ron Paul’s message and platform - on the Internet. Media, TV and major print, really do the voters a disservice by not covering Paul, or worse, covering him with forked tongue and disrespect.
Seems the disconnect with Paul’s winning so huge in the straw polls, then rating so low in nationwide polls would be a big story.
What is that all about? No wait… don’t answer that. I’m disgusted and will leave it at that.
Now, let us put our money where our mouse is.
December 16th, donate to the Paul campaign.
I look forward to seeing a big smile from Ron Paul on the 17th. Certainly makes me glad to know that so many other folks find a sense of pride and urgency in his message of liberty and foreign policy. I am actually excited about.. the monetary system. That is a first! Thanks Ron.
We have a buffet of choices this election period; Socialism, Fascism, status quo - and then we have Ron Paul. Thank God we have the Internet to find his message.
https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/
Lets get this guy Ron Paul elected.
Dear undecided voters. Let me assure you Ron Paul is a ‘WINNER’. His candidacy attracts more independent and democratic voters than any other GOP candidate. This is now crucial because people have been leaving the GOP in droves due to the NEOCON polices and irresponsible spending practices of the Bush administration.
Whereas Ron Paul positions on the US returning to noninterventionist foreign, less government, allowing young people to opt of social security, stabilizing the dollar with a more sound monetary policy and his legendary fiscal restraint in combination with the fact that he is the only candidate willing to end the Iraq war NOW. All of which makes Dr. Paul the only GOP candidate capable of bringing a consensus of voters together to defeat Hilary!
No not think, for a second, a vote for Ron Paul would be a ‘wasted’ or ‘dead’ vote. To the contray, the truth is more likely there will be a ‘DEAD ELEPHANT’ for some time to come should Dr. Paul not get the GOP nod in 2008.
David Douglas
The major success of Dr. Paul’s campaign has been to bring together all those who have come to understand that humans are born free and that the US government, which was constructed to protect that freedom but currently only restricts it, or any other government for that matter, does not have the authority to tell those who live without disrupting the property of others how to live our lives. The challenge to us is to maintain that passion for liberty forever and to pass it on.
Ron Paul has a simple message of peace, freedom, and individual liberty. I constantly scratch my head and wonder why more politicians don’t just copy speeches given by our Founding Fathers. They would win landslide elections.
Anyway, Ron Paul is the real deal and is basically a classical liberal like our Founders. Low taxation, free markets, and free minds!
Remember the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party — on Dec. 16th there will be another “money bomb.”
This was a very positive, even glowing, article but that’s OK given the absolute smears that Dr. Paul has suffered in mainstream screeds.
Our federal government has been damaged by undue influence by special interests that also control most of the media, and their selfishness has compromised our monetary system, ruined our prestige in the world, and eroded freedom at home. For the first time in over 30 years of voting, I am actually excited about an election, have donated money, and am telling everyone I know about this unique opportunity to undo some of the damage that has been done by straying from what once made the United States a beacon of liberty and justice.
Thanks for the good read and positive reporting. Hope you’re canvassing your campus like there’s no tomorrow!
A great piece Derek, you should be writing for a daily national
Well done this writer. Merely by writing an honest article, you elevate yourself above the paid for spineless hacks that twist, misrepresent & downright lie about Mr Paul to further their own stock with their masters.
Derek, you’re going to do great in Business Management and History
Thanks for the article. If the future looks as bright as your article implies, you may be the next Rupert Murdoch but fighting the good fight.
How refreshing, a straight article that true to its headline reports matter of factly on what is a fascinating aspect amongst all the president contender campaigns.
DAWN OF THE AMERICAN REFORMATION, AND END OF THE ERA OF THE UGLY AMERICAN
This Ron Paul Libertarian rebellion is an escalation and re-orientation of the American Cultural War, by the American People, against the rising governmental tyranny by Neoconservative Republicans and Leftist Democrats.
It is sweeping across America like a wildfire - ignited by the illegal and unnecessary invasion of Iraq. It raises many crucial questions, such as:
Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to sacrifice precious American wealth and blood, in interests of domestic and foreign lobbies?
Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to allow my nation to be invaded and permanently occupied by illegal aliens?
Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to support the sacrificial killing of children, by their own mothers?
Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to discriminate against traditional religious practices in public schools, universities, marriage institutions, armed forces, and governmental offices?
This creeping governmental tyranny, driven by perverse special interests, has now been going on for so many decades, like the illegal invasion, that the impending American Reformation is regarded with fear and loathing, by those who are to lose their illicit gains.
Like Gandhi, Ron Paul is drawing his intrepid volunteers from the full spectrum of humanity; and World is cheering him on to victory.
Thanks god for independent internet media!
Nice article. The Old Media cannot seem to write an article without prefacing any positive Ron Paul campaign developments with slurs. Of course we know they are influenced by special interests. The same special interests that donate 90%+ of the funds to all the establishment politicians who are simply puppets to special interest groups.
His amazing surge in campaign donations has catapulted Ron Paul into contender status and I would not be surprised to see him overtake McCain and Giuliani in New Hampshire.
The extent so many individuals are going to in assisting Dr. Paul is heartwarming and inspiring. Because of them I decided recently to sell a diamond solitaire and wedding band I’ve had for awhile, the result of an engagement gone belly-up. The proceeds will go to the Ron Paul campaign on Dec. 16, the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party when another huge “money bomb” is set for Ron (http://www.ronpaul2008.com/), orchestrated entirely by independent volunteers (http://teaparty07.com/).
I could put the proceeds toward a new camera or toward my next vacation. I could invest it in a high-interest savings account. But what I really want most right now is to see Ron Paul pull an upset victory in a couple early primary states and have enough money to continue competitively in the next round of primaries.
I hope and rather expect that we will raise over $10 million for the Dec. 16 tea party. What a delicious shock wave that would send through the media who ignored him at first and through the other presidential campaigns, especially the ones who think they’ve got the nomination all sewed up.
Bravo!
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