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They are real:

(1) they are mostly younger (18-40)
(2) a portion are traditionally non-voters, some are third party (Constitution, Libertarian), some are Democrats, a lot are independents, and some are Republicans (the last category is growing the fastest, and the Democrat supporters are shrinking in number, with most headed to the Obama camp - Kucinich is not on the radar).
(3) all have libertarian leanings (shock!)
(4) they universally hate Hillary's guts, and most have a seething hatred of Giuliani as well
(5) most ignore network news, and get their news from internet sources
(6) many of the older Republican supporters have been Ron Paul fans since the 1990's, their politics not having changed an iota since then
(7) they are all extremely motivated

The last point is critical, and I cannot stress it enough. They are in this for Paul to win, and I know many who are making a significant personal financial sacrifice to donate money to the campaign. Every supporter I know is operating independently from the official campaign. They deluge small local papers with letters, slap Ron Paul fliers under windshield wipers in parking lots, and run mini-campaigns (on campuses for example) to get folks to register as Republicans so they can vote in the primaries. Ron Paul is seriously their hobby, and it is not even close to simply being only an online exercise.

Their enthusiasm is infectious as well, though there is obviously a point at which support will saturate (IMO, the support among Democrats is above the saturation point, so we are going to see most of the lightweight scum float to the top; Republican and independent support however are far below potential saturation). The comparisons to the "Dean phenomenon" are hollow (though the end result could be the same - with an effet pro-abort anti-gun pro-gay North-Easterner winning the nomination).

I see this all in a positive light, and don't think that this represents any enhancement of the likelihood Hillary will be elected (Paul pledged to NOT run third party - if he does, I take this all back and will join the anti-Paul brigade).

On my part, I'm simply explaining to Ron Paul supporters that Fred Thompson, through his support of Federalism, is the best alternative to bring to fruition the majority of Ron Paul's domestic agenda. If and when the Ron Paul campaign comes to an end, we either position ourselves to adopt some of the political refugees or lose them to the ether or opposition.

On my part, I'm simply explaining to Ron Paul supporters that Fred Thompson, through his support of Federalism, is the best alternative to bring to fruition the majority of Ron Paul's domestic agenda. If and when the Ron Paul campaign comes to an end, we either position ourselves to adopt some of the political refugees or lose them to the ether or opposition.

Funny, my approach is remarkably similar to your own.

On my part, I'm simply explaining to Fred Thompson supporters that Ron Paul, through his support of Federalism, is the best alternative to bring to fruition the majority of Fred Thompson's domestic agenda. If and when the Fred Thompson campaign comes to an end, we either position ourselves to adopt some of the political refugees or lose them to the ether or opposition.