Posted on 07/16/2007 7:28:50 AM PDT by MinimizeGovernment
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul may be stuck on the "long shot" list as far as the mainstream media is concerned, but hold the phone when it comes to Paul harnessing the raw power of the digital world.
The Libertarian-friendly Paul campaign recently became the first to launch an iPhone platform, utilizing Apple's new multi-purpose cell phone.
In a CNN telephone poll conducted in February 2007, Paul was the candidate with the least name recognition – running just ahead of John Cox, the Chicago businessman and talk show host.
But the congressman from Texas has a knack for shining on the Internet -- and winning Internet polls. After the New Hampshire Republican debate, for instance, MSNBC polls showed Paul winning 69 percent of the vote from viewers who tapped him as the "best candidate in the debate."
Even though Paul typically polls between one percent and two percent nationally in the race for the GOP nomination, he left the more recent Columbia, S.C., debate ranked second by a Fox News text-message poll.
Another positive – and surprising – sign that Paul's campaign is on the upswing came when his campaign reported it had an impressive $2.4 million in cash on hand after raising that amount in the second quarter. That put him ahead of one-time front-runner John McCain, who reported last week that he had only $2 million in the bank.
"I think some of the candidates are on the down-slope, and we're on the up-slope," Paul said in an interview on ABC's "This Week."
Paul, 71 – who ran for President as the Libertarian Party nominee in 1988 – is seemingly getting strong support from libertarians, a relatively well-to-do demographic. Libertarians also seem to populate the world of Silicon Valley and the internet geekdom – techies who would like to see a bold new world based on the type of freedom the internet offers.
Paul favors a non-interventionist foreign policy, is critical of civil liberties being curtailed in the name of the War on Terror, voted twice against the Patriot Act, wants no part of a military draft, and would like to see the U.S. pull out of the United Nations.
Paul, a medical doctor, has an unwavering personal credo to never vote for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.
Recent encouraging results have inspired the handlers of his campaign, who have watched their candidate catch fire in the digital grassroots, to move his cause across the country using such hip vehicles as Internet Meetup, Yahoo, and FaceBook groups.
YouTube videos have helped with his media recognition as well, and so has his new iPhone platform.
The iPhone, which was recently introduced to great fanfare, features the functions of a camera phone and a multimedia player while also offering Internet services -- including e-mail, text messaging, Web browsing, Visual Voicemail, and local Wi-Fi connectivity.
The new platform allows iPhone users to access the Paul campaign's Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking tools and online videos, directly from their iPhones.
"The iPhone is an exciting technology that will help us reach potential voters across the country," said Paul's "eCampaign" director Justine Lam. "The Ron Paul campaign continues to utilize new technologies to spread Dr. Paul's message of freedom, peace and prosperity."
Terra Eclipse of Santa Cruz, Calif., designed the special platform for the Ron Paul campaign. "Our Web development team has built a robust tool that will allow iPhone-equipped volunteers to bring Ron Paul's online popularity into offline households in key early primary states," explained Wyatt Hull, creative director of Terra Eclipse.
Grassroots Excitement
Whatever magic Paul is generating is not limited to the Blogosphere. Occasionally, there are warm bodies involved, too.
When Paul was excluded from a late June Republican candidates' forum in Iowa, on the grounds that he wasn't a "credible" candidate, he held his own "celebrating life and liberty" rally nearby at the Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.
According to a statement from the Paul campaign, "Despite being planned in less than a week, Dr. Paul's event single-handedly outdrew the other forum and its six participating candidates by several hundred attendees."
Eyewitnesses confirmed that Paul's rally outdrew the Republican forum, according to the Free-Market News Network.
"Today, Ron Paul demonstrated how deeply his message of freedom and limited government is resonating across the nation," said campaign manager Lew Moore after the rally.
Paul, addressing a packed hall, received enthusiastic applause many times, as well as several standing ovations. Observers opined that the event was the biggest rally for a Republican candidate in Iowa during this campaign cycle.
"Ron Paul has generated more grassroots excitement and support than any other candidate in the race," added Moore. "The campaign is building on this momentum around the country as we drive toward the nomination."
When the candidate was asked about the instant success of the ad hoc liberty forum, Paul replied simply: "I guess liberty is just popular."
Spokesman Kent Snyder, the chairman of Paul's exploratory committee and a former staffer on Paul's Libertarian campaign, says that while the congressman knows he's a long shot, he is running to win, not just to make a point or try to ensure that his issues are addressed.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Paul graduated from Gettysburg College and the Duke University School of Medicine before serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the 1960s. He and his wife Carol moved to Texas in 1968, where he began his medical practice in Brazoria County. As a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Paul delivered more than 4,000 babies.
A Heated Exchange
Despite the apparent love-fest on the Internet, all has not been wine and roses for Paul.
In the Columbia, S.C., debate, in a heated exchange with Rudy Giuliani, Paul declared:
"I believe very sincerely that the CIA is correct when they teach and talk about blowback. When we went into Iran in 1953 and installed the Shah, yes there was blowback. The reaction to that was the taking of our hostages, and that persists. And if we ignore that, we ignore that at our own risk.
"If we think we can do what we want around the world and not incite hatred, then we have a problem. They don't come here to attack us because we're rich and we're free, they come and attack us because we're over there."
When Spartanburg County Republican Party Chairman Rick Beltram left Columbia after the debate, he reportedly decided he'd heard enough and declared his intent to boycott Paul from any future county party events.
"He can stay home," said Beltram. "The door's closed for him."
One thing is for sure – Paul can't be boycotted from his impressive presence on the Internet, where the under-30 crowd is listening and watching and perhaps collectively nodding their heads when the no-nonsense Paul declares such opinions as "they come and attack us because we're over there."
Ping
I don’t expect we’ll hear much more out of him towards the fall. His fiscally conservative views would drive mainstream GOP officials nuts.
You wish we feared him....... but we don’t.
But there will be enough money left in the campaign fund to give every campaign volunteer a free copy of Alex Jones' 9-11: The Road To Tyranny conspiracy DVD.
Preserving liberty and restoring the Constitutional limits on federal government should be the top issues in 2008.
There are many things I like about Ron Paul. Unfortunately his apparent appeal to the “Truther” nutjobs puts him out of the running in any real election.
There may be some support for Paul just to spite GWB.
I admit I just woke up...but...
“In a CNN telephone poll conducted in February 2007, Paul was the candidate with the least name recognition – running just ahead of John Cox, the Chicago businessman and talk show host.”
Wouldn’t that mean that John Cox was the candidate with the least name recognition?
You need to apologize to Ross Perot. More like Dennis Kookcinch.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Do I even need a /sarc tag?
At least McCain and Giuliani want to fight back against Islamic Supremacists. Ron Paul thinks jihadi violence is “blowback,” which is leftwing Newspeak for justified revenge.
Paul won’t be getting my vote.
That would be more likely if the President were to specifically endorse a GOP candidate, which he will not do.
Even if the President were foolish enough to try to anoint a successor, the Ron Paul protest vote wouldn't be very large.
Not so much on FR where big government if fine as long as Republicans are in charge.
Right, because if other countries messed around in our affairs for 50 years, we wouldn't get mad about it or anything.
Ron Paul is a laughable (educated) idiot, much like many of the professors on liberal campuses. If you want to believe it’s fear, go ahead. But I had the same opinions about Pat Buchanan, Alan Keyes and David Duke. I wasn’t “afraid” of them either.
Yeah Rodney...you just keep apologizing for Osama.
And getting more popular by the day Rep. Paul. Contrary to the party faithful who are just fine with their hawkish big government nanny state...
In a CNN telephone poll conducted in February 2007, Paul was the candidate with the least name recognition –
Let's run that poll now. And don't stick to just land lines, because many that have heard and love Rep. Paul's message have just cell phones
What is stupid is this notion, on both the left and the right, that the issue is black and white. That is, either you believe that the President is going the greatest job in the world, or you are an Osama apologist. It is stupid on its face to anyone who thinks about it for a minute.
I’m noticing a pattern lately, Every 2nd- and 3rd-tier web news outlet reprocesses news from 1st-tier web news outlets, always less well written. People around here post it as though it were new news.
Ah, the Pat Ron Paulson Blame America First crowd! That should get you some conservative votes.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Ron Paul is Ross Perot, without chrisma.
And without the ears.
Right, because either you believe that W is perfect, and the war was perfectly planned and executed, or you are an Osama supporter.
Ron Paul will receive less than 5% of the GOP primary vote and, if he chooses to run on the Libertarian Party platform once he is trounced in the GOP primaries,
Paul may hang in the GOP primary race until the end as it won’t take much money for him to run his one man show kinda like Keyes did in 2000.
And we know how accurate THOSE are...
I actually already voted for Ron Paul as President.. back in 1988. I've liked him for a long time. Unfortunately, he is simply dead wrong on the MOST important issue of our time, the WOT. I would sooner vote for Rudy than for Ron Paul at this time.
Ron Paul is on the list of candidates I’ll vote for in the General. Not in the primary, though.
In any case he’s not McCain or Guiliani.
Rodney, like your namesake, Dangerfield, you’ll get no restpect from me toward Paul. He, like Rosie O’Fat, blamed America for 9-11. They should both be hanging from their legs, ala Rosie, and in straight jackets.
That's true. No one on this website hates the UN
Look, I don't even agree with Paul on Iraq. Weather we should have gone in or not, that does not mean that you should just pull out once you are in.
For example, you decide to put a new roof on your house. Halfway through you realize maybe it was a harder job than you thought, and you wonder if you should have started in the first place. That does not mean that you don't finish the job.
Here's how I see it. Paul is wrong on that. But, he is right on everything else, and here are two of the things he is right on: Closing the border and turning back the tide of socialism.
The W foreign policy, although right on not pulling out of Iraq, is wrong on the other two issues.
What we are looking at now is almost perpetual war, while our enemies flood our borders and the State becomes like France where the people no longer have any will or incenetive to defend their country.
The muslims, over 50 years, take over. That is the path we are on now.
I’m not the one blaming America for Al Queda, you are.
Comparing Pat RonPaulson to President Bush is pretty funny since one is President and one never will be.
Pray for W and Our Troops
I know. As I said, there are only two positions: 100% support of W, or you are an Osama supporter. Since I don't 100% support W, it logically follows that I am an Osama supporter.
You have a stunning intellect and capacity for rational thought.
The principles upheld and secured by a free republic do not have borders. So we try to extend these liberties throughout the world. The problem is, some people do not want to live free. Should we not leave them in the bed of their making?
Ron Paul’s ideas make sense inasmuch as he would see the principles we enjoy strengthened in our own midst. Sheez, with liberal Democrats and big government Republicans around we have a big enough problem just securing our liberties at home.
But, I can't vote for a "Blame America First" politician, of any political persuasion, especially one who believes the 9/11 attacks could have been an "inside job". That's just plain crazy.
If that ain't blaming us, nothing is. Your right I shouldn't compare him to Pat Paulson since Pat Paulson had a sense of humor and so did his supporters.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Ron Paul thinks jihadi violence is “blowback,”
That’s where he lost me. Ron Paul...the nutters choice.
Yes, you are correct. Clearly, it is the case that people don't change their behavior and attitudes about other people the slightest bit due to the behaviors and attitudes of the people they interact with. Since I suggested that maybe they do, it logically follows that I am an Osama supporter.
As I said, you have a keen intellect. Have you considered getting a PHD in philosophy?
You know David Duke actually got 35% of the runoff vote when he ran for governor, right. Duke’s mistake was in staying in southern Louisiana. If he had moved to the northern part of the state, he probably coulda been elected to Congress.
I think that Paul could become a player in the south and west. I certainly think he’d be capable of getting 15% of the primary vote in my state, especially if he emphasized limited federal power as a part of his platform.
Oh Oh the paulistabots are going to tell you he didnt say what you heard. It must be hard supporting a blame America first buffoon
rod—
Look. The self-professed goals of Islamic Supremacists are to cleanse the world of Jews, bring back the Caliphate, and establish Sharia everywhere.
They’re at war with everyone— look at the violence we have seen in Nigeria, the Philippines, Thailand, Sudan, India, Somalia, Russia, the UK, Spain, Indonesia, Turkey, Japanese tourists in Egypt, the crap Israel has to deal with everyday, Muslims killing Muslims who aren’t hardcore enough in Iraq— you can’t blame America for even a plurality of this.
In short, Islamic Supremacists are a global problem. Their effectiveness is dramatically reduced when we put them on defense, force them to scramble for resources, deny them sanctuary, keep them on the move, et cetera.
Lastly, I still can’t believe FreeRepublic bans Giuliani supporters but allows OBL-supporting filth to post here.
This weekend in Manchester NH I was driving to the Mall, and right there on the street was a gaggle of Ron Paul supporters, about a dozen or so, and I wondered if this was his entire fan base.
“Right, because if other countries messed around in our affairs for 50 years, we wouldn’t get mad about it or anything.”
So you believe 9/11 was justifiable terrorism?
I agree.
They’re at war with everyone— look at the violence we have seen in Nigeria, the Philippines, Thailand, Sudan, India, Somalia, Russia, the UK, Spain, Indonesia, Turkey, Japanese tourists in Egypt, the crap Israel has to deal with everyday, Muslims killing Muslims who aren’t hardcore enough in Iraq— you can’t blame America for even a plurality of this.
OK, I agree. Now, looking back at the last few hundred years of history, Islam was not always as radicalized. What caused the radicalization? I do happen to believe that interference in their affairs by the west plays a role... but so what, what's done is done. As for 9/11, my guess is that the idea that the US is the main target of the radical arabs is in part due to our messing around in the middle east, but, had we not done that at most we would have just been shifting around the blow that would ultimately reach us anyway, so the overall point is meaningless. They are out to kill us, you are correct.
In short, Islamic Supremacists are a global problem. Their effectiveness is dramatically reduced when we put them on defense, force them to scramble for resources, deny them sanctuary, keep them on the move, et cetera.
OK, makes sense. But, I am not so sure we are doing that. We could have put in place a secular military dictatorship in Iraq and been out of there 4 years ago. We didn't. There are other solutions to try, but among other things we insist upon standing in the middle of three former provinces of the ottoman empire, that some english guy with a pencil and a map put together. Why? I don't know. But insisting that these three cultures live together, when they don't want to, ensures an increased level of violence that gets in the way of our goals.
All the while, we are doing two other things: We are leaving the borders wide open for them to attack us. I find it unlikley that the muslims are too stupid to not already be crossing the border from Mexico in order to set up attacks. At the same, we are marching inexorably towards socialism. Socialism leaves western societies unable and unwilling to defend themselves against the muslim threat. Therefore, in my mind, the current policy = muslim defeat.
Lastly, I still can’t believe FreeRepublic bans Giuliani supporters but allows OBL-supporting filth to post here.
1. Giuliani supporters were not banned for being Giuliani supporters. They were unwilling to defend Giuliani on the merits, and there existed a few weeks where all they were doing was tearing down all conservatives, including the founding fathers, in order to make their guy look good by comparison. That makes no sense on a conseravative site, so JR put an end to it.
2. If you are of the belief that anyone who does not agree 100% with W on iraq is posting OBL filth, then I can't help you.
“At least McCain and Giuliani want to fight back against Islamic Supremacists. Ron Paul thinks jihadi violence is “blowback,” which is leftwing Newspeak for justified revenge.”...
Paul did not say that and has made it clear he does not mean that. He has also made it clear that he got the term “blowback” from papers he has read that were written by our CIA.
You would not want to misquote the man would you?
There is a big difference between “justified revenge” and blowback. If, for instance the USA were to intervene in Zimbabwe and help free that country from a racist, Marxist tyrant gone mad, and if some racist, Marxist sympathisers here started killing people, that would be blowback. Not justifiable revenge, but blowback. Do you understand that there is a difference?
I can not speak for Ron Paul but on this he has made it clear that his conclusions are based on US government documents. I think we should not put words in his mouth less we appear to be trying to smear the man.
LOL. I was just trying to simplify the idea that becasue a bad decision was made, it does not mean that you automatically stop the action.
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