Ron Paul raises millions in today's Boston Tea Party event ($3.2 million @ 3:00 EST)

Boston Globe ^ | 12/16/07 | Michael Levenson

[traviskicks]

On Nov. 5, supporters of Ron Paul raked in more than $4.2 million in donations in 24 hours, mostly of them collected over the Internet.

Today, they're at it again. Hoping to detonate what they call a "money bomb," the supporters started fundraising at midnight Saturday and have already raised $2 million as of about 10:30 a.m. today, more than at this point on Nov. 5, according to figures they posted online. They hope to collect a total of $10 million by midnight Sunday.

Last time, they tied their fundraising to Guy Fawkes Day, which commemorates a British mercenary who tried unsuccesfully to kill King James I on Nov. 5, 1605. This time, they're seizing on the 234th aniversary of the Boston Tea Party and converging on this snowy city to rally.

They plan on gathering on the State House steps at 1 p.m. and parading down to Faneuil Hall, where they will listen to speeches in tune with Paul's libertarian platform. Speakers will include the Republican presidential candidate's son, Dr. Rand Paul, an eye surgeon, and Carla Howell, the libertarian who ran unsuccesfully for governor in 2002.

There are also plans to dump some tea (or at least some boxes labeled tea) into the Harbor, though the details were still sketchy as of this morning.

[traviskicks]

This will be the most raised by any candidate in one day ever. A truly historic day for the American people, the individual, and the cause of liberty. Paul has raised $14.7 million this quarter as of 3:00 EST, which already will be more than any other Republican candidate.

[traviskicks]

This will be the most raised by any candidate in one day ever and Paul will have raised more than any other Republican candidate this quarter.



Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[bahblahbah]

“”””
There are also plans to dump some tea (or at least some boxes labeled tea) into the Harbor, though the details were still sketchy as of this morning.
“”””

I would LOL if he get’s fined.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

How many $1000 fund raiser lunches has Paul had?

[BGHater]

‘presidential candidate’s son, Dr. Rand Paul’

Did not know that. Interesting, from Ayn, correct?

[live+let_live]

My comments are colored by my not supporting Ron Paul, but does it matter how much money he raises?

I wish him luck in one respect; the Republicans and Democrats have become unresponsive to the wishes of their constituents and need a boot in their collective ass’. Maybe Paul can do this.

But does anyone really believe Paul can outright win?

[Labyrinthos]

Just curious... What happens to the money he has raised after the primaries are over and Ron Paul is not the candidate?

[jaz.357]

Ron Paul raked in more than $4.2 million

For what?

[traviskicks]

ping

As you know, Ron Paul meetups across the country are throwing 'tea party events' like this one in Boston; our meetup is having a pretty big (few hundred expected) protest here in Las Vegas, outside the IRS building. Of course, we are going to advocate its abolition (FR link) and throw tea bags on the steps, or maybe in the sand, some are going to dress in colonial gear, I think have some flutes and such. :)

Even got some good news coverage:

IRS defense attorney to speak at Ron Paul rally in Las Vegas

[xcamel]

No, but the libs love him, because he takes the attention off from the real candidates.. just like McVain and a couple others...

[trumandogz]

Damn, those Neo Nazis can raise tons of money. /sarcasm

[hsalaw]

But does anyone really believe Paul can outright win?

No. He should run with Kucinich on the UFO Party platform with a Department of Peace ahd an 1800s style isolationism. I suspect these "money dumps" are being funded by Soros, in the hope that this nut job will be the GOP nominee, thus reducing Republican turnout to the 5 libertarian-contrarians who support him.

[West Coast Conservative]

Paul is a RINO moonbat and so are his deluded supporters.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

“Paul is a RINO “

That is funny as hell. Think that one up on your own or steal it from someone else?

[CMailBag]

My guess is that at least half of them are cut and run Democrats.

[West Coast Conservative]

It’s called reality. Paul’s foreign policy stances are in tandem with Cindy Sheehan.

[traviskicks]

But does anyone really believe Paul can outright win?

Personally, I think Paul will have a much harder time winning the Republican nomination than the general election. Politically speaking (regardless of how one feels), he is on the right side of the likely two biggest issues in this election, the war in Iraq, and immigration. Republicans will be hurt on the war and Democrats on immigration. He will get more of the black vote, much more, than any Republican, due to his anti police state anti WOD message. This is crucial to winning elections.

Another factor is that he has all these volunteers, over 75,000 meetup members that will work fanatically for him, but not for any other Republican candidate. Many, like myself, will vote for another Republican, but not volunteer for one. This grassroots activism is what wins elections.

The last thing going for him is the $$$ raising; in this election the internet has come alive, it has reached the 'tipping point' where no longer lobbyists and bundlers who want special access and favors control who gets elected, but the message itself becomes ever important, as the people themselves begin to choose the candidate. In a general election Paul's support will continue to grow and his fundraising become more and more prolific, while the lobbyists and special interests gravitate towards Hillary or Obama. This will be the showdown, and I think we will win.

A final point is that freedom and liberty is a message of truth, and it has become cliche, but it really does bring people together, and many Democrats and independents will support Paul, as many do now, and this will take away from the Democratic base. Some Republicans may not like Paul all that much, due to perceived WOT weaknesses but will probably hold their noses and vote d/t the alternative of ever expanding American socialism under the Democrats. And who doesn't want to get rid of the IRS! I think, if packaged right, its a political winner even on the (D) side.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I don’t think he can win (nor would I necessarily want him to), but I’m glad to see him making some waves and demonstrating that there is substantial support among the voting public for actually shrinking government. Helps expose the Big Two parties for what they really are: promoters of more and more government.

[West Coast Conservative]

The Freepers who support Paul are in the minority. I understand their utter devotion to libertarianism - even if it means supporting a candidate that wants to surrender in Iraq.

But, the majority of Paul’s supporters are not interested in limited government or individualism. They only care for his anti-war, anti-Israel and anti-Bush stances. That is why he is attracting seemingly disparate groups - from neo-Nazis to Buchananites to 9/11 Truthers to Code Pinkers.

[JediHal]

Regardless of your views on Dr. Paul it is astounding to see a candidate get this much financial support in such a short period of time. All this by people who are genuinely interested and not affialiated with the campaign. Has any other candidate this year accomplished anything close?