Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Why Ron Paul WILL Win Super Tuesday. Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens.by John Armstrong
(Libertarian)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Original Title: Ron Paul's Moneybomb Fizzles: Rudy May Get Last Laugh After All. The title accomplished its purpose, I thought it was time to bring the title more in line with the Article's Intent. Thanks to the ronpaullive.com guys for naming it for me.
Ron Paul supporters, and even the campaign itself, have taken pride in beating Rudy Giuliani in multiple primaries so far. But that is going to change in Florida. Ron Paul is going to get thumped by Rudy. And that is a very good thing.
What? Before you skip to the comments, let me explain.
How did the media explain Ron Paul's 2nd place finish in Nevada? Well, they basically just ignored it. But when the issue was addressed, it was always explained this way:
Paul was the only candidate besides Romney who advertised in Nevada.
I'll spare the sermon on what it says about the American electorate when issues mean less than advertising. Instead, let's examine how this simple, dismissive explanation of Paul's strong finish should instead provide a reason to believe for his supporters.
Judging from the MLK money bomb totals so far today, it seems that many Ron Paul supporters have either maxed out their cards, their contribution limits, or are becoming more reticent in their support of Ron Paul. I'm certain the media will spin the $2-3 Million raised today as a "failure" or sign of weakening support if it is mentioned at all.
What won't be mentioned is that this time around, the pledge amount requested was for $10 instead of $100. The fact that the Teflon Ron campaign received 5,000 NEW donors today AFTER the media's best attempt of character assassination failed will also be conveniently omitted. That people are spending their own money to buy supplies as precinct leaders (becoming a Precinct Leader is a great way to support RP if you have no money) in the true individualist fashion this campaign inspires will surely be a non-story as well. But no matter how it is spun, looking at Monday's results can be disheartening to an ardent supporter of Ron Paul. As J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, "Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens." If you haven't yet donated and have fallen into the sad category of so many Americans trying to pick a winner, I encourage you to donate as soon as you finish reading this article or you get paid. Hopefully, what I am about to write will give you a reason to do so.
You see, Rudy is set to explode now because that is exactly what he planned to do from the beginning. Other than self-funded Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, all of the other candidates are broke. Rudy has been waiting. Paul's supporters have been critical of his thrifty spending in early primary states on sub-par (but improving) advertising. What they didn't see is that Ron Paul actually had a real strategy to go the distance. I include myself in the category of being critical or this approach due to my initial failure to recognize this strategy. We all wanted to shock the world in Iowa and New Hampshire. It didn't happen. I didn't realize what was going on until after Nevada. It seems that many of Ron Paul's supporters still don't.
As many MSM articles have stated, the primaries so far have done more to make the GOP nomination picture cloudy than they have to establish a leader. In 2000, the nomination was all but guaranteed when Bush won South Carolina. This year, McCain won South Carolina with a paltry 33% and far fewer votes than he received in the same state eight years ago. Even the pundits who tout polls showing McCain as the only Republican who can beat Hillary aren't ready to fully get behind him yet. And the longer they wait to pick their man, the better Ron Paul's chances get.
Super Duper Tuesday will mean a lot; in fact, it will mean more than it ever has. And very few candidates will be able to advertise in all (or even most) of the states. The media couldn't keep Ron Paul from finishing second in Nevada even on the heels of the racist smearing attempt. Unfortunately and fortunately, it was his advertising and lack of advertising by his opponents rather than his message that made the difference. In states where the advertising of other candidates and influence of the media met, Paul failed to reach the top 3 (if you are one of the 258 Iowa Ron Paul supporters who didn't vote and prevented a top three from happening there, which would have changed everything, go donate the maximum amount to the campaign now to pay your penance). But in the one state (excluding closed-primary Wyoming) where the other candidates didn't advertise, Ron Paul finished SECOND behind the candidate who spent more. The moral of the story is that now more than ever, Ron Paul needs your support so that he can advertise and finish strong in the states on Super Tuesday where the other candidates don't have the money to compete.
If Dr. Paul finishes strongly across the board on Super Tuesday, everything changes. There is a strong chance this will happen if his supporters don't lose faith. Here are two things that show he has a strong chance to do well on February 5th. Other than the importance of advertising, another thing Nevada may potentially indicate is that his support in the formerly wild, wild yet still freedom-loving West may be stronger than anticipated. Several Western States vote on Super Tuesday. His campaign also has a great plan to take advantage of new California election rules and pick up delegates from democratic strong hold precincts there with the help of his meetup group grassroot supporters.
A strong performance on Super Duper Tuesday becomes even more significant when you take into account the fact that the only Super State left to vote after Super Tuesday is his home state of Texas. If all of us as Ron Paul supporters will keep the faith, send money, get off our asses, and go knock on some doors to spread the word, Ron Paul can do well enough on the 5th of February (situated fatefully exactly one quarter of the way between the 5th of November and General Election) to give the people of his home state a reason to vote for him. It really isn't hard to convince a Texan to support a Texan if you give them any semblance of a reason to do so. That's up to his supporters.
Ron Paul sent a letter out to his supporters last night promising to be in the race all the way through a brokered convention. This convention isn't until the end of the summer. As the economy worsens, his non-support of the Iraq War will become less of a stumbling block among GOP voters (especially if they have time to understand that the war is one of the major reasons the economy is faltering) and his now "fringe" economic ideas may take hold and become very important. If he is one of only three candidates still standing going into the Convention, the media will have to play nice since his delegates will need to vote for someone else in order to get that candidate the nomination, and the smear campaign will have long been forgotten. As more people begin to pay attention to the election and find out who he is, his support will swell. We all know what happens when people decide to "Google Ron Paul" and learn about issues themselves. Because of the very generous donations his supporters have already given, his place will never be with the Dennis Kucinich and Sam Brownback's of the world.
If given a few more months for the message to spread, this really could become the unstoppable movement we believed it was just three months ago. If the GOP Convention is indeed a brokered one, and not just a rallying party for the pre-selected nominee, Paul would have to be allowed to speak there. It would be a real political debate. This massive opportunity would give his ideas a huge audience. So far the the message has only reached the GOP Neo-Conservative Bush apologists and those of us who were lucky enough to hear it before the media considered the message enough of a threat to censor it. Most people won't have the benefit of hearing a spin-free Ron Paul between now and then. Only a strong showing on Super Tuesday and fractured GOP can counteract that influence and provide the opportunity for that message to be heard.
Doing well enough from here forward to be invited to the Convention to give that aforementioned speech woud provide enough time to build the momentum needed to springboard him to the Republican nomination or to a legitimate Third Party Run. If given enough time to continue spreading the message, the ideas would be adopted by enough young and young at heart Americans to cause Ron Paul's name be mentioned in the same breath as Barry Goldwater. Not Barry Goldwater, Jr. who supports Ron Paul, but his Father who changed the course of the Republican Party. Goldwater may have lost the election, but his influence in the Republican Party reverberated for decades until the GOP was hijacked by the people who are now in charge while the true conservatives slept and continued to pick "the lesser of two evils." Ron Paul may or may not win the nomination or general election, but for these ideas to really take root he needs to carry on at least until the GOP convention.
That's only possible if two things happen. There is no clear-cut victor after Super Tuesday. And he wins enough delegates that day, in Texas, and the other remaining states to get him invited to the Convention. Neither of these are possible without your most generous support so he can compete in the states where the other candidates can't afford to advertise.
Rudy understands how important Super Tuesday is. He's been waiting. It's been fun to beat him so far, but are we really going to become apathetic and discouraged now when it really counts? Why do we win all of the text polls? Simple. We're probably the only supporters of any candidate who really care enough about this election and understand what's at stake to watch all of the debates and send a text. A massive amount of people have yet to hear Dr. Paul's message. Once they do, text poll results will become real poll results because they will care as much as we do. If you really want to make a difference in this election and beyond, now is our time to win.
This is not the time for apathy. Our nemesis Rudy understands how big the coming weeks are. Are we really going to roll over and die now that the going is getting tough? Did you really think this would be easy? Are we going to allow ourselves to be influenced by the media now and stop giving? Are we really going to be outsmarted by a man whose results due to allocation of resources so far coupled with his coming surge clearly show that this is the time we should be picking up the pace and giving more? Only you can answer that question. There is no "we" it is "you" and "me." And you and I are individually responsible. If our current state of government shows anything, it's that waiting for someone else to act and solve a problem instead of accepting personal responsibility and acting accordingly only exacerbates the problem or creates a new one.
It's time to donate and send our candidate to a brokered GOP Convention so we can send his message to the world.
It's time to act. I did; my contribution limit is reached. Will you act now or wish you had later?
Your Fellow American,
John Armstrong
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Maybe they are all doing what we did. We just spent almost $300 on local advertising and then we gave $100 to the money bomb. While we could have given more to the money bomb, then there wouldn't have been ads running in our county newspaper for the three weeks prior to the election. So, you can multiply our donation by 4. If all his supporters are doing that, and I know many that are, his $2 million in cash raised today looks really good. It might mean that his supporters have spent $6 million more around the country.
Did I miss it? Or did you mentioned that the money bomb today was a $10.00 a person pledge? The last money bombs have been for pledges of $100.00. Did you also mention that Ron Paul received over 5000 NEW supporters that donated today, along with over 15000 others who have donated in the past. I read through this very quickly, but if you didn't mention the 2 items I stated above, you really should edit your letter, and add that very important information in.
I have never, ever, ever sent money to a politician in my life. It's been my policy not to encourage them. Now I have a family and barely make enough to be able to keep ahead of debt. I shouldn't be sending money to anyone...but
I just sent 50 bucks to the Ron Paul campaign, at http://www.ronpaul2008.com, just before I read this article. It feels good to finally have a candidate I can believe in again.
I've been registered to vote in Ohio since 1983, have verbally supported Reagan, Perot, Perot,held my nose and voted Hagelin, then Nader too. That's how long I've been waiting to vote for a president I actually believe in, since Perot's first run.
Ron Paul has between $2-4 million more cash on hand than John McCain, and has raised more than $1.5 million today alone. Ron Paul's "fizzle" far surpasses McCain's fundraising.
We don't have a lot of money but we have given what we can. I hope and pray that our fellow citizens will awaken from what has over taken them and see in their hearts that there is a man who is trying to tell the truth. They can verify this with their logic which will be easy once they hear the truth. Good luck my fellow Americans and know that there are many of us who are coming together.
Interesting and thoughtful article. Wish you'd chosen a different title though.
$2,000,000 in a single day is not chump change. The media pundits may dismiss it but the bean-counters in the GOP will continue to take note. There are many in the Republican party that would like to harness some of this grass roots energy.
What started the Money Bombs? The Campaign asking for money and putting up a fun widget of the Inkwell and Quill Pen for us to fill. We did it twice, and so fast that it knocked the socks off the Campaign. Then they asked for more, and put up the Statue of Liberty widget. We blew out the torch on her and then the Money Bomb idea took off. While great fun, the new supporters need a new widget on the site to fill up and assist in gaining a new momentum. How about a Liberty Bell? Make that thing Ring for Freedom! Give us a goal, and we can meet or beat it. We'll make the bell SING Loud! But let's take a break from the money bombs for a while.
Well written, we already maxed out before primaries, so we can't donate for a while. But my husband is going to be a precinct captain, and we will be canvassing in a large state soon. You bet I'll be voting in my state's primary too.(by paper ballot if possible- trust voting machines as far as I could throw one- not at all!)
Today is on-track of becoming the third largest fundraising day of the campaign, at over $1.7mln. Ron Paul's one day "failure" is better than other candidates' best days. Take that to the bank!
I know why you chose the title--anyone who clicked on it to gloat about how the money bomb "fizzled" will instead see just how determined and loyal Ron Paul's supporters are, and you just might help a few people see the light. Clever!
Its the YouTube Videos. The earlier videos moved people, its what got my attention. It was a "non-conventional" way to allow your emotions in the proceess, it struck the cord of patriotism and played on the subconscience theme that we know things are effed up. We really need Elib3rty and the others to crank up there Macs and publish more of these great works.
This really works! Great article John, agree the tile is ...ehh.
Posted By: Jonathan Field
Date: 2008-01-21 21:33:41
Excellent article. I've donated as much as I can afford to Paul's campaign (including today) and I'll continue to support him.
However, I want to say, as a pre-emptive strike against apathy: regardless of who the next president is, this counts. People are hearing these ideas and thinking differently. Nothing happens overnight. This whole movement first caught my attention just a few months ago, and it's invigorated me. I know it has invigorated others. Don't let that slip away.
I put together an impartial site about the candidates, and I send it out to hopefully inspire people to think differently about politics going forward:
Define "strong showing." To me that means Paul needs to start hitting 20+%. Paul was one of the only two people to campaign in Nevada and he couldn't crack 20%. You'd expect 2 campaigning candidates would come at least somewhat close to 50/50.
"his support than in the formerly wild, wild yet still freedom-loving West may be stronger than anticipated"
So far it appears Mitt Romney is the real threat out west. He won in Wyoming and took 50% of the Republican vote in Nevada. I agree Paul's best numbers and results came out west, but it's been Romney easily winning the primaries.
If the Ron Paul campaign has been "thrifty in their spending" as you say, then why is it that there is supposedly only 8 million left of the 28 million that has been collected through the end of 2007?
I am another independent who has never contributed to an election. Today, I broke the pattern with $100 to the cause. I sincerely hope that others will dig into the souls and do what they can to help Dr. Paul push it back into the ugly face of the MSM. The right hand of the Government that is ruining us all.
Posted By: Christopher Witmer
Date: 2008-01-21 21:42:53
Yes, there is definitely a direct and irrefutable causal connection between the tanking of the economy and the war in Iraq. Clear evidence (as if we needed any more) that the Federal Reserve needs to be eliminated. GO RON PAUL!
Congratulations. You're devil's advocate title got my attention and then squeezed another few dimes out of my bank account. I hope it helps because If Rudi is installed I'm going to need those funds to pay Doctor Kavorkian.
Posted By: Jonathan Field
Date: 2008-01-21 21:44:59
Excellent article. I've donated as much as I can afford to Paul's campaign (including today) and I'll continue to support him.
However, I want to say, as a pre-emptive strike against apathy: regardless of who the next president is, this counts. People are hearing these ideas and thinking differently. Nothing happens overnight. This whole movement first caught my attention just a few months ago, and it's invigorated me. I know it has invigorated others. Don't let that slip away.
I put together a (hopefully) impartial site about the candidates, and I post it to hopefully inspire people to think differently about politics going forward:
We will succeed. We have come to far to turn our back on the Doctor now. Many are suprised that he has beat gulianni. Considering he has been everywhere on the news. There is not a person that you know who has not heard of him. Why is Ron beating him then? Ron will win if we donate the money.
Your title got to me --- but great article. I will now go and donate another $50.00 to make my total $100
Go Ron Paul
I watched the Democratic debate tonight and it just confirmed to me that the only one who can beat Hillary or Obama is Ron Paul. If Mitt or John get the nomination they will eat their lunch and we will have a Democratic president.
DON'T forget that we just finished with Christmas holidays. You know people don't always have money after the holidays! Plus, you see where the economy is going. Lots of people are hurting. Having said this, we gave $100...half of what we gave at the last money bomb. Just pass the word as best you can. It's David vs. Goliath. STAND YOUR GROUND. It's going to be a LONG HAUL indeed. If we feel down or whatever, CAN you image how Dr. Paul feels? I'm still waiting for Howard Stern and Ted Nugget to COME OUT and get the ball rolling, for goodness sakes. ;o)
Growing up in Van Nuys and a minority, I never was interested in politics. It just wasnt discussed at home unless it came down to immigration issues. Never did I think I'd donate to a candidate, but I did today for the first time ever. Heck, I even put a Ron Paul bumper sticker on my shiny new car. Who cares if my neighborhood friends point fingers and whisper amongst themselves. I felt good today.
Fantastic article, and sage advice. I've questioned their logic in the campaign as well, but it seems as though they know what they're doing to be in it for the long haul.
"On 9/10 Guiliani couldn't have been elected dog catcher"
-Ed Koch former NYC Mayor
"And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we must walk ahead. We cannot turn back" - MLK
I was a first timer today with $300 in the pot. I'm with Ron Paul for the long haul to the end. The next money bomb that comes along I'll double my pledge. THIS IS FOR OUR FREEDOM!!!!!
Posted By: Richard Wicks
Date: 2008-01-21 22:25:46
Hey Everybody, I finished my $2300 today, so I ask everybody to please urge others to donate and get friends to donate as much as possible.
Regardless of whether Paul wins or loses, he's educating an entire nation that deseperately needs it. That was worth my $2300 right there.
Posted By: Dr Ward Ciac II
Date: 2008-01-21 22:35:14
They gotta fire the campaign chair Kent Snyder. It should have happened a long time ago - in Philadelphia when he was yelling at the people who paid $500 to speak with Dr Paul. But this South Carolina fiasco was too much. How much of our money did RP2008 spend to get 4% of the vote there? A complete debacle - could have gotten that without any campaigning. No more money until Kent Snyder is fired! They are also spending time in the wrong states.
I think this article makes some wonderful points, I unfortunately have not yet been able to donate to Dr. Pauls campaign. Between the awful economy and family problems money has been very tight, however I will soon be able to contribute to this most worthy of causes. I have been a follower and supporter of Ron Paul for quite a few years now. I am elated to see that he is gaining steam as this race continues, I have just recently seen favorable coverage come from CN_ & CB_, + (pardon the _'s but I want to give these news corporations the same treatment that has been given to Mr. Paul.)
I pray that our time is coming, as more Americans are waking up and realizing that the powers that be are endorsing all of these other candidates simply because the other candidates are going to promote business as usual for them.
Thusly if Mr. Paul takes office and is able to restore this republics power back to the people, the true defenders of freedom. We are going to see a major shift in the current power structures, and this is what these organizations fear. Currently, a great majority of our population is taken advantage of on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and if you are unsure what I am talking about. Next time you receive a paycheck, take a closer look at it. I for one am sick and tired of busting my hump so these fat cats can profit in multitudes. If you have had to deal with the government at any level, I think it is easy to see that the majority are not serving the people any longer. They serve themselves. If we would all carefully consider the sacrifices that where made to form this union of states, and the thoughts of our founding fathers. I truly believe Ron Paul would become apparent to all as someone who deeply care about our futures, and those cares are the result of learning from our fathers teachings.
I just wanted to put things into perspective if I could and add my two cents. Perhaps the reason for a smaller money bomb this time around is as some have already said in other posts such as the fact that this fund raising day comes on the heels of Christmas, or perhaps it could be the result of advertising, as there were two calls for donating today; one asking to donate just $10 and another asking to donate $100. Also, perhaps people who have become precinct leaders have recently spent $ purchasing slim jims (as I have) to distribute, or given to the many other creative ways dedicated to getting the word out about Dr. Paul such as the blimp or Ron Paul Radio. So, considering all the diversified ways the grassroots efforts have spontaneously created to spread the message (more so now than just a couple of months ago), I'd say the 2-3 million raised today is pretty damn good!
As far as money bombs go, it's really up to the growing base of new supporters to carry on the nomination donation torch.
To A.J. regarding Nevada results: remember that half of Romney's vote were from Mormons. Take that out of the picture and you'll see how well Paul performed. Paul's biggest stumbling demographic are people over 60 according to exit polls. This has shown up in every state to date; they dominate the voting. I really think it's not because they are adverse to the message, I believe it's because they aren't getting the message from the same medium as you and I (the internet), or maybe they're not getting Paul's message at all.
Dr. Ward: I'm no political expert or marketing guru, but I think a lot of candidates are not happy with the way the South Carolina results turned out. Thompson truly expected and needed a win there. Same with Huckabee. I'm also not an insider; I sincerely hope that the Paul campaign didn't burn a pile of money in South Carolina, but if they did then they need to 'fess up and tell us what they learned from the experience.
Stuck here in Texas and feel like a voyeur knowing that this all comes down to the action in Florida, setting the tone for Feb 5th. Let's all hope that the Florida supporters and staff steal a page or two from the Nevada playbook!
Ron Paul has and will continue to torch Giuliani. Every Ron Paul backer is going to vote and the number keep growing every day. I am enjoying watching this build. It will take a little more time but we will hit critical mass and the MSM will look like the babboons that they've been supporting all along.
Today was another extremely successful day. People will continue to rally behind our next president, Ron Paul.
I think it needs to be mentioned that Mitt Romney was a no name in the mainstream just as much, if not more so than Ron Paul at the beginning of this thing. I don't want to be the conspiracy poster of this thread, but think about this. Romney is a shill politician who's ideas, ALL of them, are the anti-thesis of what the american people are asking for. This man has said he would consult lawyers instead of our most valued document before going to war, he has said we should 'double git-mo", he has said he thinks our foreign policy should be to stay the 'pre-emptive' course, it goes on and on. Almost 80% of the american people want out of the war, they want the recession to simply not happen, and they don't want us policing the world anymore. So what gives? Why is he winning? Is it truly the advertising? Romney looks like the typical "slick millioinare who'll throw his own mother under the bus, so just think about what he'll do to the american people" type politician if ever i've seen one. The last time i saw such a face was on Richard Nixon!
I understand that a lot of you will say that there are so many stupid people out there who either don't care about politics, or can't be bothered from apathy, but i look at things this way:
Those who are involved in the process are aware of the issues, and who truly can and WILL do something about them. The rest of the world who responds only to advertising and 'wedge' issues will tend to go with who the media supports. But when you break down the total meetup groups, and the campaign dollars coming in in such small denominations........what is going on at the voting booths?
Ron Paul should be winning based on just about every metric. I understand that Ron Paul's ideas aren't out there everywhere, but is that actually true? He's becoming known throughout the world, and his answers on the debates, seen by many, are absolutely stellar and contain more honesty than all the candidates from both parties combined. Anyone with half a brain can see that.
I believe in light of all that is going on at the voting booths, primary rigging, diebold malfunctioning, and dissappearance of software, memory cards, optical scanning devices spitting out false numbers, etc, etc.....i simply don't believe any of it to be true. There's just no way Mitt Romney is that popular. NO WAY. He got 51% of the vote in Nevada? Think about that. No way. The deck is stacked, and i'm sick of it. All of it.
We all know there are very bad people holding on to one of the most disgusting parts of the human psyche, despotism and corruption through power, and we also know that they will go to ANY length to hold on to it. Murder, rape, smearing, threats, genocide, inflation, taxes, fascism, ethnic cleansing, and one of the worst: dividing individuals into groups and discriminating against each other. So the rigging of little voting games in little states with magic little digitized counting boxes, which hold 80% of the votes cast, and are counted in private by ONE company who is known to have a WIDE OPEN system for hacking, THE DAY OF EACH election, is just that simple to accomplish. And this is done with the knowledge that there will be NO repercussions from a judicial stand point because of political stacking of the proverbial deck.
How do you fight such a huge effort with goodness when all they want is to control and kill you? When is all of this going to stop? It's almost like we need to wipe out the desire for power from the human genome to stop the never ending "Hysteroidal cycle" of despotism and corruption. I'm not advocating such a thing be done to humans, but i just don't see us getting anywhere as long as history keeps repeating itself. We need to fight evil.....with a little evil here folks.
I say the media outlets, the military industrial complex, the federal reserve and the CIA need to be stripped at their source.....and their source is people. Who are these people and how do we remove them? Sorry for the rant, but working at jobs we hate to buy stuff we don't need isn't what the human race is supposed to be about. All this tryannical crap is keeping us down, and in the only truly free (or used to be) society on the globe no less. What to do....
I loved your marketing technique!! Your article's title drew in the very people that you want reading your message -- the Ron Paul core supporters. And your points are well taken.
It would help nevertheless if you modified your content enough to ensure it doesn't discourage the folks who have given lots to this campaign. The Martin Luther King Day money bomb was a $10 pledge and, indeed, if you count by that amount, you we won't match the previous $100-pledge money bombs. But have not taken note of the number of new donors?
Help keep the fervor going. Modify the post a bit and you'll be delivering a more constructive criticism.
By the way, tax season is upon us. Let's gather the troops outside the H&R Block outlets and hand out Ron's "ABOLISH THE IRS" message to frustrated tax payers coming out from their fleecing or disappointed with their refunds. Either way Ron gains supporters!!
I have not yet given money to the RP campain, instead what i do here is 'free' and maybe equally effective: i contact various medias to push for more RP coverage, I press the ones who ignore him to mention him. Most medias will ignore such demands, but maybe a few will honor the demands. Not everyone watches TV or reads papers, but a single media is still very influencial as it can have a million or more viewers or readers
Awesome, I too love the marketing technique as I said before, 1) It draws in the Ron Paul supporters, who think you are 'dissing' him, and 2) It even draws in the Anti Paul people who think to themselves, "hahaha another chance to get some dirt on Paul" and than they have to look in the mirror and dig deep into their own souls and ask, "Why am I not a Paul supporter?"
Ron is going to go the distance, because Obama and Hillary are ripping one another apart...
Rudi and McCain and Mitt are going to have one hellacious cut throat steel chair tripple threat ladder match.
Thompson is either a plant by McCain or Mitt that's my bet.
Sooner or latter, Huckabee is going to to warm up to Ron Paul...watch and see...
You are a true American. I'm going to copy this statement of encouragement of yours and hand it out to every RP supporter I know. You inspired me a lot. And I confess, I was getting a little discouraged.
I had just enough money left in my account to pay my car (truck) insurance before cancelling tonight at midnight. ($114.00). But instead, I sent $100.00 to the Ron Paul money bomb. Now I'm uninsured. LOL! No problem.
I'll have some more money in a couple of days. I'll reinstate my auto insurance and send more money to Ron Paul.
I actually met Ron Paul today at a rally here in Baton Rouge. We shook hands. When you meet him, you know him. Inside and out. He's for real.
And as for my truck? Well, I'll just tape a Ron Paul sign to my dusty old bicycle and get some fresh air for the next few days.
I have to do everything I can for Congressman Paul. Because when you meet him in person, you just know, without a doubt,
Posted By: John Armstrong
Date: 2008-01-22 02:44:05
After reading these comments, I made a few changes you suggested.
Peter,
Your post inspired me. I may even write an article about it. If you will email me, I'll make sure you don't have to drive without insurance. Your story reminds me of the lady who gave her last two cents to the church in that story from the Bible. Truly moving.
Posted By: John Armstrong
Date: 2008-01-22 02:50:24
A.J.
A "Strong Showing" on Super Tuesday means earning enough delegates in a split field that he gets to come to the Republican Convention and explain his ideas fully in an unedited fashion because his delegates will be necessary to decide the nominee is if it isn't him.
I am one of the 5000 new donors. I have never spent my money on a politician before. I have never before seen an honest politician, untill now. I will be a supporter of Dr.Paul's opinions on federal government long after he is gone. Looking forward to voting on a congressman with his values. Will the Paul supporters be active after the election supporting others with these views ? Sure hope so.
Thanks to all who support this great message.
God Bless Ron Paul and his team of American supporters.
This article and the comments by the different supportes in different states are very moving and truly motivating. The reality is no one, not one of us, expected this race to be easy. We are swimming against the current, the power establishment, the elite, the media, but, you know what, David killed Goliath the giant, so, I really think we can do it. We are convinced that the integrity, experience and the platform Dr. Paul is proposing to save our country is the right one, and most people in their right mind will agree to that. They need to hear the message. Spread the word, contribute!
I made my contribution and I'm spreading the message. It's a great sense of accomplishment for the greater good. FREEDOM
"Ron Paul may or may not win the nomination or general election, but for these ideas to really take root he needs to carry on at least until the GOP convention.
That's only possible if two things happen. There is no clear-cut victor after Super Tuesday. And he wins enough delegates that day, in Texas, and the other remaining states to get him invited to the Convention. "
Agreed. So, in response, let me ask: Suppose the above does NOT happen? Suppose a clear front-runner emerges on Super Tuesday, and we see another media coronation?
If so, what's the game plan? Because I don't think most people in the Ron Paul Revolution have one. Everyone is putting all the eggs in the GOP basket, hoping for a brokered convention. I see this as a mistake. So if he clearly loses on Super Tuesday...just lose gracefully and stay in the GOP race? Because late September will be too late to make a decision about running on a Third Party ticket.
My bride of 53 years and I have given close to the $4600 max, but it pales in comparison to those of you have given a $100 out of your need. It is inspiring to know that so many are waking up to what has happened to our country and are willing to sacrifice for the one man who champions the return to our founding principles. The problem is ignorance and fear of freedom. I ask folks if they know who Ron Paul is, and get a blank stare. I ask them who owns the Federal Reserve and they say the government. I ask if they knew that the Constitution originally forbade the direct taxation of the American people and get the blank stare again. I ask them if they knew that the Constitution originally provided for Senators to be appointed by the various States and there is the same old blank stare. Ignorance reigns! And, the government loves it so. Then there are those who are so accustomed to servitude that the fear of competing in a free society keeps them from acting. But the trend I am seeing among the young people gives me hope. My thanks to all of you who are fighting the good fight.
Many people here in the south do not share the positive image of MLK that was a postulate for yesterday's money bomb. I had to hold my nose when I sent in my contribution yesterday. On the one hand, I love Dr. Paul and everything he stands for, but on the other, my contribution may be seen as an endorsement of MLK. We do well in the future to select money bomb themes that have universal support. I think basing the money bombs on revolutionary themes or heroes of the revolution would produce the wave of emotion in EVERYONE that we all felt when we gave on Tea Party Day.
I appreciate the strong support shown to Ron Paul. All that is needed to win is to bring the message to more Americans. Ron has said it again and again. It is the message that brings the support.
I am a Ron Paul supporter. I donated for the first time on 1/21. I agree with many of his ideas.
I cringe when I listen to Ron Paul speak. His delivery is confusing and disjointed. He leaves an ideas half finished before rambling off on a tangent. I know he is right because I've done the research, and because of this I can see that he knows what he is talking about. I can see the connections he makes before and as he makes them in a speech. But, dang it, his delivery is terrible!
I want to see articles that are well-written, logically organized and tightly reasoned and explain in detail what he is talking about and how it fits together. These articles should not be inspiring stump speech material, they should be impartial, well cited research papers showing the reasoning behind Ron Pauls positions.
Students, are you too poor to donate? Don't want to go walk door to door in the cold? Then apply your acedemic skills and write an article that takes a specific platform issue and concisely, precisely and logically explains what the problem is, how it came about, and how Ron Paul's proposed policies address not just the symptoms of the problem, but the root cause. Run it by your fellow students and professors for input and suggestions. Keep it professional and matter-of-fact. Anticipate and address objections to the reasoning. Cite your sources and ensure that they are credible!.
Stump speeches are great, they introduce people to ideas. While Paul's speeches resonate, they also make logical leaps that many Americans cannot follow because they do not have the background many of us who are supporters do. We need to give them credible, balanced, well-researched material that explains it.
Video student? Great, take said research papers and use your skills to turn them into documentaries (show them off to your deparment, you'll be spreading the message and showing off your skills!), and get them up on YouTube.
Again, I love the message, and I like the candidate, I'm behind it 100%, but it is easy to see how the delivery confuses people and how, because they do not have enough information, they can dismiss Ron Paul as a crackpot. If we are to bring the most people on board, we must provide, in as much detail as anyone cares to see (but not so much that they are scared off of reading it!), exactly why the actions proposed are the correct actions. No spin, no slant, not even to make Ron Paul sound better, just an honest, rigrous analysis so people know enough to see for themselves.
Do you agree? Then spread this message, find people to help, and get the material produced indexed and published where curious potential Ron Paul supporters can find it!
Posted By: terry mcfadden
Date: 2008-01-22 14:00:29
I haven't reached my max limit yet, and probably won't, because living on unemployment benefits is an insult to the work I did to be able to draw. Nevertheless I spend a lot of cash out-of-pocket to support Ron Paul, and as a precinct captain I plot with other local precinct captains to find economical ways to get the word out.
slowly but surely, the word *is* getting out- but we need many more precinct captains, and even more volunteers, to really get his name out there, and known to the apathetic sheeple that get their political news from fox and the rest of the MSM.
Dr. Paul has always impressed me as an honest man. His ideas are sound. I hope my $2,300 bought him a ride to an appearance. While he is flying overhead I will be out calling people and getting signs up. Maybe we can wake some more people up. THE PLACE IS HERE - THE TIME IS NOW. FIGHT FOR YOUR COUNTRY. Semper Fi
I own a small web hosting company that hosted Ron Paul's web site (at no charge) up through the third debate. Then with no warning or explanation, the site was moved to another hosting company, costing the campaign several thousand dollars per month. Perhaps they felt we couldn't handle the traffic or maybe they were just uncomfortable with not being charged. I was livid and swore I would never donate a dime. This article changed my mind. Thanks, John.
Another great John ArmSTRONG article. What could set it up very well for Super Dooper Tuesday is a very well performance in winner takes all Florida, and possibly a win in MAINE. I would say work very hard for MAINE also. Democrats could also vote for Ron Paul there? Of course we work for a win in Florida, but Ron Paul is smart in campaigning in other states now. A win in the small Maine would ensure news coverage as well. Thompson's voters - most of them could vote for Paul - will help us a lot. In any case, if we fare better than expected in FL and Maine and Huckabee etc. less than expected (Paul does not have to win either), it will already set up nicely, but a win would be awsome.
Posted By: patrick henry
Date: 2008-01-23 13:31:25
Sons and Daughters of LIBERTY!
Our forefathers didnt win a battle (Trenton) until the end of 1776.
The time to increase our efforts is upon us NOW!
Let it never be said that WE THE PEOPLE rolled over and played dead at the exact time WE were needed most.
Tell everone you know.
Respond to spam emails with Dr. Paul's message
Stand on the side of the road and YELL for LIBERTY
Write your local papers editor
Blog everyday.
The sheeple will follow your lead once they know its ok not to follow the rest of the herd to the slaughter.
NEVER GIVE UP, this is just the beginning folks. We all need to take back congress in 2010. Start now! Many intelligent folks support the good Dr., so get of your collective asses and take back your country, my country our country. Our forefathers risked it ALL. Their honor, their good names, their fortunes and their LIVES to give us FREEDOM, shame on us (me included) for ever slacking on this ideal. LIBERTY reigns supreme, it sells itself go present it to the apathetic masses and lets take back our country.
"Is life so sweet, or peace so dear as to be purchased at the price of chains? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me give me LIBERTY or give me DEATH!"-P. Henry
Sic Semper Tyrannis
I just fired off a message to the campaign about the way you were treated voicing my displeasure. I may not get you an explanation or an apology, but I tried. I have donated heavily to Ron Paul, Murray Sarbin, the Blimp. the Ads in Utah, etc. so maybe it will cut some ice. No matter how busy we get there is no excuse for treating people badly. The campaign is too important to neglect though.
And, Dr. Ward I also mentioned the yelling. Sorry you were exposed to bad behaviour as well.
Like many others above, I am not much for giving to campaigns---in 40 years of voting, only $10 to a local race--until I met Dr. Paul! I echo Tammy, the very first post above. I gave what I could to one of the money bombs and then gave half of that again to the blimp because the latter doesn't count toward my $2300 limit. I think many are spending money and efforts in other ways.
I'm part of that "older crowd," and I too meet the blank stares of people who don't know Ron Paul. But I've been educating them. As for the guy who thinks Dr. Paul's delivery is flawed, I don't see it. Maybe I'm just better educated in matters of Constitution, law, government and corruption. But I direct people specifically to the Issues link on the campaign web site---telling them that those white papers started out at 6, went to 12, and are now about 15.
Then I direct them to Dr. Paul's very articulately written (and brief) editorials posted as Texas Straight Talk on his congressional web page---opinions that go all the way back to 1996! No flip-flopping here; what he says is what he means!
My first presidential vote went to Barry Goldwater! My late mother (product of affluent parents ruined in the Depression) was "scared" of Goldwater, and I think a lot of that exists today. I've spent a good bit of time on line explaining that Dr. Paul's plan to restructure socialist insecurity (which keeps me alive) will not involve some sudden dramatic change that will plunge all seniors (including me) and disabled into instant poverty.
As much as Dr. Paul wants to abolish the IRS (and I HAVE studied that issue in depth for 20+ years), even the bills he introduces acknowledge its continued existence for the time being, such as one bill to end all taxation of social security benefits.
Oh, someone above asked if Dr. Paul supports the "Fair" Tax (the one that would cost me about half of my meager SS, so I don't see it as very "fair"). No, he supports going back to the original constitutional intent that one keeps one's earnings. The country survived without a so-called "income" tax for the first 125 years. The money you pay in doesn't support the government anyway---it only goes to pay interest on the debt owed to the International Banksters who currently own us.
Dr. Paul---the only candidate in the race with a thorough study of economics under his belt---knows this. That's why he wants to see honest money again.
Stand fast, Citizens. Give what you can, then pinch a bit and give more. Pray, and speak out to share the message. That both parties' front-runners are going broke and no clear leader has yet emerged is the most positive sign that, despite censorship by the bought-and-paid-for journalistic whores, there really is a chance Ron Paul can make it to the convention. Once there, we can pray for a miracle that he is nominated.
i saw that documentary on the voting machines. its called "hacking democracy". if you haven't seen it, basically it proves that our elections are being rigged. i wonder what we need to do to stop this. would it be possible to file lawsuits in the local courts & present this documentary as evidence? the purpose behind it being to get the judges to demand 100% accountability at the voting sites. i wonder how we could get emergency injunctions or something like that. does anybody have any ideas? if so, can u make a video about it and put it on youtube? thank you!
about a month ago I gave my very first ever donation to a politician. It was for $25.00. I truly believe in Ron Paul and his message. I will be donating more to him. Just trying to recover from christmas right now. I am having the thought of taking this tax rebate ,are what ever they call it, that we are suppose to be recieving and sending it to Ron Paul. Would love for more R.P. supporters to do this and lets make sure old bush knows where his money was spent.
If the Presidential campaign was a rodeo then Jon Paul would be the rodeo clown. He doesn't stand a chance in hell. 98 % of the public know that. There are 2 to 4 % out of touch with reality. He has some good points but he can't win and probably will not win one state. His campaign is run mostly on emotion and huberis and that will not put him into the White House. Get real and stay off the weed.
And with this post, nolancharts and John Armstrong decided to give up ALL sense of reality, and just go full blown wacko. Honestly, John..what will you say when he doesn't come close to winning next Tuesday? What will your excuse be? When he is mathematically eliminated, how will you still write that he will be our next president? Or will you then switch to the standard lie of "We never thought he would win, but please don't check my old columns where I said he would." So, where WILL your life be next week? Will you still want to live it?
Posted By: John Armstrong
Date: 2008-01-31 02:19:54
Guess I was wrong about Rudy.
JKF,
I just got my W-2. I've paid $30,000 and owe $10,000 more. I hate paying that much money to support a government that is violating the contract I have with it. I love living in a country that I can do well enough to pay that much in taxes. That's why I support Ron Paul, and more importantly his ideas. Do yourself a favor and check out "neoconservative" on wikipedia. There's a reason the media doesn't even address Ron Paul's "empire" claims. Did you know that neoconservatism is the outgrowth of a liberal movement? Do you know what a brokered convention is? Do you know how to do anything besides how to read the title of an article and then post an ignorant comment? I've been very nice so far, but I am getting ready to rip into attack mode soon. My life will be worth living regardless of this election, but it will be better when Ron Paul is elected this November. I write for the same reason a dog licks himself--because I can. And I believe that other ameriCANs CAN do for themselves as well. After you've met the 50,000+ people I've met and conversed with, come talk to me. Until then--educate yourself if you can read.
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