Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
A Big Story so far: Ron Paul has made US political history... Again. Election history has been made twice in the last month and a half. Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul shattered yet another fundraising record, netting over $6 Million... all in small donations.by Patrick James
(Libertarian)
Monday, December 17, 2007
In case you missed it, United States election history has been made twice in the last month and a half. Yesterday, Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul shattered another record for pre-primary fundraising in a single day, netting $6.6 Million... all in small donations. The previous record was set on Nov 5th 2007 with another hefty sum of $4.5 million... by Ron Paul.
The Dec 16th tally officially eclipsed the all-time historical record for election fundraising in a 24 hour period set by Democrat John Kerry in 2004.
If you had missed it the first time, then now is the time to take note. Led by 37 year old web professional Trevor Lyman, volunteers organised their second record breaking one day fundraiser, or "money bomb" on Dec 16th, aptly held on the anniversary of the historic Boston Tea Party. What is also historic here is that in the age of paid political fundraising 'agents', Ron Paul's campaign did not spend a penny to raise this record breaking sum.
Driven by Web 2.0 technology, this GOP candidate's unique platform of anti-war, anti-tax, anti-big government and pro-US Constitution, has become a virtual magnet for volunteer support and cash. In October, the web search term "Ron Paul" effectively passed Paris Hilton on Google as one of the most searched names online and postings on social networking sites like Facebook and Youtube have been receiving record numbers of views. As a strict Constitutionalist, Dr. Paul's cross-over appeal has attracted large groups supporters ranging from Libertarians to Democrats, and leads all candidates in financial support from active service US Military personnel.
Here is the USP: the policies he is advocating in his manifesto, like letting people take responsibility and being fiscally conservative(watching the pennies), are actually being mirrored throughout his campaign- a trend which is building credibility amongst an unusually wide spectrum of supporters and volunteers, and could translate into one of the most effective political mandates in living memory. The move was taken to run a decentralized, 21st Century-style "open source" campaign, choosing to empower volunteers in all their skill and creativity, rather than running a traditional "top down", controlled affair seen throughout almost every other candidate's campaign. Whilst seen by many as the most compelling election story thus far, top media pundits in the US are already referring to this groundswell as the single biggest surprising political movement in the United States since the late 1960's.
Zephyr Teachout, head of internet strategy for Howard Dean in 2004 and visiting lecturer at Duke University, stated in a PBS feature this week, "Most of the (Presidential) campaigns have distributed tasks, and the Ron Paul campaign has distributed power, and that's a far more intoxicating and exciting kind of distribution to be a part of."
Many insiders in Washington are looking closely as to why the other Presidential candidates are not able to copy Ron Paul's campaign successes, but the simple fact stands out- that there is no set formula to this revolution. His supporters believe that you cannot foster a movement like this one unless you are offering a very strong and relevant message.
Ron Paul looks like he is delivering just that.
This Story's Reference Links:
Dec 14th PBS(aired in the US) Full-length feature on Ron Paul:
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2007 Patrick James, all rights reserved.
Published: Monday, December 17, 2007
Last modified: Monday, December 17, 2007
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RON PAUL is the man. People see the honesty he holds and they trust him. This is why people hand their money. And it isn't just rich people handing money. In fact, I would say it is quite the contrary. More people that donated seem to be your normal joe, college-student, married with children, type of normal.
"Ron Paul’s campaign should demand equal time on all networks or simply advertise elsewhere." A brilliant comment I stole from another posting on another site.
I'm so excited and proud to ba a part of the Ron Paul rEVOLution.
I've been an American for 67 years (I was born here). My ancestors came from England and Scotland when this country was first founded. I've read the history of our country and the people who fought and died for our freedoms and liberty. I remember when we were a proud and prosperous nation. Our Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights meant something.
Then.......I saw it falling apart; I didn't care, "there is nothing I can do" I'd say. and "fall back to sleep"
I hit the "snooze buttom" when the USS Cole was bombed, and WTC was attacked,the first time, I'd grumple and complain about what our "leaders" were allowing...then I'd "stick my head farther into the sand".
I had never voted and I didn't see what difference it made for those who did. I would say "I will respect whomever you elect"; that was my attitude.
Then...............on Sept. 11, 200l my "screech alarm" went off and I've been awake ever since! I saw the "Patriot act" enacted. I've been a victim of it's enforcement. I remember reading about Pearl Harbor and what happened to anyone who looked like a those who did it. I expected the same to happen to those who attacked us this time.
I was shocked at what happened! I could not believe they killed a man and demolished his country and he had nothing to do with what happened here! Granted he may have been a tyrant but OBL was responsible for the attack on us.... (or so they say)
If I was a young man today I would have to take a drug test so the people who are "disbled" or otherwise unemployed, on prescription drugs (some of them sell the prescription drugs to make ends meet) and THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE A DRUG TEST! I'm insulted and pissed. I'm sure you students and tax paying, legal americans are too.
I won't go into how I feel about Illegal immigrants invading our country, open borders, allowing foreign trucks to cross without being searched! etc. etc. Illegals being educated, given free health care, foodstamps etc. etc. Allowing legal status to those born of illegals!,it's a travesty.
I am ready to get active and stand up for US, the USA. I have donated to a politician for the first time in my life. I will donate again on Jan. 1st, That is what I'm doing instead of buying xmas gifts. This is a gift to, my grandchildren, much better than "chinese" stuff.
I think every American should give something; one dollar will do if that's all you can afford.
"United We Stand, Divided We Fall" remember that? We. who are legal citizens of the U.S of A (be they yellow, black or white, "nappy headed ho's, Rednecks, Yuppies, whatever are brothers and sisters of the rELOVution!
Ron Paul is our hope..................He is our leader , without a leader we would be "crushed like a bug" like those who have dared to rebel without one.
I am also worried about Dr. Paul. Remember MLK, Kennedy (two of them) and others who tried to wake us up and didn't make it. He's aware of this as well, I'm sure.
I am proud to be part of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, our republic. Dr. Ron Paul is in fact a true Republician. Those who call themselves republicians are in fact anything but...............
I am registered as an Independent because I didn't respect or trust the other two parties. when I "woke up". I also looked at the Green party. I was despartally looking for a place to "fit in". I decided I was more a Liberaterian than the "other two. We didn't have a candidate though.
I met Ron Paul, online and I've decided the liberaterian party was started because they were "fed up" with both parties. I don't know if that's a fact or not but since Dr. Paul is a registered republician if I had to switch, I would
I may have registered online once as a Liberterian. I was so politically dumb (pre 9/ll/01) I had never heard of the party. I didn't even know, for sure, who the president was when the planes hit the WTC.
. If "they" keep Dr. Paul off the republician ballot I will write him in unless he decides to run as a Liberaterian.
I live in Northern California and don't have to change my party to vote for Ron Paul and as much as I don't want to be identified with GW and his "ilk" I would just to vote for Dr. Paul.
Sorry I got on my "soap box"
I designed my own bumper sticker that says "Ron Paul, ya'll" -2008 :)
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2007 Patrick James, all rights reserved.