In a strong finish in Iowa, the underdog Congressman from Texas has again proven his message of liberty cannot be ignored. by Jake Morphonios
(libertarian)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
At the beginning of 2011, could anyone have predicted the powerful influence of Congressman Ron Paul? In an unbelievable finish in Iowa, the underdog from Texas emerged victorious and validated. Though he placed third, he was only three percentage points from first place. Considering the near-blackout of Paul by the media, save for the incessant attacks of neo-conservative talk radio hosts, Paul’s Iowa finish is nothing short of stunning. Pundits and naysayers will be scratching their heads for a long time, wondering how this unimposing former-obstetrician was able to beat the likes of former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. "Victory" is more than just a first place finish. It is the successful realization of one's goals. With Paul's stated goal of rekindling America's passion for liberty, one cannot deny that he scored a major win in Iowa. Using the momentum of his incredible success, Paul is expected to do well in the upcoming New Hampshire primary.
Some may feel disheartened at the appearance of Paul’s third place finish. The candidate himself encouraged his supporters Tuesday night, telling them that the results of their efforts were nothing to be embarrassed about. Paul told his followers that he is “one of two who can actually run a national campaign and raise the money” needed to fight on. He said that the movement to restore liberty is going to continue growing and that his campaign would “keep scoring”. The Congressman told the enthusiastic crowd that he is “ready and raring” for the contest in New Hampshire.
But what of Ron Paul’s third place finish? Paul campaigned heavily in Iowa in 2008 (he finished a distant 5th) and has been traveling back to the state over the last 4 years to build his grassroots organization. He has poured millions of dollars into his Iowa campaign. His television ads were viewed over and over. Polls reveal that the Paul campaign contacted more Iowans than any other candidate. He consistently reminded media naysayers that he was polling well in the state and that he might just win. It was true! Paul stood a very good chance of winning – maybe placing second. But not even Paul expected a third place loss. So what happened?
Over a month ago I wrote that seeking increased media coverage leading up to the caucuses wasn’t necessarily the best for him strategically. For months the mainstream media (MSM) had made a shockingly opaque effort to black out Ron Paul’s campaign. Yet, excitement over Paul’s libertarian message of smaller government became too great to ignore. Having worked with the Paul campaign from beginning to end in the 2008 cycle, I knew what was going to happen. If the MSM was going to have to give Paul any attention, it would not be good attention. Pundits and political foes once again dug out the infamous “Ron Paul Newsletters” and worked overtime to poison Paul’s reputation with suggestions of racism, attempts to associate him with conspiracy theory nuts and warning that his foreign policy ideas made him dangerous..
The worst case scenario for Paul in Iowa was to be made to look like a quack a few weeks before the caucuses. Voters in Iowa are fickle, to put it politely. First they were die-hard Bachmann fans, and then they turned to Perry as their savior – followed by Cain and later Gingrich. But in the end, over 40% of caucus attending voters entered the caucuses not even knowing who they were going to vote for at the end of the night. These people are as firm as a wet noodle. They fall behind whichever candidate the MSM tells them to support. Iowans lick their fingers and stick them in the air to feel which way the wind is blowing. THAT is how candidates are chosen in Iowa. If the media makes them feel it would be socially unpopular to support a particular candidate, then no amount of reason or logic will sway them.
“Paul supporters can sway Romney voters on caucus night, but only if the MSM hasn’t poisoned their minds with anti-Paul sentiment. The truth is that no MSM coverage for Paul is better than bad coverage. Unfortunately, he is piquing about two weeks early. Make no mistake, with three weeks to go before Iowa, the MSM has ample time to damage Paul and kill his chance for victory.”
After it became clear that he could not win Iowa on caucus night, Ron Paul told supporters that the third place finish is nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s right, in a sense. But after making such an incredible effort in Iowa, to be beaten out at the last minute by the likes of RICK “Scrappy Doo” SANTORUM, you can’t help but feel pity for Paul supporters. To be beaten by Santorum – a once and future nobody – is dejecting. So how can Paul feel good about a third place finish?
It is because Ron Paul has changed the entire political discourse. Though they won’t admit it, the other candidates have been forced to adopt and espouse many of Ron Paul’s ideas, including ones that they previously mocked. How Paul must chuckle to himself when he hears Newt Gingrich talk about auditing the Federal Reserve or when Rick Perry tries to list federal departments he intends to abolish. All of them are now extolling the virtues of fiscal responsibility under the Constitution, though they don't seem to actually understand what that means. It is universally recognized by the candidates that Paul supporters make up the most fervent, unabashedly excited grassroots organization in politics today.
Some people pessimistically interpret a glass of water to be “half empty” while others optimistically say it is “half full”. But then there are Ron Paul supporters. They don’t just see a glass of water, but a glass overflowing with sweet and satisfying nectar drawn straight from the fountain of liberty. They are not ashamed of a third place finish because they know they are making history. They know it is morning in America and are blowing trumpets of freedom to wake Americans from their long slumber. Ron Paul is behind this resurgence in true American patriotism. Hundreds of thousands of people are now flocking to the banner of the Constitution and the excitement is spreading like a wildfire.
And it started with a measly third place finish in Iowa. No wonder Paul and his supporters are so satisfied.
Jake Morphonios has worked as a political consultant and campaign strategist for over two decades and is the author of "Organizing a Grassroots Political Machine", used in the Steve Forbes 2000 Presidential campaign.
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