Taking Ron Paul Seriously In New Hampshire

CONCORD -- When I visited Ron Paul's New Hampshire campaign headquarters this morning, only one member of his staff, Kate Rick, was there. The other six were out building a contraption to capture the unique energies of the Paul movement here. Excitement -- Paul is moving up (slowly) in the polls and has only, to this point, run a single radio ad.

A check of the parking lots at Paul events in New Hampshire finds many Vermont and Massachusetts license plates. An evolved campaign fills its crowds with voters, not just fans. Rick, the founder of the unofficial RonPaulHq.com, spent hundreds of her own dollars to print large yard signs. A campaign with millions in the bank can probably afford to pay her back.

For the longest time, many journalists, myself included, did not take Ron Paul seriously. It wasn't that his politics -- a combination of libertarian constitutionalism and social conservatism -- were unusual. It was, principally, that he was anti-war in a party where that view dare not express itself.

Paul is now emerging as a serious threat in New Hampshire, perhaps not to win it -- although the winner may need only 25% or so -- , but to influence the outcome in a way that reflects his worldview. He will spend most of the $5.3M in his campaign budget on television, mailings and field organizing in the Granite State. There are 450 people in largest Ron Paul Meetup group, and they're canvassing in Claremont and dropping lit in Manchester this weekend.

Who likes Paul? His aides say there is no single demographic. Many are former members of the Buchanan Brigade, suddenly re-energized by Paul's anti-interventionism and strong border stances. Others seem to be casual libertarians who never really found a sympathetic voice in any of the other presidential candidates. Yet others are self-described constitutionalists. They blame the monetary system for the credit crunch and for economic dislocation. Monetary policy has been Paul's other big bugbear.

Today, thousands of New Hampshire Republicans began receiving a glossy, 12-mail mailer -- the campaign's first major lit drop. The first Paul television ad should hit the airwaves soon. Paul will increase his campaign appearances here. He's hesitated to spend too much time on the campaign trail because he's a freak about serving his Texas constituents and never likes to miss a vote.

Comments

On November 5th there will be a Money bomb on the official Ron Paul website www.ronpaul2008.com . They're trying to get 100,000 people to pledge $100 on 11/05/07. Like the movie "V for Vendetta" we trying to make a statement and bomb the website to help the campaign and bring change to America through a financial donation! The goal is to make history and give Ron Paul the highest 1 day campaign contribution ever, for a total of $10,000,000 in one day! Imagine the news coverage Ron Paul will get? This is crucial to the campaign and Ron Paul winning. It's our duty to help Ron Paul become our next president and bring about change! The official Ron Paul Money Bomb Pledge site is http://www.thisnovember5th.com/ if your interested sign the pledge and bomb away on 11/05/07. There is also another website which is for those who cant afford to donate $100 and that site is http://d212389.dn24.directnichosting.com/ Lastly, here is a link to an article for the money bomb http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=50673 OH yeah almost forgot, Ron Paul will be a guest on Jay Leno's Tonight Show on October 30, 2007 check it out! Pass this on to your friends! REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER! Go President Paul!!!!

Posted by Alex | October 26, 2007 5:09 PM

"A campaign with millions in the bank can probably afford to pay her back."

It's amusing how the MSM fails to understand the Ron Paul phenomenon at every turn.

We Paulians LOVE to spend our own money on him, and don't want to be "paid back" in any way except by Pres. Ron Paul restoring this republic's Constitution.

These funds don't show up in the tallies but they are sizable. Via Chip-in widgets, for example, Ron Paul supporters have flown dozens of Ron Paul-banner-trailing planes over football stadiums, state fairs, etc.

Cost to the campaign: zero. They don't even know this stuff happens until it does and we like it that way.

Posted by FZappa | October 26, 2007 5:10 PM

Here are some of the current Ron Paul chip-ins, Marc:

http://www.ronpaulgraphs.com/chipin.html

Posted by FZappa | October 26, 2007 5:13 PM

"He's hesitated to spend too much time on the campaign trail because he's a freak about serving his Texas constituents and never likes to miss a vote." Is a good argument for giving him the job of President Of The United States Of America.

Core Character Is His Strength !!!

I hear many Superfluous Arguments against him based on words taken out of context and without temperament of holistic view. His Voting Record shows he does not "Sway In The Breeze". This Man Is Worthy !!!

A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Is Still Voting For Evil !!!

Help Stop The Doom That Is Coming !!!

Vote For Ron Paul !!!

Posted by Brad | October 26, 2007 5:20 PM

Being a New Hampshire citizen I'm glad you've now decided to take Ron Paul seriously, but you are not alone in your decision. The New York Times, who previously ignored him, just published a huge article about him and his campaign and now recognizes his standing in the upcoming election.

Anyhow, I'm glad he's now starting to get the coverage he deserves because he is the only true social and fiscal conservative running. The other republicans want to continue wasting billions of our dollars policing the world and the democrats want to waste billions on social programs and entitlements. Combined they will bankrupt this great country. History teaches us that all great empires come to an end this way.

To me, it's logical to vote for a person who is pro-personal-freedom, pro-personal-liberties, anti-tax, and anti-big-government. Ron Paul's poll numbers will continue to climb as more people find out about him and hear his message of freedom.

Keep up the fight Ron Paul. You've now got my attention and vote!

Posted by Robert Johnson | October 26, 2007 5:29 PM

There's no reason to take him any more seriously than any other second tier candidate with no chance of winning the race, but he should be treated equally to other candidates in that situation.

A far more useful thing for MSM journalists to do would be to follow only early state polls and make fun of their peers when they do otherwise.

Posted by bob | October 26, 2007 5:35 PM

"An evolved campaign fills its crowds with voters, not just fans."

Yes, because the election is happening today, right?

Be serious.

He's just getting started. He's got at least a month before you can make statements like that.

Posted by B Reyes | October 26, 2007 5:35 PM

Voters *are* fans. Think about it: they spend money on their favorit candidate, walk precincts for their favorite candidate, wave signs for their favorite candidate and do many other volunteer activities for their favorite candidate. They do these things because they like the candidate and his/her message. They don't do this for candidates they don't like.

Musicians have fans. They pay money to but merchandise and music, join "street teams" to promote their favorite musicians, organize listing parties and fan clubs. They don't do this for musicians they don't like.

Voters who support a particular candidate *are* fans.

Posted by Gene Trosper | October 26, 2007 5:47 PM

I am a democrat voting for Ron Paul and the restoration of the constitution!

Posted by RonPaulDems | October 26, 2007 5:48 PM

No one is a "voter" until after they have cast a vote on election day.

Posted by Thom1776 | October 26, 2007 6:01 PM

I am a career Naval officer who has been politically neutral for my entire life, but voting for Ron Paul is about voting for America and our Constitution, which I took an oath to preserve. I am now supporting Dr. Ron Paul with my wallet--and my heart.

Long Live the Constitution! Long Live the Republic!

Posted by J.P. | October 26, 2007 6:07 PM

Nice article. I didn't realize Paul was gaining so much traction -- not that I have a problem with that :)

Posted by Bill Sanders | October 26, 2007 6:10 PM

I am a single mother who works as a waitress and I LOVE spending money on RON PAUL. Today I bought spray paint, T shirts and stencils.

Spray Paint: 9 dollars
T-shirts: 20 dollars
Stencils: 5 dollars

Restoring America to a constitutional government: PRICELESS

Some things in life, money can't buy. For everything else, there's mastercard!

GO RON PAUL 2008!

Posted by Dorothy | October 26, 2007 6:24 PM

Hi Gene, a fellow fan to your north here. Stop on by Pachappa when you're in town. :)

As usual, another media guy who says one thing and write another. "For the longest time, many journalists, myself included, did not take Ron Paul seriously." With statements like "An evolved campaign fills its crowds with voters, not just fans." (Gene killed that one rather well)and "The other six were out building a contraption to capture the unique energies of the Paul movement here." (like it was a Tesla experiment or something) and "Paul is now emerging as a serious threat in New Hampshire, perhaps not to win it" (threat? to whom, besides the annointed RINO neocons?), you show that you STILL aren't taking him seriously, and you should.

That and BS statements like "He will spend most of the $5.3M in his campaign budget on television, mailings and field organizing in the Granite State." $1.1 million is not "most" of $5.3 million unless you failed first grade math and became a shoddy journalist.

So you can do better. I suggest you do so.

But thanks for the coverage. It shows you're starting to figure out what is really going on in this campaign.

Posted by Tannim | October 26, 2007 6:27 PM

The interesting thing is that Ron Paul has become such a threat to the pro-war faction of the Republican party that RedState.com took action to censor any discussion about Paul. They of course covered their tracks by manufactuing stories about Ron Paul supporters being racists and other such nonsense. Even fascists don't want to look like fascists.

Truly a sign that the Paul campaign is a threat to the new conservatives (aka neo-cons). The Old Right (Taft, Goldwater) is making its way back.

Posted by TJefferson | October 26, 2007 6:31 PM

I wish I could vote in NH, but I'll have to wait for Super Tuesday in Pennsylvania. I'm absolutely 'in' for November 5th! That will amplify our message way beyond our puny little budgets. Main stream Media has underestimated Ron Paul for so long which has been a huge advantage--think viral marketing(all your base are belong to us)!! That is what every big company would like to be able to harness. And now, with that huge following of fanatically dedicated volunteers in place, it is time move into media coverage. What Ron Paul has today is both Hillary's dream and her nightmare. Her dream because you can't artificially create such a movement---her nightmare because you also can't control it.

Posted by E Philipp | October 26, 2007 6:32 PM

Ron Paul not only has a solid chance in New Hampshire but he also has a solid chance at winning the presidency. He is the ONLY candidate, democratic and republican, that did not vote for the war. He knows the "Patriot" Act is bad for our country and our civilian rights and he fights it like crazy. In my whole life I have never seen a candidate with more integrity and obedience to the Constitution (You know, the piece of paper that this great country was founded on) as I have seen in Ron Paul.
I can't wait for his radio and tv ads to get out! For once the country has someone to vote for that sincerely cares about our country and says the things that need to be said. He does not pander around and try to win votes with emotionless smiles and empty promises.
I, like Ron Paul, will not vote for any other candidate unless they follow the constitution, end this disaster of a war in Iraq and not let it spread into Iran like Guiliani, Romney, McCain and Huckabee want to do, and restore the conservative beliefs the Republican Party use to stand for. That is why I will only vote for Ron Paul!

www.ronpaul2008.com - Find out for Yourself what makes this man my Hero!

Posted by Justin Klingler | October 26, 2007 6:36 PM

"He's hesitated to spend too much time on the campaign trail because he's a freak about serving his Texas constituents and never likes to miss a vote."

What a freak! He actually serves the people who elected him. Some concept. Do you think he'd do the same if he were elected President?

Posted by JM | October 26, 2007 6:54 PM

I just want to make it clear that it isn't only the young people that will be voting for Dr.Paul, I am a Mother of five,Married for fifty years (all to the same man) have 11 grand children(not quite as many as Dr.Paul) and everyone in my family that can vote is voting for Ron Paul. GO DR.NO!!

Posted by Diane Burkland | October 26, 2007 7:00 PM

It seems the pro war republican base is shrinking every day. I've been a very active conservative Republican all my life, but I started to wake up to all the failures about a year ago. It is not so much just about the war, as it is about a completely failed foreign policy of trying to run the world. Our foreign policy is un-American, and un-Constitutional.

Posted by Joe | October 26, 2007 7:01 PM

First of all, any supporter of a particular candidate must by definition be a fan. I reject your notion that all of Dr. Paul's supporters are nothing more than 'fans'. If you show up to a rally, chances are you care enough about that particular candidate to vote. Your tone in this article is dismissive of the huge grassroots network that has formed to support Ron Paul and Ron Paul supporters in general.

Secondly, hardcore Ron Paul supports don't want the campaign to be paying them back for anything. Ron Paul's money can be better spent on increasing his woefully low name recognition. When people actually notice Dr. Paul, they will embrace his freedom, peace, and prosperity agenda.

Posted by Curtis | October 26, 2007 7:09 PM

The only way Ron Paul can "pay me back" is by Winning the general election in 2008.

And if he accomplishes this, he will have paid me back a thousand times over.

Posted by Aaron Kinney | October 26, 2007 7:31 PM

Marc is a bit out of touch. There are NO Paul supporters who WILL NOT VOTE for Paul when the time comes. They are not just fans, or curiosity seekers, they are COMMITTED VOTERS. How would we know this? Paul has raised about $10M but I am willing to bet that the money his supporters have spent independently would amount to a $30M campaign...that should give you a clue to the depth and breadth of his support.

As Dante Scala said, with just a few radio ads and few visits, Paul is already polling at 7.4% just among the GOP faithful here!

Sometimes my fellow 'pundits' just don't get what goes on in NH. But they soon will!

Don't be a so arrogant.

PS - Only Kate was there....because the rest of the staff and volunteers are too busy raking in the money and campaigning all over the state! We wouldn't get much done sitting in an office.

Paul's supporters know how to get things done.

Posted by NH4RonPaul | October 26, 2007 7:47 PM

It appears The Atlantic is taking a softer stand then in recent weeks. If the writers and owwners love freedom and liberty they will provide a more balanced view of Paul then they too may become bitten by the real opportunity before us. They are not MSM but they have a small effect on the net but not with those who love Paul.

Yes, Paul has spent little of his cash and has been supported by those who understand and support the law of the land. It seems like a simple message but some just don't get it.... But over the last few weeks and months it appears Paul is growinng in every possible way. Ron's site is the most popular site on the GOP side with an 8,0000% increase in rank.

Our meet up group in Va only has just over a 120 people signed up but we have over 320 people who have attended the last few weeks. Our goal was to double witth those of us who are on meet-up just a few weeks ago and last night our group had over 471 people... Thats right 471 people. We took a show of hands and counted 254 GOP members (Did you just read that over half are GOP members) 106 are from donky land, 45 are from the Constitution party, 42 are independents, 18 libertarian, 9 don't have a clue what party or group they are a part of.

It was amazing to see so many people. As a life long GOP member I have never been in a room filed with so many people from various parties. Ron Paul has an amazing level of Bipartisian support that no other canidate has. He is uniting the nation and the MSM is behind the times on this topic as well.

In closing I'm thankful for Marks article and I hope the next time he will ask why Pauls supporters use their own cash and time and would never ask for a refund from Paul's office.... Once Marc begins to ask those questions then he will begin to understand the Ron Paul Revolution.

Posted by Darel99 | October 26, 2007 8:19 PM

Dr. Paul runs for We the People. He treated poor patients for free rather than take Medicare payments.

He returns political contributions received from corporations! His average donation is $40 per person. He raised $5 million in Q3 and is on tract to raise $3 million in October.

He declined his very lucrative Congressional pension, because he does not believe he has a right to grab part of your paycheck and you have no obligation to take care of his retirement. In 30 years he has never taken a single political junket. He has never done a single deal with a special interest group or corporation.

He will allow young people to opt out of Social Security. He knows young people will never enjoy the benefits of Social Security, so why tax them?

Now, here’s an honest politician with integrity. He is the lone Republican who opposed the war, when it was still only on the White House agenda, long before 9/11. He will bring our troops home and end the suffering in Iraq. A vote for Ron Paul will restore our image abroad.

His record takes one’s breath away. For thirty years he cast every one of his votes strictly in accordance with the Constitution.

Don’t think Republican vs Democrat. Think honesty, integrity, my future, my children’s future vs. political graft, special interests, lobbyists, 9$9 trillion Federal debt, incurring $500 billion in interest annually. The Iraq war will add another $2.4 trillion. It’s like light vs darkness. It’s an easy choice. Vote Ron Paul, it will change the country for ever, for the better.

Posted by Albert Meyer | October 26, 2007 8:28 PM

Turnout for Ron Paul at rallies, and in Republican straw polls, and at the debates, and online (of course) has been phenomenal. Turnout in the primaries for Ron Paul is going to be phenomenal, too.

I've never understood why the media hasn't been taking Ron Paul seriously all along. He has far more volunteers than the rest of the candidates put together.

Polls show that 30% of Republicans want out of Iraq. That number is 50% in Iowa. With so many candidates running, and only one against the war, Ron Paul has always been the candidate with the biggest upside. Throw in a remarkably consistent record and a well-earned reputation for integrity, along with 60,000 or so "fans" and you have a very serious contender.

Posted by Craig | October 26, 2007 8:52 PM

Ron Paul is Hope for America.

Posted by libertynow | October 26, 2007 8:59 PM

Not to mention that several PACs have already been formed by grassroots supporters to run ads for Dr. Paul. What OTHER candidate has had grassroots supporters found even a single PAC for them?
A grassroots designed and financed 1/4 page ad just ran in the Sunday Union Leader and the fundraising is already collected to run thousands of privately made TV ads here in the Granite State. Add that to millions being spent by the campaign, and we have some serious advertising going on.
BTW, I'd check that line: "He will spend most of the $5.3M in his campaign budget on television, mailings and field organizing in the Granite State" if I were you - he has already raised an additional $2.8M so far this month. That still leaves him about $6M in the bank.

JM

Posted by James Maynard | October 26, 2007 9:01 PM

Dr. Paul is my hero. I feel inspired because I know the candidate I support is honest. He looks out for Americans and thats the kind of leadership this country desperately needs!

November 5th is going to be a historic day.

Posted by Parke | October 26, 2007 9:19 PM

The article forgot to mention that Republicans and Democrats support Ron Paul. I have never before this election described myself as a Constitutionalist (bad after taste in my mouth from Bo Gritz) or a Libertarian. I am a Republican who voted for Bush once and AGAINST Kerry once--making two votes for Bush I regret.

He has strayed so far from his original platform and the republican congress has increased the size of government so much that I withered in political apathy...until I found Dr. PAUL!

He is capable of re-energizing the Republican base. I have been re-energized. Why did I not hear his excellent interview with Bill Moyer before the war?

Why had I never heard of him? I am grateful for his service.

Thank you Dr. Paul for running. I am donating on Nov 5th. I encourage anyone else who reads this to do the same.

Posted by lem | October 26, 2007 9:22 PM

Live free or die, New Hampshire. Make this a landslide for the good doctor!

Posted by Mike Robinson | October 26, 2007 9:30 PM

Dear Marc,

Thank you for the fair article. The passion is there because more and more people are really scared. I use the word "scared" with intention.

The Constitution hangs by a thread; each day the blogs bring out more and more new laws, Presidential Executive Orders, and Government "guidelines" and "rules" that take away our freedoms. Yesterday, it was the FDA wants to make it impossible for us to get vitamins... what next? Everyday, it is something new; today it is forcing young girls to have unsafe and untested vaccines. The Pharm industry has given so much money, that the government has "relaxed" testing requirements.

After Bush bombs Iran, and the price of oil skyrockets, and our KIAs skyrocket, there may be a perfect storm for third party candidate; go Ron Paul, or someone else.

Oh, today I learned that Congress is working on bill that will put you in jail for expressing "thoughts" against "their" will. Amazing to see this history unfolding. Good that the Spirit of The Lord is brooding over the hearts and minds, and raising up good folks to defend the Constitution of The United States of America.

Go door to door for Paul, put on a bumper sticker, donate.

Posted by Kyle in Flint MI | October 26, 2007 10:10 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA

I am a disabled veteran I just watched that video and it made me want to cry. This is the first time I have had hope for our country in a very very long time. Weather you like or dislike Ron Paul I hope you will at least watch the video all the way through.
Please support our troops and bring them home.

USMC
Semper Fidelis

Posted by B.Young | October 26, 2007 10:49 PM

I voted for W and had usually voted for conservatives which was what I thought Bush Jr. was and besides my vote would keep socialist Democrats and their big spending at bay right? No longer will I ever vote for a candidate just to stop another candidate again. I sure didn't want the Democrats to get Gore in.

Next election I could not vote for Bush or Kerry after what I saw over the next four years although I thought about voting once again against the one I didn't like (Bush this time around). I ended up voting for the Libertarian candidate (Badnarik) because as much as I disliked Bush I could not and would never vote for Kerry.

Never again, I found Ron Paul this time around and he has my vote all the way to the podium of the Republican Convention.

Posted by Dave P. | October 26, 2007 11:12 PM

Ron Paul 2008! From a former female voting dem who used to be registered as independant.

Democrats, Independants for Ron Paul 2008!

Be sure to Re-Register as Republican for the DR.!

Posted by helena | October 26, 2007 11:43 PM

You Yankees set the country on fire for Ron Paul early on for us so that we can catch your heat and carry the flame for him down here as well!

Down with the empire and up with the Republic and its ancient laws as embedded in our Constitution!

Deo Vindice and has blessed us with Ron Paul, too!

Posted by robert m. peters | October 26, 2007 11:43 PM

Posted by BoosMusic | October 27, 2007 12:20 AM

I like how one TV commentator put it: There are probably very few people that will agree with Ron Paul on EVERY issue, but there is a large and growing number that agree with him on a few key issues, and respect the man for speaking honestly and at least having the integrity of researching the topics he's talking about. People want a real person, not a fake politician created by consultants.

Posted by David | October 27, 2007 12:44 AM

If anyone had told me three years ago I'd become a registered Republican in order to vote for Ron Paul in the Washington State primary, I would have called them crazy. We are a "pick a party" state. I intend to attend the caucus in support of Ron Paul as well.

Most of all, I'm putting my money where my mouth is with monthly contributions. This is our last chance to save this magnificent country.

Posted by Diane | October 27, 2007 12:53 AM

Ron Paul is not running to influence the outcome; he is running to win. I have registered and will vote for Ron Paul.

Posted by Alan Smith | October 27, 2007 1:14 AM

The old media will continue not to "get" the Ron Paul Revolution and the passion of his supporters until it dawns on them that his message is, at its core, pure America. Libertarianism...liberty...get it?! Of all the experiments in government tried thus far by mankind, it's the United States experiment -- the one that has provided for the most individual liberty -- that has succeeded in producing the highest standard of living for its populace. Freedom works. Communism fails. Socialism produces stagnation in proportion to the amount of it a state adopts, and, also, it is just a temporary stop on the way to communism. Ron's ideas are not crazy and his supporters are not kooks. We're patriots in its truest sense. Please, socialists and other big-government fans living here in the U.S., follow your "utopian" dream by moving to Europe, and leave the United States for those of us who love liberty in its fullest expression.

Posted by Brad | October 27, 2007 2:17 AM

Who likes Paul? I do! Ron Paul is just what America needs right now. We are going in the wrong direction and if we don't turn this country around, we can kiss it goodbye!

Posted by Watchman 2008 | October 27, 2007 2:24 AM

Diane,

I know it is distasteful, but it is vitally important for everyone to register Republican, even if you live in an "open" primary state. It is important for two different reasons.

1) The GOP has been closing the door on open primaries, and doing it quietly, and not giving people very much time to switch registration. Look at what happened in NY and NH

2) We need to storm our local GOP caucuses and party organizations. Even if Ron Paul wins the primary, it is possible for the GOP to pull a fast one in convention and swing the vote to someone else. We need to swarm the convention, just like we swarmed the online polls, and swarmed the straw polls.

Register Republican. Don't wait for them to change the rules on you.

Later.

Posted by Kevin Houston | October 27, 2007 3:16 AM

I would bet my last decreasing dollar that Dr. Paul has the highest voter to attendee ratio of all candidates running. His support is deep and widening by the day across all demographic categories. Dr. Paul is the real deal, Mr. Ambinder, make no mistake about it.

Keep the coverage coming, I look forward to reading about your realizing that Dr. Paul best serves your interests (freedom of the press, etc.) as well.

Posted by J. Franklin | October 27, 2007 3:39 AM

Why is it that just because Ron Paul is against the war he is somehow not a real Republican? You have it backwards. The rest of those scam artists on the stage are the phony Republicans. They are also dangerous for America and the world.

Why don't you care?

Media- why do you fawn all over terrorists like Rudy and Mitt who promise to drop nuclear weapons against defenseless countries because one day they might have a thought that could lead to an action that could lead to thinking about hurting us- maybe?

The rest of the field in the GOP are out of their minds. Pre-emptive nuclear strikes are on the table?

Either you don't know what that means or you don't give a damn about the world, because that should be your main headline: Ron Paul - only man with a lick of sense running amongst a group of dangerous tyrants.

Mitt wants to contact his lawyers before he drops the bomb so he can find out how much trouble he will be in for doing it - good thing too because he wants to build several more torture chambers called Guantanamo bay.

I appreciate that you are now writing decent articles about Ron Paul, but your continual dismissal of his chances actually affects his chances and that is what we dislike.

It is called a self-fulfilling prophecy and you are well aware of it. The more you print that he has no chance, the more sheep believe you and for some idiotic reason people think it is wasting a vote to vote for against a man they love in favor of a man they hate just because they man they hate has a better chance of winning.

So, if you want to be taken seriously as a news source and not just another propaganda vehicle, leave out the fortune-telling - you notoriously are terrible at it and we don't appreciate you trying to shove a dangerous thug down our necks as the GOP offering.

But thank you for the mostly pleasant article.

Posted by Fred Sanderson | October 27, 2007 4:42 AM

P.S. I am a lifelong Democrat who had to change parties to vote for Ron Paul in the primaries in my state. I am 65 years old. I am currently retired. I have a house, car, boat, 2 kids and a wife.

Posted by Fred Sanderson | October 27, 2007 4:46 AM

I am a Democrat that also change my party to republican to vote in the primaries. I am going to be 24 tomorrow.

Go Ron Paul

Posted by Adrian | October 27, 2007 6:26 AM

What Would Ron Paul Do? WWRPD.org

Posted by Brian B. | October 27, 2007 7:25 AM

Ron Paul is real, he cares, he speaks clearly and he does not waver from his principles. This alone makes him unique. He does not pander to special interest groups. He refused his own congressional pension?! Now were talking about the most unique man in modern politics.

A person with integrity and ethics that believes in peace and free trade who also understands that a large federal government is a waste of money.

Too much sanity for one voter to handle!

Go Ron Paul!

Posted by Adam B. | October 27, 2007 8:49 AM

Paul voters are going to vote really, really hard - they might even pull the lever off by accident.

Remember, Paul folks, each of your really hard votes, counts once. In order to win, you have to convince not only the committed, but the casual voters. And those folks don't give a wet crap about monetary policy or Constitutionalism. Maybe that's sad or maybe that's just life in the big electorate, but it's political reality.

Posted by Undertoad | October 27, 2007 8:50 AM

The anti-war, non-interventionist, sound money tradition within the Republican Party goes back a long way: Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr. (father of the famed aviator) campaigned against both the Federal Reserve Act and US entry into World War I. Likewise Senator William E. Borah, Congressman Howard Buffet, and "Mr. Republican" himself, Robert A. Taft.

Posted by W. Gary Johnson, New York, NY | October 27, 2007 9:02 AM

A lot of posters seem upset at the "voters, not fans" comment. Marc referred to the attendees as fans because their license plates were from neighbouring states. They can't vote in the NH primary and are thus not voters. (They will be able to vote later, but the article was specifically about Paul's chances in NH.) Marc is right that a campaign needs to generate enthusiasm among people who can actually vote in the election in question. Howard Dean had tons of out-of-state supporters descend upon Iowa for rallies, but Kerry won by quietly organising actual Iowan caucus-goers.

Posted by Anthony | October 27, 2007 9:39 AM

And, then there is also people like me.

I am a stay at home, homeschooling mother of three boys. I am a hard-core conservative. When I was in College Republicans, I worked on the Dole/Kemp campaign here in WI. Since then, I have voted for Bush. Twice. I worked on his first campaign, even though I had a baby in April of 2000.

I like Ron Paul because he believes that the basis for *all* of our government should be on the Constitution. I believe that he tries to make all of his votes and decisions starting at that point -- *not* whatever the current party line is ... not whatever benefits those who gave him campaign money. I think that is such a problem in modern politics -- that everyone involved is trying to pat each other on the back, stay in power, and keep "the other guys" out of power. Washington is a mess.

My number one issue is Abortion. By a long shot. I would vote for a pro-life Green Party candidate before I would vote for a pro-abortion Republican.

After abortion, I would say taxes and smaller government. Those two things are tied in my mind. I think government is too big and too involved in our lives. There is a quote I really like by Thomas Jefferson, "Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. …The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

My third tier of issues would be Privacy rights, Property Rights, and Immigration Reform. I have serious problems with many actions that President Bush has taken that I believe undermine our Privacy rights as citizens of the United States.

"Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings — give us that precious jewel, and you may take every things else! Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."
~Patrick Henry

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other."
~President James Madison

As to the war… I completely support that we went into Afghanistan after Bin Laden. But Iraq? I don’t agree with the doctrine of “pre-emptive strike”. Because you think someone might punch you in the face, it is ok to punch them first? I grew up under Reagan. The mantras I heard growing up were: The role of the United States military is not for nation building or policing the world. I thought that these were conservative principles. What happened? I honestly believe that if it were Clinton, conservatives would be up in arms about it. Ditto for all of the privacy changes.

"I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, (A)nd if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
~Thomas Jefferson

Posted by Heather in WI | October 27, 2007 10:30 AM

thanks for an honest assessment of the Revolution.

there are legions of americans who are going to vote for Dr. Paul out there who are not polled, not buying the MSM attacks and sick and tired of the Washington establishment.

this is REALLY the last chance to turn the direction of the country back towards freedom and away from Fascism.

for those of you donating on Nov 5th.....DOUBLE OR TRIPLE your commitment....I AM

Posted by koby | October 27, 2007 10:39 AM

Is it still possible to save this Republic?

We all hope and pray so.

But we, the people, must do it. We must save our own country, for even a man as brave and consistently constitutional as Ron Paul cannot save the Republic in one fail swoop...win or loose.

Posted by tom davis | October 27, 2007 10:55 AM

Reading about Paul's momentum and the shifting media attention is amazing!! It makes me excited about politics and this country again! Finally we can vote for a statesman who has character instead of hold our nose and pull the lever.

I can't wait to join in. I have check book in hand and headed to look for a "meetup" group. Paul is gonna get my bonus before the IRS does.

Power to the Constitution!

Posted by RB in AL | October 27, 2007 11:01 AM

Ok now we need to start a write in campaign for Ron Paul to win the Democratic Nomination!

Posted by Dave | October 27, 2007 11:19 AM

Hey Undertoad --

People don't care about monetary policy, eh? Check out our collapsing dollar -- that oughta get their attention.

Posted by FZappa | October 27, 2007 12:02 PM

Someday there might be a politician ornery enough to stand up for the Constitution (separation of powers AND Bill of Rights) while also acknowledging the role of government in forming and supporting a social contract.

Or, there will AT LEAST be a party realignment so that both views are forcefully advanced in mostly serious and principled ways.

So-called conservatives have been attacking social security (the young will never benefit) since it was instituted. Some of them know that a lie advanced consistently and vigorously enough can SOMETIMES prevail.

BUT FDR ignored good economic advice in favor of political craftiness AND WISDOM by creating a system that transfers wealth from the young to the old.

Because after paying into a system for 30-50 years, people damn well expect to benefit somehow. That's why high flying lying politicians like GW (and even some a lot smarter) will continue to end up as stinking, sizzling messes on that third rail.

Posted by Joe Panzica | October 27, 2007 12:41 PM

Hey dip stick, 'Til lately (the neo-con hijacking) the republican party has traditionally always had an anti-war view. WAKE UP! Stop the lame excuses for not taking Paul "seriously".

Posted by James | October 27, 2007 12:57 PM

Everyone is donating $100 (some people more, some less, every bit counts) to Ron Paul on the 5th of November. (The new slogan for that day):

Year 1605 (England)

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Year 2007 (America)

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Ron Paul, and the money he got,
I see no reason my government's treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Credit given:
5th of November

Posted by Kyle H | October 27, 2007 1:38 PM

Ron Paul is a Godsend!...Imagine,a man that GIVES BACK his Congressional Office Allowance that he doesn't spend....and..at least part of his Congressional pay(and he's not a wealthy man to my knowledge)...what an example of what a representative SHOULD be...It's sad that people are so cynical about voting for somebody with deceny like that..instead,fools want to vote for a Corrupt Clinton Redux or some flip-flopper like Romney..The American People need their heads examined...

Posted by Robert Simon | October 27, 2007 6:17 PM

Story of the week-end is that fiscal conservatives are now starting to rally against Huckabee.

Posted by Daniel | October 27, 2007 7:51 PM

I am a 65 year old father of 8, and 6 of my children are voting for Ron Paul. *I* brought the message to them, not the other way around, so don't tell me this rEVOLution is only for the young! Let me tell you about the two who are not voting for the good doctor: one is too young (16) and the other is voting for Romney for no other reason than that he belongs to our church (Mormon.)

My 16 year old actually works harder for Ron Paul than his older siblings! The highlight of his young life was when Dr. Paul autographed a Constitution booklet for him at the USC rally! I cannot let him down. I will be cashing out some of my retirement assets to max out my $2,300 with another $1,400 on the 5th of November.

As for the Romney holdout, well, there is an old LDS prophecy that in the Last Days the Constitution will "hang by a thread", and the Elders of of the church will step in and save it. I hope he will eventually see that Mitt Romney has absolutely no understanding of how very thin the thread is by which the Constitution is now hanging. If he did then he would be throwing his wholehearted support to Dr. Paul, along with all the rest of his millions of fellow Elders, their wives, and their voting age children. That is the avenue that has now been opened up for them to "step in" and save this country's Constitution and Sovereignty!

Posted by Richard Brodie | October 28, 2007 3:30 AM

If Ron Paul is the greatest thing since sliced bread, then why are the neo-nazis at stormfront.com giving him support?

Why do 9/11 conspiracy theorists rally around him?

Why do those anti-government militants, who would otherwise not vote at all, jumping on the Ron Paul bandwagon?

I just want an answer why all these crazies are voting for Ron Paul and how I should join in with these people I have little in common with?

Posted by Bob Williamson | October 28, 2007 6:35 AM

"I just want an answer why all these crazies are voting for Ron Paul and how I should join in with these people I have little in common with?"

Like Ron Paul says, WE have to stop Group think! You are an AMERICAN!!! That's what you have in common with them.

Posted by Scott Greene | October 28, 2007 9:25 AM

"Why are the neo-nazis at stormfront.com giving him support? Why do 9/11 conspiracy theorists rally around him? Why [are] all these crazies ... voting for Ron Paul"?

The neo-fascists at "foxfront.com" and other NAU "falsehooders" call Ron Paul supporters "crazies!"

"Crazy" is a meaningless word that is often used in place of original thinking and respectful, rational debate, in order dismiss anyone who disagrees with one's ideas.

Of course, any group that gets smeared in this way by the corporate controlled establishment media and their brainwashed sheeple, are going to love a candidate they know can be relied on to fight for their right not to have their mouths duct-taped by Orwellian speech- and thought-control laws.

There's a whole lot more sanity on Stormfront than there is among the "Heil Hannity" war-mongering ideological stormtroopers constantly trying to whip up a fervor for nuking Iran and Mecca!

Posted by Richard Brodie | October 28, 2007 11:21 AM

I go to a restaurant once a week where I also see a fairly large group of Ron Paul supporters meeting. The organizers are not different from the Pat Buchanan folks. Some sport strapped guns around their waists. There's also a lot of anti-immigration fervor overlapping with "original intent" constitutionalism.

So far, all that is predictable. What's new here is the added enthusiasm of rather naive idealists. They may not like the war in Iraq but their real issue appears to be the unwholesome grubbiness of the political process. They want a purist who simply washes all that out with etched-in-stone principles. They might not fully understand the gold standard, or the illegality of the Federal Reserve, but they love the idea that Evil somehow sullies our Republic.

Ron Paul's appeal marries the paleo-cons to the obliviously naive. It's a new world where ancient obsessions get reclad in post-modern drag. While I wonder whether this arrangement isn't inherently unstable, I do agree that Paul will be the big story out of New Hampshire. After that, it collapses. But for a whole new generation of Americans there will be the overarching EXPLANATION. Yes, everything really is very simple. If only....

Posted by walt | October 28, 2007 11:55 AM

I agree with "walt" about the eccentricities of SOME of the Ron Paul supporters, but don't think that they are sufficient reasons for more principled supporters to abandon his candidacy.

I myself will be voting for Obama in the Democratic primary in my state because I feel that Obama is the only candidate who can stop the "Bush Lite" which would be a Hillary Clinton Presidency.

If Obama cannot stop Clinton and the equally pro-war Republican neo-fascists, then I count on being able to vote for Ron Paul in the general election, as a third-party candidate. Under no conditions would I vote for a Republican, and Clinton would have to a) promise not to use the military against Iran and to b) apologize for her vote on Iraq before I'd consider voting for her.

Posted by digbydolben | October 28, 2007 12:58 PM

"If Obama cannot stop Clinton and the equally pro-war Republican neo-fascists, then I count on being able to vote for Ron Paul in the general election, as a third-party candidate. Under no conditions would I vote for a Republican, and Clinton would have to a) promise not to use the military against Iran and to b) apologize for her vote on Iraq before I'd consider voting for her."

And your would believe such a promise? I suppose you wouldn't mind her continuing to row the country toward the waterfall of bankruptcy with the twin oars of nation-building/policing-the-world and completely out of control entitlement socialism.

My apologies to our resident pragmatist if I over simplify, and to whom I would offer one slight correction: if "everything collapses" after New Hampshire, the next generation in this geographical region will not be Americans, they will be Northamericans, their children will be Westernhemispherians, and their grand children will be Orwellianese.

Posted by Richard Brodie | October 28, 2007 8:05 PM

It has been great to see this type of media attention. Believe it or not most people have never heard of Ron Paul and right now ANY news is good news for him. Even when people call him and his followers "crazy". Increasingly though those followers are stepping out and some are pretty normal folks. Heck some of us are even members of the Republican National Committee (some of us even voted for Bush..oops sorry). Hopefully with the funds they reference he will be able to improve the distribution of his message - which really is pretty radical - "follow the Constitution"...who knows maybe it will catch on.

Posted by stephen | October 29, 2007 12:23 AM

My simple point is this. Ron Paul IS the President the rest is just formality. Ladies and Gentleman, Republican and Democrat, Libertarian alike, Those who love freedom liberty and democracy. He IS our president and that to me is obvious. So who is our president up against? Big Corporations who's allegiance is the lowest bidder, The Trilateral commission, IRS, Zionist and Saudi lobbyist and not to mention every other foreign lobbyist who want us to go to war on their behalf, Big oil companies and the military industrial weapons complex.

So does anyone really believe that anyone who opposes such will not face rigged elections? Look what they are trying to do to our president now...

Does anyone really think they will try to JFK him? I sure hope and pray they don't. If they rig our elections than that means they want to take away our voice and they are telling us to be silent.

If they assassinate our president than what would they do to us.

We need to make sure the elections not rigged and we need to make sure our president Dr. Ron Paul the people's president has the best security around always!!!

Posted by Jason Wilson | October 29, 2007 2:58 AM

I love reading all these pro-Ron Paul comments- (-:
Please go out and talk to someone today about why they should support Dr. Paul!

The leader of the freedom R3volution!

Posted by Jill G | October 29, 2007 2:30 PM

Long Live the Constitution of the United States!

Posted by Chris Litzsinger | October 29, 2007 3:23 PM

The MSM is just showing its irrelevance by first ignoring, and now misunderstanding, the Ron Paul Revolution. This is good in a couple of ways.

The word is carried on the internet and door-to-door, by DVD and bumper stickers, by volunteers waving signs, by chip-in radio ads, aerial banners, and billboards at private expense. The MSM loses out by not getting it, by not doing its job spreading the news.

The other good thing is that BIG chunks of the MSM are controlled by the same world bankers who run the Federal Reserve and the U.S. President. If anyone still doubts this, just see what Alan Greenspan recently revealed about pulling the trigger on the War for Oil ("Age of Turbulence", Alan Greenspan). U.S. soldiers are dying for nameless world bankers, whose aims are their own. So it's a good thing that all the MSM sees is a kindly old obstetrician.

Enjoy that while it lasts. After the first primaries, the Empire will see the danger. Then it will no longer do to ignore us, or ridicule us.
Fortunately, some of the MSM (like maybe the Atlantic) is still independent.

Posted by James Parker | November 2, 2007 4:40 PM

Criminal NH Judges 11-19-07
Written by Peter Macdonald 465 Packersfalls rd Lee NH 03824 603-659-6217
Newspapers no longer have the upper hand. Citizens can publish the news with out editors changing or eliminating the truth. The citizens of the U.S. are now asking why they did not read my letters in the newspapers. Just Google “Peter Macdonald Lee NH” and you will get my letters unedited. Judge Peter Fauver criminally violated the Law and Constitution to intentionally harm natural born U.S. citizens in the courts goal to protect the Madbury NH selectmen. The Courts are not here to protect criminal government actions. The NH Supreme court refused to hear a case which questioned the integrity of the NH courts. This in it self is a criminal act but it also violates the main reason the NH Supreme court exists. To protect the people from government wrongs. I thank the Red Sox Nation and the Boston Globe Blogs.
Do you believe that I could write such facts if they were not true? The NH governor has no ethics. He uses the State Police to harass my family at home and work. U.S. congresswoman Shea-Porter files false police reports and the news refuses to print the truth. The newspaper refuses to pint that the Dover and Lee NH police refuse to let me file a complaint against Shea-Porter for filing false police reports to take my freedom. Shea-Porter then has VA Dr Biswas file commitment orders with out Merit to have me put in a funny farm. When all this fails the Director of the NH VA Levenston stops my VA medical for injuries receive while on active duty. I am and have been a 100% disabled Veteran since returning from the Vietnam Conflict. The State of NH has taken my freedom, money, harmed my family, inflicted harm on my health and much more. Do you believe that the news refuses to inform it’s readers, Ask Why?
The Madbury NH selectmen do not deny to the court that they used government power to seek personal revenge on local residents. This Madbury family read my letter to the editor on zoning issues in the paper. This family was so desperate they called me for help. I volunteer my time since 1999 helping this family. The NH courts and government violate the Constitution to stop my volunteer help. Now the Veterans Administration stops my VA medical. This is a crime of the Highest Magnitude. What does a 100% service connected disabled Veteran do when all means of redress fails. The Madbury NH selectmen and NH courts can not be allowed to harm citizens that these trusted people with power do not like. Government is here to serve the people. To intentionally harm a Veteran to stop free speech has to make The Entire United States of America ask questions. Well now the newspapers can no longer decide whom is entitled to hear the truth. We can all just Google My Name and learn the disgrace full way NH inflicts torture on 100% disabled Veterans that will Volunteer to help others.
Peter Macdonald Sgt USMC Semper Fi
Thank You Red Sox Nation and the Boston Globe Blogs. Truth is a powerful weapon.

Posted by Peter Macdonald | November 19, 2007 4:49 PM

Ron Paul is a racist idiot. Check out my slammin' anti ronpaul videos on you tube

Posted by bobbyusbombs | November 23, 2007 2:45 AM

Your article doesn't really match the headline - if I read it correctly you claim to take the candidate seriously and your evidence is that out-of-stater contraption builders are behind his popularity in new Hampshire.

The support is real. The people are real. The cry for freedom is growing louder. Please continue to cover Ron Paul -he is honest and straightforward - examine where he stands on the issues and make an informed decision.

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