Ron Paul supporters: Do NOT read this. Please!

READERS' WARNING: Supporters of Ron Paul should not read this item. Perusing the following paragraphs may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, disappointment and renewed anger at political polls, the mainstream media, all institutions holding financial power and anyone not terribly concerned about that mysterious planned highway across Texas that somehow threatens national security.

O.K., now that they're gone to their chatrooms or one of their impressive 1,200 meet-up groups, for the rest of you some background: The Ron Paul Conspiracy has received more news coverage and made quite an impression online in recent months for its followers' persistence, pervasiveness and, to put it politely, outspokenness in favor of their Republican candidate, the 72-year-old, 10-term Texas congressman with the libertarian ideals and the numerous books. He's even been on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and this Sunday is scheduled for an hour-long grilling by Tim Russert on "Meet the Press."

With fundraising persistence, dedication to "Dr. Paul" and admirable political energy in recent days their growing numbers made a huge name for themselves by raising more than $6 million online (more than $18 million for the quarter, they say), a new one-day political record.

Yet these Paulites have always dismissed polls, hated them, even despised them. They have many reasons besides the fact that no polls have given Paul much chance of winning anything. Polls, some suggest, are fictitious summaries of the mainstream media designed to suppress the Ron Paul Revolution. Polls are fake because no Paulite can remember ever being phoned for a survey. Many Paul supporters are new to the political process, so not on voter rolls to be polled. And they mostly use cellphones, not landlines. So they'd be somehow under-represented.

They maintained this stand even when Ron Paul's polling numbers in New Hampshire, for instance, increased geometrically from 2% to 4% to 8%, twice the support of better-known Fred Thompson.

Now, here's the news that would drive Paul supporters berserk if any had kept reading down to here, which they haven't: Ron Paul's polling numbers are now plummeting. Yup, going down, down. Once, he got the money to afford TV advertising in the Granite State, his support as measured by these no-doubt fraudulent polls began crumbling.

The new CNN/WMUR New Hampshire Primary Poll out today shows Paul's support falling from its high of 8% in early November to 7% at the start of December and 5% last weekend, when he had his big fundraising success. (The phone survey of 411 random, likely Republican primary voters was between Dec. 13 and 17.)

Of course, if Paul supporters believed in polls, they would point out that....

with a margin of error of +/- 5%, Paul could theoretically be at 10%. That also means, naturally, he could be at 0% too.

Belief in Paul's ability to handle terrorism held steady at 3%, to handle the economy fell from 7% to 3% and to handle taxes from 9% to 5%. His support for handling illegal immigration was steady at 4%, to handle abortion up from 4% to 5% and his ability to address the Iraq war (he's the only GOP candidate who favors withdrawal) was steady at 5%.

Now, in case anyone cares about the non-Paul candidates who have a chance of winning, Mitt Romney's percentage jumped from 32% to 34% from the beginning to middle of December, with the endorsement of the Manchester Union-Leader and Boston Globe John McCain increased from 19% to 22%, Rudy Giuliani fell from 19% to 16% and Mike Huckabee went from 9% to 10%.

Thompson and Tom Tancredo, who will announce the end of his candidacy Thursday, according to an Associated Press report tonight, held steady at 1% support while California's Congressman Duncan Hunter went from 0% to 1%.

On the poll's Democratic side, 469 likely primary voters produced a margin of error of 5%. After some troubled weeks when her support faded from a high of 43% in September to 31% at the start of December, Hillary Clinton's numbers surged back to 38%, while Barack Obama's slipped somewhat from 30% to 26% and John Edwards from 16% to 14%.

Bill Richardson went from 7% to 8%, Dennis Kucinich from 3% to 2%, Joe Biden from 1% to 2% and Chris Dodd from 1% to 0%.

If they were still reading down to here which, of course, they're not because they don't believe in polls, Paul supporters would say that none of this matters because only real votes count come Jan. 8. And, you know what, on that they would be 100% right.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[MTM]

I think you just like the attention from all the Ron Paulites on this blog. I think you'll be sad to see us go when the election is over. I think you admire Ron Paul, but the events of history must march forward, we must be practical, we dare not teach the public about our principles for fear of those principles failing to hold power for a time etc. etc.

You may or may not be wrong about what the NH poll means, but I am curious about the relish of a minor poll data drop...I have not seen you salivate over similar micro-dips in other candidates. Can you understand my suspicion then, that you have at least a love-hate relationship with the Paulites in the blogosphere?

[vanessa]

Keep up the good work writing garbage like this!!! It will continue to attract people to Ron Paul. Me included.

[Ken H]

Poor Andrews web hits must be low again this week. Why else would he attack Dr. Paul? Surely he wouldn't write a piece of biased garbage just to get RP supporters to run up his counter...

[Matt C]

A quick glance at realclearpolitics will show you who is *actually plummeting. It's not Ron Paul.
Someone else: please link to the articles you've seen that discuss, nay even *mention, Giuliani's and Thompson's plummets.

[Tess]

Andrew:

I love reading your articles, and I am falling quite head over heels for you.
Thank you so much for giving us Ron Paul supporters some press. Seriously, we all know that these polls aren't the true measure of support for any of these candidates, and the majority of smart and informed voters know this as well. I love the caption "Ron Paul supporters:
do not read this"

That was clever and made me laugh. Thanks again for the press, I will look forward to your next write up. Ron Paul for the Win!
http://RonPaul2008.com

[Louis Nardozi]

Gee, and here I thought M&C was reputable media. Oh well, better take my advertising dollars elsewhere.

[jeremy]

i hope you realize that at least 70% of us online support Dr. Ron Paul...i wonder how bashing us will effect your readership down the road...

"It does not take a majority to prevail...but rather an irate tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men"
-Samuel Adams

What exactly is your problem with freedom anyway?

[Votes for Bush]

"(The phone survey of 411 random, likely Republican primary voters was between Dec. 13 and 17.)"

Not to metion only 6% of republican voters actually voted last presidential primary cycle.That was the lowest in history!!!! Bush was the incumbant and everyone knew he was getting the nomination so noone showed up for the primary.There goes your "likely republican voters".
P.S A real journalist such as yourself would never right such a bias story. I know you just wanted the traffic and attention. Awwwww Andy was getting lonely everyone .Look ,lets pick on him so he can get his 15 minutes!

[Ian]

Okay let's see. 1st "money bomb" $4.3 million

2nd money bomb $6 million. 40% increase.

28,868 brand spanking new donors... THIS WEEK

But the POLLS say his support is DECREASING.

Polls must be right! How could 411 "likely Republican primary voters" be wrong?

Course, there's 122,500 of us who put our money on Ron Paul this quarter... maybe that means something. But hey, you really have to weight that against those mighty 411. Toss up.

[P.Roy]

Andrew,

If I hadn't read your previous insightful coverage of the Ron Paul campaign I would have a different outlook on this article.
PEOPLE ---- Andrew is a bright light in the dark world of MSM campaign coverage. You need to read some of his previous write-ups and the IRONY will become quite apparent. This is a slam on the polling system and rightfully so.

[Gene]

LA Times blog should be asking itself why a minor little blog piece is drawing so much attention...and why a minor little poll of 411 deserves attention. If you want to gauge how Ron Paul is doing, follow the Meetup membership numbers over the days and weeks.

[gringotico]

It would be nice if so called “Journalists” could get the true real story behind the Dr. Paul revolution. It is millions of Americans sick and tired of the political governance of this country. Government debasing of the currency by printing money backed by nothing, government control of our lives, the USA occupying countries all over the world which simply pisses these people off and creates hatred which then translates to terrorism. Not only does our government continually increase its control over its own citizens but it is doing it all over the globe. So why do people hate us and bomb us? Go figure? Didn’t the original American “patriots” get called loony or crazy at first when they decided to challenge the foreign occupation by the British? Was there American terrorism against the English? Yes and the patriots were called crazies by the majority of populace in the 1700’s. So call me crazy! So for these reasons and more we have a new revolution. Dr. Paul is simply the only credible candidate that is representing us. That is why the movement is so strong and growing. Maybe the polls are right who knows. Maybe Dr. Paul does not win the nomination. Probably not but that does not mean that the real journalistic story goes away. Get with the program journalists and understand what is going on. Oh and you want a real scientific poll to savor?
Go to ALexa.com or any site that shows internet site usage. Here is the latest:
Ronpaul2008.com as of yesterday the numbers are:

Ronpaul2008.com 1,793 most viewed site in the world
Npr.org (National Public radio) 4,296 ranking in the world
Latimes.com 1,353 ranking

So according to this scientific poll Ron Paul’s website is closing in fast on the la time’s site and has already beaten Nation Public Radio. Oh and how about the sites for all the other candidates? Well the closest is Hillary at 24,000 something. The rest forget em.
And this does not take into account all the other Ron Paul websites which other candidates do not have anything like.
And regarding the stock market poll (also scientific) of newspaper stocks? My o my all trading near five year lows. Check out TRB owner or the La Times. Or here is a good one MNI, McClatchy newspapers. Sure glad I had neither of these two NEWSPAPER stocks in my IRA. Newspaper circulation stats. Also scientific, almost every newspaper down in circulation. (Although now I understand that newspapers through the audit bureau of circulation propose to change the rules and allow free newspapers to count in paid circulation) So the newspapers keep losing then change the rules to try prop up their numbers. And these polls have no margin of error. They are what they are.
So again the real story is not being told. It is not just Ron Paul. It is all of us fed up with the old style lying, cheating stealing politicians who seem to think that they can control us. Read the US constitution. That is what rules and we have forgotten it.
Go Ron Paul

[Sam]

Andrew must have needed some page views. Kind of reminds me of the little jerk in the bar who has to find someone bigger than himself to pick a fight with. You know the guy, low self esteem or something. Makes them passive-agressive. What a clown. We will see you at the polls tough guy.

[Sarra]

Top Of The Ticket,

I said HoHoHo!!!...

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."-Albert Einstein-

I am just absolutely convinced that the best formula for giving us peace and preserving the American way of life is freedom, limited government, and minding our own business overseas. I'd "Choose Liberty"...

Ron Paul 2008!!!

[tammy]

we only get excited about the stupid polls b/c we feel like jerks like you might take him more seriously. we KNOW he has support. jeez. if huckabee raised 6 mill in one day you jerks would throw a parade. you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Geoff]

I would walk through a blizzard to vote for ron in the primaries. Anything to show MSM that we, the people, mean business, and we aren't going to back down and go back to sleep.

[tammy]

we only get excited about the stupid polls b/c we feel like jerks like you might take him more seriously. we KNOW he has support. jeez. if huckabee raised 6 mill in one day you jerks would throw a parade. you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Jimmer]

Sooner or later, you (the establishment) will be proven wrong.

You see, the status quo cannot continue. I am 100% behind RP yet even I don't agree with 100% of his policies.

As Pat Buchanan said, I would go with Tancredo on the border, Hunter on trade policy, and RP on the overextension of the military/ fiat money system.

BUT ....the status quo cannot continue.....eventually the American people will wake from their slumber or their country will go the way of the Roman Empire.

46 Trillion in unfunded federal obligations....and counting.

It cannot continue. Be nice to your children this Christmas - vote RP and let your kids have a chance.

[Not sheep]

Oh my! Does this mean I have to hurry and join the bandwagon according to the media's polls? Geeze, I must be out of touch. I am voting for what I believe in, for the first time in my life (and no, I'm no youngster). Something has caught fire of late that I do not think is going to go away anytime soon - Ron Paul's message. This isn't a game, this is not odds - this is MY COUNTRY and I am voting according to just that, despite the odds.

[Mesk]

Yeah Right ! Ron Paul got a record $ 6M in 24h,,,got more money in the 4Q the any other GOP (ovver $ 18.5000.000 with 2 more weeks to go)and you are telling me that he will not win the Primaries ? Are you kidding me ?
Over 24.000 new donors two days ago and you are telling me that Ron Paul support is going down ? Are you stupid ?

Ron paul got 6M in 24h and the "big news" is that...he is a racist. Ron Paul WILL WIN, wait a few more weeks for Iowa, NH, etc.

[Jake]

Ron Paul is brilliant, and the only person running that can be trusted to do do what he says. I don't give a dam what the MSM or straw polls say (for or against him) if I am the only one in the state of Illinois to vote for the man. He IS going to get MY vote because he is the ONLY one worthy of it.

Cheers

[Hyrum]

Thanks for the warning. It wasn't that bad or accurate sense you only talked about the opinions of around 400 people, and forgot about the 100,000+ people who contributed to his campaign this quarter.

[Al]

This is typical of what one might expect from a newspaper whose readership is likely plummeting due to inaccurate reporting.
The media has been controlled for ages and they are manipulated by the Council on Foreign Relations. This is why Ron Paul is so ignored and marginalized.

As for the NAFTA Superhighway, it is real folks!
I am currently reading the New York Times Best Seller by Jerome Corsi, "The Late Great USA: The Coming Merger with Canada and Mexico". It discusses ALL of the traitorous activities of this government. Even Giuliani's law firm is heading up the Trans Texas Corridor.
Wake up America!
Vote Ron Paul or America will be only a memory.

[Al]

This is typical of what one might expect from a newspaper whose readership is likely plummeting due to inaccurate reporting.
The media has been controlled for ages and they are manipulated by the Council on Foreign Relations. This is why Ron Paul is so ignored and marginalized.

As for the NAFTA Superhighway, it is real folks!
I am currently reading the New York Times Best Seller by Jerome Corsi, "The Late Great USA: The Coming Merger with Canada and Mexico". It discusses ALL of the traitorous activities of this government. Even Giuliani's law firm is heading up the Trans Texas Corridor.
Wake up America!
Vote Ron Paul or America will be only a memory.

[Adam]

Nice job getting the FCC to repeal the ban on "corporations" owning newspapers and television stations in a major city. Now we can only here exactly what they want us too, like this obvious attempt to discredit the only man that stands for freedom and the Constitution instead of big business. Read all of these replies and tell me that Ron Paul doesn't have a chance. Or check on YouTube where they play a poll call that doesn't mention Ron Paul, and when "other" is selected they act like you requested to be taken off of the list. Maybe you should see when they show results for Rudy when he receives 1.7% but not for Paul when he receives 9.8% in the same poll. I wonder if the corporation that owns this rag is one that owns some of the "front-runners".