Breaking News: A Ron Paul surge in Nevada

Boy, oh, boy! Hidden behind all the hoopla, headlines and the Nevada caucus victories of Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton is one little-noticed but stunning political development and number:

Ron Paul, the one-time Libertarian candidate and 10-term Republican congressman from Texas, was in second place. That's right, Second Place. The 72-year-old ob-gyn who's always on the end of the line at GOP debates or barred altogether, was running ahead of John McCain, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, in fact, ahead of....

all other Republicans except Romney, who easily captured his second state in a week after Michigan.

Now, Romney and Paul were basically the only Republicans who actively campaigned and advertised in the desert state. But a win is a win. And second place is second place. When Romney won Wyoming a couple of weeks ago, Paul won zero there.

In Iowa, Paul also beat Giuliani and he topped Thompson in New Hampshire, where Paul was excluded from the Fox News debate, which only energized his fervent followers. His jump in GOP election standings comes despite recent reports about a long series of newsletters from the 1990s carrying Paul's name and numerous racist and anti-Semitic remarks. Paul has denied writing them and denounced their contents.

Thanks to those passionate and tireless supporters, Paul, the only Republican to oppose the Iraq war and favor significant dismantling of the federal government, won about 10% of the vote in Iowa and 8% in New Hampshire, coming in just behind the former New York mayor in the Granite state.

But in Nevada today with a poor Republican turnout of less than half the Democrats (just under 45,000 vs 115,000) and with 99.7% of the precincts reporting, Romney had 22,644 votes, or 51%. Paul had about a quarter of that, 14%, or 6,084 votes.

Paul built a slow steady lead of about 400 votes over the veteran Arizona senator's 5,648 total.

Huckabee sneaked past Thompson into fourth place with 8%, or 3,613 votes, a tiny vote lead over the former Tennessee senator, who had 3,518. Both had 8%. Giuliani, who's counting on a late-state surge to salvage his one-time now-faded national front-runner status, had only 4% of the Nevada Republican vote with 1,910 ballots. And California's retiring Congressman Duncan Hunter was last again with 2% or 890 votes.

Now, of course, comes tonight's South Carolina primary vote results where Paul needs to be a bit more realistic perhaps. He's got three campaign offices there and has advertised and campaigned actively. But McCain is well-known there, has been ahead in polls, relying heavily on his strong support in the state's large active and retired military population.

And, as in Iowa where he won the caucuses, Huckabee is counting on another large turnout among South Carolina Christian evangelicals. Polls showed the Baptist preacher narrowing McCain's lead in recent days and Thompson, the former senator who's got the most riding on a strong South Carolina showing to invigorate his sagging campaign, also gaining some.

It was reported to be snowing heavily in the state's Piedmont region, where the evangelicals are concentrated, and that could depress turnout, while McCain's coastal territory was getting some cold rain. Now, whose crowd gets more depressed? And can Thompson make a strong enough showing to stay in the race? He planned to return home to ponder the future with no campaign activities planned for coming days.

The results tonight will show whether Ron Paul's fine morning and afternoon turn into a nice all-around day or not. Either way, he was likely the top GOP fundraiser in the fourth quarter, raising nearly $20 million, and his website reports gathering in another $1.34 million so far this month. So while Giuliani stopped paying his top staff this month, Paul is likely to linger long.

Paul's crowd plans another "money bomb" on Monday when thousands will deliver new donations on the same day. One previous time they did this, the Paul campaign set a new one-day online record of $6 million.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Joey]

"Paul, the only Republican to oppose the Iraq war and favor significant dismantling of the federal government"

This will be the key to the GOP having a change to win the white house. If the GOP wants to win the white house, they need to say anti-iraq-war and fix the economy. Ron Paul is both anti-iraq-war and able to fix the monetary issues with the economy. If the GOP really wants to keep the white house, the GOP will nominate Ron Paul.

[Joel Broen]

Wow, this is huge. Ron Paul in 2nd place. It is fun to watch CNN and MSNBC totally ignoring this victory (2nd place) for Dr. Paul. They both didn't put up their pie charts for Nevada on the Repbuplican side nor have they even spoken about it. That's okay, we will win despite them.

[Zak Carter]

My account as to how I, a neo-con veteran of Iraq and Kosovo, came to be an anti-war protester.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDZLK8xXBRw

[Joe]

Check out the picture of fox news listing 3 candidates - mitt john mike - while excluding ron paul.
http://people.ronpaul2008.com/campaign-updates/2008/01/19/fair-and-balanced/

Is there anyone who still thinks fox news has any credibility?

[Lars]

It seems to me that some of the candidates will drop out sooner rather than later and the one candidate standing for a very long time will be Ron Paul. It will be interesting!

If you want to make sure your future articles get noticed by the large group of Ron Paul followers and other people interested in the Ron Paul message you yourself can add a link to your future articles at www.WhatTheySayAboutRonPaul.com.

(Well, Duncan Hunter just did drop out.)

(FYI, Duncan Hunter just did drop out.)

[Joe]

>>>>Posted by: Duck Soup
>>>>Would love to hear your POV and hear your vote in who will bring
>>>> more change to America - Clinton or Obama.

Both clinton an obama will be great for bringing socialism to america.

[Lars]

It seems to me that some of the candidates will drop out sooner rather than later and the one candidate standing for a very long time will be Ron Paul. It will be interesting!

If you want to make sure your future articles get noticed by the large group of Ron Paul followers and other people interested in the Ron Paul message you yourself can add a link to your future articles at www.WhatTheySayAboutRonPaul.com.

[ponraul]

um wow he got like a few votes in a poorly attended caucus vs. romney, who got way more, in a poorly attended caucus. Funny how the party of George Bush and Dick Cheney keeps losing out like that. Wonder why?

still the fact that St. Rudy of 911 is getting his backside thoroughly kicked in EVERY SINGLE CAUCUS AND PRIMARY and it's Paul doing it with Romney, well that's great news.

I'd love to see if all the hype ends with paul winning a primary somewhere important though. And I can't help but notice that the democratic primaries and caucuses get WAY WAY more people than the party of President Bush and VP Cheney.

[Joe]

There you go again Andrew. Pointing out a 20 year old letter, in which, you know good and well Paul didn't write. I challenge you to bring one writing or air one clip of the Honorable Ron Paul that confirms your smear that he is a racist. You're a despicable piece of crap. You don't fool me for a minute. And I sure as hell will never buy the LA TIMES. Now go lick you're master’s boot!

(Joe, Joe, Joe, you're recycling your old rants. I have no way of knowing anything other than his name was on those old letters and he now says he didn't write them, both of which are stated here. Thanks for reading.)

[Roger]

People –

It is ironic that we are sending to undeclared wars by Congress thousands of our young man and women to Kill or be killed “to bring Democracy and freedom” as President Bush once says, while here at home we have a set of media and industries conglomerate behaving in ways that point to a different trajectory. These groups are following the trajectory that our founder’s fathers were against it, the trajectory they suffered from, the one they saw and felt and united them to bring about our beloved Constitution.

For the most part these conglomerate using sillies excuses acting like third world countries do during any governmental elections. One need to look next door elections (Mexico) as well as Venezuela just to mention a few to see the similarities. If you look at those two countries past elections you will see the same pattern of distortions and half-truth to those individuals they do not want to get any track while giving as much media cover to those they represent and want.(did someone says Fair and Balance?) it must be an illusion. May be that is why In venezuela one main Tv station GlobolVision was closed by the goverment not so long ago for portraying to be "Fair and Balance" during the Coup d'état.

One need to think What is going on in this country? Do the economy controllers think that the American people is so concern about their daily chores that we have actually become sheep just as Judge Napolitano latest book “A Nation of Sheep” explain?

There is so much the American people can take before the giant awakes, and that my friends is what is taking place, this and other important issues is resonating to the American people of all ages and they are being carry by Dr. Ron Paul message.
It is the common citizen that are awakening from all the noise that for so long has been dominating the political arena and the people in general feels disfranchised.

A concern of our present and future wellbeing is at stake and change is desperate WANTED. Use the power of your vote and voice to bring change not just to the executive but especially the legislative branch.

http://forpresidentronpaul.blogspot.com/

[politicalsanity]

It is very disturbing that there is very little being said today of what happened in Nevada-- they are talking about Clinton and Obama being close, with Edwards a distant 3rd place; but they just say that on the Republican side, Mitt Romney won. They don't say who won 2nd, 3rd,or 4th.
Instead, they look to what is happening in South Carolina.

It continues to look like a near-complete media blackout on any positive news about Ron Paul; your blog seems to be one of the VERY FEW places that will even mention his name, much less report on his campaign objectively.

Thanks for your unbiased coverage; you have been bookmarked into my browser as my lead newsblog. 8)

(That's good news. Thanks for reading. Hope you spread the word to others.)

[Maria]

Dear Mr. Malcolm,

I am a 43 year old married, mother of 2, who is a Ron Paul supporter, THANK YOU for a "fair and balanced" report.

I am also Latina and my husband is African American, our family and friends will continue to support Dr. Paul regardless of the assassination attempts on his character.

Thank you kindly.
peace

[NH]

To Duck Soup: Hussein Barack Obama is a big fat ZERO invention of the press.

Obama is just another CFR/NWO socialist and is NOT viable to anyone with a BRAIN.

Like Clinton, he's a racist to boot. Get a clue will you? RP supporters will never support either him or Hillary

[Glen]

The world supports Ron Paul. I am an Australian hoping Ron Paul gets a fair election and puts an end to the slaughter in Iraq.

See Ron Paul rLOVEution - POWER OF LOVE

[Oscar DeGrouch]

Ron Paul, President
Andrew Malcolm, Press Secretary.

(No thank you. Let's wait and see how you feel after you read some of the other Ron Paul items here or to come. I'm afraid we are equal opportunity offenders.)

[dylbro]

You state: "But in Nevada today with a poor Republican turnout of less than half the Democrats and with 98% of the precincts reporting, Romney had 22,390 votes, or 51%. Paul had about a quarter of that, 13%, or 5,802 votes."

These are real results:

Clinton 5,326 51% 12
Obama 4,739 45% 13
Edwards 394 4% 0
Uncommitted 31 0% 0
Kucinich 5 0% 0
Richardson 0 0% 0

Dem Total = 10495(98% reporting)

Romney 22,629 51% 18
Paul 6,077 14% 4
McCain 5,641 13% 4
Huckabee 3,607 8% 2
Thompson 3,518 8% 2
Giuliani 1,907 4% 1
Hunter 890 2% 0
Tancredo 0 0%

Republican total = 44260 (99% reporting)

Clearly showing a HUGE republican turnout of 4x that of the democrats.

Ron Paul vs Hillary vs Barrack

Paul 6,077
Clinton 5,326
Obama 4,739

This is the real story!!

[Joe]

Duck Soup! Obama something new. Give it a break. Obama is nothing more then a socialist fool. Don't even try and put your crap on a Paul thread. It will be a cold day in hell before a Paul supporter pulls the lever for the globalists new fool/tool. LMAO! Obama the CFR fool something refreshing! LMAO! Oh this stuff is funny!

[bridget pnzer]

Ron Paul rEVOLution! restore the constitution!

[Maria]

Dear DUCK SOUP,

"Would love to hear your POV and hear your vote in who will bring more change to America - Clinton or Obama."

NEITHER Obama nor Clinton will bring CHANGE. No matter how many times they say it. OBAMA TOP ADVISORS ARE BUSH/CLINTON STAFFERS AND CLINTON ADVISORS FORMER BILL ADVISORS. = NO CHANGE. Check out program below.

January 03, 2008
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/1/3/vote_for_change_atrocity_linked_us

Vote for Change? Atrocity-Linked U.S. Officials Advising Democratic, GOP Presidential Frontrunners
Independent journalist Allan Nairn and American Conservative correspondent Kelley Beaucar Vlahos discuss a little-addressed facet of the 2008 campaign: many of the top advisers to leading presidential candidates are ex-U.S. officials involved in atrocities around the world.

[Eric]

If Ron Paul is intelligent in his choice for running mate (Paul/Edwards, Paul/Obama, Paul/Thompson?), and his record campaign contributions continue, then I predict he will win the general election in 2008 and become the next President. His grassroots support is huge, his ideas and ideals are impeccable, and his appeal is universal. He speaks the truth, and will fight to make this country a better nation. I predict he will pick up a large percentage of undecided voters, and also pick up votes for candidates that don't win either nomination. Watch and learn. Ron Paul has my vote.

[Sharon]

Thank you for the fairly written article about Dr. Paul. Could you just imagine how many more people would vote for Ron Paul if he had some of the media coverage given to the other candidates. His message is clear and consistent and his voting record is exceptional. He is not afraid to speak the truth. He is not the most eloquent or charismic speaker, but what he says makes sense. He has cured my apathy. I love this quote from Ghandi, which applies to the situation with Ron Paul: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

[John]

Hey Andrew...I've been very critical of you and the LA Times before and I must say that your balanced reporting is coming along. With all the more positive comments and readership, your boss should consider giving you a raise. With that said, until I see Ron Paul in the LA Times with other "front runners" LA Times will always come short of good, balanced, reporting for the people.

[Jeanette Doney]

Ron Paul supporters appear to be such nice people. Look how they are so happy to just be number two. Imagine if Ron Paul won...well...then imagine if he was president. What a wonderful wonderful world it would be.
Yeee haw!!!

[Moose]

Here's one "surge" that'll actually work. ;)

[Daniel]

Take away the Mormon Vote and it would have been a close second.

(Take away any group of votes and the gap would have been different. So what?)

[Jay Straw]

Good article. Very good article. You even mentioned the results of Duncan Hunter--fantastic article.

(Thanks. Hope to see you back here. And now, tonight, Hunter has dropped out.)

[af90640]

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Keep up the support for Ron Paul!!!

[NutriaKing]

Thanks for the attention to Ron Paul who is generally ignored by the national media despite his steady progress. Being a Paul supporter, I must of course take issue with something in this article :-) and that is the comment that "Paul is likely to linger longer." I hardly call what Dr. Paul is doing "lingering". He has maintained consistently decent and improving primary results, while so many others have dropped out completely (Browback, Tancredo, Gilmore, Tommy Thompson) and consistently beaten Keyes and Hunter. He's beaten Fred Thompson and even Rudy Giuliani multiple times and by big margins. Only Romney, Huckabee, and McCain are competitive against Ron Paul now.

This 2nd place finish in Nevada should add momentum to his campaign as re-enthused supporters donate more money and new supporters come on board now that they see that "he can't win" is not true.

Giuliani primary results have been pitiful and he has no money to pay his staffers anymore, so he'll be dropping out soon. Huckabee won't do well except in the Bible belt. McCain, I believe, is also nearly out of money. So this leaves a weak McCain, Romney, and a cash-flush Ron Paul as the candidates that will keep moving forward. Lingering indeed!

[matt]

Thanks Andrew.

[NH]

Please get a clue! No RP supporter worth his or her salt would turn to OBAMA or Clinton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If they did it means they have no idea what RP Stands for.

[Steven]

Thanks for the article. I've been listening to Fox and CNN and MSNBC for an hour and haven't heard Paul's name.

Vote pro-freedom, vote pro-constitution, vote pro-life, vote pro-state's rights. Vote Ron Paul!

[Russ]

Ron Paul, why cannot people see that he is the only AMERICAN running?
Paul represents the values LOST in this country and our founding ideas.
Why are people so blinded by the major media, who has done everything to keep Paul from being taken seriously? Of course, it's the Israeli firsters and the
open door immigration and the broken rule of law that is now a rule of flaw.
We must somehow get this AMERICAN elected. Any other candidate is just a repeat of the old worn out destruction of everything American. Hillary and Obama, McCain and Julianus, are all worthless and have the agenda of another nation in mind. All others flip flop on the issues and will leave the doors open at the borders, continue to make war for Israel and continue to destroy America. Paul is the only choice for INTELLIGENT voters. Of course we see there is not intelligence left in America, if voting for Oboma and Clinton are indicators. But as long as the communist news network (CNN) can have their say or Foxxed up liar news, America will be deceived to vote for scoundrels. Way to go La Times, you seem to be fair, so I like that. Isn't that what America is all about after all? Keep reporting in an unbiased way and we will keep reading La Times.

[Herbert]

I thought that Romney is a Washington lobbyist's tool...

And just how many Great-Grandmothers does he have?

[Trent G.]

First comment: WOW, look at all the comments! When did you post this Andrew?

Second comment: Andrew, your blog keeps appearing in my browser (I am always scouring for RP articles). I am becoming a regular around here. Thank you for bringing a fresh perspective from your desk at LAT. I appreciate your views, as it is rare to find a read that is fact based and not biased or filled with the regular recycled rhetoric.

(Well, we're delighted that you've become a regular and hope you help spread the word to others about our blog. The article was posted at the time in the bottom left corner, earlier this afternoon when the near-final results became clear.)

[Scott from Oregon]

The real story is that Ron Paul came in second while SWIMMING UPSTREAM against the media and the regular GOP.

Like his views or not, you have to give him and his supporters their due for beating down EVERYBODY and making it this far.

Ron Paul has been a bright light in the whole process regardless of his current standings. The media has been shown for what they are. The old school GOP as well. America is looking under the nooks and crannies of its own self because of Ron Paul, and the vermin are showing up everywhere.

[NH]

Eric grow up...NONE of your suggestions for VP are any good -- that would mean Dr P sold out...then we would not support him.

ALL of your suggestions are CFR shills.

[Another Perspective]

I am not a Ron Paul supporter, but I think the larger story here is that the Main Stream Media IS blocking (blackballing?) a very popular candidate.

(Well, not here anyway. Welcome to Top of the Ticket.)

[JIVEWIRE]

Andrew Malcolm is a fair journalist who is objective. Thanks for having integrity.

RON PAUL for the LONG HAUL!

DONATE Martin Luther King Day Jan 21st!!!

[chere]

Thank you for the great article. CONGRATS to RON PAUL, CHAMPION OF THE CONSTITUTION!! Here's my Mark Twain quote about Ron Paul:

"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."

Come Nov.2008 [3VOL] will be sworn in, & "We the People" have his back, from the WHITE HOUSE door to the CONGRESS FLOOR. Some have said that RP has tapped into the peoples frustration, But I think RP has tapped into the peoples HOPES. Desperation did NOT lead us to RP but INSPIRATION was our guide.

[Roberta]

Thanks you so much for this fair assessment of the Nevada primaries. I was monitoring the vote on 3 different sits and reporting to the blog on RonPaul2008.com. Let me tell you we were all jumping for joy and cursing the MSM for not mentioning Dr. Paul at all. At least you have given him a break and I appreciate it.

[Sam]

Thank you Andrew Malcolm for this article. Despite Ron Paul's second place finish in Nevada, the mainstream media refuses to talk about it or give him any air time. I commend you for your journalism.

[thetent.com]

AMERICA.
DO YOUR COUNTRY A FAVOR AND LOOK INTO RON PAUL

GOOGLE RON PAUL

[Julia]

Thank you for the honest and factual reporting. Congressman Paul is going the long run, which may change things quite a bit. He is against Nafta/Gatt and managed trade policies that have done a number on this nation, for protecting the borders, ending the unbelievably unsustainable military budget, which in this age and economy will surely help to sink this nation. He is for a strong, safe America. He served
on the Senate banking committee, actually reads all the legislation that comes before him and knows the true state of America. You will not hear him tell the American people what they necessarily want to hear, but what is desperately important for them to hear. Romney wants to increase troops by l00,000. Will it be your child included in that number? McCain is willing to commit America to a hundred years in Iraq, a nation that NEVER attacked us.
Hillary is talking gifts in a time where this nation is economically ready to sink, thanks to her globalist husband passing the Nafta/Gatt treaties. No wonder America needs healthcare! They need jobs too because of that! We need
our country back from the hands of these globalists and warmongers.
Ron Paul loves America and so do I. I will go with the one man who has
the most experience and the record of truth in what he says, backed up by years and years of voting records. I don't believe what politicians say in a race, I look into their records. That's why I am for Congressman Ron Paul.
Don't believe what they say about his followers either. Everyone I have met
are good, intelligent, thinking individuals that are supporting him and Congressman Paul is one of the most moral, thoughtful, humble and brave candidate
I'll ever see probably in my lifetime. He loves the constitution and so do many of us.

[George]

I really hope Ron Paul wins this thing. He's a refreshing change for this country. You know, instead of this so called 150 million dollar "stimulus" package that the current president wants to stimulate the economy with, why not just get rid of the income tax like Ron Paul wants to?? Talk about a stimulus! That would be about a 30-35% pay increase for everyone! That would definitely stimulate the economy!!

I'm voting for you Ron!

[jeff carruthers]

good job and thanks for the info. I will pass your name and paper along to others. I apologize for the few that run you in the dirt. At least you went against the main stream... as one mentioned earlier, we are frustrated at the media coverage....thanks again

(Thanks for spreading the word about Top of the Ticket.)

[Cynthai]

Thank you for the article Andrew! Ron Paul is the only candidate that will abide by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights which gives Americans their freedom in this country. He has a ten term track record of this for anybody that chooses to investigate. Paul is the Jefferson of our times. Dr. Paul is a amazing man that understands economic fiscal responsibility and wants to remove all unConstitutional bogus government agencies and give more money back to hard working Americans! Go Ron Paul!!!!!!

[Larry]

Thanks for noticing what I consider a victory in Ron Paul's campaign today. Funny how Fox news, nor CNN seemed not to notice. Maybe they'll notice tomorrow when Ron Paul breaks another online one day fund raising record. This is just the beginning! Ron Paul For President!!!!!!

[Scott]

Posted by Duck Soup:
"RP has tapped into something. People want the truth. They are tired of old style politics. Too bad RP is not viable. "

"Would love to hear your POV and hear your vote in who will bring more change to America - Clinton or Obama."

Here's my POV Duck Soup; Ron Paul is viable, very viable. And as far as Clinton or Obama, neither or bad change. But we'll take Obama as a running mate to beat Hillary, and Barack can learn from Ron Paul how to lead after his tenure, how's that?

[Kim Eisenhuth]

Great article and a great result in Nevada!! Go Ron Paul!!

[Paul Reszel]

Lincoln was caricaturized by the papers of his time as an ugly backwoods gorilla
and Ron Paul was insulted by an arrogant debate moniter about his "electability"--- because he was ENTIERELY DIFFERENT from the rest of the candidates.

I think he inadvertently hit on the answer to his question.
THAT is why people are attracted to principled Ron Paul --
-He is different from the smooth talkers. - who want to further lead America down the same path that has led too our Day of Reckoning .
The Gettysburg address lives on --not the two hour oration by the many words of Edward Everett. - and voters will forget the slick words of the machine candidates
Thank you for noticing a great patriot in the mold of our fighting forefathers