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

[bkusz]

Nevada and Las Vegas best represents capitalism and social tolerance which seems to be a underlying Paul message. Now had Paul been a Mormon with a few more million, he would have pulled a 1st.

[Kevin Cain]

Andrew,
A very enjoyable article that proved to be the best news I have had all day. I spent the afternoon canvassing my neighborhood for Dr. Paul without much success. It will be interesting to see how it plays out once other "top tier" contenders drop out and he continues to campaign for the GOP nomination. At that point the playing field will be leveled.
This is the first primary that I have participated in and regardless of the outcome of Dr. Paul's campaign, my eyes have been opened to the horror that is our financial future as a country. There are the seeds of a revolution being sown with more common men and women joining our ranks everyday.
The common paraphrase of Admiral Farragut comes to mind who, upon entering Mobile Bay in August of 1864 exclaimed, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

[t quigly]

Andrew: Ron Paul's "...fourth quarter, raising nearly $20 million, and his website reports gathering in another $1.34 million so far this month."

And the 'Free At Last' moneybomb on Monday, 1/21 - Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, '
And the 'Ron Paul Tax Free Money Bomb!' on 4/17[?] when Ron Paul supporters donate their alleged $600 Duuuhbya tax refund to the Ron Paul campaign [see the Ron Paul Waroom, 'President Bush To Donate Millions To Paul Campaign' posting].

Ron Paul for the long haul !!
The times they are a changin'

[josh]

why cant we win we always come in 2nd but im sure we will win california and VA anyway

[D. M. Radtke]

Thank you Andrew
At last an honest reporter covering an honest man in the race!

[Rob]

Andrew,

I don't know what to think of you, at the moment...Is your recent change of heart concerning your coverage of RP...more "if you can't beat 'em, then join 'em." Or are you just "playing" all of us Paulites out there like the Pied Piper, as you sit back and watch our mood swings with your every article?

Exactly what are your intentions Sir? !

But not to knock you too hard, I thank you for the honest reporting, very hard to find these days, as you know....

So Go Ron Paul
and GO Andrew Malcolm, thank you

(Just doing our job, Rob. Telling the truth in our way and sometimes you like it and sometimes you don't. But this forum is always open to comment one way or the other. Thanks for reading and hope you spread the word about us.)

[John C. Randolph]

"Who is Mitt Romney?"

He's an empty-suit venture capitalist who pretends to be able to run a business.

-jcr

[letma]

Andrew admit it you have seen the light.. haven't you?

Its OK. Freedom is good. There is nothing wrong with understanding the importance of the Ron Paul candidacy and you are a better journalist for it.

Feels good doesn't it?

[Mike]

Wake up America the Revolution is here! Smaller government, less war, more money in our pocket, better education, all of this can be yours for the low low price of one vote. Or, you can keep on buying into the lies and broken promise's of the other phony candidate's who are actually nothing more than salesmen. Ron Paul is the ONLY genuine candidate who is really for the people!

Thanks for the article.

[Mike]

Overall, Ron Paul is in fourth... http://truthalert.net/Republican%20Presidential%20Candidate%20Rankings.htm

Thompson and Giuliani wish they were doing as well.

[Jason]

this country needs Ron Paul. When will the voters across the country wake up and stop listening to candidates who talk about change when someone like Ron Paul will make changes. He needs our help in making people know who the right choice is, so please spread the word.

[Milton Eisenbies]

Thanks for reporting RP results.. Go RP!!!!!

[david loftis]

Mr. Malcolm,
thanks so must for this Ron Paul story! Its about time he gets some press! Clearly people in general are some ill informed on whats actually going on in this country...very sad indeed. They get taken in by catch pharses, rallying around the flag ( hitler used this one), ignoring all that the corporatocracy as done over the past 50 yrs. and beyond. How many elected officials in other countries has the cia killed because they wouldn't give away their countries resources? Not to mention the civilians killed, ie, panama ( 2-3 thousand) to get one man for not going back on the canal treaty... that we came up with!totally illegal invasion of a country, to get a guy breaking U.S. laws... in his country! On and on!!! educate yourself people then vote... for4 Ron Paul!!

[NFaye]

I am celebrating Romney's solid wins in Nevada and Wyoming and Michigan. He is an awesome candidate who has solid support all across the west! Here are a few reasons I think Romney is the best candidate: Romney has the economic expertise we need. He has turned failing companies into productive, profitable businesses. Romney knows how to create and hold jobs! He has a history of asking the right questions, listening intently, analyzing and evaluating carefully, and LEADING in strength. Romney will bring new vision, fresh voices, robust energy, and efficiency to Washington. Romney will bring integrity, respect, and dignity to the office of President.
Romney is a family man of high standards who has personally lived conservative social values all his life. He is absolutely trustworthy. An intelligent vote is a vote for Romney!

[resimc]

I wish if the rest of the country can ee what the 13& of nevada voters (who vote for Ron Paul) see.
He is a man of honour, integrity.
We would like the media to report more on him.
Thanx for the writer of his article.
Go Ron Paul.

[Dan]

Andrew Malcolm - true patriot or god among journalists?

[Jeremy]

I think L.A. Times has got to be the most objective voice I've heard throughout this entire caucus. Huge props for not shutting out the underdog...America loves an underdog!

[craig seganti]

Yeah, but we Paul supporters are not familiar with reporters 'just doing their job'.

[Travis]

Great article. I think Ron Paul is going to do really well here in California. I was watching ABC News' coverage of the Nevada caucus. The only time they really talked about Ron Paul was when they interviewed some prostitutes who supported him. These professional journalists are professional smear artists. What a joke.

[Thomas Braun]

Great JOB all you Ron Paul LOVERS!!! KEEP IT UP! Now is the time to SHAKE THIS LAND!!!

Oh and Andrew Malcolm as Ron Paul's vice president is a ticket we can all be proud of!!

Thanks LA TIMES!

RUN RON RUN!!!!

[Gena]

Good going, Ron Paul!

To 'Manual Labor': We might be sounding like whiners to you, but we have our reasons! We are not making this up! The media really *IS* censoring him as much as they can (get away with)!!

Just LOOK!:

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/index.html

That pisses me off!! >>:((
What Bull!!

[Bob]

I for one will be calling the headquarters of the msm outlets numerous times on monday to calmly inform them of how to pronounce RON PAUL.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the reminder that there are still some Republicans left who oppose the war and favor protecting civil liberties. I personally left the party (former YR State Treasurer) and became a Libertarian (big "L") when the religious right took over. But Dr. Paul helps me believe that all is not lost for the GOP.

[Claus Nielsen]

Nice article, keep it up
(maybe even do more, remember there was a time when 2 men
with a typewriter made a big difference in America
- not anymore, other vice Bush would have been chased out of office long ago)

Anyway, - I'm from Denmark,
and I can't begin to tell you how much hope, this revolution is giving me..
The first time I heard Ron Paul speak, I was choked!
I mean his honesty, is like a silent scream,
why can't every American hear it - and see that he's special...

As I said I'm from Denmark, one of they few countries that was "permitted"
to vote on the European union, and we rejected it..
The government chanced the wording a little, had a new referendum
and it passed, but whit out the adoption of the Euro..
Now they are more desperate and are pushing it again,
whit out an referendum, and no one objects.. we to are also failing asleep..
So please, help us wake up!

Take Ron Paul to the white house, chase they owners of the federal reserve into the sea
- they are European anyway (but not welcome),
shut down they North American Union, burn the National ID Card,
stop torture, stop the war on drugs, stop the fear and warmongering,
end the war, and prevent an unjust war in Iran, but most of all,
go get your rights back, all of them...
And you may ones again become they moral leaders of the world...

[Ty - Colorado Springs, Co.]

Mr. Malcolm,

I'd like to thank you for what has to be the first, accurate and unbiased article I've read concerning Congressman Ron Paul and his bid for the white house. You, Sir, are a true newsman. Hopefully you'll still have a job tomorrow as the rest of the news media seems hell bent on blacking out Ron Paul and slapping around anyone who doesn't fall in step with them.

[Jeugenen]

RON PAUL RINGS IN THE DAWN OF THE AMERICAN REFORMATION AND END OF THE ERA OF THE UGLY AMERICAN

This Ron Paul Libertarian rebellion is an escalation and re-orientation of the American Cultural War, by the American People, against the rising governmental tyranny by Neo-Con Republicans and Neo-Lib Democrats.

It is sweeping across America like a wildfire, ignited by the illegal and unnecessary invasion of Iraq. It raises many crucial questions, such as:

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to sacrifice precious American wealth and blood, in interests of domestic and foreign lobbies?

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to allow my nation to be invaded and permanently occupied by illegal aliens?

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to support the sacrificial killing of children, by their own mothers?

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to support discrimination against traditional religious practices in public schools, universities, marriage institutions, armed forces, and governmental offices?

This creeping governmental tyranny, driven by culturally subversive Neo-Con and Neo-Lib minority interests, has now been going on for so many decades that the impending American Reformation is regarded with fear and loathing, by those who are to lose their illicit social and economic gains.

Like Gandhi, Ron Paul is drawing his intrepid volunteers from the full spectrum of humanity; and World is cheering him on to victory.

[Fred]

Hear the rumbling? Hear the boots marching? The Ron Paul Revolution is not slowing down. If you are a Patriot and are worried about where our Country is headed contact and donate to Ron Paul on Monday 1-21-08. Let's take our country back!

[Jeugenen]

RON PAUL FEAR AND LOATHING EXPOSES NEO-CON AND NEO-LIB HATE-BAITERS

In the American Cultural War, the antagonists can be conveniently divided into two broad categories: citizens who are the American People, and citizens who are consumed with fear and loathing of the American People.

As the Ron Paul Rebellion relentlessly advances across America like wildfire, the screams of the damned, Neo-Cons and Neo-Libs, grow louder; especially those of the hate-baiters swarming out of their closets, exposing themselves to the scrutiny of the World: the racist-baiters, anti-Semite baiters, Nazi-baiters, homophobe-baiters, xenophobe-baiters, theocracy-baiters, fascist-baiters, and insane-baiters; those growing cancerous elements that have done so much to give the American People their Ugly American reputation; and to manifest America’s long overdue need for a healthy rebellion, to preserve her sacred Constitution against increasingly dangerous social and economic governmental tyranny; and subversive control over American foreign policies by the bloody China, Mexico, and Israel lobbies.

Amazingly, the entire World knows exactly what is going on; and is cheering for Ron Paul and his rebel army.

Google: Who Would the World Elect; Mearsheimer Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy; Stricherz Why the Democrats are Blue

[Bob Bowen]

Last week I cancelled my 28-year-old subscription to my local newspaper because they wouldn't print my Letter to the Editor (Dec 22nd) about their muzzling of Ron Paul news. Then they finally reported the fact that Ron Paul raised the $6million on the 16th, but headlined the article with a most unflattering photo of Dr. Paul and proceeded to print about three columns of negatives about his campaign. So I responded to that poor journalism and they changed two words in my letter which proceeded to give my letter a negative spin and distract any potential readers. Now I actually see something in this blog that reports fairly about Ron Paul's candidacy, so I have bookmarked your blog for future visits. I may have to join a friend of mine and take a closer look at the Los Angeles Times. I live on the High Desert between Victorville and Barstow and we have a fast growing Ron Paul Meetup Group that is going to give it our best shot to get Ron Paul's message out there and hope it can turn into some precinct victories on February 5th. Thanks Andrew for reporting the truth. I will be back.

[R]

Stop saying he's not viable. Viability depends on how many votes he gets. If you want him to run the country, just vote. Its as simple as that. Just vote.

[Jose Luis]

I'm hooked on LA Times. A complete media blackout on Ron Paul. I had to refer some of my friends to Andrew's Blog because my friends had no idea from the mainstream media that Ron Paul had come into second in Nevada. I have never donated to a polical campaign in my life but I am now. The next money bomb for Ron Paul on Monday will be my first. I wish I could stop being dissapointed when I see CNN/Fox News intentionally bypass any positive news about Ron Paul in an effort to keep his message silent. It is going to take all us to make this happen.

[Justin]

Maybe Ron Paul can hook up with Ross Perot as his VP and Ross can spend some money to get the word out.

The problem is that Paul's campaign staff does not know how to manage a campaign and generate publicity. They also do not know how to help Paul deliver winning answers that resonate with the public. This is the problem.

Justin

[tim]

Special thanks to the LAT for this artical. Question is: do the same stories get published in print by the LAT? Considering the beatdown intentional blackout of Ron Paul by the MSM we did fantistic in Nevada. A very special Thank-You from Minnesota to every Ron Paul voter in Nevada. great job!

(Every Sunday a few blog excerpts are printed in the newspaper. But this is the brave new free world of online. So we're on our own. I like that all of our articles are here forever to be read anytime a reader wants, while the newspaper is gone by tomorrow. Thanks for visiting. Hope you come back often--and tell your friends about us.)

[Tom J]

I just want to see Ron Paul at all of the debates, talking about the Iraq War, foreign policy and the economy. I hope his second-place finish helps achieve that.

[Bill]

With enough 2-4 place finishes, and staying in for the long haul as other's drop out, he could walk into a brokered GOP convention with the enough delegates to create quite an impact.

Make no mistake, the GOP candidate will be brokered at the convention, and Ron Paul could have a lot of delegates in hand.

The Nevada results are straw poll results, but a lot of Romney's supporters never registered as delegates. Ron Paul's did. So it's a media victory for Romney, but what about the convention?

Ron Paul is crazy like a fox. I will kick in some money on MLK day, just to see how bad the MSM wants to stop him.

[Tom Mead]

Happy to see Ron Paul get some exposure from the mainstream press (though I doubt this article will appear on A-1 tomorrow). Republicans will have to choose between a vote-winner (McCain) and a philisophical winner (Dr. Paul).

I know who they will pick, but at least Dr.Paul will be around until summer to keep the debates interesting.

It will take another 10 years before the Party is truly ready for a revolution.

(Of course this article will not be in the newspaper. This is an online blog. To be honest, with our growth in readership probably more people will read it here than might in the newspaper. So be happy.)

[Voter]

Great to see Ron Paul move on up in the polls

[Mike Klamecki]

I think the Republican party should consider "those passionate and tireless supporters" that Ron Paul has. Do they think that in the end they will end up voting for whoever the Republicans put up? Think again. Those who have voted Republican in the past, that are now Ron Paul supporters, will not vote for any of the Republicrats that are running. Thus, the Republicans will lose in November unless Ron Paul is the candidate. I feel that this is the end of the Republican party unless they wake up soon.

[dianna]

I HOPE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, NO MATER WHAT COLOR OR CREED YOU MAY BE OR BELIEVE IN , WILL EMBRACE A REAL CHANGE FOR THE GOOD OF ALL PEOPLE IN OUR GREAT COUNTRY....RON PAUL TRULY UPHOLDS THE VALUES OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, AND WANTS TO SEE OUR NATION SURVIVE THESE CRITICAL TIMES OF ON-GOING CORRUPTION AND GREED.

[J Fox]

Mitt Romney is a globalist as evidenced by his membership in the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR).

Folks, this is not a game. It's Dr. Ron Paul as President or the New World Order/Empire/US imperial hubris. Face it. Sober up.

Mitt Romney is a globalist.

[Pauline]

Duck Soup: I hear you! My primary vote will be cast for Ron Paul, however I am currently campaigning for Obama because I do not wish to see a Clinton White House. Gheez! Being a citizen of our times is so complicated....

[matt steward]

RON PAUL REVOLUTION freewebs.com/ronaldpaul

[Phil Nunemacher]

As a recently elected Ron Paul delegate to the county convention in March, I can tell you that the 4 delegates from Nevada is the minimum he will get at the national convention. Based upon the other Paul delegates from my precinct I predict that he will get more like 10 to 12 delegates from Nevada at the national convention.

[P Campbell]

Duck Soup asks Ron Paul's supporters who would bring about more change, Clinton or Obama. My answer would be that Clinton & Obama would govern in a very similar manner, though Obama certainly has a more attractive personality than Clinton.

The question misses the point to Paul's support. The majority of Paulites less about change for the sake of change and more about a return to the principles this country was founded on, especially limiting the federal government's control over all aspects of our lives--something neither Clinton nor Obama offers.

[Chuck]

Nice to see a major media outlet giving some attention to Ron Paul! :)

[japattison]

Ron Paul, Are you Electable Sir?

This question came from a croaking neck that I saw on YouTube.

Well, I guess I can answer that! A resounding YES! The Nevada caucuses answered that. A resounding YES! He has more primary votes than Ghuliani and Thompson, who are supposed to be front runners. He IS electable. All it takes now is for the timid to come out of their closets and show their faces in November. No man, or woman, is electable if the people do not vote. Staying at home and hoping that your neighbor will vote for Ron Paul in your stead isn't the answer. That's how we ended up with Presidents like Bill Clinton and Geo. W. Bush. You've got to get up off your dead -- and go vote for him yourself!
Yes Andrew, Ron Paul is a strict Constitutionalist (That's something that Romney, McCain, Huckleberry, Obama, and Clinton and the rest of those Neo-Cons will never be able to claim!), and this country first elected Strict Constitutionalists - Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Adams (2 of them), to name a few. He is in good company. His supporters come from both sides of the aisle as well as the center - conservatives, liberals, moderates, libertarians, and socialists. His supporters include such diverse backgrounds as pimps and whores, lawyers, priests, preachers, Silicon Valley Geeks, Texas Millionaires, Nazi's, College Students, Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Natives, Jews, Christians, Athiests, Moslems, Hindus, active duty Military and retirees.

Not to mention all of us that just consider ourselves as "regular Joe's" that remember what we were taught in High School about the Constitution being the Law of the land, and the Bill of Rights NEVER being infringed upon by such idiotic 'laws' as the un"Patriot Act," which is out to make patriots the terrorists,and the land-grabbing, slum-lording, employment-reducing factory and industry closers like Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mike Huckleberry, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Billary Clinton the heros.

We Ron Paul supporters may sound like a rabid bunch, but we are all patriots through and through with one goal, to take our country back from the globalists. Once again, the Constitution has to be recognized as the Supreme Law of the Land. If the Neo-Cons want to change the Constitution, there's a process for that ... it's called a Constitutional Amendment, not the un'Patriot Act.'. We can only do that if we stop these useless wars of occupation for the oil maggots, bring ALL of our troops home, abolish the income tax, the Federal Reserve and foreign aid. We need a man in the Presidential office who will stop the invasion of illegal aliens from both the north, the south, the former Soviet Union and Europe. End our participation in Nafta, Cafta, WHO, the UN, North American Union with their Trans-Texas Corridor, and everything else that threatens our sovereignty, and put the power back into the hands of the people, and not the politicians who have their hands into the lobbyist cookie jar from the time they get elected to the time they retire. Andrew, I invite you to Google the North American Union, and the Trans-Texas Corridor, and report on it just as honestly as you have reported on Ron Paul's 2nd place Victory in the Nevada Caucuses. If it isn't Constitutional, Ron Paul aims to prevent it if he can, I'm with him and the people are with him!

Ron Paul said it best when he said (I paraphrase) "It isn't about Ron Paul, it can't be about the man .... it's about the message, the message of Freedom."

Montanans for Freedom and Ron Paul!

Thanks Andrew Malcom for getting it right. A journalist is supposed to be just that, not ignore the news, but report the news. You have a new fan .... you are bookmarked for reference every day, ..... I will spread the word about your blog!!!

[GottaSay]

Gotta Say, You Go LA Times! If it weren't for you and a few others no one would even know Ron Paul was running for president.

Go LA
Go Ron Paul

[Sir Peter Codrington]

As a frequent visitor to the US and a British citizen I have been completely captured by the Dr Paul phenomenon. Although I have some reservations, in general, he is absolutely on the mark. Respect for your constitution as written and to be interpreted as intended by the founding fathers. Half a million US troops deployed around the globe should come home unless specifically requested by a foreign government, who are prepared to bare the cost and burden (except for paying their salaries) for their continued presence. It is sad that the general media have ignored Ron Paul almost completely, his message may not be main stream, however it appears to be dear to many Americans hearts and so it should be. I say go for it Dr Paul and your supporters

[Paul Boulanger]

I am forever amazed when someone states that a candidate is "not viable" or "not going to win so I won't vote for him". Voting is not like betting on a horse race where you benefit by picking the winner. Voting is a chance for your voice to be heard. Our founders paid for that right with the blood of our first patriots. I am voting for Ron Paul, the candidate who I most respect and desire to lead this country. Whether he wins or loses, I can sleep well at night knowing that I did not compromise my principles.

[Terrell Richardson]

Thanks for showing love to Ron Paul. I can't stand the mainstream media. This should've been top news on all the outlets. But they only mention "pretty boy" winning