Ron Paul, loser again

For months now the growing thousands of Ron Paul supporters across the country have been saying virtually everywhere they could, including the comments section of this blog by the hundreds, that the media, the polls and the prognosticators were all wrong. There was a conspiracy.

Those Paul supporters were actually correct. The media, the polls and the prognosticators were, indeed, all wrong -- about Barack Obama handily beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary. The media that the Paul camp loves to hate was actually dead-on right about Ron Paul. He was a long shot. He misfired again. And he got pretty much the same share of New Hampshire GOP votes as the progressive polls, that Paulunteers also despise as frauds and fixed, unrepresentative statistical snapshots, had indicated he had all along.

As he did in Iowa, Paul, despite raising the most money of any Republican presidential ....

candidate in the fourth quarter -- nearly $20 million -- (and another $600,000 this month) and despite the vociferous support of many young supporters, once again finished in the back of the GOP pack. He was in single digits this time, versus his 10% in the Iowa contest last week when he thumped former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who got a meager 4%. And the zero delegates that Paul got in last Saturday's Wyoming county caucuses.

The 72-year-old, 10-term congressman from Texas with the libertarian ideals and the strict views of the Constitution vied with Giuliani for fourth or fifth place all night with 8% or 9% of the record New Hampshire primary vote. His diverse supporters hoped -- indeed, expected -- that their political passion and heartfelt donations combined with Paul's candor, constitutional clarity and congressional consistency would reach critical mass in New Hampshire and ignite the Ron Paul Revolution. But apparently the match broke.

Despite his enthusiastic supporters. Despite all the hand-painted signs and chants. Despite the long hours handwriting letters to voters in other states. Despite the yard signs that bloomed everywhere like winter dandelions.

Despite his millions of dollars. Despite his growing political infrastructure in other states. Despite his book. Despite the 1,400 meet-up groups nationally. Despite all the positive publicity surrounding his being snubbed by Fox News for the Sunday night debate and his second appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." (Click here for the Paul-Leno interview transcript.) Despite all of his advertising in the Granite State, which seemed fertile soil for his less-government approach.

Paul lost. Again.

Paul has the money to continue his long-shot campaign. He says he plans no third-party run. But we'll see. Running for president and getting the acclaim of friendly crowds is a heady experience. For now, only Fred Thompson did worse in New Hampshire. And the former Tennessee senator wrote off that cold little place long ago.

For now, for a real change, we're not going to try to explain Ron Paul's candidate's defeat. We're going to leave it to his earnest and vocal supporters in the comments section below. Maybe they know better what went wrong. Please, spare us the rants and blaming secret neo-con conspiracies. Don't claim that fourth or fifth place is really winning. Nobody questions if Paul is a straight-shooter who sticks by his guns and his word. We can all go to his website here for the details of his platform.

Here's your chance to explain in specific detail to a major blog and its thousands of readers why Ron Paul lost so badly in New Hampshire and what he needs to do to realistically resurrect his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the other states coming up so rapidly. In fact, everyone is invited to offer their own analysis. Does Ron Paul's political fate even matter in the larger picture?

The floor -- or the page -- is yours. Let's hear it.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Russ Neimy]

Ron did fine. I'm still backing him. I'm not young or old. I'm just a normal middle class white guy. Ron is probably just to right (pun intended) for this country...

[Pablo Escobar]

Ron Paul had a poor showing, no doubt about it. All I can say is that this country isn't ready for him yet. He offered change, but TOO much change for the average voter. Someday, a younger, more articulate libertarian candidate who can charm the establishment crowds better Paul will come along. Until then, Paul supporters will probably move to New Hampshire for the Free State Project. Electing a libertarian governor and then getting that governor to run for President sounds like a reasonable goal to me.

But the fact that a plain speaking politician like Paul can get so much money and support shows that the people are hungry for the message. The people will only be more hungry in a few years, by which time a McCain/Clinton administration would have invaded some more countries and curtailed some more civil liberties.

[Marta]

We were nearly completely ignored by the old media. Fox news excluded Dr. Paul. CNN put a blank spot on its pie chart instead of Dr. Paul's name. There was a near total old media blackout in the days leading up to this vote. Considering the circumstances, 8% is outstanding.

[Bob]

It is simply charisma. Ron Paul has the best message of any of the candidates. He is also the only one offering a way to "change," not just invoking the word. His problem is charisma. If he was younger, more handsome, more politically savvy speaker, it wouldn't be a question whether Hillary or Obama are on top today, it would be a question of what America did to get so lucky and how to use this good fortune for our advantage. I long for the day when Americans simply vote the issues presented and not the political rhetoric. Hopefully that day will come soon and on that day Ron Paul will win.

[Mark S. Gonney]

The only loser is the person who wrote this column. Why do I say that? Because I'm a registered Republican and I voted for Ron Paul? No. Because what the smart dumb person who banged out the above article doesn't have the brain power to realize they just called the people in this country who support freedom, liberty and individual rights LOSERS.

The "losers" they refer to are the people in this country who want the values and principles of their elected officials to be consistent with the document that is still considered THE LAW OF THE LAND and to my knowledge has yet to be abolished as the document each president SWEARS to protect and defend.

This is eerily reminiscent of how proud the Neo-Cons felt after George Bush won the presidential election for the 2nd time even after Michael Moore's movie Farenheit 911 was released. They were so proud and mocked and teased Moore and the people who supported his view, but...what happened?

Michael Moore was right, The Neo-Cons were wrong and we are stuck in a trillion dollar overseas quagmire because of it. Did George Bush Win? Yes, but the American people lost. So please, brag, boast, tease, say I TOLD YA SO! and mock the way Ron Paul has energized a segment of people in this country NONE of the candidates from each party side has been able to do. In the end, if the values and principles and truth of what Ron Paul stands for doesn't get into the white house these next four years AMERICA will be the biggest loser.

Peace, Love and the utmost of RESPECT.

If you are against Ron Paul you probably will not approve this message but if no other American can see it...at least you did.

[Matt]

A lot of people still do not have any idea who Ron Paul is. In fact, many voters become aware of candidates based on how well they do in the polls. If Paul was 40 percent in the polls then he would probably get somewhere close to 40 percent of the vote. These polls conducted are huge. People base decisions sometimes on how well a candidate is doing in a poll.
The problem, which Mr. Malcolm obviously doesn't get, is that Paul's supporters are not your usually poll participating supporters. You can't accurately monitor his support right now. Many of his supporters are cynical that he has a chance and are probably not even voting unless they know he has a chance to win. This is very sad and a big reason why people do not vote in the first place.

[Dan Warner]

I don't think it matters if Ron Paul wins. What matters is the movement that seems to have started. Ron Paul supporters are not waking up because Ron has nice hair, wears nice ties, or is a billionaire. They are waking up because of his message. He has awakened a sleeping giant.

The giant may be tired and slow right now, afterall he just woke up from a long sleep, but the message is what is driving it.

I have seen Ron Paul people talking about real issues that seem to have been forgotten. One can argue about which one is right and wrong, but nobody can deny that these ideas are once again alive and well. Young people are being drawn to a conservative message, old people are longing for the way things used to be and can be again.

I think you are going to see lots of people who are NOT discouraged if Ron looses. I think lots of people are considering running for office themselves now to assure that the message doesn't die. We are wondering why Ron Paul is often the only 'NO' vote and think that maybe it's time there are a few more 'NOs' to go along with him.

The giant has awakend, he is moving and he is hungry. Watch out because he may sneak up on you a few years from now and eat you for breakfast...

[stompk]

I'm a 42 yr old contractor, Desert Storm vet, and I am for Ron Paul

I guess all those people out there with the Ron Paul signs in NH just
didn't vote.

Yeah, right.

Every online poll has Ron Paul winning.

There aren't any Hillary or McCain people online?

Do you think Ron Paul will get invited to the next Fox debate?

How about another Money Bomb Paulites. I have $100 bucks I set aside.

What do you say, oh, Jan 15th?

Anybody in. They can't ignore us forever.

Halleluiah!

[Jason V]

Well I must say I am disappointed. I believe the main reasons are that the GOP, in this case NH, PRIMARY voters are about two-third pro-Iraq war.. so naturally the no-nonsense McCain would be your "tough on terror" pick, fools they are. Those that are voting in the primaries for the GOP are for the most part for the war. Paul, as much as I hate to say it, should run third party so that the non-primary goers get their crack at him. As much as the immigration crisis over amnesty-granting Comprehensive Immigration "Reform" was and with McCain taking pictures with Ted Kennedy and to see NH voters seemingly forget this and support him this go 'round just shows how foolish GOP primary voters are, at least in NH. I have come to the conclusion that immigration is so important to me (to SECURE those borders), to reduce the size and scope of government which doesn't seem to mesh with these GOP primary goers that I do not have a party any more. This will be the last time I ever vote again probably after this '08 cycle.

[Joe]

Ron Paul is doing what no one said he would do... he is keeping up falling only slightly behind juliani and ahead of fred thompson. This is truly a vitory for Dr. Paul and with all the support coming in nation-wide we will see of he cant keep this up. But I think Ron Paul is in this for the long haul and will give the others a run for thier money.

[badmedia]

So anything other than 1st was bad? He's at 8-10% and doing better than some of the other candidates. He's still in it, and now as shown with Fox News there is no reason for him to be ignored now.

Hardly a loser. For someone who has been called a long shot candidate, he's done very well in both primaries(that allowed actual voters). Seems the same people who called him a loser before it started, say he has no chance and whatever are the same quick to call him a loser or say he's doing badly.

Besides, shouldn't the real story have been how many more votes the democrats got over the republicans? Maybe that should be a wake up call to all the pro-war republicans, because without ron paul, that difference is even bigger.

[Bill McDuff]

We RP supporters are of course very dissappointed as well as puzzled. Had RP the physical good looks and verbal skills of a Mitt Romney to go along with his message he would now be the front runner. That is tragic and an indictment of the intelligence of the current American voter. The others skew their message based on poll results so therefore cannot be trusted while RP is 100% consistant! We get the government we dererve via our active participation and maybe we deserve disaster. That being said given that EVERYONE expected RP to do far better in NH than Iowa one can only wonder if the RP votes were all counted?

[Jason]

They should have campaigned there harder.

Thats the only thing I can say. We had the volunteers, the money, and the opportunity.

Congrats to the other campaigns for their efforts...

but we aren't out yet, so don't think we are going away because we're not.

[John]

It has become apparent that Ron Paul lost because our country is Pro War, Pro Illegal immigration and Anti Constitution. Very Simple.

[cameron]

I think it boils down to this sad fact. It is not in the human spirit to have courage enough to acknowledge approaching danger. We want to think "it is all going to be all right" or "It can't happen to me". Is there anything that Paul is saying about monitary policy or foriegn "entanglements" or the fact that we SHOULD honor OUR constitution that is somehow...deluded??? Not at all. What the "fickle crowd" doesn't like about Paul is that he is a honest to god prophet (monetary and geopolitical) and he is telling us what we just can't bear to hear...our American dream is being hollowed out and may...even now...be a house of cards waiting to fall. The really scary thing is that Paul may already be too late to save us from ourselves. Better to whistle in the dark.

[Enlightened One]

It's becoming clearer and clearer to me what the real problem is with America today.

It's cities and towns are full of complete imbeciles.

The proof is in the pudding. Hillary Clinton won yesterday because she conjured up some tears at a crucial moment, and the footage was replayed literally thousands of times in the ensuing 24 hours.

American citizens today are led by the hand at every crossroads today and have completely lost the revolutionary spirit that once made this country great.

If the United States goes through with it and elects Billary again, that will be a minimum of 32 years straight with a Bush-Clinton in the White House. Simply ridiculous. WAKE UP PEOPLE !!!

[Daniel]

As a Ron Paul supporter, I have been more attracted to his message of a true Constitutional government, State's rights, no income tax, and economic reforms to save our currency, which as we all know is circling the drain. But I think we have been naive to think that the message is greater than the messenger. Ron Paul just isn't charismatic or assertive enough to persuade people who aren't already sold on his platform.
Also, the recent revelations about the infamous newsletters are heart-breaking to me. I don't want to be associated with those kind of beliefs, even though I don't believe Ron Paul wrote them himself or even agrees with them. But the fact that he allowed himself to be associated, even by proxy, with them does not trumpet the sound judgment we must expect our President to possess.

[Alex]

I have no doubt their will be many Paul supports who were expecting a better showing in NH, but unfortunately changing the mind set of a populace is a demanding and time consuming task.

I have been following the Paul campaign from the outset and what strikes me is less what his numbers are in polls but more the base of support and ideas he is weaving into the political debate.

These are ideas and views are being spread ever wider and I strongly believe will grow (especially in the young who are of course the future). I believe the future direction of the US Economy will add a huge amount of credence to Paul's ideas. If much of Paul's warnings on the economy are born out this could well affect future elections and drive a significant shift in views.

For those who support Paul I urge you to focus less on the results (which were always at best going to help attract new supports and media coverage, not win the nomination) and look at the big picture and the movement and change that has just started to get rolling.

[Ronald Olson]

The reason for Ron Paul's low polling numbers is the message is simply unbelieveable to most americans. Everybody knows you can't solve income tax,foreign policy and government intrusion on our lives. When anyone says the founders wrote a program that insures our way of life would be free so long as we are responsible, the eyes glaze. Unfortunately if we can't make our candidate cool and hip Ron isn't going to be president. Maybe Steve Jobs can throw his star power behind Ron ala Oprah.

[Joey Damario]

Fox News, an arm of the pro-war, pro-neocon elements of government, conspired to ignore Ron Paul's "thumping" of Giuliani and not include him in televised panel debates.

But we are not supposed to call shenanigans? Spare you the claims of a "conspiracy"? How do you think the millions of Ron Paul supporters feel right now about this country and its political and media systems?

The revolution is about to get very, very angry. Better choose a side, LA Times. The internet is bigger than you.

[Chris]

I saddens me that a candidate that everyone admits is honest, a candidate that speaks clearly an evident truth, a candidate who has genuine concern for American lives at home and abroad can not garner the attention of the voters.

This indicates to me that the American public will get what they deserve: a hundred years in Iraq, a worthless dollar, and an America that is reviled by all other nations as a fascist police state with war criminals for leaders.

Good luck America... we had our chance at redemption. His name was Ron Paul.

[Andrew Malcolm]

anyone catch the Hurricanes vs. Bruins last night? Good hockey game and a decent fight in it as well.

[Loser supporter for truth]

You are basing your viewpoint after only 3 primaries? 14 electoral votes? There is a long way to the White House and only losers are you people in the media. Only Dr. Paul has a chance to still run as an independent once all the other posers are out of the way. A brilliant strategy!

[FrancisM]

It's pretty simple...McCain has name recognition the same reason Edwards did so well in Iowa...the difference is that these stupid old people didn't realize that McCain was no longer the McCain 2000 version who was in many was polar to Bush. but is now McCain 2008: the biggest Bush Bot of them all.

Romney spent the CRAP OUT OF NH, in addition he's from a neighboring state, he visited more often because he could day trip from his house.

Huckbee won the iowa caucus, some idiots vote for a winner, regardless how little they actually stand for the party.

Rudy had to make sure he didn't loose to Paul again, plus its hard for his rotating state stratagey to miss a state. he was in Iowa over 40 times, NH over 50. NH voters are not smarter voters, they might have been in the past but with a year/ 5 days they sure showed the rest of the nation that they don't deserve to be first.

Paul got where he did beause he didn't make that many appearances, he relys on his grassroots campaign, and in NH they're spoiled and want to see the candidate not a rep from the candidate.

Thompson is only in it because Romney hasn't said leave yet, Thompson siphons votes from Huckabee, a natural fit for Romney to enjoy Thompson mediocre successes...

It boggles me how someone can say the pundits don't like me the media hates me, and then get endorsements and tout them like nobody's business...McCain will loose. NH does not deserve first in the nation status.

the movement to get rid of this nonsense in primarie and to move to a rotating state schedule is helping make these early contests look like a flash in the pan.

Don't worry, Ron Paul will win.

[Mike]

Sadly the reason is the same for all of America, nobody cares about the facts or the issues, but the face, the race, the sex, or the religion. It's the same reason that the Enquirer and Star outsell the Wall Street Journal, or people would rather see headlines about Spears breakdown over oil topping $100 a barrel.

The American people just don't care.

They pay more attention to a face (Romney), a race (Obama and Oprah), a sex (Hillary), a religion (Huckabee), than either Paul or Kucinich who talk about issues. Has anyone counted how many times any of the above have flip-flopped their messages in their terms? Compare that to Paul who has been saying the same thing, and making the same predictions, for two decades.

Sadly it will probably take a complete depression, people with all those paper dollars in buckets to buy bread, to get them to see the economics of the nation and say "Gee, wasn't there that guy running for President who said this would happen? Maybe we should have voted for him." In the past few decades it always seems that the United States is always too little, too late. In war, in alliances, in freedom, in technology, in business, in everything it does.

With the integrity and want of true, honest-to-God change that Ron Paul is advocating maybe, just maybe, we could be the nation of Theodore Roosevelt again, the one that at it's peak the world looked to, admired, and envied. The youthful nation that brought new ideals, conservation, monetary strength, caring for all the classes but especially for the poor and working class, and a government not controlled by big business.

Vote Ron Paul, and give the United States a chance to be strong again.