Ron Paul, Dr. No-body, beats Rudy and Fred -- again

Well, he's hanging in there. Not only that, but Rep. Ron Paul thumped two reputed Republican heavyweights in the Michigan primary -- former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Who'd have predicted that a couple of months ago?

Giuliani, you may recall if you can remember anything as distant as last summer, was the longtime GOP national front-runner in polls. He ran strongly against everybody in his party, even former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who won one last night, taking his home state from Sen. John McCain, who won there in 2000. Everybody wondered if anyone had a chance against the hero of 9/11, who defied standard Republican theocracy with his liberal social views.

But guess what? Ron Paul, the 72-year-old Texas congressman and ob-gyn who delivers babies and a strict view of the Constitution, beat Giuliani in Michigan. And beat him good. Not only that ...

he doubled Giuliani's totals of 24,000 votes, or 2.8%, getting more than 52,000 votes, or 6.3%, of the total Republican ballots.

Paul even beat Thompson this time, the real consistent conservative who was supposed to be the next Ronald Reagan until he actually announced his campaign in September. Thompson got about 31,000 votes, or 3.7%, which is more than Rudy but still less than the nobody congressman with the libertarian views whom few people but his passionate partisans took seriously months ago. He's often called Dr. No for his consistent congressional votes against spending.

Paul was so written off that Fox News banned him from its recent debate in New Hampshire. Oops, now the Paulunteers are organizing a boycott of Fox sponsors in return for the snub, a move that Dennis Kucinich's fans are now calling for against MSNBC for barring him from Tuesday's Democratic debate in Las Vegas.

True, Romney killed all his Republican competitors in Michigan, as he had to, with more than 326,000 votes, nearly 39%, with McCain trailing at 29.7%, or 248,000. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee garnered less than half of Romney's votes, 135,000, or 16%.

And it's also true that Thompson and Giuliani didn't really campaign seriously in Michigan. Or New Hampshire. Or Iowa except for a last-minute Thompson bus tour. Obviously, both Giuliani and Thompson are intentionally laying back, trying to make the rest of the Republican field overconfident. No doubt.

Paul hasn't won anything yet, either, except the continued devotion of his followers and growing national attention, including two national TV appearances on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" plus a full hour on "Meet the Press." On Tuesday, Richard Viguerie, the noted conservative author, announced he's launching a website to support Paul. Viguerie called Paul "truly a principled conservative in the grand tradition of Robert Taft, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan."

Paul just keeps picking up his 6% to 10% each time there's a vote. But Paul also beat Giuliani in Iowa. And he came pretty close to Giuliani in New Hampshire and did, in fact, beat Thompson there. And now in Michigan, Paul beat them both rather handily. He does it by going against virtually all the views of his GOP colleagues, including opposing the Iraq war.

Fueled by the generous donations of Paul believers, the congressman was probably the most successful GOP fundraiser in the fourth quarter, acquiring nearly $20 million then and, according to his website, more than $834,000 more so far this month. He's already launched an eight-state ad blitz and has been campaigning in recent days in South Carolina, where he has three offices and will return later this week, and across Nevada. He got skunked in Wyoming, where Romney won, but imagine if Paul scored big one day in the wild West, where many people believe government got too big about 100 years ago.

Paul's website and new campaign blog claim to have quietly organized more than 7,800 precinct captains around the country. Meantime, Giuliani's top staff is going unpaid this month to save dwindling funds. Is there a pattern here?

So, while the "front-running" Republicans each win one state and no one builds up a head of steam, Paul just keeps hanging around, like a bad cold. Some of the other Republican candidates should be careful, lest they get the sniffles one of these days.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Susan Vance]

Thank you for the very fair and positive article about Ron Paul. It is baffling to me that the majority of the media continue to marginalize Paul, in spite of his consistent poll and primary performances and fund-raising ability. (E.g., the New York Times today ignores Paul altogether, skipping his repeat defeats of Thompson and Giuliani and instead referring only to the winlessness of these "credible" candidates.)

[John]

I am a recent RP convert and I would like to add some insight. Unless he can disassociate from the loonies running around out there with bumper stickers saying “911 was an inside job – Ron Paul ‘08” he does not have a chance in hell. My girlfriend (a conservative) first introduction to the guy was that very same bumper sticker. She thought he was some fringe DEMOCRAT kook! Sorry but I stayed far away from this guy for a very long time precisely because I thought he was raging conspiracist. As I found out later by doing my own research, he is not and has flatly denounced that kind of thinking, but he surely is attracting some fringe elements out there and it is tainting him badly. A lot of damage has been done. Seriously, conspiracy theories, media bias clams etc? Who cares. It’s all just noise and detracts from the real issue which is how do get the nation out the mess it is in. The cause is being doomed by some fringe loonies. He will not win without main street America. It ain't happening.

[Jon]

This seriously made my day. Thanks so much for writing such a good informative article...

[Taylor]

Great article. Even if someone says he will not win in 2008, the "Paulites" are not going away. Everytime you hear of a new contributor or see a sign, you might as well see a sign that says Ron Paul 2012.

I think Ron Paul is showing people what a Libertarian is, and many people never knew how to label their views. If he ran as a Libertarian, no one would allow him in nationally televised debates. He knows the political game, and he is taking advantage of the two party system.

[Mark in Austin]

Paul beat Giuliani . . .so what.?? Who cares? Both have single digit percentage victories.

Both are in last place. - - not even close .. LAST PLACE. - getting lapped-no one knows they are even still in the race-LAST PLACE. . . Why not just punch out, save your money and go home, LAST PLACE and take Fred Thompson with you . L A S T P L A C E.

Thats how "last place" they are.

[Ryan]

This is yellow journalism if I've ever seen it. You suck Andrew.

[Tommy M]

Awesome post. Thanks:-)

-A Sane Ron Paul Supporter

[DanNC]

What's scary is the thought of Ron Paul running as an independent, thereby throwing the election to Hillary. Similar results have happened in previous elections.

[Heman Jones]

The great thing about Ron Paul is that I would be able to debate for Ron Paul. We could just eliminate the man all together because he has such great integrity and consistency. He is a man with a vision, a true leader and he is certainly not what anyone would consider a politician. Elect this man to be our president so we can forget about what presidents ought not to do and get on with our own lives as free and happy Americans!

[Jameson]

Even if Ron Paul loses, this election year is a victory for 3rd parties and others like Ron Paul (I know, he is running as a republican). It is a victory because they are getting more attention than they used to, and I think in 10 to 20 more years, a candidate like Ron Paul will be a real contender for president

[Rockdad50]

The thing that got me here in Michigan is the amount of money spent that is amazing: Willard Romney - $2,000,000+ / Mad Dog McCain - $850,00 / Huckybee - $450,000 / RON PAUL - $0

[Jerry Golden]

Go Ron, The rest (both parties) belong to the same good 'ole boys club that's been around forever. You know, the tell 'em anything, and once you're elected, do whatever you wish crowd.

[pascal]

Gold standard will give the dollar some value, the dollar is in big trouble. He is the only one who candidate understands how the economy works and has a solution.
Go Ron Paul

[ciborium]

Electibility Mr. Gulliani... Do you have any?

Electibility Mr. Thompson... Do you have any?

[mumbo]

don't know why the fans are equated with 'cult like followers'. I take issue with that, in fact I find that categorization as insulting and unworthy coming out of the mouths of press people staffing reputable news organizations like wsj etc.

I simply think that any modern man has really know other choice that make sense but to vote either for Ron or Obama. I d prefer Ron cause of his economic policies, also I like his non intervention foreign policy. The current imperial policy will guarantee the US demise real quick. No way the US would last as long as the roman empire - no chance - these are different times

mumbo

[arch]

UH OH! Looks like a few people in Michigan ACTUALLY researched the issues! Its not hard to see the REAL conservative once people actually educate themselves. Ron is getting my vote no matter what! RON PAUL 08!!!!!!

[Doug]

First of all, Thank you for fair and balanced reporting! Would you send a team over to Faux News and retrain them in fair and balanced reporting?
The most important issue facing this country today is the collusion between the federal reserve system, corporations and the government. They all, working together, work to further their private intrests and the American people have been left out. We have become the "unwashed masses" as Henery Kissinger put it. Ron Paul speaks the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We need to stop "policing" the world and rebuild America. We need to stop this debt perpetuated economy and create a value based economy. They have created so much debt, we can never pay it back. When they raise taxes so high we can't pay them, then they will come to collect. That is where America is going. To attack this problem and stop the wholesale of our country is real change. The only real change we need. The time is now America. Any longer and it will be to late. The globalist know this and you can see them rapidly taking control. If they do, there will be no power to change anything. Just slavery. Please stop and listen to Ron Paul and understand what he is telling you. Why do you think they do not want him to be heard?

[Dr. Wigglesworth]

People of principle vote for Dr. Paul. I have contributed money to him as well.

[DX10]

I notice that those against Dr. Paul and his supporters engage in a lot of name calling but present no cogent arguments against his policies. He is on record as being in favor of gradual change such as competing currencies to diminish the effect of the Federal Reserve just as President John Kennedy attempted to do. I frequently ask people who owns the Federal Reserve and the answer is always the same; the government. Of course it is really a private central bank set up exclusivily to convert the productivity of the American people to their personal account. I think they call it stealing and it hurts the poorest of us most. On Social Security he wants the trust fund to be used exclusivly for the benefit of the recipients but allow the younger folks to opt out if they desire. You know, freeddom. And, if he should make an independent run and spoil the election for one party or the other it really makes no difference since the rest of the crowd are like peas in a pod. There won't be any crying by those of us who love liberty if Dr. Paul loses as we recognize that this revolution has well begun. It will be sad though for those of you who have to burn your Federal Reserve Notes in your fireplace to stay warm.

[Tannim]

Nice aritcle with one clarification: The WY caucus delegates were picked by party officials who have been in those offices fir a long time as patronage by the GOP machine. The Paul campaign did run through there and resonated with the WY voters, but they had no say in the delegates, just the party machine.

[Adam]

Everyone I know supports Ron Paul and we are all voting for him come the primary election.

[toni kantor]

Even with mainstream media sabotaging Ron Paul's exposure to the public, Ron Paul keeps gaining momentum and getting the message out to Americans via the e-mails and word of mouth. I guess Americans are tired of watching our country going toward the direction of bankruptcy and lies. It's time for honesty in government.

[blakmira]

I have thoroughly researched Ron Paul's positions and record, and I find it mind blowing that this is an actual politician running for president. Where has he been all my life?

I've never voted before and it's really true: He has cured my apathy. I now voraciously read any articles on the Internet that mention Ron Paul or the Patriot Act or the IRS or the National ID card, etc. I didn't even know the US was borrowing money from China every day to pay for the war! (my mother didn't believe it either, but I found a reliable journalistic source to show her)

I love Ron Paul so much that if anything happened to him or he didn't win, I would cry like a baby, like people cried over Kennedy or John Lennon or Martin Luther King when we lost them.

No one, other than another musician or artist, has ever inspired me in such a way.

Thank you, Andrew, for writing this article. It only proves you cannot just sweep Ron Paul under the rug like a speck of dust. This thing is becoming way too huge for that!

[Al Feldzamen]

Another Republican throwback who doesn't believe in evolution and who thinks life starts at fertilization. As for the latter, most who hold that view are unaware that there is irrefutable scientific evidence that some 25 to 40 percent of fertilized human eggs fail to implant, and are flushed out of the woman's body with the next menses, her being unaware of that. So nature herself aborts some 25 percent or more of these "living humans"? Perhaps this is why my medical dictionary defines pregnancy as beginning with implantation, not fertilization. This is the kind of thing that "doctor" Paul should be aware! And he's purportedly a OB-GYN specialist too! Unbelievable!

[rudy]

finally a honest person talking about the President Ron Paul...thank you...i promise you to read momre your news....
thank