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

[Bob]

You want freedom?
vote for RON PAUL
vote for FREEDOM

[TIm Kitsos]

Soros paid candidate get support. Suckers and Democrats paid off by Soros pay for Paul.

[FreedomofSpeech911]

Even tho I pray every night Ron Paul wins the nomination but if he doesn't, I hope the movement continues to grow and we continue to spread the messege. It is hard to compete without the help of television and newspapers. But as we can see the media is part of the corporations we are trying to expose.

We are not getting the results we have predicted because most of the nation is still asleep. Citizens vote by name recognition not by issues. Unfortunatly, people that come home from a long days work depend on the television to tell them the world news and to be accurate about it. But we can all see that the corporations see this and choose their own candadates that would profit for them.

I hope one day this Revolution does grow strong and huge and takes down the media, greedy corporations, dirty politicians, and gives back America to the people. Remember the Revolution just a couple months ago, we needed more time to inform more and more people. The best thing I see is that over 80 thousand people that voted for Ron Paul are awake knew about the messege because they had to research him inorder to actually want to vote for his messege.

I just hope Guiliani or Romney do not win the nomination, I dont feel safe under both their hands. On the Dems side, I want Kucinich to pull it off but since they are silencing him I'd prefer Edwards over Hillary or Obama.

[Markustee]

There you go again - trying to make the news instead of reporting it. Andrew, you have got to be a top star for spin - and the bottom of the barrel for reporting. Lessee, now what have Ron Paul and Ron Reagan have in common? Well, one thing that they do not have in common - that is a sense of being secure in this country through strength. Cut 'n run Paul is not a conservative there - he's a wimp.

Something else? How about leadership? None of that with Paul. Nope, just, no no no no no - but no idea of how to "yes". His only principle for action is "not that, whatever that is".

Of course, you want to see him win. Or at least splinter the party - lest the Conservatives win. I pick your top candidates as the Liberal, McCain, the other liberal, Guilliani, or the Coward, Ron Paul.

That's because your real pick is Bling Bling Obama, or HillBillery.

[Wallace]

Dear psycho Ron Paul worshippers,

How far does Ron Paul trail the leading Republicans? I'll hang up and listen for my answer. Hope you guys enjoy the spaceship ride back to your home planet.

[Eric]

Wow. Real, unbiased journalism. Oh wait, it's just a blog. Of course something like this would never become "news".

[Bruce Rosner]

Its quite common, especially in smaller elections, for frivilous candidates like Donald Duck to get as much as 5% to 10% votes.

[Art]

Great Reporting! This process has been an array of polarizing candidates. Hillary thinking a win due to gender and a charming Bill. Obama thinks a Black Muslim can win! Another a strong willed veteran with immigration issues. Then throw in a couple with religious platforms...What do you have? A mix of no true candidate! But...as I look around and read about Ron Paul... the choice gets easier as we just continue to hear the others debate and cry! The more I read about Ron Paul, the more I like!

[Frank Castaldini]

Yes, there is a trend. I have not and will not give a penny to any candidate but Ron Paul. Mr. 911 doesn't inspire. Dr. No does. Enormously! I'll continue to contribute to Ron Paul as the other candidate go broke.

Ron Paul is an extraordinary man and this country would be 100 times better off if we can get him elected. I've never contributed to a candidate ever in my life. Ron Paul is the first. He's an amazing, principles individual. America needs the face of integrity again. I wouldn't not a bunch of stuff our leaders are doing. And Ron Paul wouldn't either.

Ron Paul is our real leader!

[Leane]

Andrew, someone else has already commented on this, but I'll repeat it. You rock. Thanks for fair coverage of events.

[Michael Tashman]

Fred Thompson is a "reputed Republican heavyweight?" That's news to me...

[Scott]

Paul may have beaten some of the more well-known names here and there, but until he breaks 15% he'll be no better than Buchanan in 1992 -- and Buchanan had a reason to stick around as a protest vote to Bush. I don't care how much money Paul's kooky supports throw his way so he can flush it down the toilet in a useless cause. The SC debate proved this guy is just not all there. He probably won't even win the nomination for his House seat this time around.

[DX10]

Thanks, Andrew.

I regularly ask folks who Ron Paul is, and almost without exception they never know. Here is a candidate who wants to end an unpopular war, rid us of the income tax and offset it with reduced government spending, implement a foreign policy of non-intervention replacing bombs and bullets with trade and friendship, empty the prisons of thousands of folks mostly Black who are there for non-violent drug related crimes, etc., and no one knows him.

I don't get it! I guess most folks just enjoy servitude. I will be voting for Ron Paul all the way.

[JP]

Just imagine..........a White House..............filled with..............................................Ron Paul ...............people.........!!

scary thought, huh............

[Aaron Andrus]

We "Paultards" (a term that ruffles my feathers seeing I have a Master's degree and working on another) are sticking with the good Dr because, well, over and over again his talking points are SPOT ON. Look at the stock market, gold, inflation, national debt, etc etc.

No he hasn't "won", but he has proven that he has more than "100,000" devoted fans who form an "echo chamber" and are "spambots". Yes, in four states he has 100,000 fans - and it scares the begessus out of the status quo. Imagine - 10% of the VOTING population actually wanting a return to the Constitution. 10% of the VOTING population not buying the 30-second soundbites and mantra of the big government Repulicrats. Imagine 10% of the VOTING population making enough noise to make 50% of the NONVOTING population stand up and pay attention. Oh, imagine how SWEET that would be!
Well, for "We The People" anyway -

Oh yes, the REVOLUTION is coming - actually, it's here - it just hasn't gone VIRAL, yet. That's why the mainstream media continually "long shot"s, "kook"s and leaves Dr. Paul's name off of its "lists" and "charts" purposfully - the medium is the message - and when the message gets attacked, the medium will fall.

Viva la REVOLUCION!

[Brad in College Station, TX]

Dr. Paul definitely cured my apathy!

[Abe C.]

Mr. Malcolm,
Thanks for this nice article. It's great to see Ron Paul hanging around throughout this primary process, and now seeing him get some positive coverage. Thanks again for the write-up. I look forward to reading more--maybe even after another good Paul showing in SC.

[Maxine]

Mr. Malcolm, thank you for writing this fair and very informative article about Ron Paul. We SHOULD be seeing many similar such articles about how Ron is beating Giuliani and Thompson, unfortunately I don't think most political writers are including this as a legitimate topic.

[Tim]

There are three viable candidates to run against the democrats: 1) Romney 2) McCain 3) Rudy.

Rudy should be the GOP nominee. Here is the reason why:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/01/rudy_giuliani_should_be_gop_no.html

[Robert Marley]

The field on the GOP side is wide-open and this is good for democracy. I am convinced that the main-stream media does not know what to do or say because this election is unlike anything seen in our lifetime. Objective evidence that the media is not made up of a lot of independent thinkers - rather it is comprised of lemmings who copy the talking points from years past and replay them again for the masses.

Based on the comments from the pundits, they continue to try to declare certain candidates (especially Rudy) dead. But he is still going. I have great respect for all of the candidates, including Ron Paul. However, why not let the race play itself out and see who wins without trying at every turn to tear down the guy who came below another guy, etc.

The irony in this article is that the author is apparently amazed that Ron Paul is still obtaining votes despite the lack of attention from the media. WAKEUP MEDIA LOSERS, Americans are finally realizing that they can make up their own minds without your sordid influence.

[Tess]

Ron Paul is in it for the Long Haul. Keep the Faith! Ron Paul for the Win!
Thank you Mr. Malcolm for this piece on Ron Paul and the Michigan Primary. I wish the headline had read "Foxnews/Murdoch's favorite - Mr. Giuliani (the fringe candidate) gets beat once again by the most Conservative, and Bring Home the Troops Now candidate - Dr. Ron Paul in the Michigan Primary", but I know that would have been too long.

If I were Giuliani, thank God I am not, but if I were I would totally be embarrased, especially with the way Guiliani has snickered and has openly laughed at Ron Paul regarding important issues our nation is facing, and Giuliani has done this on national television during debates. Shame on you Giuliani, and shame on you Foxnews and the Murdochs.

http://RonPaul2008.com

[Steven]

So what? He beat the guys who didn't campaign in the contests. This is an accomplishment? Sounds more like desperately spinning the Racist's pathetic poll results. I guess the Paulians learned the hard way that you can only vote once in actual elections instead of spamming them like they do online polls.

Paul will soon be relegated to the trash heap of history where he belongs!

[Sharon]

Thank you for not snubbing Ron Paul like CNN! You Rock! My family thought I was crazy for thinking that the Main Stream Media was avoiding Dr. Ron Paul, but when CNN was reading off the candidates names in ranking order for Michigan, they said: Romney, McCain, Huckabee, Giuliani, then Thompson... Where was Ron Paul? Later on, they even took him off of the Pie Chart that they had his name on. Is Wolfe Blitzer an American or Israeli?

[Abbybwood]

To DenisL:

I believe you are mistaken in your thinking that California will be alloting delegates county by county. I think that state proposition to change the way California splits it's electoral college tally was dropped due to a lack of signatures. Check the website for the Secretary of State on the status of propositions and you'll see that I am correct.

And thank you L.A. Times for giving us some unbiased information on Dr. Paul. I am a Democrat who is not only voting for Dr. Paul, but I'm waiting to receive my yard sign so I can place it on my lawn. He is the only candidate who is speaking the truth. He is the good doctor who can heal the American psyche and undue the horrible legislation that has savaged our civil liberties since 9/11 with a healthy dose of THE CONSTITUTION!!!

He is the only candidate (besides Kucinich), who I trust to end our illegal occupation of Iraq and to put our economy on sound footing. He is the only candidate who REALLY understands how the economy is teetering on the brink of a recession. Actually, we have one collective foot in a recession right now! Ask yourself this question: Am I financially more secure now as compared to eight years ago?

NO OTHER CANDIDATE CAN BE TRUSTED TO TAKE THE OATH "TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION" except Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich.

[patrick henry]

Awesome finally a little truth. Keep up the good fight all you LIBERTY soldiers, we MAY not win this one, but Dr. Paul's message of LIBERTY and peace has awoken a great social conscience in this country. This my friends (Im gonna puke if McCain says that again) is just the beginning. We the People need to take Dr. Paul's ideas of LIBERTY and the CONSTITUTION and campaign like hell to get more like minded Americans in office in 2010.

Get MAD. I know Im am so pissed at myself for being one of the sheeple. 3 years in Iraq opened my mind, 1 year of reading about Dr. Paul opened my eyes. Once I was blind and now I see.

Andrew, I have read alot of your pieces in the past and it seems like you, glenn beck, lou dobbs, chris matthews are starting to wake up to his ideas of LIBERTY and the constitution. Do our country a favor and spend 2 hours, hell 30 minutes at www.ronpaullibrary.org and we will see you in our ranks.

VIVE LA REVOLUTION

"I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me LIBERTY or give me death"- P. Henry