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

[Moral City USA]

I was wondering if some media outlet would finally point that out. Guliani ridiculed Ron Paul after the debates too. I'll bet Guliani is not laughing now. Him and Thompson might as well bail out. They dont offer anything.

[Bruno]

Andrew, The LA Times should endorse Ron Paul for President! Ron Paul continues to beat guys like Rudy and Fred, and that is with CNN, FOX and MSNBC under explicit orders to not mention his name. You should write an article about THAT!

[tekdif]

Once again the media (as in this newspaper) is smearing and censoring Ron Paul. Come on, Mr. No-body? Wake up and get over the fact that Dr. Paul has the support of the AMERICAN PEOPLE. The elitists (and mainstream media) can rot. We're tired of the abuse and oppresion being piled on us by this criminal government and Dr. Paul is the answer. His support will only grow.

[Joe Dokes]

I'm surprised that Ron Paul didn't win in MI. He had more signs up than anyone else. In fact he had about the only signs up.

[JK]

Except for Paul, the rest of the candidates sound and look like some robotic props coming at you with the same dumbing fable-babbles.

[1440 minutes]

Dr. Paul is dumb like a fox. He has laid low, letting the others run out of money (unless you count Mitt Romney's personal fortune). He is in fourth place in the number of total votes across the early primaries. Now he can turn it up a notch, and how are the others going to respond without any money? Hang on for the ride.

[Carter]

Andrew convenient "forgot" that Thompson came in third in Iowa. Thompson beat McCain and Gulilani.

Just come out and say you don't like conservatives who want border fences, and we can move on to the next item on your agenda.

[Shane]

There seems to be an up rising across the world. One that is much different than the past. Humanity seems to be developing a conscience. Whether its Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, or America people seem to be rising up against the powers that have keep them under control for too long. It seems that technology and human consciousness are evolving at the same rate. This is unnoticeable until the rate of change is increased and the numbers begin to get large. When society learns something new that enlightens them to a better understanding of how something works they evolve. Technology allows that information exchange to take place. So as this ever increasing rate of technology is evolved so to will humanity.

Ron Paul and is supporters are signs of the same surge of evolvement happening in America. Here is a man denied access by the main stream media but is growing tremendously on line. The main stream media cannot control the online information exchange. The exciting part for those who like this trend and the scary part for the FOX fans out there is this. The statistics show the amount of people on line today will doubled by this time next year (2009). Now hang on it gets better. That 2009 number will then be doubled again in 2010 and then that number will be doubled again in 2011. Finally the 2011 numbers are predicted to double again in 2012 before showing signs of slowing down. WOW!
So imagine what we know now, and what we may learn over the next 4 years.

Ron Paul represents more than a presidential candidate with a strong internet following. He represents an evolution of change that is taking place at an ever increasing rate. That evolution also has a conscience that will be growing in humanity at the same rate as technology. Remember as one learns something new they evolve. As society learns that the main stream media has been altering the news to sell the wealth’s agenda, they too will evolve. Ron Paul will go down in history as being a major contributor towards the evolution of peace and humanity.

God Bless America

[cbh]

Ron Paul is crazy. The New Republic did a grerat piece about his "libertarian" views. http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=e2f15397-a3c7-4720-ac15-4532a7da84ca

[brian]

Alrighty!!!! Thanks for the good article, Us Paul fans are not crazy, we just get a little spirited when the world seems so steadfastly opposed to reason. Hopefully more people can become believers if we get some more press like yours! I'll be canvassing here in Colorado in a couple days......after all, every generation deserves a revoloution!!!!!!!!

Go Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[anitacris]

Ron Paul is the best candidate to be president, however many news organizations have been keeping him out of the news. Iwonder why? Could it be because he speaks the truth? The "powers that be" would not want him to be president because their "gravytrain" would come to an end!

[Three Chord Monte]

Thank you, Mr. Malcolm, for this forum and your attention to this phenomenon. It seems to me that the longer Dr. Paul hangs on the more his message will grow beyond "anti-war". That is very important if the Republican Party is to embrace the traditional position as the party of small government. Now that this anti-war novelty is wearing off, pundits, other Republican candidates and voters seem to slowly understand not only the cultural, but also the economic reasons that Dr. No is against America’s aggressive policy of foreign intervention and “nation building”. Many may not agree with Paul's position here, but if Dr. Paul’s foreign policy motives are digested as plausible by Republicans, then the man has more of an opportunity to be heard when he speaks so eloquently about domestic policy matters. I honestly never thought he would have this chance. Hopefully his popularity will continue to grow and stronger libertarian ideal will take hold with all voters.

[Seth M]

I knew in my gut that Ron Paul was more popular than the media was letting on. His message is resonating, despite the tampering of the MSM. We can all agree to that now right? No longer are Ron Paul supporters the only ones aware of the established media trying to undermine his campaign.
I guess we'll just have to wait for the other candidates to run out of money, as they are, before they'll be fair to Dr. Paul.

[Duff]

Ron Paul is a simpleton, nit-wit and an inane drone! He has no business being in the race. He is an embarrassment to himself and anyone who is conservative! He has never seen a double digit % throughout his whole campaign and has no sense of reality. He is just another "blame America" spokesman. Time to go out to pasture Pauly-boy!

[ryan]

WE WANT PAUL!

[DatONEfoo]

Yay! Good Excellent Article!!!

[Artus Register]

This is a really fair piece that for once was written without the cheap shots. Thank you!

[russ n]

Thanks Andrew. I have never before in all my years seen the media so desperately trying to pick the candidates. Tim Russet and Shawn Hanity, in my opinion, have been disgraceful. And these guys are from both ends of the spectrum. Why is the media so openly trying to direct the nomination process. Ron Paul has not been given the time a day from any of the media and he is moving up. As you have point out, this a story. And why is the media so biased against Hillary. To me it is wacky. No one has asked Obama any difficult questions. My point is is that most unbiased media folks recognize the unusual role the media is taking, but seem afraid (maybe political correctness kicking in or simply business) to queston or respond to what is going on. And the amazing thing is that Ron Paul continues to rise no matter what goofiness is thrown at him. Thanks for an honest article reporting what is actually happening in the race for presidency. This is the most important job in the world. These are the most trying of times, and the candidate must be bright, experienced, honest and trustworthy. I believe that America trusts Ron Paul. They may not agree with him on every point, but the trust and honesty will pull him through, at least I hope so. My vote goes to Ron Paul.

[John Frum]

Andrew, thanks for getting RP some drudge time, however why don’t you or anyone else in the media give Ron the lip service you do the other candidates? You point out that Ron, ‘the nobody congressman’ ‘thumped’ Guliani and Thompson, then say they didn’t campaign seriously in Michigan or New Hampshire. I’ve never heard a reporter call Fred, the Scooter Libby apologist or McCain the Keating 5 senator, but I digress. Ron (unfortunately, I think he lost some votes here in MI because of it) was nowhere to be found in Michigan. He visited New Hampshire just a few more times than Rudy. Hopefully the risk his campaign took will pay off in NV. You then go on to say that Guliani and Thompson are holding back waiting. Do you think they would be holding back if their campaigns weren’t broke? I don’t think so. There is little doubt that Guliani’s staff is staying on with no pay in hopes of a cushy administration job. Thankfully that won’t happen. Then you end with the obvious hit on Paul calling him a cold that just keeps hanging around. How about calling him David who stands tough and keeps pelting Goliath with his stones? See how the story can all of the sudden become very positive for Ron. Unfortunately this article does nothing but continue the anti-Paul drivel that adorns the rest of the pro-corporate welfare American rags.

[Cleaner44]

When we look at all of the votes cast nationally so far it is clear that Rudy is a fringe candidate that is unelectable. Fred is not doing much better. Both have been consistantly beaten by Ron Paul as he is not only getting more votes but also has a more passionate following.

Vote count after IA, WY, NH and MI:
Romney       441,602 37%
McCain        359,882 30%
Huckabee      206,575 17%
Paul               84,082 7%
Thompson     50,847 4%
Giuliani          48,857 4%

Fred Thompson was never really in this race and Rudy has the problem that the more people see of him, the less they like him.

[OldGOP]

I am ashamed to live in the same country as Rudy Guiliani and the Republican leadership that embraces him. I am ashamed of their fear mongering for endless war in support of U.N. resolutions and corporate interests while they sell our country, our freedoms and our Constitution out.

As a recently separated veteran, I feel even more ashamed that our troops have to put up with his (and the Republican leaderships) self serving agendas.

The Democratic party is just as much to blame also.

For too long both parties (and their main-stream candidates) have put the interests of the CFR, petroleum companies, and Military Industrial Complex ahead of the American People. And now they have the gall, and the plans (SPP, TTC) to sell our children's future into a Corporate owned and Socialist North American Union behind our backs.

What a disgrace they are to our country and what it stands for!

Do yourselves, your family and your fellow countrymen a favor. Don't take Rudy Guiliani or the mainstream media's word, learn more about Ron Paul on your own. Then share your knowledge of Ron Paul with your friends, family, loved ones and neighbors. You and your country will be glad you did. He is the only candidate that is worthy of our votes for President in 2008!

[Combatoverridebutton]

Yawn. 6% and the Truthers that follow Paul are ready to claim victory. Paul has consistently polled in the single digits and is consistently drawing the same in the primary. Still there are claims of "lies!" about Paul, bad coverage, etc. No amount of extreme and vocal minority giving their paycheck to Paul is going to make people vote for him. He has to win the people over in the arena of ideas and he hasn't done that. He has been on the same stage in the same debates and the people aren't convinced (except for 6%). Soon he will be back in Texas representing the 94,000 people that gave him this stage and the world will go on.

[James]

Voters are waking up to the spin that Fox News and now the Wall Street Journal have put on the campaigns. Rupert Murdoch aggressively uses his ownership of the media to push pro-war candidates and to smear others.

Voters are talking about the Federal Reserve, inflation tax, and the Constitution because Ron Paul has already won. Ron Paul woke up America.

[TM]

Too bad that Paul probably had more votes from Demos in Michigan than Repubs. Since the delegates don't currently count in Michigan, it means very little. I guess this crack reporter failed to mention that demo turnout was VERY low. Hmmm....I wonder why?? Do you think it could have been because of the large demo led campaign to have their sheep vote for Paul in order to encourage him to run as a third party?? Nah, couldn't be.

What a joke.

[rudys kewl]

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY! GO HOME!