News shocker: Ron Paul was biggest GOP fundraiser last quarter

Well, it's official, ladies and gentlemen. Believe it or not, Rep. Ron Paul, the 72-year-old Texan who hardly ever gets mentioned in Republican political news and the one-time libertarian who always gets the least time on TV debates if he isn't barred completely, was, in fact, the most successful Republican fundraiser in the last three months of 2007.

By a Texas mile.

By the thousands, Paul's fervent followers donated $19.95 million to the "Ron Paul Revolution." He spent $17.75 million, and at year's end, had $7.8 million cash on hand, making him the only Republican candidate to increase his fundraising totals in every quarter of 2007. According to his website, Paul's Paulunteers have contributed another $4.1 million this month to...

fuel the strict constitutionalist's travels and advertising campaign.

Compare that impressive financial success with, say, ex-candidate Rudy Giuliani, who raised only $14.4 million from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 and spent $18.2 million.

Or the departed Fred Thompson, who collected $8.9 million and spent $13.9 million.

Or even the newly-minted Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain, who raked in only $9.9 million, spent $10.5 million and had only $2.9 million cash in hand. Of course, McCain's string of primary victories in January will have boosted his financial fortunes. Everybody loves a winner.

Mitt Romney actually raised only $9.2 million from other people last quarter, less than half of Paul's haul. However, the former Massachusetts governor -- and if he keeps spending at this rate, the quite possibly former multimillionaire -- gave himself $18 million more of his own money last fall for a total of $27.2 million and $2.4 million cash on hand.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who's had trouble raising money, issued an unusual statement Thursday night. "My presidential campaign," he said, "has defied the odds and will continue to do so, as we head into the Super Tuesday primaries, proving the power of message over money and mechanics."

The statement did not include any Huckabee figures for the fourth quarter. Which suggests that the winner of the Republican caucuses in Iowa didn't have a very good fourth quarter.

So a certain suspicious blogger, led by the experienced hand of The Times' campaign finance expert Dan Morain, went to the website of the Federal Election Commission and looked up Huckabee's fourth-quarter report. It seems he raised about $6.7 million, a third of Paul's sum, while spending $7.08 million, leaving him on New Year's Eve with cash on hand of only $651,300.68. No wonder he didn't mention numbers in the news release.

Now, this month Huckabee will have received some donations after his Jan. 3 Iowa win. But it does raise serious questions about how long the Arkansan can continue to compete after Feb. 5 or even how much he can do before other than get on as many free radio and TV shows as possible.

Paul, who's done well in some symbolic straw polls and little-noticed state caucuses until his best showing so far as a second-place finisher to Romney in the Nevada caucuses, has repeatedly disavowed a third-party effort if his bid to be the Republican nominee in St. Paul next summer falls short.

His determined followers maintain that a news media conspiracy is holding down Paul's success at the polls, although obviously word has gotten out to somebody for him to raise such sums. Paul's outspoken stands, including withdrawal from Iraq and drastic downsizing of the federal government, run counter to each of his GOP competitors.

As for Paul's campaign, his loyal troops plan another "money bomb," a big fundraising day, today in honor of Ron and Carol Paul's 51st wedding anniversary. One of the obvious gifts: the undisputed GOP fundraising championship for the last three months of 2007.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Dale Pettit]

This is only a shocker to those shackled to the Major Media. The online supporters of Ron Paul expect even greater amounts of donations this quarter. The next three days are critical in sending a message of consolidation by long time and first time supporters. This "money message" must be sent NOW before Super Tuesday so that those crippled by blank minds can see the REVOLUTION in Action. So they can overcome their personal fear of "freedom and liberty". Give them courage to reject herd mentality and to finally vote for the right message, not for personalities, rock stars and more of the same "Change agents" of the past. Money donations and boots (or running shoes) in the voting booth will highlight this revolution and return us (U.S.A.) to the consititution! Donate all you can today! Vote Ron Paul!

[Susan]

Thnak-you, thank-you, thank-you for finally reporting on what we already know: Ron Paul is a WINNER!!

[Thomas]

Thanks for this clear update.

Reading the article, I noticed that Ron Paul not only brought in the most cash in the last quarter, but ended the year with the most money. (And he did even have to "borrow" as Romney did.)

As I read this midday, the Feb 1 money bomb seems headed to a cool million. I hope that swings to 3 or 4 million. If the campaign spent $17M last quarter, it will need at least $8M a month this year. Ron and Carol are generous and caring in their personal lives, and have reached out to others as a couple, so today's money bomb is quite appropriate. Carol is a strong believer in the message of freedom and has been an encouragement to Paul.

[Sam]

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE ALL THE WAY FOR RON PAUL.

check out another good article at http://www.suburbianews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=580&Itemid=1

or go to www.suburbianews.com "the man teh media wont cover" dont know who suburbia news is but they are dead on!!!!!!!!

[Andy in B-more]

Andrew, thanks for the info. I like your "nothing but the facts" approach.

What is most telling about the numbers is how the other 4 candidates OVER-SPENT their money, and ended up with a deficit for the quarter. If this is how they manage their own budgets, then how they will manage the country's?

Apparently there is only 1 conservative in this race.

Happy Anniversary Ron and Carol !!

[Crystal]

Finally some fair news regarding Ron Paul. This is actually the type of news we Americans deserve to see regardless of if we support Ron Paul. I think Americans should be able to see all sides and then make their own decision as to what they think. Isn't this one of the reasons why we founded America in the first place?

[cephyn]

Congratulations Ron Paul supporters on showing the power of the common people. But you should be asking yourself....WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING? I haven't seen any Ron Paul commercials. I haven't seen him paying for any rallies. I don't see him paying a staff or campaign people. Where's the money going? How is it being spent? That's something you need to address with Mr. Paul. He has a ton of money and no one seems to know what he's doing with it. What he's NOT doing with it is winning delegates or votes. He has the money to fight the media, which all Paul supporters denounce - but he has yet to do so.

[Doug D]

McCain's fundraising was actually down in Huckabee territory. McCain received only $6.8 million in campaign contributions -- the rest was a loan.

The media bias HAS kept Ron Paul's poll numbers and vote totals down, by treating him as a fringe long shot when he was in fact the candidate with the most actual, active supporters. The holy grail poll numbers are almost entirely meaningless -- as we are finding out, most voters don't make up their minds until just a few weeks or days or hours before they vote. Yet those meaningless poll numbers are used to determine how seriously the media treats a candidate, which determines how seriously many voters take that candidate.

[MC]

"His determined followers maintain that a news media conspiracy is holding down Paul's success at the polls, although obviously word has gotten out to somebody for him to raise such sums."

I google (and otherwise find) news for Ron Paul everyday and the only mainstream media outlets that cover him are trying to run smears.

Yet, here you are, in the BLOG of the LATimes, spouting about the folower's conspiracy - why aren't your articles printed or published, (or whatever semantics you want to use) to explain why this can only be found in a blog?

The people are finding out. The message is clear, and I think word of mouth is Dr. Paul's best asset.
Paulunteers: keep up the great work. It's a game of inches, and the canvassing is working.

[grayListed2]

Article is blah.. meh, if you will. Im glad that there is an article period, but that statement about "his supporters maintain that there is a media blackout", he very subtly snuck in a jab. Like we are all conspiracy addicts making up things with our fantastical minds.. yeah lets go eat celery flavored yogurt after this so we can continue to teleport at will.. There is a severely evident black out from the msm. In 2007, John Mccain's name was mentioned 97,000 times on air. Our man Ron Paul, mentioned 4,500. Thats just the tip...

[billychuck]

Great to see this on the blog, but I doubt it will make it's way into the print edition. Hopefully the L.A. Times will prove me wrong, and actually give Ron Paul some positive coverage that is not relegated to the internet.

(See answer below. So many of you have noted that the newspaper business is dying, who would care about getting an article in a daily newspaper that will be trashed by tonight, when you can get an item like this that will live on for a very long time and reach many more thousands of readers than one newspaper article? This is the new way. I thought you were used to that.)

[Tammy]

Wonder if the LA Times included this in the main paper.

(Nope. As so many of you point out, that's the "dying msm." Who cares about that? This is online where thousands more will see it and it won't be thrown away tomorrow.)

[Mom in Ohio]

Thanks, Mr. Malcolm, for not ignoring Ron Paul or his supporters. You offer a nice alternative to the writers who insist we're all wackos. Well, I might actually be a bit of a wacko, but we don't have enough time to discuss that, trust me!! ;=) I told you before I might like you enough to invite you to dinner at our house. It's an official invitation now, should you venture to our current wintery white out!

[Elle]

Love you, Andrew Malcolm. Thanks for not being a part of the Ron Paul media blackout. You are a true patriot!

[Gene]

Highest fundraising and a concerted media blackout. What does that say about the State of the Union?

[Charlotte]

Thank you all in support of Ron Paul's cause!!

As I see it the only real differences between Clinton, Obama, Romney, and McCain are:

Clinton is a woman; Obama is black; Romney is Mormon; and, McCain is an old soldier desiring to fight once again.

Ron Paul sincerely wants America to have the opportunity to execute the freedoms the Constitution states.

AND..... I do not have enough time nor the patience to dwell on the mainstream's outlandish behavior!!

[sean truitt]

everyone who is concerned about the economy needs to check out david walker, comptroller general of the us gao.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KjZBOCAgR64 he lays it out and it is scary.

[Ktown]

Thank you for writing this unbiased blog entry LA Times.

Could you please get this piece into print?

[Alanna]

They all spent more than they brought in? Not good sense, unless you like debt. I trust Ron Paul to balance the checkbook. :-)

[TH]

It's no suprise at all, and if the Diebold machines would stop switching votes for Paul to McCain you would see who is really winning.

[TH]

It's no suprise at all, and if the Diebold machines would stop switching votes for Paul to McCain you would see who is really winning.

[scott]

Good blog now put it on the front page of the newspaper

[Nicv21]

I agree, this is no shocker to people who are aware of the way the Corporate News Networks have marginalized the man and his message. We the People need to start a campaign to hit them where it hurts, in their profits!!!!

Boycott all the media who deprive you of your rights to the free press. If anyone disbelieves the situation, just read Creature from Jekyll Island and see for yourself how long the machinations have been going on!!

[Darin]

Thanks Mr. Malcolm for covering Dr. Paul once again. What Dr. Paul stands for is immensely important and even though the forces against him and the movement are too strong at present to allow for his presidency, the tide is turning. Dr. Paul is educating people on economics, foreign policy, how to be truly free and the Constitution. The population has been remarkably dumbed down by our current education system that renders critical thinking skills obsolete and a media conglomeration that ensnarls the mind in trivial redundancies. It's difficult to transcend these systems that create an intellectual vacuum. Let's not forget all the tricks the political controllers have at their disposal (see Louisiana caucus and debates). Many of us see the financial games the Federal Reserve plays and the direction this country is headed economically, educationally, politically and morally. We may be dumbed down, but we are not down for the count. We keep getting back up with a every blow to our liberties, pocket books and sense of right and wrong. Dr. Paul is a only a harbinger of things to come. The human spirit is too strong. The fake, professional wrestling style, debates between the Tweedle Dees and Tweedle Dumbs are fooling less and less people. Dr. Paul speaks the truth and in the end the truth always wins out.

[parke]

"His determined followers maintain that a news media conspiracy is holding down Paul's success at the polls, although obviously word has gotten out to somebody for him to raise such sums. Paul's outspoken stands, including withdrawal from Iraq and drastic downsizing of the federal government, run counter to each of his GOP competitors."

Im just an average guy thats done my homework. In the SC debate in May, Rudy scoffed at Paul, saying 'As a surivivor of 9/11, to say we were attacked because we were bombing Iraq, Ive never heard that before...' Right then Ron Paul got my vote and Rudy lost my support. I read the 9/11 commission report. I also had studied up on Chalmers Johnson and Micheal Schurer and knew Paul was correct.

Since that time, Ive witnessed the MSM treat the best man running like a red headed step child. The only issue Republicans have with him is his stance on Iraq... Its amazing that the peace candidate is always vilified. Ill never trust the MSM again. After all that I have witnessed since May, I have learned what Thomas Jefferson knew all along, the only people to trust in the media are the advertisers.

(Au contraire these days as so many have pointed out in these comments. This story will be here forever and thousands have already read it. Had it been in print, it would be lining a parakeet cage by tomorrow morning. Online is the future. That's how you got here. Thanks for reading and hope you check back often.)

Uhhhhh... nice try. Anyone online can find this. The older couple on a fixed income will probably never hear of Ron Paul because they dont use the internet. So kudos for posting it online, that doesnt make the 'blackout' of Ron Paul in traditional media any better.