Ron Paul reactivates GOP candidacy, vows to fight this year and beyond

Wait, hold on! Don't toss those Ron Paul signs quite yet.

The 72-year-old, 10-term Republican congressman has just vowed to continue his current campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. There's been some confusion in recent days since Paul sounded like he was, in effect, withdrawing to refocus his political efforts on a well-funded House primary challenger in his home Texas district near Houston on March 4.

His vocal online supporters have been less evident, effusive and at times abusive in the last couple of weeks. But now they have reason to refocus themselves too.

But Wednesday he struck a different note. "I will stay in as long as my supporters want me to," the Texas congressman promised CNN. "And I say as long as the number of volunteers continues to grow, and the money comes in, and there are primaries out there, and they want me to be involved, I am going to stay involved."

And if, say, there's a scandal or illness among the two remaining Republican candidates ahead of Paul in delegates, he'll be in a pretty good political position for the convention in St. Paul.

Also, guess what The Times' campaign finance guru Dan Morain just discovered....

tonight in records of the Federal Election Commission? Of all the Republican candidates left in the field at the end of January none other than Ron Paul had the most cash in hand -- some $6 million. And, like a true conservative, Paul reported not a penny in debt.

So he's got the money to keep his campaign going, despite being at loggerheads on many issues with fellow GOP candidates. And more funds flowing in each day from his loyal followers, despite being largely ignored by the major media, being barred by Fox News from a debate and receiving short shrift in speaking time there.

That's not likely to have much impact in the actual GOP voting, which Sen. John McCain has almost wrapped up. Paul has been drawing in the single-digits recently, getting 5% of the Wisconsin vote and 7% in Washington state this week. He did score a couple of second place finishes, including the Nevada and Montana caucuses, and beat Rudy Giuliani in Iowa and Fred Thompson in New Hampshire.

But his new re-affirmation of an active candidacy will be exciting news for hundreds of thousands of his diverse supporters scattered about the country in some 1,400 meet-up groups that demonstrate for him and raise money in numerous imaginative ways, including hotties 4 Ron Paul pin-up calendars. Their devotion and noticeable online enthusiasm had waned in recent weeks after Paul forced Mitt Romney from the race and then spent more time in his own district.

Starting last summer the seemingly spontaneous assembling of hundreds of thousands of Paul supporters, many new to politics, has been one of the more remarkable aspects of the current political season.

Although the major media have consistently treated him as a fringe candidate, Paul has raised more money recently and outlasted several more famous Republican competitors once given a good chance of winning the nomination.

In December, the Paul campaign broke the online one-day fundraising record by taking in $6 million and made Paul the most successful GOP fundraiser in the fourth quarter with nearly $20 million in donations. And he was the only Republican candidate to increase his take during each quarter of 2007.

So far this quarter, Paul's website reports in excess of $6 million more in donations, which the candidate said he would use to drive what he called a movement. In the CNN interview he portrayed the movement of Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians disaffected with large government and foreign entanglements as unstoppable, although mathematically the 2008 nomination is beyond their reach.

Paul, a former ob-gyn who recently drew a crowd of 1,400 at North Texas University, said he was overwhelmed by possible congressional candidates who could form a bloc of strict constitutionalists in Congress and carry the movement on beyond the unsuccessful 2008 nomination struggle. But although he refuses to endorse McCain, Paul also continues to reject the possibility of a third-party run.

Paul said students he talked with "hear other candidates talking change and they know it's the same old stuff over and over again. There's no difference with the other candidates. They know it's going to take time. But as I travel, I find something very significant going on around the country. They know we need to turn this country around."

"I couldn't stop this movement if I tried," he added.

Then, noting Fidel Castro stepping down from Cuba's leadership, Paul repeated his call for an end to the U.S. trade embargo on that country. "Fifty years of the embargo haven't worked," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to undermine communism."

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo: Bruce Crummy / Associated Press

Comments

[Tim]

How convenient that this writer gets the go ahead by Rupert Murdoch and the LA Times to print an article about Ron Paul after the voting is done in California. Seems like they are just trying to save face. It seems like all these media giants are now trying to save face. They are airing him a lot more now that the election is half over. I can say this, I will never look to the mainstream media for my information ever again. I am voting for Ron Paul all the way through, if people do some research, they will do the same. www.ronpaul2008.com

[andre (UK)]

Thankyou once again Andrew Malcome. I can't add much to the succinct comments of yours and your readers except to say Dr Paul has many proven qualities but his understanding of prudent fiscal matters proven again by his own track history will allow him to address the economic problems we are all facing up. The subject of which is directly tied to his other policies. Esoteric media pundits alike are awakening to his abilities and his conviction politics. Amongst other candidate news, the 'outsider' Ron Paul is smelling of Roses.

[Ray of hope]

Ron Paul or a total police state? You decide.

[Previously apathetic and a-political]

I agree heartily with the letter from "an american family". In recent months I have been reading more and more about what goes on behind the scenes in american politics. Very corrupt and very institutionalized. Very depressing. I hope and pray that somehow, Ron Paul will win despite the odds.

[Ron Moss]

Thanks for remembering how to spell his name.
Cindy McCain called me last week, and said her husband, John, was concerned about border security.
Sure he is and can spell it, Amnesity. She is as bad as he is. Ron Paul is the only dependable candidate. He has my vote and support. The only true Republican running.

[Paul]

Thanks for writing about the Ron Paul movement. I am confident that America will regain its mind. It is very queer to see so many people swooning over Obama. He is all Show and no go. His published plan spends and taxes more and will be the final straw to break this country. McCain is equally as bad. He will driven by the same companies and elite interests, however he will kill a lot more people (ours overseas and other not taliban or NOT ELQeda) in his efforts to (keep us safe). I hate Air traveling now and all the Europeans hate coming here because the TSA is fighting the problems using SS tactics and low brain power solutions. It is slowing killing the Airline industry to use a phase "the death of a thousand cuts".

I got mad in a conversation on the phone yesterday and suggested that a states delegates shoot a candidate and it occurred to me that SOMEBODY IS LISTENING TO EVERYTHING I JUST said, Holy crap will they show up and shoot me and then ask questions!!!!

American must wake up. We are 12 Trillion in the Hole (using all the unpublished numbers it is this high) and have 53 Trillion in unfunded liabilities. It gets worst!

Our Bond Market is teetering on the edge of collapse and all the credit markets will cave-in if this important market goes in to BK and it is a hair away. This will mean NO JOBS, JOB CUTS, Business failures and massive CIty and state losses of income. Great and I thought the gas crisis was bad. Yeah I am old enough to remember Carter and his 17 percent interest rate world.

It is time to Break the Spell cast by the MSM because it is not in our or our children best interest! Tell everyone that will listen or and wear those blue buttons and bumpers. MOVE there is plenty of minds to change!!

[Todd]

Hello, it's the University of North Texas and not North Texas University.

It used to be called North Texas State University, but that name changed in the early 90s.

Todd
UNT Alum

[Kate]

The man and his message are powerful and will live on! VIVA LA R3VOLUCION Dr. Ron Paul!

[George Dance]

The problem here, Mr. Malcolm, is that the punditocracy media and everyone influenced by it insists on seeing Ron Paul as just another politician. He's said over and over again that he intends to continue to run for the presidency until the Convention. Yet, because he's a politician, you (the pundit class, not you personally) refuse to believe him, but insist on interpreting them to mean that he's dropping out, he's going third party, and what not; and then accuse him of flip-flopping or changing tactics when he does exactly what he's said he'd be doing all along.

I suppose it's a way of getting his name into the MSM, though; so I can't really complain.

[steven montross]

Once again America chooses to kill the messenger but the message lives on. KEEP PUSHING THE MESSAGE! Obamas saccharine "flowers and rainbows" campaign can't stand up to real scrutiny. Bigger national debt will surely save us, right? Weaken the dollar more will make us safer, right? Keep shining the light of day on these policies that are doomed to failure and more Americans will be stimulated into thinking and exploring for themselves.

[Miss Darl]

FTA: But Wednesday he struck a different note. "I will stay in as long as my supporters want me to"

and

"Paul sounded like he was, in effect, withdrawing..."

Actually, Ron Paul is *not* "striking a different note. He has said, throughout his entire campaign, that he would stay in the race as long as his supporters wanted him to. This is not news; it is repetition...a refreshing change from the flip-flops of the other candidates.

The Times Blog and many others mistakenly thought Paul was withdrawing from the Presidential race, because of a dynamic we Americans aren't used to seeing:

Paul was being (gasp!) conservative.

That's right folks; believe it or not, once you're done campaigning in the Super Tuesday states, it saves money to close down offices you no longer need. It makes sense to pull back the size of your staff. This is called fiscal responsibility. That ZERO debt in Paul's campaign the entire stretch of his run? Which other candidate has had ZERO debt in his/her campaign?

Paul knows how and when to spend the funds he receives from his supporters, an example many other politicians would be wise to mimic. This is wisdom our Oval Office has sorely lacked for scores of years.

And, true to his ideals, Paul does not accept campaign matching funds. Use of these funds directs taxpayers' money to support a candidate they may or may not agree with. Perhaps the Times can inform us of which other candidates are also foregoing use of matching funds.

You refer to McCain's alleged dalliance, and then suggest Paul might benefit from such news. Yeah, I suppose he might. As would Huckabee, Gravel, Clinton, and Obama. If you wish to lob an accusation, please do so directly.

I look forward to your reporting on which other candidates are or are not accepting matching funds, and, your report on which other presidential candidate has had ZERO debt in their campaign throughout the race.

[JIVEWIRE]

Dr. Paul has already won- He is inspired and educated millions of people around the world, and has had an especially strong impact on young people. I was at a pizza joint in San Diego CA and overheard a group of teenage skater kids talking about monetary policy and Ron Paul.

The Ron Paul Revolution is now inspiring many people to run as Ron Paul Republicans, so the movement is building a nice momentum.

Thank you, Ron Paul. The R3volution lives on!

[Dave]

"they hear other candidates talking change and they know it's the same old stuff over and over again. There's no difference with the other candidates." Ron Paul is absolutely correct when he says this. But don't tell this to Obama supporters.

Although Obama has the voting record to back his criticism of the Iraq war, but like his CFR colleagues, he vows to continue the pursuit of a shadowy enemy under the vague threat of "terrorism" - a policy that has cost citizens their personal liberties, trillions in debt and untold lives. Money will continue to be being printed out of thin air by the private run-for-profit Federal Reserve, while China remains leveraged with over $1 trillion in US dollar holdings. In the middle east, the CFR's blank check for U.S. military operations will deplete U.S. resources while inciting sectarian strife and anti-U.S. sentiment, ignoring the history of blowback as documented by the CIA. Obama is captivating unlike most of his competition but guarantees more of the same costly foreign policy that protects corporate interests and isolates the US. Like his colleagues, Barack Obama's stated foreign policy intentions foment the long term militarization and balkanization of the middle east while resources will continue to be spent in deficit to finance an illegal foreign policy.

[MME]

Once you know the truth; you can't go back. Now that I understand how much perile our country is facing, I feel duty bound to continue to get out the message of Ron Paul to as many Americans as possible.

What I have found most surprising about so many of my fellow citizens is their desire to remain ignorant. Willful ignorance is difficult to overcome. They already know the truth on some level; but they don't want to take that next step and become truly informed because then they will be required to act.

I'm so grateful for Ron Paul's courage, if not for hearing him in the first debate, I would still be asleep at the wheel regarding my country's future. I"m so grateful for all of his supporters who aren't afraid to speak the truth despite being ridiculed by the MSM.

We need to remember that it does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen to set the brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
Samuel Adams

I will keep spreading the message of the Revolution until we take back our country and give the boot to the neocon warmongers and empire builders, the Federal Reserve bankers, the unconstitutional IRS, and globalists organizations like the CFR, WTO and th UN.

[James M. Ray]

The real fun will come when some media-person puts a video of McCain's "straight talk" about Asians (but he didn't exactly use that term...) on his bus in 2000. Of course, we all know only Ron Paul supporters can be racists. That's why there's not a flood of our young supporters going-over to Obama right now. Lies have consequences. The liars are now feeling them.
JMR

[IndyCindy]

In regards to the "illness" comment in the article.

What about McCains malignant melanoma on his face?

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/16/mccain.skin.cancer/index.html

Just search Google for “john McCain” + “skin cancer” and you’ll get 35,300 results…

[John L Gulledge]

RON PAUL 2008! We aint going to stop until HE is in the White House as OUR President!!
It aint over till it's over!

John L Gulledge
Molino FL USA!

[Jake]

I have nothing to say except for thank you Andrew, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you giving a voice to true American hero whose ideas have been marginalized and stiffled by the mainstream media.

[poppatml]

Thank you American Family and the LA Times for an informative and pasionate article and statement. American Family has the correct approach don't believe blindly what you are told, do the home work, become informed and make intellegent choices. That is all any canidate can ask. Above All VOTE!

[mark]

It's not a republican that's right for the country, it's Dr. Paul who just happens to be a Rebublican. Freedom, liberty and following the constitution is what we need. Dr. Paul is the current John the Baptist of politicians.

[AG in ID]

WOW! What a great article. Haven't read too many of these about Dr. Paul, the MSM has ignored him so much.

I just can't wait to see how they ignore him when he wins the nomination and the election. We the People of the r3VOLution are still working hard on a grassroots level and we will dominate the convention in September.

Hang in there and whatever you do, DO NOT believe the liberal media when they say McCain has it wrapped up. They are basically reporting straw poll results. Get informed from ronpaul2008.com the Daily Dose campaign blog.

Go Ron Paul !!!

[Max]

With a little help from Heaven, McCain will withdraw (blackmail from his wife over suspicion of some affair with Vicki Iseman) and 'Chuckhabee' will sprain his ankle at training.
Joking aside, USA now deserve someone serious

[Tom]

Everyone in Washington DC seems so concerned about democracy everywhere in the world but here in the United States. Where are the voices of objective politicians who see what we see? Dr. Paul is being cheated of his just due by the corporate controlled media.
One point I want to make is this: The media outlets are not concerned about profit. They exist to control the minds of the American consumer/electorate. By shutting Dr. Paul out of serious consideration they are exhibiting their power over us. Diminishing influence over our thoughts and deeds (misdeeds?) should be a "revolutionary" objective. Taking control of our personal health; both physical and fiscal, should be other major concerns we share as we go forward.
I don't know what the future will bring but I feel certain that it will include marches by people who are not just fed up; but totally disenfranchised with no place left to go. That means all of us. Soon.

[Laura]

Cherry,

Please do not take the chipped National ID. Contact Jim Guest at Legislators Against Real ID. He will help you stop it in the State you live in.

http://legislatorsagainstrealid.com/

[Connie]

Dr. Paul has for so many years stood as a mighty American Elm, oftentimes voting alone for what he knew was right. He has to be the most courageous person I have ever seen in our modern times. I can think of no other American leader (no, not even Pres. Reagan) who stands as tall as Dr. Paul. With the mighty waves crashing in on all sides, only he has been brave enough to withstand it. What an amazing president Ron Paul would be!