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

[George Bozic]

This rEVOLution is forever, we will never surrender. Give me Liberty or give me Death!

[Jim]

The effects of the Ron Paul Revolution are about to take a huge step forward.

Write this down: www.TheLibertyRevolution.org. This site is in the design stage and should be active (initial draft) in the next week.

The Liberty Revolution is a direct result of Ron Paul's campaign for the US Constitution and his presidency. It is the next logical step in this movement. I'll give you a hint: it's about accountability and using the federal court system - state-by-state.

Thank you Dr. Paul for carrying the banner to restore our individual liberties and igniting the fire in so many.

Check the web site soon and sign up (no cost) to continue the movement.

[sandy onks]

Ron Paul is the clear choice for President in 2008. Ron Paul is the only hope for America. Not Obama who spends money on global poverty and the UN, not Hitlery who wants to run every aspect of our lives, not McCain who is ruining the very heart and soul of the Republican Party.

Ron Paul and the Revolution are alive and well. Press On! Ron Paul 2008.

[Al]

Ron Paul Supporters, Don't Back Off. I truly believe that their are a lot more delegates out there than the MSM is reporting. My Wife and I are precincts delegates due to go to the County caucus in April in Stevens County, Wa . To give you an example, on 2-12-08, I obtained a copy of the GOP caucus results for WA, by county, with 96% of the precincts reporting, from KHQ TV in Spokane. The GOP reported that Huckabee won in Stevens County with 85 delegates. Paul was second with 79 delegates, and McCain 3ed with 30 delegatesThis is what was reported to the MSM and put out as the results of the caucus..On 2-20-08 the local newspaper, The Statesman Examiner, from Colville, WA, reported that the Republican Central Party Chair, Priscilla Osborne, confirmed that actually Ron Paul won with 83 delegates, Huckabee 2nd with 47 delegates, and McCain 3ed with 24 delegates. This is most likely not an isolated insodent and many more counties may have under reported Pauls actual delegate count. I have asked the local newspaper SE, and KHQ TV to investigate this blatant violation of the election processes. With 96% reporting, how could Huckabee go from 85 delegates to 47? Additionally, Benton County, Grant County, Jefferson County, and Snohomish County changed their voting totals dramatically from what was reported on 2-10-08 and resubmitted totals on 2-11-08. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THESE WASHINGTON STATE PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE RON PAUL WON THIS STATE, HOW MANY MORE STATES ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION?

[David Kessler]

Ron Paul can win it and I sure hope he does!

[LawofNations]

Your commentary has one small omission that prudence demands that I point out: Ron Paul will be the next President of the United States of America.

You may now return to Barney and freinds: Hillary, John, Barack...

[sovereign nation]

If Dr. Paul is not on the ticket after the convention, I will take advantage of the write-in vote. I will never again vote the lesser of two evils.

I will vote for candidates using the write-in option until we successfully get the right people in office at all levels of government. Dr. Paul's message is "the people" can have the America promised by the constitution if we work for it.

I contribute monthly to both of Dr. Paul's campaigns. We can not afford to lose the voice of this good man. I will continue to do so until the last vote is counted.

[Stephanie]

McCain didn't have an affair!! I mean look at him.....he is so boring I doubt he even has sex with his wife!! I've seen his political "enthusiasm" I can't imagine his life being exiting enough to allow him to have an affair. The only person I could ever see him intimate with is his good friend General P. Come on people get this guy outta there!!
RP for our future!!

[Sam Weathersby]

You can find a lot of info on Ron Pau lat newswithvies.com. Enter 'Ron Paul' in the site search box at bottom of main page. You can do the same for the other candidates, the war on drugs, illegal immigration, the militias of these United States, the IRS & the 'Federal' Reserve....

At YouTube check out the vids for Ron Paul. Also look up the Southern Avenger's take on Ron Paul. Also SA's comments about blow back & 9-11.

Those who call Ron Paul an isolationist are uneducated, lying or both. Ron Paul wants to go back to the Founder's advice. Were they all isolationists also???

SamFox

[Parke]

Thanks for the story Mr. Malcom. Pleasant change.

Little help from the media? Id say the media on the whole is an enemy of American values. All I see is a bunch of whiney hypocrites that would rather complain than support. After the NH primary Ron Paul was absolutely deleted from the national media. Im not a truther.. Im not a nutball... Im a guy with a little kid that looks up to me. Im scared shitless for her future. Our country is broke. Our wars are endless. Our rights are gone. Our borders are gone. Look back through history and see what happens to nations when this happens.

Make no mistake about it. The FEDERAL RESERVE is the root of our nations problems. Thomas Jefferson warned us repeatedly of the power of central banking. A private bank runs our nations monetary supply. That means a group of people with NO REAL OVERSIGHT control our economy. They profit from every bill they print. They profit from every bullet sold. They are more powerful than our military... our president and our congress. We dont even know if the gold is in Fort Knox.

39 kids died in Iraq last month.

How many more have to die before people realize we need to get the hell out of the mideast? This war is bankrupting us. This war has stripped us of our rights. This war has killed 4000 of our boys and girls.

[Nathan]

As it continues to look more and more each day like McCain will be the GOP nominee despite his inability to win over conservatives, I would welcome a 3rd Party run by Ron Paul. I am a Huckabee supporter, but it looks like he will not even be considered for a VP position, and I don't think I could vote for McCain anyway! Those of you Paul Supporters, please try and persuade Dr. Paul to continue his campaign after the convention. He could unite the Constitution Party and Libertarian Party making a very viable 3rd party in November! WE CONSERVATIVES WHO MAY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARIES WOULD LOVE TO HAVE RON PAUL AS A 3RD OPTION AGAINST MCCAIN AND THE O'BAMA CULT!!!

[Keith]

Hate to tell you, Romney and Thompson is still there..

If something should happen, Paul would be the last to be picked by the delegates..

Ron Paul has a better chance of becoming dog catcher..

[Ken]

Ive supported ron paul from the get go here, since there has been nobody else thats running for the candidacy thats willing to challenge the idiocy in our federal government. His fight for the presidency is much more than someone trying to become president, its a battle for the freedoms of americans, and the stability of our nation. I ask supporters of the other 3 major candidates where they plan on getting the money for their wars and healthcare and other federal budget allocations? We are a poor nation and we are in terrible debt... we cant afford to be spending more money and thats where ron paul is right and completely stomps these other candidates. Its a matter of restoring our nation to where it was meant to be, and regardless of ideology and good intentions, (or bad ones), its not what you want to do anymore, or what you say you want to do, its HOW.

I challenge anyone reading this to do your research on him and dispute any of his stances on any of his proposed policies.

[michael]

Thank you for giving Ron Paul fair coverage with this. Ron Paul is a modern day hero. Too many people in politics these days are owned by companies and special interest groups. Ron Paul is different. He is the voice for the people who cant be heard. Ron Paul for President 2008!!!

[Michael Berner]

After reading most of these other comments all i have to say is Go Ron Paul. if you vote for anyone else you're an idiot, mcCain will be another Bush do we all want that, hell even if Ron dosen't get in, He's started an idea that we cannot let die, i will forever fight for this. Will you?

Michael Berner
po box 768
Lyons, Colorado 80540

[Michael Berner]

Revolution!!!

[Erica]

Ron Paul has awakened this sleeping American.

I wont quit spreading the truth.

RON PAUL 2008!

[Michael]

After todays NY times article and McCain problem dodging the FEC over some loans. I think Ron Paul's chances are look less and less slim.

[Joe R.]

Folks we must be realistic. Nothing will change if RP gets to be president. Granted he is my choice, but most of the politicains in Congress and the Senate think like Obama, Hillary and McCain. There are few who are like RP. I suspect that they (the mainstream politicians) would work against RP making his presidency not as we would expect. I agree that something needs to change and his movement has sparked even my interest. However, we as Americans need to keep in mind that these Congressmen and Senators work for us. Not the other way around. You and I pay for their salaries and their benefits packages. So it seems to me that we tell them either you listen to what we say or you'll be out of work. We (me included) need to keep on top of the issues and tell our representatives how we want them to vote. If they refuse to vote as the majority of their constituents want, then they don't get re-elected when the time comes. If they take special interest dollars and it becomes public, they're out., etc. Our government has gotten away with this for many years because many generations of Americans have not been interested in public and froeign policy. It has not directly impacted our daily lives. We've had it too good for too long and now all of that is being threatened. Jobs are going overseas, immigration is not being controlled, costs of living are going up, while incomes don't, etc. So now all of these things are coming to a head and we're all grumbling about it. IMHO, it's all of our fault. Once we accept that repsonsibility, it will be easier to make the necessary changes. This porblem with government didn't happen overnight and it most likely won't be corrected overnight. RP has been hugely successful for opening our eyes despite media attempts to block his message. God bless him for his love of America and of us. He is a true Patriot. It's time for government to be held accountable.

Peace,

Joe

[Bob Brereton]

I will be voting Paul in if he is not on the ticket.A vote for any other would be a vote to keep the borders open and the same old nonsense that has been ruining our nation for years.
I honestly cant explain the lack of votes received thus far.
But a vote for Ron Paul could help send a message to Washington, and a march on Washington certainly would have to be covered in the media.
Thank you Dr.Paul for awakening me in this race.
Even my wife has been activley campaigning, which she never would have for anyone else.

[Josh]

Sadly I see our country being lead by such an honorable man as just a dream. Romney dropped out way too early and did it not because RP forced him out but because he was asked to step down to clear the way for who the GOP wants. Unfortunately who the GOP wants is not necessarily who the American Republicans want. Not saying that if Romney would have stayed in RP would have won but it is possible that the race would be much closer right now. As a Republican I feel "played" by my party and therefore I will play along with the game and cast my vote either to Obama if he makes it that far or throw it away but it will not go to whomever is pushed on me. No offense to McCain or the Republican party but because you "played" you won't win. That is just how the game works, kind of like the Patriots losing the Superbowl.

[JPD]

I agree, president is pretty much a figurehead, and as a Ron Paul suporter I think that Congress would try to stifle him and his ideas. That's why the whole experience arguement going on is irrelevant imho, and why after Paul, Obama is my number 2 and Canada is my number 3.

I am just saying that I agree with the fact that grassroots needs to get, well, grassroost-ier. Look what we did to the MSM. What would haappen if we put thtat kind of pressure and support into our local media and our city, county, and state legislatures, imagine what can happen. We could actually take the power back and have an accountable congress that in turn holds the president accountable.

That being said, I was AMAZED that my House Representative, Tom Hackbarth, was asked at our caucus(he made a surprise visit) who he endoresed and he said RON PAUL. This was AFTER getting made fun of by the extremely rude Romney people. One even clapped and made looks when RP came in last in my tiny little town.

The joke is on them though. Their guy is out and I've already converted the Huckabee people to RP giving us 6 delegates of 9 at my precinct.

So, my point is, thank TOM HACKBARTH and anyone in your state that is a Ron Paul republican, because those are the people we absolutely need to help out. The others, well, we need to expose them for what they are and, if at all possible, win their seat and begin to form a new coalition of actual conservatives.

We've already gotten the idea out there, now it is time to really put the Revolution into motion: Take back Congress and then right the wrongs of our predecesors.

JD

[ziggrl]

Sweet article. Thank you. I love Ron Paul.

[Jason Dixon]

Ron Paul is the man! If he brings home 140 International Military bases, the 50 states will reign supreme! Ya' hear me? Vote Ron Paul and let's come home.

[Scott]

Ron Paul is the only choice that makes sense for all Americans, I've voted in my primary already and hope to be able to vote for him in the general election. Shame on everyone for being led by the media and/or voting for a frontrunner.