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

[GatorVol]

Thank You Andrew, and to Cherry...Your Open Letter to Ron Paul from an American Family was beautiful, brought tears to my eyes.

Ron Paul, is truly someone that we can all look up to as an inspiration and as a picture of a true American. His ideals and his ideas have made their mark in the hearts of truly patriotic Americans, and will live far beyond this campaign.

[dan]

The R3voution will not be televised....

[Bob McCoy]

THe Revolution is NOT OVER!!!!! My wife and I are both delegates in our county, and are going to carry on the fight as far as we can. The Revolution is not over with the election. It will never be over as long as I have breath in my body. Americans are waking up again and woe unto those who have betrayed us! Everyone get involved locally. We take back our towns and cities. Then we take back our States. And then the country has no choice but to fall back into line.....
Get out and get active! Educate them! And to use an "government" adage...." win their hearts and minds!" and do it with the Truth!
God Bless and Keep you Dr. Paul!

[Francis Stepper]

I didn't think Ron Paul would win the Republican nomination but sent contributions to his campaign because it exposes the ideas of liberty to more people, especially the young, and would create a greater chance for my grandson to live in a freer future.

I will vote for Ron Paul in November, as a write-in candidate. Voting for anyone else is to push us further down the road to fascism. A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for Liberty.

[Ingo L.]

I want to say thank you LAT.

I'm just a normal guy from Germany. Ron Paul had cured my political apathy and I'm glad that he did it.
It's my responsibility to take care of the world and its people.

And the movement, witch is in my opinion a revolution of minds and hearts, will go on.
No matter if some people stop their support. They'll act on another level, maybe a local level .
By now it has become a worldwide movement. And It will grow. It is the faith in peace and freedom that lives.
And everyone who understand this will support it every day. It doesn't matter if Ron Paul will win or not. It' the message of peace and freedom, that matters.

Best regards from Dortmund/Ger
Ingo L.

[just tu-lips]

Do your grandkids a favor - support Ron Paul any way you can....

[Markus]

All these responses to this commendable LA Times Blog article on Ron Paul show the intensity of Dr. Paul's supporters about Paul himself and about their disgust and distrust of the MSM. It's heartening to see this. It sure seems like the "girly-dirt" about McCain -- which the MSM may have floated to help the Democrats -- may actually help Paul more than anyone since it indirectly makes Paul look even better, How deliciously ironic is that?
But as these pro-Paul responses show, there is another issue on McCain -- namely his birth in Panama and the distinct possibility that he may not be constitutionally eligible to run for president. The scandalous news on his possible affair and influence peddling with the Iseman girl is being reported like crazy as I write this on Feb. 21, but there's no mention of the Panama connection. Is the MSM perhaps trying to divert attention away from that? Remember, the NY Times endorsed McCain (it's unusual for the Times to support ANYRepublican\) and yet turned on him, it seems. Hmmm. We need to watch this carefully. Is this as it seems? Or is there deception at play?

By the way, for a refreshing newsweekly special report on Paul go to
http://americanfreepress.net/html/ron_paul_revolution044.html

[Doug Barnum]

Andrew Malcolm:

Wonderful article. One of the most accurate and well thought pieces of writing I have seen (if not THE most accurate) to date on any candidate in this election, especially Ron Paul.

I thank you. This brings me hope that people in the media recognize the truth behind this campaign.

He is the only politician in my lifetime that i have felt talks to me as if I am a human being. As if I am intelligent. As if I am not simply a polling point statistic to be catered too.

[Mark]

Great Stuff here in response to the LA Times!!!

But it may take too long for the rest of the MSM to catch up with the LA Times
.
In the meantime, read http://americanfreepress.net/html/ron_paul_revolution044.html

It's a great sample of the Indy Media's outlook and its increasing influence, which may herald the MSM's slow demise. That's a good thing along with more Paul Republicans running for local, county, state and nat'l offices.

This is a long-term movement -- above and beyond the presidential race.

[Jim Ponczek]

Ya know, this is the first time in my 48 years that I've actually been excited about a candidate; gave money to a candidate; have a sign on my lawn and my van supporting a candidate... To watch the shabby way the media is treating the man I consider the only logical choice for president makes me very angry.
The analogy I used when describing the early campaign was this: it is like you're in a bus speeding toward a brick wall with a dozen and a half people on it. They're all arguing about who should be driving and how fast they would go if they could drive and how the guy driving should speed up or slow down... and one calm voice pipes up and says 'either change course or stop, but if you keep on this road you're gonna kill us all'.
That's the Ron Paul campaign in a nutshell. He seems to be the only guy interested in solving the problem, not just taking his turn at the wheel.
My only wish is that McCain and Huckabee are found adopting wide stances in public toilets so we can move this country forward.
As for change, Obama will leave you with only change... Hilary will take even that.
Start praying.

[Josh]

Thanks Andrew,

I personally appreciate your insight and you support of Ron Paul. Support in the sense that it is a reasonable article which is better than no coverage at all.

[sandy onks]

Vote Obama and you're voting for the United Nations. RON PAUL is the ONLY presidential candidate that upholds the Constitution and national sovereignty. Your vote for RON PAUL matters.

[RPliberty]

Thank you Malcolm for being a leader. Eventually everyone will follow once the hardcore believers have prevailed.

[maxwell105]

He won't stop. He can't stop. No one can stop him. His ideas go beyond himself. His ideas are fundamental conservative principles which our current leaders have forgotten. Dr. Paul has reignited our passion for the message of freedom, liberty, and strict adherance to the constitution. We will overcome the neocon frauds who have hijacked the republican party.

[Diane]

He's on the ballot so you can write him in in November right? The electronic votes never would have let him win anyway.

So we have till November and only have two unsavory candidates to distract voter attention away from him instead of 20. Just being the only write-in hopeful is attention getting in itself.

[Dave Desjardins]

Glad to see there is still some politically unmotivated journalists alive. Thank you for sticking to values.

[Vincent]

I would bleed for Ron Paul, don't test me.

[Dan Ski]

I do believe in miracles. Daniel in the lions den didn't look very promising and those that hated him, did so because he was a man of truth. Sound familiar? What happened in the end? God delivered him and threw those responsible into the lions den to be done away with. Hmmmmmmm
I believe we are going to be jumping with joy when this is all over, I pray we forget not to ever thank Him who will in essence be fully responsible for our victory and the return of our nation doing what is right in the eyes of God!

[ellen]

It's exciting to see so many comments posted! Go Ron Paul!

[Deric]

Thanks for the great article!

[rtshiel]

Thanks you Mr. Malcolm for setting the record straight and telling the truth about Ron Paul and his message. The only avenue of MSM that has given RP any coverage.

He truly is the best candidate for the next presidentof USA. Anyone who does the research cannot deny that fact.
Get him the media attention he so rightly deserves. But as so may supportors have already commented. The sorry fact is that every thing is bought and sold behind closed doors. The Truth only will set you Free and that includes every American. Listen to the Truth about the present plight of this country. LIsten to RON PAUL and vote RON PAUL. www.ronpaul2008.com

Its not over til its over. The government, the establishment, and thus the bought off media is all afraid of Ron Paul because of what they might loose when he brings good morals, ethics, frugality, peace, liberty, honesty and power to the people when he assumes residence in the OVAL OFFICE.

[AK]

Remember, Dr Paul is the *thinking* man's candidate.

Can you get more of your fellow citizens to think? Or at least to start. :-) I know it hurts, but this time it's for the country! And time is of essence!

[Teflon Ron]

A man of his word, who would have thunk? iit
See you all in D.C. march!

Ideas are bullet proof.

[Tim Sidiropoulos]

My mother always told me to be persistant and be myself.

I see Ron Paul being persistant but most importantly his message can brake all the other candidates like the were dust in the wind.

Go Ron Paul America needs you.

[Reid]

Some of these comments brought me ro tears for USA and I'm not even an American. I was born/raised a Canadian citizen and I carefully watch every single day ti Ron Paul movement. We (real) Canadians know full well where our freedom came from. And who is taking it away. We also know that all our politicians are just a bunch of NWO lackies. America has some strong traditians and the last light of freedom has not yet been snuffed out. We need Ron Paul as badly as you do because we know that our politicians are more interested in what USA wants than what we want. We want Ron Paul to bring some hope back into the world.
For a long time I hated USA (just like the rest of the world) because they talk the talk about liberty but then they turn out being the worst thing for it. Bomb Iran Bomb Iraq, one of our comedians went down there and took a poll on the streets wether America should bomb Saskatchewan. For those unfamiliar with Canada Saskatchewan is one of our provinces, a prarie. nothing but wheat, the bread basket of Canada. In that poll Americans were unaminous that saskatchewan should be bombed as long as their politicians think so. Funny but equally scary. BTW the same comedian got a congradulations to Canada from none other than Mitt Romney for our new national igloo (another rediculous assertion).
Anyway I am greatly pleased at the Ron Paul movement and seeing that Liberty is not dead in America, a ray of light in a very dark political world. Thank you all, the free world os counting on you. This is miuch bigger than you realize. There are meetup groups in several countries watching this campaign with baited breath. Europe has lost to the NWO they are counting on US to stop it before liberty is nothing more than a paragraph in a history book.
Thank you all, my prayers support you every day,