Ron Paul's big chance for a modest splash

This could be a big weekend for Rep. Ron Paul's longshot but determined campaign to acquire some Republican delegates in the race for his party's presidential nomination.

The 72-year-old, 10-term Texas congressman has been largely dissed and dismissed by party politicians and the media in this lengthening primary race. But his loyal followers have been more than generous in recent weeks, donating nearly $20 million in the last three months of 2007 to make him the most successful GOP fundraiser then and the only one to increase his donations every quarter last year.

According to Paul's website, supporters have given an additional $5 million-plus since Jan. 1.

On Friday, Republicans started three days of caucusing in Maine, a largely ...

rural state where Paul's brand of independence and smaller government might well fit. He's got several hundred volunteers working the caucuses with the same kind of determination and imagination that drove Paul to a distant second-place finish behind Mitt Romney in Nevada's caucuses last month.

Paul is using his funds judiciously, traveling around the country and speaking largely under the major media's radar. He did well in the Louisiana caucuses and even beat out Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson elsewhere, though he finished dead last in the Florida primary.

Earlier this week Paul campaigned in Washington state, speaking to a sizable crowd of enthusiastic students in Seattle about the economy and a possible recession. "The most important thing you can do is nothing," said the onetime Libertarian candidate for president, who recently voted against the $146-billion economic stimulus package.

Paul holds that the market should be allowed to correct itself while a restrained and reduced federal government stops trying to protect millions from the economic consequences of their bad decisions.

Paul was the only Republican candidate to actually visit Maine, a fact that could go over well with locals. The nonbinding caucuses are the first step toward picking 18 Maine delegates who'll travel to the national convention in St. Paul in August.

A win in Maine on a slow news weekend as the only presidential preference voting underway just before Super Tuesday could garner Paul priceless free publicity.

Paul's message of strict constitutionalism has attracted an eclectic crowd of disaffected Democrats and Republicans and libertarians who've formed more than 1,400 meet-up groups across the country. They see their freedoms threatened by such legislation as the Patriot Act and want to bring the troops home from abroad and spend the money on domestic priorities.

Although Paul typically gets the least speaking time during GOP debates, if he isn't barred from participating altogether, he makes the most of his time. He drew numerous positive reviews after the recent Republican debate at the Reagan Library when he said it made no sense to bomb bridges in other countries, only to rebuild them with American taxpayers' money, while the bridges at home are falling down.

"The Constitution was written for one specific purpose," Paul recently told a Seattle crowd, "and that was to restrain government, not to restrain the people."

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[John]

More downplay by the LA Times.

I wonder why their website traffic has been on a downhill slide for the past two years? Are there any rocket scientists out there? Some help with this one please!

[Ryan]

Ron Paul's message must be spread.

"restrain the government... not the people"

[Scott]

Tell me the truth Andrew Malcolm, do you write these articles because you know RP supporters will come to your site and increase readership? Because I learned nothing from this article that I haven't read elsewhere, and there was no insight in the entire thing. Actually, there was some insight, but it was totally wrong. Define "modest". See if modest means maybe winning one primary out of all fifty, then RP can get a modest victory. or maybe it means having your best showing being second place.

You did forget to mention that a survey was taken in New Hampshire that showed that 63% of Republicans actually dislike RP. Not just don't prefer, but dislike. But you don't need to mention that, because you want to seem hip, and jump on this band wagon. I mean, why mention that Ron Paul can barely connect with his party? That wouldn't be a story.

I've read the LA Times since I was a kid. But this kind of awesome journalism is the reason your paper is no longer relevant to me. Hurray Sensationalism!

(Ron Paul supporters are a small minority of our thousands of daily visitors, albeit a very welcome bunch. Not everyone reads everything online about the good doctor, as you obviously do. We endeavor to tell good stories and Dr. Paul and his hardy band of supporters is one of the best stories in this election cycle. Thanks for coming here and taking time to leave a comment.)

[Chris]

More time in the debate woud've been nice,
but thanks anyway L.A. Times.

Intelligent people without bias vote for Ron Paul.

If your not voting and/or/donating/canvassing, you probably don't get it...

Wake up sheeple!

[Andy]

I hope he does well. I saw him in Denver yesterday (2/1) and nearly 3000 peopel showed up. The local radio news (I stopped watching TV news pretty much) reported about Romney's visit today and his "thousands of supporters", and it reported about Obama's and President Bush's visit here yesterday but not one word of Dr. Pauls visit much less it being his 51sy weding anniversary. They (media) can't even be civil to the man.

(Well, you could read about it here.)

[Johannes]

Is Andrew Malcolm the only non-biased journalist left in the US?

Strange times indeed!

Swiss Friends of Ron Paul
http://switzerland4ronpaul.blogspot.com/

[Rhys]

thanks.

[Rhys]

I mean... I dont think you downplayed Ron Paul. I think you've been the most fair journalist out of every major news center even when you've been tongue and cheek, which i'm glad you didn't do here.

[Dennis L]

I can't figure you out sometimes Andrew.

I almost think you want to believe!

[V]

Thanks for the mention, Mr. Malcolm. Nice to see the MSM black-out is not total. It's so funny to watch people clamoring for the next "true conservative" and he's hiding in plain sight. In fact, he's one of the four republican candidates. It is said that President Reagan was able to unite the three "types" of conservatives: social, economic and defense. He did, and rode landslides into the whitehouse. Today, we have a social conservative, Huckabee, an economic conservative, Romney and a defense conservative, McCain. Yet, Dr. Ron Paul embodies all three types of conservatism. Reagan not only endorsed him, he campained for Dr. Paul. He would strengthen our military by ending global interventionism and defending our own borders. Paul would drasticly reduce the size of government and end the income tax. He's a strong Pro-Life, OB-GYN who knows what he's talking about and says the federal gov't has no business banning abortion. It's a issue for each state to determine. It will be intersting to see who the first "Main stream" person is who, finally, has the light bulb go on! Then to watch as they scramble over each other to "investigate" this "hidden" story of freedom emerging. Imagine, a real, peaceful resoration of the Constitiution and the Founding Principals of our country.

[Greg]

I'm shocked and at the same time pleased with the LA Times doing the unexpected and what major media has been incapable and brazenly unwilling to do - reporting the unbiased facts. Mr. Malcolm you are brave and I salute you.

I'd implore readers to ask themselves why in the world they would cast a vote for McHillary, ORomney or any of the corrupt establishment elites presented for our consumption by the major media. These are the same people and ideas who have delivered us to this sorry state we find our nation in today. One need look no further than their own life or wallet. It isn't about liberal, conservative, Dem, Rep - its about freedom folks and it's under a coordinated attack. Everything in not okay.

"The Constitution was written to restrain government, not to restrain the people."

It doesn't get any better than that. Think about it, please.

Thank you again.

[GT]

Andrew,

Thank you for your continuing effort to at least be more positive and cover Dr. Paul and the many things that have been happening from the ground up through his supporters grassroot efforts. There is indeed quite story here in many ways.

Maybe some people do not support some of his views--however I would argue that if you look at what is really going on anyone should be excited and impressed. On average his contributions come from 'regular America' in small amounts from thousands and thousands of people everywhere. (Including foreign countries) He is consistently getting donations from new donors daily.
I do not think the same can be said of ANY of the other candidates from either party.

He has inspired many people who have given up on the political 'process' years ago a new life--as some say "the message has cured the apathy." And for others in the younger age brackets he has given them hope to be involved and make a difference.

Many people are not aware enough of about what the Constitution stands for and why it exists in the first place--and just how far we have strayed from it. If nothing else even a person vehemently opposed to Paul should respect him for his wealth of knowledge and clear attempts to educate the voter when alll his colleagues want to do is subvert attention elsewhere like a matador with his cape.

[greg]

"I mean, why mention that Ron Paul can barely connect with his party? That wouldn't be a story."

Here's a story - the 'Republican party' is disconnected with Ron Paul and its own stated principles. Do some research, what passes for the GOP is disgraceful - it's been hijacked by globalists, just like the DNC. Same thing.

[Freedom For America]

This was an unbiased and fair article reporting facts. Ron Paul supporters don't want special treatment, just fair treatment. If another candidate beats Ron fair and square, so be it, but Main Stream Media has unfortunately shown itself to be HIGHLY biased over the last few months. In some cases they just ignore Ron Paul. In many other cases they outright ridicule and dismiss him. This is usually because he actually makes sense and it is very difficult to debate him on the actual issues. You'll notice that when (or if) he does get to speak, they tend to just let him say his piece and move on. No one is foolish enough to attempt to debate him on economic issues. To many voters, his economic and fiscal policies are really just common sense and a grassroots army is forming not just to back Ron Paul, but to back his message.

I've searched around the Internet to find more information on Ron Paul. My fiancee sent me this link today that explains many of the theories behind why people should vote for him. I sent it to some co-workers and after reading it, they were converted. If anyone is interested, you can find it here.

http://www.oodora.com/life-stories/personal-commentary/why-you-should-vote-for-ron-paul.html

[Bolto Cavolta]

Why is Ryan so harsh on Andrew?

[Lewis G A]

As a student journalist it is clear that what I have learned in school, might be real journalism... but there really isn't a market for that triva. We need focus on advertising a big lights and big sounds. Awww General Mortors you have ad time awwwwwww you don't like Ron Paul.... k we won't play that story... you like McCain... we'll go cover some of his speechs.

why don't you go back and see what Ron Paul said about Iraq before the war.
Whats he has been saying for 30 years... that our goverment is out of control.
Bush has enacted 1100 excutive orders overriding the senate.
That is news

Nice to see a real paper cover Ron Paul, but the man has done so much..

[rflouisiana]

hey ryan,

where did you get that polling information? I haven't seen it anywhere but in your blog entry. What's with the personal attack against the writer of this article? My advise to you would be to get your head out of the sand & say something of substance rather than using petty, personal attacks to get a NON-POINT accross. All you're doing is showing yourself to be a deluded, arrogant, uneducated, defender of the status quo.

The way I understand it, the job of a newspaper is to dessiminate information.

If, in your opinion, this story is not worth the paper its printed on, you could do better by taking your rant elsewhere.

Thank you so much, Andrew, for doing your job!

[hcbrand]

Thanks Andrew. As we get closer to the big showdown Tuesday, one has to wonder if Dr. Paul enjoys even a modicum of success, it will truly be in spite of the MSM. What could have been if the discussion had included the Paul platform? Or more interestingly, why they are so opposed to it? There is an unavoidable truth to much of what he talks about and it's almost laughable at how quickly the media and his opponents change the subject. Isn't that in and of itself, news?

[HAMILTON ASHLEY]

LA Times I must commend you for being brave enough to report on the truth. I dont know if you understand the grand scope of this topic but I thank you for at least trying (no disrespetc intended). I feel that reporters of today dont have the true freedom of speech that they should have. I feel that there is more than one reporter that would love to report what is happening here but the need for a paycheck, cencorship from managment, and fear of having to find look for a new career is holding them back. I t is a shame that we dont have the freedom to report for fear of loosing a paycheck. Please keep up the reporting on this for you wont be sorry in the long run.GO RON PAUL.
H.C. Ashley.

[Kevin from Brussels, Belgium]

@ Scott

If you've learned nothing from this article then I guess you're a know-all.

Ron Paul is much more than your perception has allowed. Ron Paul has reached the hearts and minds of millions across the globe. You see, here in the rest of the world we find American aggression to be very distasteful. Frankly we've had enough of it and it's about time something good came out of America.

It is the war that's bothering you, Scott, isn't it? You want to fight wars against muslims and arabs and what-not... but it's not like you and your neo-con friends sees it. The real world is different.

[CD]

Scott:
Most republicans don't like Paul because no one likes to have all their mistakes pointed out to them at their own events. It is a beautiful thing to watch. The talk is that we Ron Paul Republicans are not leaving the party, but we are going to take it over and change it back to the way it should be. If they think a defeat in the primary will put an end to us, they are mistaken. We're in it for the long haul. We know a third party has no chance. They can form a neoconservative third party as far as I'm concerned.

[sean truitt]

andrew,
this is becoming a lonely little corner of comfort. let's get fired up. i want to hear the story about how you walked into the editor's office and demanded that the chains that keep you beholden to the military/industrial complex be severed. something like that. you know you wanna. . .

[Doc W]

Individual liberty, obeying the Constitution, non-interventionism abroad--the bedrock on which our country was founded, and all non-mainstream stuff now. It takes awhile to get the word out and get people to hear it. Paul is doing a remarkable job, and at 72 he is quite an energetic guy.

When I read about the unconstitutional powers that the President has arrogated to himself, or the lunacy of the feds' trying to spend our way out of recession with money they don't have, or some candidates' plans to take us the rest of the way to socialized medicine, it's all very discouraging. Ron Paul inspires hope.

[Max]

Ron Paul would need Clint Eastwood endorsement

[Rhonda]

Thank you for reporting on Ron Paul. When I'm searching for coverage on his campaign, your articles are the few (often only) ones that are there. When did it become poor journalism to report on the more "controversial" candidate? Sadly, the principles upon which our country was founded are now controversial in elite political circles, even in the Republican party! Principled journalists do give equal and fair time to the candidates so that the people can make informed decisions. Has our country forgotten how it became the greatest beacon of freedom and hope in history?