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?

[althusius]

This may be a good month for Ron Paul. Google Mercury retrograde.

[patty]

"So shines a good deed in a weary world." Andrew, I love you for telling the truth about some of Ron Paul's successes. In today's stifling media climate, where it's hard to believe the press really does have freedom, since they act like their mouths are taped so often, you are the big exception to the rule. No wonder you were a Pulitzer finalist.

Praying for a Ron Paul victory in Maine...

[Pablo Escobar]

Hey, this is a fair and balanced news piece... I'm surprised. Thanks Andrew!

Read this interview with Ronald Reagan from the 1970s and you'll see Ron Paul and Mr. Reagan aren't so far apart in their views:

http://www.reason.com/news/show/29318.html

The only difference is, Paul is a lot more forthright and willing to break political rules (as compared to Reagan). I guess that's part of the reason he hasn't been doing well in the primaries so far.

[Gary]

Is this the LA times that attached its name to the Romney- McCain dog and pony show? If you ever let Dr.Paul have equal time in a debate he will win in a landslide.
You should be ashamed (oops that requires a conscience}.

(Uh, no not that I know of. This blog doesn't run debates, except internally here in the comments section, and we're not the Editorial Board endorsing this or that candidate. But we do try to be equal opportunity offenders. So at some point all sides hate us--and at another point they love us. That's fine. We can all have an interesting dailogue here about this fascinating political year. Thanks for reading.)

[Max]

Clint Eastwood should now endorse Ron Paul

[patty]

Scott wrote, "Why mention that Ron Paul can barely connect with his party?"

Tell me, which of the Republican candidates IS really connecting with their party? The answer is: None.

Ann Coulter herself said that she will vote for and even CAMPAIGN for Hillary Clinton if John McCain gets the Republican nomination, because, as she says, "Hillary is more conservative, lies less, and is smarter." Half the Republicans I've talked to have serious misgivings about McCain, who is very tight with Democrats and votes as if he is one very often. HE does not connect with his party. He appeals mostly to people who are too lazy or inept to research who they're voting for.

How about Romney? Not only have a full one quarter of Republicans said they don't want to vote for a Mormon (give them credit for their honesty at least), but his flip-flopping on the crucial abortion issue leaves the sizable pro-life faction wary of him, and the healthcare plan he imposed on Massachusetts is a giant step toward socialism that Republican voters like me see as a deal-breaker.

Tax-Hike Mike Huckabee doesn't connect with most of the Republicans either, or he'd be doing better in the primaries. His appeal to Christians won him votes in Iowa but cost him in the long run.

None of the candidates is connecting with the whole Republican party, which is never a unified entity, anyway. The party is in shambles this election cycle and pretending otherwise is a show of ignorance.

[mistermr]

Put this article in the written print of the LATs, front page with a picture of the man. That would help our cause. We are all sacrificing out here my dear friend. You in the media, from the bottom up, must do like the rest of us trying to save our country from economic disaster and out of control government. Working against us is not helping. If you understand math then you understand that regardless of what the media does the message that Ron Paul is verbalizing is going to spread exponentially. I would think being remembered for reporting THAT event in history would be motivation enough.

[Jack]

To Ryan; Ryan, you must remember that the Presidednt and his staff took us to war and almost 4,000 Americans have died in ordere to make profits for the firiends of he President. Arguments such as "stay until it is safe to leave' just means hang in there to make more money.

[Jeffrey Allen Miller, NYC]

Keeping fingers crossed. I'm house hunting within 60 miles of New York City majority of yard signs I've seen (outside of "for sale" signs) are for Mr. Ron Paul. Don't see signs for Clinton thankfully.

[James]

This is a pretty neutral article, just basic information, I'm not sure why or how it would upset anybody.

I think the changes in the Republican party over the last 25 years, and fact that Paul isn't really connecting with the mainstream Republican party, is itself an interesting story.

[Don Anez]

They wouldn't vote for an electable candidate : John Edwards but they might vote for a radical such as Ron Paul in defiance of the face of the corrupt 2 party system. This man is a walking Joke and is about as much Presidential timbre as Pat Paulson was back in the 60's. Keep sending him your hard earned cash. He'll need it to sustain the Spartan lifestyle he's chosen.

[wgadget]

Andrew Malcolm for Ron Paul Press Secretary!

[marc]

Thanks for reporting on RP, keep up the good work!
Go RON 2008!!!!

[Jeremy]

Thank you LA Times for mentioning Ron Paul.

I am disgusted with how CNN moderated the most recent Republican Debate. It wreaked of the communist censorship we Americans have fought so hard against.

Instead of hearing all 4 candidates answer questions, the silly bickering between two lying candidates encompass the entire debate. I think that CNN’s TV ratings had more to do with this debate and shame on CNN for exploiting the process of electing our next President.

On a side note:
If McCain is elected, we will hear him say “Radical Islamic Extremist” at least 30 billion times (the US dollars given to Pakistan to protect the Radical Islamic Extremist).

What has happen to America? Have we lost our minds and our freedom?

[Dr Ward Ciac II]

We love the LA Times. It is now one of my links to check for the morning news. I would like to suggest to Mr. Malcolm that the Times might want to investigate what is going on in Hawaii. Someone from there mentioned on dailypaul.com yesterday that after Dr. Paul had secured a large amount of people certified to be delegates, compared to the other candidates, the locals changed the rules and extended the deadline. It sounds like another Louisiana. He writes: 'Here in Hawaii we've been doing very well with Ron Paul delegates. Now the GOP is changing the rules and allowing people to continue to sign up as republicans after the caucuses and still attend the convention.'

[dru]

ron rocks... whoever typed that long and exhausted page long criticism of Andrew Malcolm should get a life... RON ROCKS AND THE MEDIA SHOULD REPORT IT!!

[a Rocket Scientist]

With less than 10% of the primaries, if Ron Paul does win Maine, it'll just be much ignored by the Media going into Super Tuesday. It simply would be a non-event, broadcast softly, so no one hears, with all the wrong adjectives, and none of the hype. It would be portrayed as a loss, a bone, just like the fourth quarter campaign contributions report. Or, all the grass polls last year. Or, Rudy admitting Ron Paul won all the Republican Debates. The ignorant will remain ignorant.

And your little LA Times blog can go merrily along bashing the only candidate who would truely change out Country for the better. Eliminate the bubble and burst economy. Change foreign policy to make us a more peaceful country, less likely to be the target of enraged people half way around the world. Bring us back to the "Rule of Law", the a Constitutional form of government.

Yes, LA Times blog, you can feel all warm and fuzzy about being right all along, as the coming high inflation devalues your money, increases your reported profits (profits due to inflation) that you'll pay taxes on. Right that attacking another Democracy, Iran, was the right thing to do. Democracy for some, Dictators for others, oil for all, as the Globe slowly cooks.

Yes, LA Times blog, you have done the right thing, haven't you.

[Rick Toone]

Andrew —

Judging by reactions, many readers have misinterpreted the tone of your recent articles. When I read your articles, I see a commitment to good journalism, frustrated bemusement about an honest man (Dr. Paul) who is not getting his due, and a subtle sense of humor about the race.

As I've written before, I live in New Jersey — New York Times territory — where, until recently there has been a press blackout toward Dr. Paul. NYT coverage about him is, at best, deliberately denigrating.

Throughout these past few months, you have provided an invaluable service to us, as a MSM outlet who openly acknowledges Dr. Paul's candidacy, and who keeps him visible for the newbies to learn more about.

Thank you, sincerely, for your journalism.

I believe the ugly tone to some of the recent comments is due to pent up rage and frustration because Dr. Paul does not seem to be treated fairly. I know NPR (National Public Radio) did not get money from me during their recent membership drive, due to biased reporting. We all want him to do well, because his message is important to our country at this time. We want to "protect" him.

Readers — I urge us to channel our strong feelings in a productive direction. Attacking Andrew has no positive consequences. Be patient, read through his past articles, and take a deep relaxing breath.

Then go door to door in your neighborhood and spread Dr. Paul's message of hope with a handshake and a smile.

Cheers,
Rick

[Mike]

I appreciate the very fair articles that have recently been published here. Too bad it's just a blog and not in your actual newspaper. RP and this campaign have to take what we can get because of the media blackout and smearing of this good man's name and message. I think if he wins Maine the media will still give it very marginal coverage, if at all. Look at our showings in LA and NV, the record setting campaign donation money, the fixed debates, etc..

We are getting the word out, slowly but surely. It is SO IMPORTANT to get out and canvass. Ron Paul is spending his golden years out here fighting for us and fighting the biggest fight of his political career! How can we supporters do any less? It's our civil duty! RP knows he's having to come in under the radar, yet he keeps at it, day in and day out. Ya gotta work with what you've got! Let's keep hope that Main will get us some coverage and validity, but the fight is NOT over if it does not. We have a long fight ahead of all of us, keep your resolve to do the right thing! WE are making history here, keep it up. You really have no other choice for another candidate now. My vote is my small voice, but it is MINE and it will be heard! Thanks for the article LA Times!

The only way we can lose is to forget that we are winning!

www.WWRPD.org

[Judy]

Good to spread info to the general public. How could anyone resent this???? Should have happened long ago. Unfortunately at this point in the camapign it's beyond messages... It's who's supporting whom, what sound bite plays best, who has the most money to plaster over the media, and who doesn't trip. Glad to have this reporting, but sad that it didn't happen earlier. The up side is that many seeds have been planted and will grow. The message will become louder and more "mainstream." Already some of the candidates are using some of the concepts Paul has been carrying. Thanks Andrew for opening up the view.

[kara]

Down Scott Down.

[John Spartan]

RON PAUL IS CHANGE!

IT'S STILL THE ECONOMY STUPID!!

[Sascha]

I'll ask it again and again until some Paul's supporter answers me: why all this tremendous online support simply doesn't translate into votes?
Media censorship? Well, it may be, but should you care? aren't we in a new wonderful age of social networking and new media and free debate in which tv and newspapers are simply obsolete and irrilevant?
Unless there's some very big surprise on Tuesday this much is clear: all this enormous online support must be from people who doesn't vote or shout so much they seem much more than they really are-
Just like Howard Dean four years ago: what happens on the Internet stay on the Internet

[Guesswhotoo6]

More Blah blah from the media. The fact is that the GOP is dead in this race if there is no Dr Paul. McCain and Romney do not have a chance to beat either HillBill or Obama with a pro-war stance. Interestingly, the NeoConsters got themselves in a pickle, they can not support Dr Paul since he will cut off the trillions in cash flows to their group and end the war pronto. The motivation power of even the $1million million now supporting our empire is overtly corrupting. So now what? Maybe they do not even care. HillBill actually pointed out at the last debate that Bush et al is setting up a government operation outside the control of Congress. Maybe, we do not get a meaningful election, just the appearance of an election? Bush did say being Dictator would be easier! We thought the Democratic controlled Congress would end the war, did that happen? So why are we to believe the change-o-rama Democrats will actually follow through? What if we had another false flag event just before the election? Do you think Bush would call martial law? Since the bad guys are everywhere, so are excuses for such an event. One scary hypothesis.

The fact that Ron Paul is now married for 51 years is a testament to his integrity. It is hard to say that for the Clintons, McCain, or now defunct Guilani. The race just now is getting interesting. Vote Ron Paul 2008, clean this mess up, now.

[charles ranalli]

thank you Andrew
for another (truly) fair and balanced piece
about the only man (or woman for that matter)
who deserves to hold the high office of
President of the United States.
charles ranalli
albuquerque

[Sandor Bors]

(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.)

You are correct in this statement - thousands do read this - but millions of baby boomers who vote still read the print and that is the audience that needs to see his message on a consistent basis. Don't you find it interesting that the only candidate, on either side ,who truly opposes the war, and not just through semantics, gets the least amount of print? There is a conspiracy of silence and it gets more and more obvious each day. Thank you for at least trying - I'm sure your heart is in the right place. Otherwise, job security is no guarantee in a deep recession that can only be fixed through the "radical" ideas of Ron Paul. I hope you do, at least,vote for this "unelectable" candidate.

[Douglas Heuer]

Here's a good story...NPR polling suggests that most voters do not even know who is running for president. They know more about who the judges are on American Idol. The average citizen remains uninformed about most politics.

Ron Paul's message takes a little bit of thought or enlightenment to understand. Any Ron Paul supporter will tell you that they have spent considerable time pondering political issues and events.

One of the major rolls or purpose of the media is to inform and enlighten. It seems that the media and press play into keeping voters and citizens in the dark. Couldn't the LA Times contribute to helping their readers find out what Ron Paul stands for?? Wouldn't that be a service to their readers??

[H]

"...he said it makes no sense to bomb bridges in other countries only to rebuild them with American taxpayers' money while the bridges at home are falling down."

It doesn't make any sense to me either.

[Creighton]

Mr. Ryan,

The truth is that Dr. Paul does not even need to "win" in order to be a success, although it certainly would help. His goal on the outset was both towards a "real" campaign and an educational one. He has already succeeded at the latter, and the former remains a possibility despite your opinion on the matter. He doesn't even need to win Maine, but it would be nice heading into Super Tuesday. He need only to prevent McRomney from gaining a majority of delegates on Super Tuesday to force a brokered convention. This is likely Huckabee's goal as well. Ron Paul is well funded and backed by a motivated group, meanwhile at least one "front runner" needs to win a majority of delegates on Tuesday or fail for lack of funds.

[Josh]

I think Alan Keyes had the right idea in the Iowa debate when he said,

"I think we need to stop listening to these phonies and start looking for people who will actually fulfill the words that they speak". Furthermore he states,

"Ask yourself who represents the people they don't let you hear from and you will know who you should vote for?"

"We need to restore the credibility of the Republican Party a credibility that has been destroyed by the betrayal of promises to keep government limited that resulted in outrageously high budget deficits at a historic level in this country."

Now I am sure Keyes was speaking about himself but it perfectly fit Ron Paul. There is a reason there is a media blackout on Ron Paul and his campaign and there is a reason for the persuasive journalism and media coverage. Ask yourself and answer for yourself. If you truly want change you need to look outside the mainstream because you will get more of the same there.

[Felipe Osorio]

It's interesting that you mention that smart people tend to lean towards Ron Paul. Recently I read an article about the 999 club, whose members are required to have an IQ score that is in the top 99.9 percentile of the nation. These people (the most intelligent in our country) are by majority Libertarians. They believe in small Government, for they understand the inevitable consequences and conspiracies that occur when bureaucracy becomes too big for the good politician to make a difference, and too confusing and inaccessible for the everyday person to have a say. This grand and inefficient bureaucracy gives a leverage for the ones who have the money and power to access the bureaucratic mess (by lobbying for special interest groups) and corrupt the legislative system with greed.

Hence, it is imperative that we keep the Government as creatively efficient and small as we can, so that compartmentalization, needless wars, and world imperialism STOPS. The big government needs to STOP, because our history tells us that every great nation that has stretched itself beyond its own limits (resources, troops, debt, etc...) has collapsed shortly afterwards! This is what Ron Paul is trying to tell the US. However, most Republicans are too smug, arrogant, and self-righteous to understand that we, the people, are heading for times of major conflict and possible collapse. These Republicans are the ones that lack the strict moralistic stance that Howard Roark so gallantly displayed in the epic novel "The Fountainhead," by Ayn Rand. Such high morality includes not needlessly harming others, as we have done with the IRAQ situation. Most people don't understand their own complex often contradictory moral stance. Let alone Ron Paul's, which is not so contradictory like major Media often advocates, but requires time and scrutiny to understand the intricacies that makes it what is. The people don't need one liners that entrap their minds with some absolutist, general, and highly unprovable concept. What the people need it to start doing their homework.

[Lani]

It is interesting to see that the only people that dislike Ron Paul, or think he has no support are those that watch only FOX, CNN, MSNBC, and other major media stations. They are not the ones who do real research and current day "muckraking," if you will. Yes, Ron Paul supporters aren't exactly the majority, but that should show you that intelligent people are not either. I believe that the American people DO have the potential to become more intelligent, and they must. Ron Paul can only become president if we support him, and believe that he will be. RP '08!

[angel]

Everywhere we go, people are talking about Ron Paul. The phrase, "Vote Ron Paul!" has become part of people's greeting when they pass others in the supermarket aisle, when leaving the check-out counter, when they end a conversation, they end it with, "Vote Ron Paul!" This is truly a revolution and I thank God for it. Other retail politicians don't really care about the economy, because they will never be poor themselves. They don't care about the soldiers, because none of their children or grandchildren will go to Iraq to come home legless, armless, with head injuries, or much worse. These politicians take the view that our Constitution can be ignored. And most of them want to reinstate the draft. Meanwhile the globalists, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and HIllary Clinton want to pave the best farmland in the world with the Trans Texas Corridor (being built right now) and the NAFTA Superhighway. They try to deveive people, calling it a "myth." We were informed in a meeting in Hempstead, Texas on Jan 22, 2008 that my family will be "relocated by the government" and that we will be "removed by force if necessary" from our home. Under Governor Perry's new "Quick Take" law, they can confiscate our land within 90 days and they do not have to pay us fair compensation for it. No nation is more vulnerable than one that cannot feed it's people. After toasting the global economy, pursuing wars that generate ill feeling around the world, and bankrupting the nation, we will remove our ability to feed ourselves. Do we trust the Red Chinese to feed us without demanding that we follow their global agenda? Don't be led into danger by men who are not capable of strategic thinking.
VOTE RON PAUL!!!

[Shell]

I was told Ron Paul has dropped out, is there any truth to this? I'm curious to supporters reaction to Ron Paul accepting a donation from a white supremacist, and am also curious if there's any truth in that....
-curious-

[Jeremy]

Although I'm a Ron Paul supporter, I agree with most of the comment from Ryan | February 02, 2008 at 02:22 AM.

This article isn't really telling anything new, except that RP supporters donated $5+million since Jan1st. So, RP supporters are dedicated, but the money isn't translating into votes. What we need in a RP article is to read more of the meat-and-potatoes of the media black-out, how RP's policy will affect the face of the world, and also why the crap other people are writing about is wrong, [also what people should be doing to help make the change (join meet-up?)]. This would be informative to me as a news consumer and RP supporter.

On a different note, the topic of money not translating into votes... what does this mean? Does this mean that the system is not corrupt? That votes aren't bought with money? Does it mean that RP is spending his money properly?

Why doesn't the millions of dollars donated to RP translate into votes? Is it a bigger conspiracy? Like, who'ever's not on the payroll by now isn't going to be considered for President? It's all very strange to me.

After all, Ron Paul is a representative for TEXAS! George Bush's State! Why aren't Ron Paul's group playing that up? Texas sounds pretty liberal to me from what I hear. Hasn't he done a good job? And if there were some kind of "club", then why is Ron Paul a representative for Texas, but can't get the votes for president?

[Sac Marfs]

Your career as a blogger is "a longshot."

Good luck, Andy!

[Dave]

Andrew Malcolm is just fitting in with his big media buddies and it goes along with the mentality that it's currently cool to pick on Paul, so why waist time going after a beloved "Main stream" candidate? It just frustrates the shit out of me when there are scandals that are far more dangerous and possibly treasonous involving other candidates that get no air time.

[RC]

It may not be of your doing, Mr. Malcolm. But you work for a paper that lies.

From the McCain endorsement:

"He alone among the Republican candidates has condemned torture in all its form."

http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst061404.htm

"Alone among the Republican candidates, he would close the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which has become an international symbol of U.S. arrogance."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-06-18-gitmo-candidates_N.htm

These are only the most blatant, there are plenty of others. How can the LATimes be so bald-faced in its deception? I mean, the other editorial is absolutely ridiculous. The LATimes endorses the man who wants troops in Iraq for at another 100 years and jokes and sings about bombing Iran. THIS man is the one with the "sound American foreign policy"??? Every shred of credibility the editorial board once had is now completely gone. Decades from now this paper will hang its head in shame over this moral duplicity. Unfortunately, by then the paper will probably not even exist to print an apology.

[McEwin Shotwell]

"Restrain the government ... not the people" seems to be something our current politicians have forgotten. Our forefathers fought against King George III and Great Britain for less tyrrany than our present government inflicts against her citizens today. Infanticide has been/is practiced through partial-birth abortions, mothers destroy their babies before they are born as a form of birth control, morality is attacked from all quarters while evil is exalted, everything is tolerated except Biblical Christianity, taxation is out-of-control, our government is out-of-control and Ron Paul is right when he says we bomb bridges in other countries then build them new ones with American taxpayer's money while the bridges in our own country are falling down. Something is terribly wrong with America. Pogo was right. May God have mercy upon us all and may He save us from ourselves.

[tim, minnesota]

Thanks for covering Ron Paul, and the respectfull reporting. I also fine more coverage on Ron's presidential campaign from over seas media including of all places Iran. I agree we live in a strange land.

[Jake]

Scott, I respectfully with to disagree with you. Ron Paul definitely connects with the Republican party. But Ron Paul doesn't just connect with his party, he connects with independents, unafilliated voters, moderate democrats, first time voters, veterans, elderly, libertarians and the highly educated. Ron Paul supporters are most likely to watch C-SPAN and are the most informed when it comes to government. Unfortunately the Republican presidential candidates such as MItt Romney, John McCain, and Mike Huckabee have yet to connect with true conservatism.

Dr. Paul is the only candidate with broad base of support. McCain gets a large portion of the elderly vote, Romney gets the Mormon vote, Huckabee gets the Evangelical Christian vote, Hillary gets the woman vote, Obama gets the black vote, but Paul gets the vote of every concerned American citizen that can read past stereotypes and research the issues. Ron Paul for the long haul!

[Dave]

Please don't forget to mention his second place finish in Louisiana, which would have been a win if not for an eleventh hour rule change.

[mike]

I'm SO glad that we have the internet, so that we are able to access so many various blogs and news writers. To depend on the 6 corporations that own all the radio, papers and tv in this land is to be force fed their corrupted message.

Fact is, Ron Paul represents more character and truth than all the other puppets put together. If America wants a popularity contest, then she'll get what she deserves. The constitution is the most brilliant platform for a country ever written, but we just give it lip service and don't really care about it anymore. A day of reckoning will come if we refuse to wake up and take the pains to get this country back on the straight and narrow.

[Donn]

Why haven't you been fired Andrew! Isn't an honest, impartial reporter usually placed in the copy room where he can't possibly get in any trouble. Thank you for the real news without all the usual negitive comments mixed in.

[DX10]

Andrew,

Why don't you guys promote two debates; one for RP vs McCain and one for RP vs Romney? Demand equal speaking time. That way we can kill two birds with one stone.

This country really is a sleeping giant. Unfortunately, it appears that nothing will wake it up. Very sad.

[Darin]

In response to Scott's dismissal of your article I have a couple of comments. To say 63% of Republicans dislike Ron Paul means nothing. Who did the poll and how were the questions asked? Did it go something like this, "Would you like or dislike a presidential candidate who wanted to remove our precious troops from the Middle East leaving us susceptible to an onslaught of terrorism that would kill thousands of Americans, especially if you knew that the removal would definitely lead to such a result?"

Everyone's favorite pollster Frank Luntz shows us constantly how manipulated the whole process can be (by the way did anyone see the funny You Tube video that shows Luntz using the same "random" guy in two different focus groups). Besides that who cares. Dr. Paul only runs as a Republican because third parties don't stand a chance, and he seems to be the only Republican left who believes in Republican principles. I imagine that so many people have left the Republican ranks because of this ridiculous administration, it makes me wonder who would still call themselves a Republican to actually be polled.

What part of this article was "Sensationalism?" Which part caused a startling and thrilling impression? This article is the furthest one can get to sensationalism. It is matter of fact with some modest speculation based on a conservative reflection of reasonable information.

What is more interesting is that a presidential candidate, who has been almost completely ignored by the mainstream media, is given some minor blog space and someone sees it as too much and sensationalistic to the point of wanting to no longer read a lifetime news source. That's sensationalism. A startling impression no less.

Thanks again Mr. Malcolm for taking a few minutes of your day to cover one of the biggest political grassroots movements of all time (not sensationalism, just a fact).

[Web Smith]

Since Maine was among the first states to eliminate slavery, maybe they will be among the first to take a stance against the economic slavery and loss of freedom that we are all facing.

[Johnny B]

Scott please post the link about where you read this survey in NH, I am interested to read it myself. Please also post your web usage statistics source that shows "Ron Paul supporters are a small minority of our thousands of daily visitors". I am not a "Ron Paul Supporter" I am an independent, LA Times reader who likes to see cold hard facts. The reporter made a few good points, point one, Ron Paul is basically the only Republican campaigning in Maine. Point two, if the good doctor happens to win Maine, there is a very good chance that he will get more support and votes for Super Tuesday. Now here is the subtle point Scott, pay attention! If Ron Paul does not win Maine, I guarantee there will be 100 articles from the AP, stating how he failed to win a state that he was the only one campaigning in. There is your sensationalism…..

[Mike in Upstate NY]

If human intelligence had been passed out equally, men like Paul would be a dime a dozen…and lukewarm journalists would have nothing to sneer at or write about. But, sadly, in a world where laziness, greed, apathy & submissive complaisance rules the moment...we'll all get what we justly deserve in the end…when we're shoveling the ashes out of the furnaces (the lucky ones) and most will still believe they are good and patriotic citizens, for doing so. (It took Our Masters 6000 years to figure out that Economic Slaves don't generally rebel – Brilliant!) Like fat innocent little piggies, we’re freely given all the high interest credit we can fatten ourselves up on, in this trough called the global economy…to keep us submissive, under control and continually working for them – before the slaughter. (Better get your big 1080p HD flat screen TV today folks - with your tax refund - before the big game tomorrow – and don’t forget the pizza & beer!) We’re happy enough to operate the doomed ship, but not smart enough to have seen the iceberg ahead! We’re all too tired & preoccupied with doing our jobs and paying our taxes & bills - hopeless listing from the enormous weight of debt, struggling to keep afloat, as this 231 year old ship on her maiden voyage of freedom’s great experiment, quickly slips beneath the waves…as a few brave band members continue to play ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’.

(Can’t you hear the music or see the ship’s fate ahead, Andrew? Good old boy and soon to be Captain McCain, is angrily commanding us not to ‘cut & run’ and jump ship…as the red veins are popping out of his bright white face, he and his mind-washed crew dutifully believe soon to be Admiral Bushy’s lie, …that the ship in unsinkable.)

Thanks, Andrew - hope you didn't crack a sweat or stain anything…marginalizing a rare and just man. Come on, jump off that doomed ship, (if you have the courage to, or if you are allowed to) there's always room for one more in the Constitutional life raft below (you’d be considered a hero and probably sell a lot of books if the tide changes) …but watch out, the water is terribly cold down here. Just look at the alternatives...pretty scary, huh?

(There are more of us kooks & nuts not drinking the fluoride & aspartame laced Kool-Aid, than the politicians dare admit). In this election, above all others, some common sense needs to prevail, or else we’re all doomed! The stage is set…but where’s our Thomas Paine? …Where’s our Paul Revere, warning us that the British are coming’? …Where’s our General Washington, waiting to command his rag tag group of soon to be patriots? …And sadly, very few are seriously listening to our lone Thomas Jefferson - as he boldly, bravely & tirelessly proclaims our inalienable right to independence & freedom.)

Lets see if I get this right…we’re, (us & the government) are hopelessly in debt…so we all get $600 more funny money to go out and blow on more useless crap (or pay a bill) to keep the ship afloat awhile longer? …Makes sense to me? …Well, I’d like to expound all day, but it’s time for me to do my taxes and pay my fair share…to keep this seriously listing ship afloat. Here’s an idea that would just blow the government’s mind – I think I donate my $600 to Ron Paul’s campaign!

[Billy]

Kudo's to Andrew Malcolm for the above the belt reporting on Ron Paul. He realizes that whether one agrees with Ron Paul or not, the story of Paul's grass roots support and unorthodox campaign is worth telling. He could get twice the traffic, if that was his goal, by aping the majority of bloggers who think it's "hip" to bash Paul without any justification.

To poster Scott above. One should be loyal to their country, not a party. About the 63% of Republicans who actual dislike RP in NH, .. that says more about the sad state of the Republican base than it does about Ron Paul. Of course the MSM and the 294,565 invective laden smear articles on Ron Paul might just have a little something with how people view him.

If there's not enough hate for you here, feel free to move on. Your bandwagon is right around the corner.

[Mair]

"has been largely dissed and dismissed by party politicians and the media"

True.......but if the LA Times doesn't call the rest of the MSM on it,..then it's like the pot calling the kettle black.

Oh,..and this doesn't just pertain to Paul. Look at how many candidates in both parties the media deemed 'unworthy' and eliminated before we had a chance to judge them for ourselves.

CNN's Blitzer refers to them being 'the best political team'. If that were true, you'd think he would at least be aware that there are currently FOUR republican candidates.

[Bill]

Andrew, when you retire, can you write a book about how the "election" media really puts the people to sleep?

I am sure with your experience, you could write a doozy. But until then, gotta earn that paycheck.

[GMartine]

So sad that LA times endorsed McCain. I was starting to like the paper, but how can I support a paper who supports someone that is just so wrong like McCain.

[Adam]

It's ridiculous that the campaign of the largest GOP fundraiser is still getting refered to as "a longshot". The "splash" that the Ron Paul campaign has already and is going to make in this race is huge no matter how hard the mainstream media tries to ignore it.

Hey Andrew how about this for your next headline:

"CNN Stages Another False Debate - GOP's Biggest Fundraiser Snubbed Again!"

[Claudio Gomes]

Thank You for being a honest journalist. Great article.

[Jorge]

Ron Paul is the only republican candidate I would feel comfortable voting for. Since my democrat candidates did not make it to the final stages of the presidencial nomination, I don't think I will vote in this electios coming up in November. The only way I would vote is if the republican nominee is McCain. Then I will be forced to vote against, even if the other candidate was Ossma Bin Laden. Giulaini was the other candidate I would vote against. I don't understand how spending years in prison makes this flip flopper a good candidate to govern this nation. It's like Giuliani. A mediocre at best mayor and just because he was the mayor he became a "Hero". Give me a break!

[Mike]

John, the LA Times is not downplaying Ron Paul. They have been fair and report on him quite often online. Please stop making Ron Paul supporters look silly (stupid).

[Matt]

Scott-- I think you need to consider that the media, operating as a single entity, can make a sensation out of any candidate, or, conversely, can throw water on any candidate. If the pundits and corporate news sources chose to celebrate--or even to discuss--Paul and his ideas of the individual liberty and economic liberty, as regularly as they celebrate the other candidates' completely illogical stances on the issues, there would be no stopping Paul. There is a lot of extremely sound reasoning beneath Paul's conclusions. That's why they're so popular among people who don't watch American Idol.

But instead the media, operating as if with a single brain, is making a concerted effort to celebrate the nonsensical ideas of the "top tier" candidates. I mean, considering that the country is literally bankrupt, basically every proposed course of action by every other candidate is literally insane. Every social program that will have to rely on charity from China. Every fiscal program that doesn't address the fact our money is created as debt. Every foreign policy option that doesn't address the fact it will have to be funded by China. Do you get this? It's literally INSANE.

So your argument that Paul's candidacy is irrelivant because the Republican base doesn't like his views, is asinine. If this is true, which I doubt, it only illustrates that Republican base has had their thinking ability destroyed. Ever hear the quote from Aristotle: "Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotism"??? That's because in a democracy fools can be duped into voting for ANYTHING. This used to be a Republic, if you didn't know.

So you may be right, that the Republican base (and the Democrat base) is made up largely of television entranced morons. But this has nothing to do with how relevant Paul's ideas are.

[Doug D]

Thanks for the continuing coverage. It's all too lacking in other major newspapers, and especially on TV.

I suspect that even if Ron Paul wins Maine, it will be treated as nothing more than a curiosity by the media. If he finishes 2nd, he won't be mentioned at all

Ron Paul already has some delegates, however, after double-digit showings in Iowa, Nevada, and Louisiana, so the ones he picks up in Maine won't be the first.

Look for him to do well in Montana, Alaska, and Minnesota as well -- states where people still think for themselves.

[Peter]

We're celebrating Mardi Gras this weekend down here in Louisiana Andrew!

After the recent GOP Louisiana Caucus fiasco we Ron Paul supporters need a welcomed break. Whew! I'm getting tired of politics.

Thanks again for the article Andrew.

As for Scott.

Well Scott, Ron Paul is pretty much living proof that our/YOUR Country is slipping into some hidden form of pre-socialsim. When you have a legitimate candidate who is blatantly black-listed from all major forms of media, exluded from debates, not allowed to hardly speak in the debates that he is included,well, that's not free elections. It's free elections under supervision and guidance.

And sensationalism? Sensationalism?

Oh, you must mean like when Hillary Clinton cries in front of the TV camera and the image of her "emotional moment" is repeated over and over across every news network in the entire world. And is given such attention that her tears actually effect the outcome of an election.

That must be what Scott was referring too.

"Yes, yes, I see!" (said the blind man to the deaf man on the telephone)

[RK]

First I will thank you for being one of the only blogs in a major newspaper to mention Dr. Paul regularly, and as factually as possible, and as unbiased as can be.

Second, I would like to ask, what if Dr. Paul does win Maine and he doesn't get the coverage in the slow news cycle before Super Tuesday? What if they continue to ignore his campaign and successes? Will this blog actually mention that in print in the paper?

I hope Congressman Paul wins and gets coverage but most likely we'll have to continue the struggle without the support of large biased media.

[Spud]

Thank you for the great article. I wish Ron Paul would have come to Atlanta and talked. I hope his strategy of picking smaller states and picking up some delegates will spread the message.

[Daniel]

Ha, this Andrew Malcolm guy has changed his tune, didn't he use to write a bunch of hit pieces about Paul. Be honest its all about the Benjamin's, isnt it Andrew. Your articles get more and more "fair and balanced" with every one you write, quit the act, we all know your a slimeball.

[david]

The only man who upholds the constitution ! Voting for anyone else does harm to our country! Ask yourself, who actually benefits from war? Who got the money from the embassy construction in Iraq? The military industrial machine is all too real people. Would you send your child to war for a corporation? Approximately 1 million Iraq people have died since Bush invaded. The survivors of those families are now enemies we didn't have before this illegal invasion. When does it stop?

[Josh]

You guys are coming around!

Your paper endorsed McCain, inexplicably since his determination to stay in Iraq for the next century is seemingly anathema to the editorial board's stance, but kudos for some honest coverage.

They rant at you when they feel you slight him, so it's only fair to acknowledge real coverage. Sure, your blog isn't the front page of the dead tree edition, but it is significant nonetheless.

[david]

The only man who upholds the constitution ! Voting for anyone else does harm to our country! Ask yourself, who actually benefits from war? Who got the money from the embassy construction in Iraq? The military industrial machine is all too real people. Would you send your child to war for a corporation? Approximately 1 million Iraq people have died since Bush invaded. The survivors of those families are now enemies we didn't have before this illegal invasion. When does it stop?

[rmg]

Do you think "Scott" objected when the media was licking Rudy Giuliani's boots even though he couldn't beat Ron Paul in most of the early states?

Without media attention it's difficult for Ron Paul's message to get through. If he had equitable exposure in New Hampshire, I have no doubt that his approval rating would have been much higher.

[Rick Martin, Buhl Idaho]

After Super Tuesday we will still have 13 state primaries left to go all the way up to the first Tuesday in June. There will be 612 delegates up for grabs. It is my hope and prayers that Congressman Paul will campaign up until that point. I want to see a brokered convention.

As a last resort The National Constitution Party may nominate Dr. Paul as its 50 state party candidate.

Nevertheless I urge a vote for him. This campaign sends a signal to both parties that a significant number of Americans value their country’s great Constitution, that many conservatives reject wiretaps, waterboarding, and senseless wars. There is far more realism in Paul’s analysis than can be found in those Republicans who believe that Washington’s policy of borrowing billions from China to pay for the occupation of a growing number of countries is desirable, much less sustainable.

Ron Paul has been a breath of fresh air in an otherwise desultory Republican campaign. Long may he run.

[Avner Eliyahu Romm]

May God bless Ron Paul, the next president of the USA, please God. May peace and justice prevail.

[sandy onks]

Andrew,

Thank you for the continued time and interest in Ron Paul. Ron Paul's a man worth reporting on. Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate, whether Democrat or Republican, that has a solid plan for U.S. success in economics, foreign policy and domestic affairs.

The Republicans will be a party of the past if the elites of the RNC and media anoint anyone but Ron Paul as the nominee for the Republican Party.

[this is more biased media]

This article sucks. Just more of the same - trying to keep the sheeple brainwashed into believing that Ron Paul is some fringe wacko when in reality he has more support FROM THE PEOPLE than any other candidate. Keep it up and it will be to your downfall.

[opossum]

Yes. Yesterday the Ron Paul campaign had it's 4th largest Money Bomb Mass Donation celebrating the 51st Wedding Anniversary. One Million and near 50 thousand in 24 hours. I'm having so much fun. It does make me wonder when some much hate is thrown at the Ron Paul camp. Is it Ron Paul's love of the USA and it's Future? Why such hate because we believe the Iraq War was a detour from fighting Osama Bin Laden? Maybe because we see the USA going broke because of Iraq like the USSR aka Russia went broke fighting in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is where the USA needs to win. Iraqis have to learn to live with each other and run Iraq not the USA. Donate to RonPaul2008.com Check out the Ron Paul War Room.com it's amazing. Thanks for your time and writings. God Bless Everyone.

[WE THE PEOPLE]

WAKE UP AMERCA TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COUNTRY !! TIRED OF B.S. ITS YOUR MONEY THEIR STEALING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!! IT IS HARD TO STOMACH 20% OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY GETTING TAKEN BY THE GOVT.AND THE BANK TAKING HE REST.THANKS G.W. FOR THE NEW BANKRUPTCY LAWS .MAYBE YOU CAN PASS A LAW SAYS NO MORE THAN ONE OVERDRAFT CHARGE A MONTH....FAT CHANCE YOU SAY?

MANDATORY CAR INSURANCE...???
GPS,CELL PHONES,BIG BROTHER?
I CAN GET THROWN IN JAIL FOR A JOINT AND THEY ARENT EVEN PROSECUTING DRUG SMUGGLERS IN NOGALES ARIZONA UNLESS THEY HAVE OVER 499LBS?
SCHUMBLERGER,HALIBURTON,???
OSAMA IS STILL ALIVE??? W.T.F.

WAKE UP AMERICA BEFORE ITS TO LATE?

RON PAUL 2008..........WE THE PEOPLE

[Sunshinysmile]

Can someone tell me who the ONE person is that decides what almost ALL journalists in this country should and shouldn't write about and should and shouldn't think? One person says, "McCain is the leader."and everybody just puts their brains down and hops on board. And the next day all the print, tv, radio, say the exact same thing. Its like spreading gossip--not news.

I actually feel bad for the supporters of the other candidates. They have either sold their souls, or they are clueless.

Oh--thanks for covering Congressman Paul Mr. Malcolm.

(Well, if there is such a person, which I sincerely doubt, you sure won't find him/her around this blog.)

[Derek]

I wanted to support Ron Paul, but he's done unless he runs as an independent.

I will vote for Romney in the primary because having McCain, Obama or Hillary as president of this country would be a disaster.

Say NO to illegal aliens, say No to idiots who wish to continue the Bush agenda.

[Scott]

An unusually dispassionate report. It seems the media can be influenced by the public. This is the second, more or less accurate, article on RP I've read in the last 24 hours. What gives? Are the media getting worn out by RP supporters, or were they finally embarrassed by the latest spectacle at the CNN debate.

[Brenda]

This column has become a regular-read by me and what first got me here was finding the link when I googled Ron Paul - news. Too bad more in the media don't understand that they have an opportunity to attract a large number of new consumers of their website/newstation, etc. Many of us Paul supporters might first come to hear news about our candidate but our lives will go on long after the campaign is over and we are will most likely return to places we found to offer balanced and fair views of the news. Those who are wise will see this as an opportunity to gain new viewers & readers and those who are unwise, will be suffering the consequence of their cencorship and bias for a long time to come.

[Roger]

McCain For President!!
Do you want to see how clear his message is?
Do you want to learn how much of a straight talk is he?
Do you want to learn how much Honesty this man has to share with everyone?
Then watch this video and learn..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI

and if there is any doubt then watch this one also

http://www.youtube.com/v/BPyKpcivQYQ&rel

McCain For PRESIDENT!!!

[Jeremy]

The Ron Paul Dance - Champion of the Constitution Song funny stuff

RP '08!

[Richard Germond, Oregon]

For many years I watched the news and thought that I could rely on information I was getting. Yes, I knew that you had to get information from several different sources and sort through this for the whole story. But at least I was able to count on some information.
I no longer feel this way. My eyes have been opened and, my God, I had no realization that our news media was so corrupted. They do not report the news they design and report information that they want you to hear. If we used to think that Russian News was government run, I wonder who is running the big net works now.
I do believe if the media had allowed Ron Paul the same coverage that they gave the other candidates he would be running first. His story and what he has to offer to the country far out strips what all he other candidates in both parties are offering. They are true politicians that say a lot but never commit to nothing and never can be pin down to any firm stand.
Senior McCain is not a conservative and I am not his friend. McCain is really a Democrat liberal dressed up and going to a Republican ball. McCain also has a terrible temper and he is a war monger. Can you imagine this man with his finger on the red button.Senior McCain will give all illegals from Mexico amnesty. You noticed I said Mexican illegals. No thank you.
Obama and Hillery are socialist, They will turn this country in a quagmire of regulations and big government. You will lose the freedom of yourself and the family, if either one of these get into office. This country will go down for the last time under their control. You think our medical system has problems now, wait until either one of these candidates get a hold of our medical system. I have no idea where the Canadians will go to get medical care if this happens.
Mitt Romney is a rich man wanting to buy himself a new title. He will never know what it is like to work for a living. He can and will not ever be able to understand the middle class wage earner problems. Also, he must have been a very mean child in his youth. Why, do I say this?? Take a look at his body language in the debates. He rolls his eyes, he make childish faces, and in general he appears to be acting like a 12 year old junior high boy. He does not look like a statesman. He will dishonor the position of President just like Clinton did. Mitt has bought many big boy toys and is bored, now he wants to buy a country for 4 years.
The only Man offering true change is Dr. Ron Paul. And the true change is simple, go back to a government that our founding fathers envisioned for us. Start following the constitution rather than trying to rewriting it to fit our wants at the time. Ron Paul is the only true statesman and is the only conservative republican running for office this year.
God help this country if any of the other candidates get into the office of president of the United States..

[John]

"They (media) can't even be civil to the man"

Are those who promote fascism capable of civility? It seems a little much to expect.

[Eric Vanvliet]

Well the man has my vote (1st time voter)

Nobody defends our constitution like Ron Paul and wants the people to keep their personal liberties.

The Real ID card with the GPS built in scares me
and in May every American by law will have to have one.

The north American union that will open up the borders between Canada and Mexico scares me as well.

Please vote RON PAUL!!!!!

[DAMurphy]

Thank, Andrew. I am a Ron Paul supporter and I do appreciate and enjoy reading your blog. I'm not sure why others continue to complain.

[J Richards]

Total Military Member Donations:

Ron Paul – 931
McCain – 466
Romney – 125
Huckabee – 141

Total Military Member Donations to McCain, Romney and Huckabee Donations Combined: 732

Ron Paul Total Military Member Donations: 931

The military see the madness of the course we're now set upon. They see the folly of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars better than anyone and do not want to be part of an unprovoked attack on Iran.

[kadesha ofkia]

Ron Paul was awesome on MTV today.

[George]

I am delighted that Andrew Malcolm wrote this article and gave Ron Paul the honest coverage that he deserves. Being a recent Ron Paul supporter, and from talking to many people recently, I came to realize that most people when they hear about Ron Paul's message and campaign they get turned on to him quickly. His story is an easy sell and that is why the corporate media is afraid of giving him a fare chance. Too bad the other media outlets are not as an honest broker as the LA Times.

Unfortunately with Sam Zell now being the owner of the Tribune, I fear that the future of the LA Times will not be as bright as its past.

George

[DX10]

Sascha - Why does it not translate into votes? Here's and idea. Ask the next ten people you meet who owns the Federal Reserve. Hint, it ain't the government. The simple reason is that the majority of the American people are sadly ignorant. When it is time to vote they reason with the wrong part of their anatomy.

[joseph]

In spite of the machinations of the Republican party and it's owners the corporations Ron Paul is just beginning to gain momentum. The MSM has definitely excluded him and it has effected his candidacy. The country is hungry for his message the truth has an impact all of it's own. Once you hear it you react to it viscerally and this is how Ron Paul will prevail.
So thank you for writing about him.

[blakmira]

Andrew, Andrew, Andrew. When will you stop with the term "long-shot" when you describe Ron Paul? You know yourself that he's come a long, long way, baby.

The others are dropping like flies and he's sticking like honey; becoming sweeter and sweeter to each new person that hears of him and his message of freedom.

We're going All The Way with this one.

(Oh-oh, you caught me.)

[Sascha]

Again - saying that the american people is stupid or ignorant is not an acceptable answer (and I'm saying this as an european...).
Maybe it is just this righteous attitude which turns off a lot of people.
To put it bluntly: Mr.Paul's ideas may be appealing to people who consider themselves intelligent (and may have some kind of test to prove it) but one can be intelligent and be unable to understand the world as it is. And if you don't understand the world you can't change it (or you can but it will end up very, very badly). Mr.Paul's ideas are bookish, dogmatic e rational in the sense that they start from principles and go their own way - the world be damned!
Strict constitutionalism? But the Founding Fathers themselves started fiddling with the Constitution as soon as they had to govern. Isolationism? Any idea of how much of your wealth comes from abroad? Scrap the Federal Governement and give back power to the states? Yes, so they can deal with China as best as they can and turn away immigrants - the people who actually works (in the Usa like in Europe, actually). The evil of banks and the Federal Reserve? Granted, but the return to the gold standard or something similar will, on the short period, destroy the standing of the Us in the world economy and substantially depress americans' standard of living. In the long run it could turn out grand - but will the american people be strong enough to weather the misery and dislocation?
Maybe a lot of people think that Ron Paul is an outstanding and principled fellow but they are not willing to gamble everything on a revolution - and who can blame them?

[DK]

Actually, Ron Paul is wrong about the Constitution being designed to restrict the government and not the people.

It was originally written to restrict the people. It wasn't until the people and the states pushed back that the Bill of Rights were added to also restrict the government.

Read Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution ( http://www.holtzbrinckpublishers.com/FSG/search/SearchBookDisplay.asp?BookKey=5621662 ) for some insight.

Even with that misunderstanding, however, Ron Paul knows more about the Constitution than any other candidate. I also think the motto "Restrict the Government, Not the People" is a good one!

[DX10]

Sascha,
No one is talking about scrapping the central government, rather returning it to its proper domain. That domain is clearly detailed in the U.S. Constitution. And, if the central government of the U.S. was returned to its proper domain the world would be blessed, not damned! You need to read up on Dr. Paul. He is not talking about an instant return to the gold standard, but the introduction of competing currencies and treating gold and silver as money according to the U.S. Constitution. This will minimize the effects of the Federal Reserve that caused the depression in the thirties and early forties of the last century and continues to cause the boom and bust cycles we endure now. The real definition of the unconstitutional Federal Reserve is an organization of bankers whose sole function is to see how much they can steal without killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

I have lived much longer than you and I remember from personal experience just what the elite have done to us. And, it is the ignorance of the American voter who would rather simply go in to have his collar and chain checked rather than vote for freedom. This attitude has been carefully inculcated in him to the extent that he is now afraid to compete in a free and open society.

History repeats itself! Who can blame them? I do! And I am the President of a company engaged in the Military Industrial Complex who puts our country and people ahead of my personal interest.

[Chad]

GIVE RON PAUL THE COVERAGE HE DESERVES!!!

[dianna]

DX-10: Great response to Sascha. My own personal view, and I hate to state it, is that most of the people voting for our President, think(?) of it like the Super Bowl...a championship game they are betting on. Naturally, nobody wants to vote for the losing team....so their only choices are Obama/Clinton (Democrats) verses McCain/Romney (Republican). They have been told Ron Paul is an also ran and couldn't possibly win. Nevertheless, my husband and I are going to vote Ron Paul...maybe a miracle will happen!