What's this? Ron Paul runs a conservative campaign with no loans?

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and his thousands of fervent supporters may be fighting more over the soul of the Republican Party nowadays than they are for the actual presidential nomination, seeing how the congressman is more than 1,000 delegates shy of what he'd need to head the ticket.

And John McCain has already wrapped up the September nomination so tightly he's not even campaigning and has headed off on an overseas trip this week with congressional colleagues.

This just so happens to provide photos back home of him talking to foreign leaders like a president and praying at the Wailing Wall while Democrats argue over Florida again.

McCain's entourage includes Connecticut's Joe Lieberman, former Democratic vice presidential candidate, former Democratic senator, current independent senator and probably McCain's future secretary of defense. Although that hasn't been officially announced yet because McCain first has to win this little thing called a presidential election.

The 72-year-old Paul has plenty of free political time now because no Democrat, not even in Texas, is dumb enough to take him on in the November House election, which will award Paul his 11th term. On March 4, Paul vanquished his main Republican challenger in the 14th District by capturing 70% of the vote. Other than that, it was close.

Paul says he'll continue to take his conservative message of...

smaller government, more personal freedoms and an end to American troops abroad wherever his followers are strong and loyal, places like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, maybe Idaho. But they're actually all over, even allegedly liberal California, where one branch posed nearly-naked for a Hotties4RonPaul pinup calendar. Others did a music video.

As noted here earlier this week, Paul's volunteers are winning GOP influence the old-fashioned way, at the grassroots level county by county, tedious meeting after tedious meeting, largely under the radar of the national media, except The Ticket. Paul's volunteers, many of them new to politics, hope to exert some influence on the platform in St. Paul and go from there, the way the 1964 Goldwater generation of conservatives finally won in 1980 with Ronald Reagan.

This is supposed to be a bad year for Republicans, whose turnout in caucus states, for instance, has been low compared with Democrats. But although Paul has yet to win an actual primary or caucus, he's taken some fourths, fifths and seconds.

And with a minimalist campaign organization and a ton of money from about 400,000 dedicated donors (just watch the comments section below for their bounteous vows of loyalty), Paul has won about 803,000 votes. Which, in case you didn't notice, is more than that New York mayor guy with all the ex-wives got, and more than that tall, slow fellow from Tennessee who was a prosecutor and also played one on TV.

In fact, Paul, a former OB/GYN, raised more money in the fourth quarter of 2007 -- nearly $20 million -- than any other Republican candidate, including those rich guys from the East who were supposed to walk away with the nomination. In fact, Paul's website has a delightful photo display of all 11 Republican presidential candidates.

Nine of them have big black Xs across their face because they're gone. And guess who's not? Paul even outlasted (and easily out-fund-raised) that Arkansas governor who stayed around forever.   

Speaking of money, Paul has now filed his required monthly campaign finance report with the Federal Election Commission. Knowing how interested The Ticket remains in the Ron Paul Revolution, The Times' dutiful Dan Morain dug out the Texan's new report.

Not only does Paul talk the conservative talk, it seems he walks the conservative walk. He reported having raised $34.65 million since he launched his (get ready, Paulunteers) long-shot White House bid last year. Paul reported spending about $29 million as of Feb. 29. And he reported having an impressive $5.57 million cash left in the bank.

Now, get this: The Ron Paul presidential campaign reported no debts. Not a dollar. Not even a penny. What has this country come to when half the members of Congress run for president and fully one of them campaigns within his means? This conservative revolution will not be run on funny money like the Federal Reserve system they want to abolish.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo: John A. Bowersmith / Killeen Daily Herald

Comments

[Darryl Schmitz]

We complain that competent, principled people don't run for president. Now one has. And much of the media instead paid little attention to him, his own party ostracized him because he failed to tow the party line, and most of the voters subsequently wrote him off to vote instead for someone who 'had a better chance of being elected'. What does that say about us? Now, if we once again start complaining that honest, competent, principled people don't run for president, we should remember how we failed to walk the walk when it came time to cast our vote.

[Transient]

A well written and intelligent piece. It really is far too bad that you are one of the few to report fairly on Ron Paul.
I am a disillusioned voter and expatriate American that has all but given up on believing in the US of A. I felt such hope at the beginning of Ron Paul's campaign and championed him as best I could from overseas. However, the almost complete media blackout was simply too damaging to his campaign. I feel that this was the last election that really had a chance of changing America for the better.
Now, unless there is a miracle from above, we are stuck with the better of two evils. It is really too bad that people didn't hear the message of Ron Paul sooner.
Once again, thanks for keeping up the posts. Whenever I search google news for Ron Paul, your's is the first one featured.
Cheers
C

[atlasdaddy]

It is sad that Ron Paul is going down in history as the only man with the right to say,"I told you so". And we as a people are too stupid to see that in any light but hind-sight. God save us all. Hello Amero and North American Union. Goodbye U.S.A.

[Trevor]

There are still plenty of motivated Americans who support Ron Paul's message. Being right is more important than being in the majority.

[Hamilton Ashley]

Great work Andrew Malcom. If this same type of coverage had been the norm instead of the limited exception we would be seeing a different campain outcome. The election is not here yet and our fight is not over. If you will look and see you will find if its not to late the best is yet to come. RON PAUL 2008 RON PAUL 2008 RON PAUL 2008 RON PAUL 2008.
H.C. Ashley

[Edward]

Thanks for the continued coverage on the good Doctor. I suppose you're getting page hits in return :)

[Danielle]

That's why we spread the word to as many people in a day as we can. If people don't know about him, how can they vote for him? Theres a lot of time between now and September.. Spread the word!

Ron Paul 08'

[Deeptoad]

Thank you, Darryl. Thread's over in a single post.

Indeed, we only have ourselves to blame for not getting more public servants into office.

[DJ]

Heh... I think you've gone from hate mail to marriage proposals, Mr. Malcolm. Not implying that you've had or will get any angry messages from me, just have a feeling you're getting and will continue to get a great reception -- no pun intended.

Thanks for impressively bringing multiple facts and weaving them together into a (get ready, MSM) fair, balanced, and thought-out manner. Old Media could learn something from you.

[Steve]

The story of Ron Paul is indeed a fascinating one in the political world these days. Here you have a traditional conservative who is more or less shunned by his own party and traditional media. In previous election cycles he would have been done probably on January 4rth.

However the Internet is changing the game of politics drastically. This Internet Consulting firm, http://www.spartaninternet.com/ , looked at the online strategies of each candidate for this election. Ron Paul absolutely blows everyone else in the GOP out of the water.

The main reason is that he is consistent in his message. This article lays proof to that fact, its quiet a wonder that a conservative candidate would effectively manage the finances of a campaign. I'm glad that his run in politics is far from over, because the game keeps tilting in his favor, albeit slowly.

[Will]

Thank you for taking notice of Congressman Paul. I did a lot of researching and comparing and decided to support Ron Paul. I wish the rest of the country would do their research as well.

[Georges]

I hope we just one day remember the beautiful gift we missed. I intend to do my part,i'll tell every kid i come accross about the only politician i believe is spotless.I'm glad i lived long enough to actually find somebody in politics i can say i trust.
The revolution is just getting started,it certainly won't lead to the nomination of Dr Paul,but as he said repeatedly,it's not about the messenger,but the message. None of the prophets were kings,but they sure told us a lot of truths.
Good luck America, and may God Forgive us

[Jim]

Andrew,

Thank you for a well written article.

It's been a roller-coaster for sure, but as we "Paulistas" have been saying all along, this is bigger than just Ron Paul.

Would he have been a great president? I believe absolutely, 100% best guy for the job at this time in history. He might have had even more of an impact than Reagan did. He pulled a LOT of people who may never have collaborated on ANYTHING together in a way that I have seldom seen in my 28 years.

It seems that honesty, integrity, and true conservatism have little value in the political arena these days; it is a sad and difficult time for our country, to be sure.

Ditto to the comment above; when people complain about the caliber of people running for office, and that there's never a good man running, I will refer them to Dr. Paul.

Thanks for the continuing coverage.

Jim in AR

[Pablo Escobar]

Is it very common for American politicians to give up their Congressional pension, pay for their kids through college and reject government loans, return a portion of their official Congressional budgets to the Treasury and treat their patients for free?

Because Ron Paul did all of the above things. So I'm surprised the media hasn't picked up on it -- I thought it might've been because lots of other politicians do it so it's become commonplace?

It's not very common here in Australia where I live. In fact it's non-existent. People have gotten so used to politicians sucking the public purse dry for their own ends that they don't even notice when someone like Dr Paul comes along and tries to be principled in his actions.

[jd]

Awesome story.......thanks.

[judy]

For a President to accomplish anything he/she requires a Congress with like views. We aren't there yet for someone like Paul. He may be leading us to that day. Thanks for continuing the coverage.

[RM]

I've had my eyes opened during this election. Most of my life I thought that the media was supposed to report the news. Here was a candidate that has stood against the political tide as the champion for the Constitution, stood against the tide for fiscal conservitism, stood against the tide combating against Bush's unconstitutional wars...and where were the voters? They were running after the top 2 dems like they were the second coming of Christ. Well, the sheeple have spoken, but that's primarily because the media told the sheeple who to vote for, and by God the sheeple responded.
Someone once said that America gets the government that they deserve. I pray that they were wrong.

[Robert]

Ron Paul is a dream that some americans have woken up to, the thought of actually having a politician who not only listens to the people, but knows that in the course of human events when military powers are spread around the globe are homeland remains a bullseye waiting to be struck.

This dream of a man who knows how to run a campaign should show us that he knows how to run the budget.

For all the things we take for granted as americans, we have taken for granted someone who has been a true representative of the people.

For this and many more reasons, I will vote for Ron Paul, and continue to spread the message of how we can take our country back.

No more picking the lesser of two evils, after this election the American people will be heard. Our voices will eventually raise in unison against the war, against the spending, and against the liberties that were taken from us with no reason but fear.

Unfortunately, waking up in this time of political and truth need, isn't what Americans wanted, we are no longer the sheep that just follow along, we will blaze a new trail and a new era into politics and we will be heard.

[Greg Cottrell]

The good news is that the changes Ron Paul suggests with regards to paper money and spending will finally take place after the collapse.

[Jared Johnston]

Ron Paul may be mathematically eliminated from the presidential race for 2008. However, his message of personal liberty, limited goverment, a humble non-interventionist foreign policy, and SOUND MONEY will live on forever. The message will live on for ever because it is the message of our constitution. 100 years from now, our great grand children will tell their grand children about either; A.) how we lost the priciples entrusted to us by James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Or B.) How we nearly lost those principles, were it not for the courage of Ron Paul who stood up and spoke the message of liberty once again.

It is up to us, to decide which version of history our ancestors learn in 100 years. If we can't have Ron Paul as president, he will be the speaker of the house. If we can't have Ron Paul as president, we will flood evey available senate and house seat with like minded, honest new faces of politics.

[ladiliberty]

What is says about Americans is that they have a nascar mentality... They only vote for the media dictated opinion and own it as their own... Afterall they are just too busy with their own lives to bother researching anyone that is running for president... It is easier to just vote however the media tells you to...How pathetically true...

Paul opened many eyes to the federal reserve being nothing federal at all, just another private owned banking cartel. Everything he has said about our economy is happening rapidly on a daily basis, yet the banking cartel continue doing the same thing expecting different results...LOL

Perhaps when China calls our debt in America will wake up from their apathy? Or will it be when we attack iran and china and russia then attack us, afterall they have both warned us to stay out of iran or else...
Looking at the FEC donation list to campaigns its so obvious that all the popup heads (frontrunners) are owned by corporate america...Yet we continue to force our ideologies across the globe, like we have a right and ours is the only way...
I will vote intelligently, not because my party tells me to support who "they" pick tow the line support the party.

Well the party is wrong, I am not for fascism or socialism, I stand for my Country and her Constitution! God help us!

[Greg Evans]

Nice Article :)

[Stephan]

Ron Paul's supporters are a factor in the GOP and will continue to be all the way to the National Convention. Dr. Paul was invited by the Chair of the Nevada Republican Party to speak at the State Convention on April 26, and he has accepted.

[Ron08]

It goes to show you how conservative he is. Very true to his words and action. I, amongst hundreds of thousands of supporters will never give up. Amongst the ruins the phoenix will rise and further strengthen our resolve that one day in the near future, America will once again be a model nation for its virtue earned through hardwork and dedication of people like us.

[Andy]

It's over. They have taken over completely. I'm taking my last worthless dollars to Home Depot for a rope and folding chair....(actually those prices will be coming down as non essentials are dropping--people are broke and not spending dollars on anything right now except housing food) good luck everyone. You'll know when the IPS's of the world start a price war because their enrollments start dropping and cancelations rise here in the US.

[scott]

Watch www.hightidepromo.com and see what the grassroots did too! This is a high quality Computer graphics commercial for Ron Paul not paid, or put together by anyone in the campaign!

[Scott Nash]

Wow.

A totally favorable mainstream Ron Paul article. This is a rarity outside the rEVOLution circle.

and it's nice to see! Good work!

[tim, minnesota]

McCain does not have 1192 committed delegates, but actually has 538. Many states are working through the caucus process including Minnesota, who’s national delegates are not bound, gave the popular vote to Romney.

In Minnesota as many other states McCain has little grassroots, delegate support. In addition, the support McCain has diminishes at each convention level replaced by Ron Paul support. The Republican convention is a long way off and the real delegate election process is far from concluded. McCain is not the Republican nominee YET and may not be come convention week.

Visit: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml for an update. In addition, for all you Ron Paul supporters go to: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml and place your vote for Ron Paul at AOL straw poll every Tuesday.

[Baba Padmanabhan]

The R3volution continues...

[Peter]

So what happens if something would happen to McCain on all these overseas trips? Would his delegates vote have to vote for McCain still, and would that make Paul the winner?

[M]

I like your sense of humor and understanding of the Ron Paul movement. What if a miracle happened and Ron Paul WAS elected president? How would the American people respond?

[Roger Barr]

Thank You for the excellent arcticle. Something that was very few coming to the Ron Paul campaign. America sadly has been duped for another 4 years into thinking government will save them. As inflation rises and the economy slumps we all pay the price to allow goverment to take more control of our lives. Hopefully more will see the truth as Dr. Paul has shown us.
Thank GOD the Liberty Revolution is just beginning to take back our goverment and monetary system.
Long live the REPUBLIC!!!!

[David Shipp]

I fully intend to write in my vote for Ron Paul eveen if he is not on any of the tickets. Make this a peaceful revolution and demonstrate the Media is no longer able to contrl elections. Keep in mind that most of America doesn't decide who they will actually vote for until November. Voting for any one else who is running would be a wasted vote if you consider or care for the future of our country. Any of the other candidates are simply in the race for them selves (money/fame) and not the American people. For my grandson's generation sake, I wish/pray/hope people wake up to what is happening. In God we trust, but God helps those who help themselves. Vote Ron Paul 2008; Proven reliable. Proven integrity, Proven dedication to American principles. Truly an American with the founding fathers honest principles. What more do we require? Check out any candidates voting record and history on wikipedia, then decide.

[Ray]

So Malcomb, it appears that you have a significant amount of admiration for Dr. Paul, but yet seem to think that he is less qualified for the office than say an ignorant warmonger or tax and spenders who will just run the insurmountable debt to Haides. What the governmnet will do for me... What a stupid attitude, even Kennedy didn't think that way. It wasn't till Johnson and his war on poverty and Vietnam... What exactly is your problem with an individual who believes in the rule of law and the founder's view's and limitations put on the federal government? You know "Change " was decried just before the Russian revolution as well and what became of that? You are actually quite lucky that you can still dispell your opinion in these pages, soon under change, that may just change as well. Beware Malcolm, the only thing that has been learned from history ( not the crap in textbooks written by liberal acaadamia, but real history) is that little is learned and repetitions are quite common. There has not been a world dominating empire which has been capable of sustaining itself with fiat money, no a single one and the US will be no exception.
Kindest regards.

[aaron]

to repeat a lincoln election we need....counterfeit national convention tickets. anyone know how to make them?

(Oh, now Aaron, that's cheating. Do you really think Dr. Paul would go for that?)

[Patrick]

I'd like to point out that, as of 1/31/08 official FEC filings put John McCain at a debt of $5,535,482. How can you run an balanced budget and not even balance your own campaign checkbook? Oh yeah, thats right, the economy isn't his strong suit that's what he has advisers for. The same advisers that run his campaign.

To see the list:
http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/

[John]

We should be ashamed of ourselves. Finally a man with consistenet pricincipal intergrity, brilliant, and guts enough to take on the machine, and we laugh at him. He was right on when talking about the 911 attacks which was confirmed by the 911 commission report and experts in terrorist sections of the CIA. He was right on when talking about the economy and the federal reserve. Maybe we could frame him and get him involved in some sort of scandal or prostitution ring. If we could get him involved in some shady dealings than maybe we would embrace him and his message. You see that Limbaugh and the rest of the Republican cooks didnt embrace that sell out Mcain until the story broke where he was sleeping with that lobbyist. I am starting to be ashamed to raise my kids in this Country. The Republican Party has lost its mind. All they talk about is dropping taxes but name a Republican president and ill tell you about a recession, housing bubble, gas crunch, and high unemployment.

[Liberty Gal]

Dr. Ron Paul is a rare gem in the political world. His honesty and integrity are evident in his voting record, his writing and the sound byte interviews he is allowed on CNN and MSNBC. Thank you, Andrew, for recognizing the obvious and for YOUR integrity and willingness to state is like it is.

[Liberty Gal]

Dr. Ron Paul is a rare gem in the political world. His honesty and integrity are evident in his voting record, his writing and the sound byte interviews he is allowed on CNN and MSNBC. Thank you, Andrew, for recognizing the obvious and for YOUR integrity and willingness to state is like it is.

[Dave E.]

Thanks again, Mr. Malcolm for taking time to write about the only real conservative candidate in this year's race and for pointing out the facts that most other reporters and other media folks either ignore or distort. It looks to me like you actually took time to get your facts straight which is a rarity in the press these days. Thanks especially for your final paragraph where you hit the nail squarely and firmly on the head. Since it looks like a victory in the conventional sense is nearly impossible the task for us "Paulunteers" - a label I wear with pride - will be to reform the GOP from the inside, getting more "Ron Paul Republicans" like the good Murray Sabrin in NJ and Amit Singh of VA elected, and using our Precinct Committee Person & delegate roles to influence the planks of the party platform.

"Elections are short term efforts, revolutions are long term projects." -- Ron Paul

[Jake]

Thanks Andrew. When I was first introduced to Dr. Paul's I was blown away by his command of fiscal and monetary policy. He has a firm grasp of supply side economics, macroeconomics, the money supply, free markets, currency strength, real GDP growth, etc. Dr. Paul stands in stark contrast to McCain who could barely get his financial house in order and almost bankrupt his own campaign. McCain lacks basic understanding of economic theory and has constantly said he would defer to the "experts". In one of the debates, Dr. Paul questioned McCain on the President's Working Group on the economy and it became apparent that McCain didn't have a clue what he was talking about (sort of like how McCain doesn't fully understand what's going on in Iraq).

[Dr. Kibble]

I keep listening and listening, my ears are in a hesitant, but aware state. Yet, I have not heard any fat lady sing.

[Dr. Kibble]

I keep listening and listening, my ears are in a hesitant, but aware state. Yet, I have not heard any fat lady sing.

[Diane]

Ron Paul is my hero.

History will be very kind to this humble man when it will be shown that he was right all along.

God Bless him.

[LB MacGill]

All these years of voting for "the lesser of two evils" made me disgusted and apathetic about politics and sleazy politicians. People complain about this all the time . AND YET, now that an honest-to-goodness patriot is running for President, these same dopes tell me that they like what Ron Paul stands for ("but he dropped out" - thanks to no TV or press coverage because those sleazy owners want to influence YOUR vote), but since he"can't win" they don't want to "waste their vote!" That is just pathetic, and shows how low we have become. We will get what we deserve for President because American voters are the most uninformed, uneducated bunch of one-issue dunder-heads ever. I personally can't wait until this whole stinking, reeking mess is laid low by the biggest, worldwide depression ever. And we get to start all over. Maybe we will be smarter and choose our representatives more closely. Maybe some more patriots, rather than the usual greedy slimeballs will run for office.

[super_mom]

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE! Even with all the corrupt media and down playing of Ron Paul! Tne constitution says FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE! WE WILL TAKE BACK OUR GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN SWINDLED OUT OF! FREEDOM!!!! GO RON PAUL!!!

[Kemp]

I agree with Darryl. So many people complain about the lack of principle and integrity of politicians and wish for one to be different.

Well, Ron Paul came on the scene and was ignored and smeared. Instead of focusing on policy and character, this presidential campaign has been a dog and pony show manipulated by the owners of the big media.

Face it people, there are a lot of folks out there who want you to be lazy, dumb, and have just enough means to buy irrelevant wares. Oh yeah, they do want you to keep paying taxes to keep the war machine, the favors and the corruption going.

The good news is, people are WAKING UP to the madness every day.

[Flo]

I find it disheartening that Americans fight, fight, fight for immigration reform, fiscal reform, war reform, drug reform and then cry that they don't agree with Paul on every issue. YOU won't agree with a candidate no matter who they are on every issue. Real conservatives have a foundation. Neo-Conservatives make the rules on the fly.
I am utterly disgussed with the media manipulation of news.
Thank you Andrew this again has show you to be a true source of news. Shame others don't follow your lead.

[Jonathan Hodges]

Awesome Post! I only wish the so-called 'conservative' media would have given him such fair coverage.

[mike montagne - PEOPLE For Mathematically Perfected Economy]

I'm not sure the Republican Party has a heart or a soul. But I *am* sure that Ron Paul doesn't have the answers to rectify our economy. Small government is the desire of practically every American. Nothing new there, but a candidate willing to say so. Most of the people I know would consider themselves conservative, but see the Republican Party as so corrupt as to shame themselves to participate in it. At the same time, the Democrats have hardly offered any difference. We have a two party system -- two monopolizing parties of betrayal.

As for the economics Mr. Paul is receiving such acclaim for, I can tell you this: He has evading discussing, debating, or even telling me to go fly a kite over economics; and I say the reason is he can't answer to me. Nor of course can most Americans.

In the early 80s I provided the Regan Administration with mathematic proofs that any economy subject to interest ultimately terminates itself under insoluble debt; and that there is one and one only prescription for economy without 1) inflation and deflation; 2) systemic manipulation of the cost or value of money or property; and 3) inherent, irreversible multiplication of debt by interest.

There's a good chance this paper of course will moderate out this comment, because "for some reason" they don't want you to understand that we *can* implement mathematically perfected economy immediately.

On the other hand, what are you going to get if you tread down the same trail, or even the trail proposed by Mr. Paul?

Any currency subject to interest inherently and irreversibly multiplies debt in proportion to the circulation until imposing collapse. Computer models I provided Reagan show that collapse is right around the corner.

Why or how?

Because merely to maintain a circulation, we must re-borrow whatever we pay against interest and principal as subsequent debts, increased then so much as periodic interest.

Thus the debt multiplies by ever greater increments of periodic interest on an ever greater sum of debt until we cave in under the weight of a debt we can no longer sustain.

The truth is, we cannot sustain present debt; and there is nothing we can do to save ourselves other than implement mathematically perfected economy.

With all due respect,

mike montagne -- Founder of PEOPLE For Mathematically Perfected Economy and author of mathematically perfected economy (1979)

[Tominellay]

...hehehehehe...Andrew gets it! Great article...

[AKK]

Our country, like Ron Paul's campaign, does not need to borrow one cent if our government was "living within its means" and not spending $12b a week on a un-winnable war in Iraq.

[Karl Kraut]

Wow, what a pleasure to read, what a delightful article!

[Joel]

This is an excellent post, Mr. Malcolm. Thanks very much for pointing out the fiscal responsibility of the Ron Paul campaign; I'm very glad and proud to have donated twice.

While the sheep flock to the big spending, wasteful candidates, we realize our battle is just beginning--and it's going to be a long one.

SC Patriot for Ron Paul!

[poppatml]

It is a shame that the only people who will read this blog are RP supporters. You see we already understand RP spending policies.You have to search the news for RP to get any info. The Washington Post has the ability to truly compare candates policies, what legislation they have introduced, you know real journalisum, facts, records, truth and then opinion. This silence won't change untill someone has the courge to be a real journalist. Walter Cronkite, I liked that Guy!

[CT Johnson]

Bounteous Vow of Loyalty here :P

Good article Malcolm...the fight continues...

[Mitch C]

The media ran the election and won the battle against Ron Paul. What a shame, what a missed opportunity.

[Tony]

The people of this country need understand that we are in a revolution.

[Republicae]

In a Nation accustom to numerous false choices, when a real choice for change [Dr. Paul] is introduced to the People they simply have no real ability to make a comparison between the false choices and the real choice. The People of this country have been so conditioned over the decades by both entrenchment political parties that they seem incapable of making a difinitive decision for the type of drastic change needed in this country. They cry for change, whine, scream and yet choose candidates that only offer empty promises that they simply cannot keep because the economic reality prevents the fulfilment of such promises.

The People of this country have grown dull in their senses, trusting in the false prosperity that has been heaped upon through years of debt creation, all the while mistaking it for real wealth.

Dr. Paul has given this Nation some hard, but real choices that can either be entered into voluntarily or be forced upon them as the false economy crumbles like the false fiat currency is crumbling.

[Robin Dicken]

You ever been in a position that feels like the "Twilight Zone"? I'm sure I speak for thousands when I say that Ron Paul and Barack Obama are too far ahead of their time. Dr. Paul's message was indeed rooted in the Constitution, that one legal document which was genius in design, Good rules are timeless. One major problem with Ron's philosophy (me being a hippie-liberal all my life) was this "laissez aire" free market principle. It looks good on paper, but the reality is greed AND racial prejudice. Other than that, I think his agenda is GOLD- in both senses of the word. I'm sure Ron and Barack can relate on how race also has been used to smear their campaigns. As I understand, Mr. Obama has been considering Chuck Hagel (R) as possibly Sec. of State or some other head of Foreign Policy. How outrageous? Not really, when you think of Lincoln doing precisely the same thing-putting people in office regardless of affiliation or even liking them personally, but because they are good at what they do and believe in the welfare of the Union. True, Dr. Paul was not the most photogenic or politically connected. He was definitely not the Corporate Media's Darling-but when you are the antithesis of big government and Military/Industrialist's- what did you really expect. When Rep. Paul said things at the debates, you felt that he was letting you in on big secrets that no one dared or were too involved in to discuss. He was dead on correct. The same can be said for Senator Obama with his historic speech last Tuesday. These men are few and far between these days (there is Hagel also) and should be rewarded for their courage. With that said, I hope we are the people that rallied once during a war (WWII), which I consider the criminal admistration we are now under, and rise above the petty to achieve "a more perfect union".
That being said, I would like to personally ask Barack Obama to show what your made of and reach across the aisle of partisanship and appoint brave, deserving Republicans who will help this nation heal. Ron Paul- Secretary of the Treasury.
And to you, Andrew, I know if you didn't invoke controversy, you couldn't sell newspapers. Thanks again.

[Tom deSabla]

Ok Andy. Not bad.

But, since you went to the trouble of examining Paul's campaign spending records, let me suggest another quest for you and your intrepid staff:

Take a look, a real look, at how the candidates were treated and featured by say, the front pages of a few major newspapers, LA times NY Times, Wash Times and Wash Post, for 30 days before Super Tuesday. If that's too much, then just do a week before ST instead.

Count the front page articles and pictures. Note if Paul is nearly blanked while all others are constantly in the news. If there is a huge huge discrepancy, then why not blog about that too?

We love this new supportive tone of yours, and your foray into real investigative journalism! Go with that Andy - go with it, and take it wherever it leads, please.

[Matt Thomas]

Our modern media distorts the political picture so much that an honest man such as Congressman Paul becomes sidelined and perceived as someone on the fringe even though his principles are very conservative and, yes, Republican. Until Americans reject the media and journalism that is used by corporations to steer politics we will never have an honest, issue based, intelligent, and fair election process. Dr. Paul's fiscal responsibility speaks worlds about the man's integrity. But, Americans keep buying into and watching main stream TV news and all it's BS and don't seem to care about integrity. Ron Paul has awakened some of us though. There are now people running for state governments and congressional seats that are taking up the platform of Dr. Paul. This revolution will be won from the bottom up. Ron Paul might not be winning in the presidential race but his message is winning all over this country.

[Hasan]

I think he should run as an independent candidate.

[Fred Shoemaker]

People all over the country voted for Ron Paul but alas many votes were not counted, voting machines broke down, others were sent to the wrong voting district, etc. Check the Brad Blog for the slimey details. As Stalin said "The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people
who count the votes decide everything."

How interesting is the fact that Dr. Paul got around 9000 votes in his district's presidential primary and nore than 37000 voters picked him for congress.

Something sure smells in Texas and it is not the lonhhorn outhous.

[Tom deSabla]

"He reported having raised $34.65 million since he launched his (get ready, Paulunteers) longshot White House bid last year."

Oh, by the way, I thought you weren't going to say, "longshot" anymore...

March 5 "(You won't find longshot in here. You guys taught me that a long time ago.)"

Oh well, I guess everyone can't be as consistent, honest, and principled as we Ron Paul supporters.

[james m doyle]

I take this time to write, to say that I totally agree with everything Ron Paul stands for. There should be no IRS. I think war is a way to show nothing exept...Who has the the bigger gun's, and who has more testosterone. And this is not the olympics, this is our civilization. We NEED to stop bombing other places and then fixing them back up with the little funding we have. we need to keep our people (Troups), and resources here to better our own economy, not to alter others to match ours. I feel this country is like the place that I work (no manager, and too many foreman's).
I dont consider myself as politic or democrat, but as a human, american resident. We all know we like to conserve (everything), Why waist ? when before you know it we WILL be out of resourses, if we keep waisting funds on things like shipping, and the process of remanufacturing things (like a water jug) when we can just reuse them.
I work for a company that fabricates strucural steel. I think we use alot more money and time than what it is worth. for example: Some of the steel we get is shipped from over seas, then we will fabricate it, then we ship it to another state to have it sandblasted (when we can do that ourselves), then it is shipped somewhere else or back to us to get painted, then it is shipped to the location where it is being put together (sometimes the same place where it came from). And each time it is moved the product price goes up in value. That is just one of those little things that cost millions of dollars per year that is waisted. Just so you know I work a hard 10+ hours per day, have little or no fun, and trying to raise a family (like alot of Americans do), living in a small 12x60 mobil home (with lots of problems). And I have been working steady like this for almost half of my life. And I am worn out and broke. The money that I make per hour is taxed, and the money I spend on things that I need like work boots, food, lights, and things for personal wellbeing are all taxed.
I think that Ron Paul is the perfect candidate who understands these factors. I don't know that he has to face these things, but I feel that he undestands what I am trying to say.
If there is a way that I could help Ron Paul get elected for US President please email me back @ jamesmdoyle@yahoo.com , or jimmdoyle@hotmail.com
PLEASE... lets do what we "NEED" to do for economics sake.
P.S. I also feel that if the economy keeps falling (like my youth) it will be very painfull to the U.S. if us "Middle Class" people just give up (a.k.a. "Go on Strike"). There is alot of us that do nothing But work hard to have the luxery of a tv set so we can watch those people that do next to nothing become rich.

[Dar]

Insightful and funny. As always. Thanks!

[Shane Savoie]

Only in the blogogsphere can I find a journalist that sees the r3VOLution for what it is. Though I know that Mr. Malcolm has heard from the "most colorful" supporters in our midst, he doesn't use his blog for tirades about the kooks that we all now do exist. Rather than focus on the cranks, he reports on the activities of the campaign that is openminded enough to accept people so easily marginalized.
Thanks again, Andrew!

[Maxwell McGee]

What this? Malcolm is not funny? Oh yeah.

[Bo]

Thanks for the great props. Working hard here in Williamson County, Texas for eviscerated government (calling it "limited" just seems so -- limited), peace, life, liberty, and prosperity!

[Jaime]

The MSM did their part in making sure that Dr. Paul would not be heard, with a couple of minor excemptions. WHn Mr. McCain was all but out of the picture the MSM gave us seemingly unending reports and interviews with Mr. McCain about his low polling.

Are y'all listening to the economics news lately? And radio and TV pundits dare say that none of the candidates saw this coming!

BTW, Dr. Paul is NOT a gold standard guy. Dr. Paul is a gold and silver and a hard asset standard currency guy.

[TC Bell]

Too bad there weren't any positive Paul stories from January 1st through yesterday. They probably could have boosted his numbers a tad in the primaires and caucuses. Oh I just figureed it out! That is precisely WHY there weren't any pro-Paul stories.

And to Mr. Goldfarb at Weekly Standard: You need to grow up and actually present an arguement next time. In case you haven't noticed Ludwig von Mises and Murrary Rothbard were both teachers of Ron Paul's and they both happened to be Jewish. We won't get lost but our friends subscriptions to your magazine will be lost to you forever! We vote with our dollars! Screw a little booth that I can only enter every two of four years.

[AGGOZZUR]

WOW!!! I can't BELIEVE YOU ACTUALLY WROTE SOMETHING THAT IS JOURNALISTICALLY NEWS WORTHY AND IS THE TRUTH! You are learning and growing up Andrew!!!

[Tom J]

His campaign is still recognized by the people who count:
http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/Presidential/2008/Candidates/Paul,_Ron

[mike]

Ron Paul!!! The Federal Reserve or private institution of a small handfull of rich men has the united states enslaved with chains of interest barring debt that the citizens must pay with their sweat through an un constitutional taxe called the income tax coinsidenataly passed the same year the federal reserve act was passed in 1913. The FED or meglomanic bank, it's true name controls alll the media and the schooling system i,e board of education. Ron Paul doesn't get any coverage becuase he is not will to conform to the Fed and he is a threat to them retaining their power. Thats why the media run these smear campiangs and non coverage so that
Ron Paul doesn't educate the masses and wake people up from there lazy wishfully thinking slavery. Vote Ron Paul. This is why the American Revolution began becuase of the Bank of England the ring leader of the decietfully named Federal Reserve. Look it up! Ron Paul!

[KProctor]

I wish to leave a heartfelt Amen, to Darryl Schmitz's comment. Thanks Darryl, you did this subject justice.

[Dave]

There was a very long period of time when this nation had zero debt, and did not tax personal incomes in order to pay interest on one. To bad debt and the taxes that fund it are all this generation has ever known. *tear*

[Sara]

Wow, Ron Paul! That's the kind of President that I want, not Mccain! Can we redo this election?

[Joseph Bergrath]

If you don't belong to globalist CFR you cannot be president. The elections were rigged against Ron. The media either ignored or derided him. There favorite question was when are you going to quit and will you run as a third party candidate.
The voters in this country are so stupid that they think they decide who the President will be.

[Charlotte Juett]

Unfortunately, the United States citizens will have no one to blame but themselves, when once again, they elect to have more of the same in the next 4 years.
The Ron Paul supporters are working hard in the county and state conventions to have their platform adopted by the Republican Party in September and if they can elect enough delegates to the National Convention and McCain makes a mistake, we may still be able to have an honest statesman running for the presidency in November. At that point it will be IMPOSSIBLE for the MSM to ignore Dr. Paul and this country may still have a chance to change it's course and bring back to full flower the Constitution of the United States, which has been ignored in Washington for so long.
We will not give up the fight and even if Ron Paul does not secure the nomination, we will continue to push for his platform to be adopted by the party. We are in involved and awake now and will work to make sure that local and state elected officials are of Ron Paul Republican variety. Little by little, we will take back this country.

[Albert]

Thanks for your continued fair coverage of Ron Paul. Just as Ron Paul is a breath of fresh air in the political arena, your column is one in the corporate controlled media.

[Ed Ram]

I just would like to meet some of sub-IQ voters that continue to vote for people that are not even running in the primary anymore. If you don't have anywhere to throw you vote send it to Ron Paul, we would be happy to count it!

[Tony Hughes]

But I want to vote for a Conservative!

[Tony Hwang]

First and foremost, I want to thank LA Times for actually being fair in representing all the presidential candidates. Although it seems that there are alot of Americans that are STILL unaware of Ron Paul. I wouldn't say this is a bad thing because it seems to me personally those that don't know about him have no passion or even care about politics. Most don't even vote. Those who did in the primaries are unlikely going to "have time" for the caucuses. Unlike Ron Paul supporters, we are zealous in our constitutional ways. We're not just internet jocks that talks alot of talk. We actually show up!

[Toni]

Wow, Andrew, do I detect grudging respect for Ron Paul and his supporters in this last column? To be fair, you've at least written about Dr. Paul and the Patriots without adding the word "kook" or "nutcase" in your columns, so overall I think you've done a decent job. Too bad you can't educate the rest of your coherts in the press to at least do the same. Nevada republicans have even invited Dr. Paul to be a keynote speaker at their state convension. This, as well as the large gains that Ron Paul Patriots have made in the state republican party organizations in MO, AK and other places, is to me most encouraging and inspiring. People were wrong to have thought that with McCain's coronation, the Patriots would split apart. The r3VOLution is just beginning.

[Ronald]

Nice article, Mr. Malcom. It seems you have caught on (early, I might add) that we have our sights set far beyond just the Republican National Convention. We want a complete reformation of the GOP. We want to take the GOP back at its grassroots level and work up from there, to wrest it from the neocons and restore the Old Right ideals of personal liberty, fiscal restraint, and limited constitutional government.

We had many successes at our state republican convention in Alaska, also, this past weekend. The Alaska Republican Party platform now largely represents the Ron Paul Platform. We managed to do this with under 1/3 of the delegates.

Why? Because Ron Paul's message makes sense. The WAR blinds people to the other issues. So many Republicans see that Ron Paul is against the war, and they dismiss him out of hand.

Yet when 120 Paulunteers got elected as delegates to the State Convention and showed up, representing just under 1/3 of all delegates, our platform planks and resolutions mostly sailed through committees to the floor, where a few met with nominal opposition, yet most all were passed easily.

When divorced from the war issue, everything else Ron Paul stands for is exactly what the GOP grassroots stands for. Our State Party platform now condemns the PATRIOT Act, it calls for abolishing the IRS and the income tax, among many other issues only Ron Paul has been bold enough to raise. I think if it weren't for the war issue, Ron Paul would easily have won the GOP nomination. But so many GOPers are blind as to the reality behind the war, which if they knew, they'd throw GWB and his neocon hacks out on their ears. It will take some doing, but we Paulunteers intend to educate our fellow Republicans who may be a bit misled. Four years from now, expect great things!

The American populace loves Ron Paul. It was the die-hard neocon-hoodwinked loyal GOP members who could not separate the war from their Republicanism who sunk Ron Paul's chances to rescue us.

[Christy]

Darryl - Truer words have never been spoken.

I absolutely <3 Mr. Malcom's witty & playful "tongue in cheek" writing style. May I say it is no offense at all to be called "long shot" or Paulunteer by you sir!

Besides, I've already set aside funds to purchase my "Don't Blame Me, I Voted Ron Paul" bumper sticker to replace my Presidential bumper stickers. I was thinking something along the lines of ... Don't blame me I actually checked out my candidates voting record... haven't quite got the wording down the way I want it.

Another excellent article Mr. Malcolm thank you for your journalistic honesty!

[Carlo C]

Andrew,

Why do you speak like an outsider? if you understand the Constitution, what civil/economic liberty is, the FRAUD that is the IRS, our flawed monetary system with a Federal Reserve Bank not more 'Federal' than Fedex.

If you understand the fact that we are a Constitutional Republic (not a Democracy or an Empire),... if you understand all these things it will take you no time to become a Ron Paul supporter.

So, do you understand everything i just mentioned?

...and if you do,...

Why do you keep on speaking about the Ron Paul REVOLution as an outsider? giving us names as Paulunteers or Paulites,.. call us 'Constitutionalists' or 'Patriots'.. it would be more accurate.

No more idiotic name calling please.

Carlo C (a Constitutionalist, Patriot and Ron Paul supporter)
Miami, FL

[David]

Thanks for another good article, Andrew. Most Paul supporters know their guy won't get the convention nod, but we really want the issues that caused us to rally around Paul to be brought before the people. The war(s) remains very unpopular, but seems to be moving to the back burner as an election issue in the face of economic news. Perhaps more people will take a serious look at issues like the Federal Reserve, collapse of the dollar, debt, corporate welfare, government spending, the cost of maintaining a global military empire and the other core Paul issues as things continue to worsen.

[Torqued]

Andrew,

I know you've claimed to be fair to Ron Paul over the months, but I have not read a blog by you yet that didn't have some BS or something negative about Ron Paul in it.

Until this one.

It is about time you FULLY came around to good writing.

You finally changed my opinion of you.

[Dave]

Great article Malcolm. I fear there may be some bad blood from Paul supporters after that last one however. The one where you said Paul dropped out. Yeah.

[Timur Rozenfeld]

Andrew, this was an excellent article pointing out the hypocrisy of the status-quo Republican candidates.

[Jake]

Andrew, you are doing a fine job sir. I wonder if your company ever prints some of your wonderful articles in the old media newspapers.

Any chance any of these will go into print? Why or why not?

[Free Speech]

One comment? You've only let one comment through? You must have as much regard for free speech as Vladimir Putin.

(Oh, relax! The gang's all here. I actually went to bed for a few hours. I find my body works better that way.)

[tim, minnesota]

andrew, where did my attempted post from earlier today go?

[Kim Ray]

Darryl, I agree. To do anything other than vote for Dr. Paul would be to denounce the very principles for which he - and all of us who support him- stands. No vote is a "wasted" one if you are voting your heart, mind, beliefs, principles and values. Cognizant of the realities of how much of the MSM conducts itself, it nevertheless has shocked me that few journalists dared to give much deserved recognition of the very important changes that are happening because of Dr. Paul's campaign. Kudos to Top of the Ticket for paying attention. I trust that other supporters will do the right thing. Vote for Ron Paul. Send the message. Change your world, vote by vote.

[Canuck Student]

Andrew Malcolm yet we meet one more time.
Unlike Tucker Carlson who claims to "respect" Ron Paul and support him, yet he makes hit pieces on him in the media like "prostitutes for Ron Paul" and the infamous "racist" letters which he never wrote etc...
You are my new hero in the media in this time of universal deceit. Thank you for a good read. Keep up your good sense of Politics and humor. You will never please everyone including myself for it is impossible. But I do see a journalist of rare caliber and for that you have my respect. Malcolm and Jack Cafferty for prize of most honest journalists.
And Yes ofcourse Ron Paul practices what he preaches.
my regards.

(Welcome back. Good to see you again and all the other regulars. Spread the word we're still here.)

[ThomasJ]

I think one of the interesting things to remember is that Abe Lincoln walked into the convention with only 20 delegates.

Conservatives, true fiscal conservatives despise McCain. I have heard many die hard Republican conservatives say they would vote for Obama before voting for McCain.

(Really? That could make a good blog item because, just fyi, the National Journal recently named Sen. Obama as the most liberal member of the entire Senate.)

[Canuck Student]

Dear Andrew; Have you seen this video. it already got a 100,000 hits. Hope you do a story on this if you have the time. Ron Paul is so inspiring that his supporters are inspired to be extremely creative. Just mind blowing.
by the way this kind of animation takes hundreds of hours of work to make.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-3MLTvYBQy0

[Colt-1]

Hey Andrew-

Where are those bounteous vows of loyalty from Paul's "disciples" as you love sarcastically call them?

And why are you still "covering" Paul? Didn't he call it quits? According to you he did.

You bait and directly insult people who may be a bit naive but at least sincere, then act as if you've done us a favor becuase you write a blog for the LA Times.

You're your own biggest fan, and don't realize how embarassing that is because you relish so much in you own sarcastic stylings. What a joke.

This is how you choose to participate in a democracy, huh big man?

And you're welcome reading, and the comment. Obviously you need them both.

(Just look above yours, bucko. You were late with yours.)

[craig seganti]

Good comment--no one can ever complain there are no good candidates when they are not willing to vote for one when there is.

[Ron]

Huckabee stayed in so long to take votes from Paul. The faux Christians wanted one of their own. The GOP knew this.
Paul would (will) have a landslide in November had not the TV media excluded his message.
It is a conspiracy.
And Mr. Malcolm, it's a journalist's job to disprove the conspiracy theorist. Not the other way around.
Just compare media time since Paul and Guliani declared their intent to run.
What are the minutes?
Just give us the facts, please.

(We've written about all of this many times and responded many times on many of the other Ron Paul items we've published. Please read back over them. The Ticket excluded, there wasn't much coverage and he did get less debate time. It looks like a conspiracy, but that gives media folks too much credit. It's partly ignorance. But it's also partly the campaign, which could have done so much more effectively to force the media to pay attention. I've mentioned this before because it's so illustrative. Remember the big money bomb day last fall? That was a Sunday. Do you remember how it was "announced"? In a press release on the website at midnight Sunday night, when everyone, except The Ticket, is in bed. We were waiting for it and had a big immediate item on the new record. But that's no way to get attention. What if there'd been a big ceremony at 10 A.M. Monday morning with 3 Ron Paul supporters presenting a giant $6 million record online check to Dr. Paul for all the cameras to film? Yes, he was ignored. But sometimes there are reasons. You heard Gov. Huckabee complain on-air about not getting his share of debate time. Not Dr. P. Remember, this is supposed to be a competition. Voters want to see the candidates scrap for it.)

[Brent Burk]

Much love.

Who destroyed the campaign? His stupid campaign team. They were incompetent. He should of fired all of them when he raised the first 4million in one day. But, he trusted them too much. :[

[dawn marie clark]

Vote for Dr. Ron Paul - the ONLY statesman of our time!

What a magnificent man!

[Dan]

Well, looks pretty bleak for RP this year.

Still, I think what he has done is to set someone up very well for a run in 2012 who shares his philosophies. If there are very many more banking collapses. If there is a three year recession, and it is severe. If it is accompanied by double digit inflation. If the government cannot meet its obligations and foreign investors stop buying U.B. bonds. If all of this happens, then a guy like Ron Paul will have a window, especially if they are young, charismatic, and photogenic.

I'm not saying all of that or even any of it will happen. It's beyond my capacity to predict these things. But if they do, then the Ron Paul campaign in '08 has created a huge network of grassroots activists who will have a much more attentive audience the next time around.

[dawn marie clark]

i forgot to add - mccain has NOT wrapped up the nomination and that will be his downfall - thinking he has.

mccain = the manchurian candidate

[Minute Man]

The key words in the title of this article are:

True Conservative

Period

[Tara Kelly]

Thank you Mr. Malcolm for posting this article. Ron Paul and those of us supporting his campaign want the messages to reach the general public. Mr. Paul offers the same answers and solutions to whomever his is speaking. He knows the issues. He offers solutions - even if they are a bit painful. He is intelligent. He is honest. Are we ready to hear the truth and make some tough changes for the good of our nation?

I hope others in the media will take a look and follow your lead. Bring us more articles about Ron Paul and his thoughts and solutions. They are worth reading.

[Chip]

I'd glad that Paul will keep his congressional seat; at least there is one person in DC that represents me!

[Amberlicious]

3 cheers and then some for this fantastically unbiased piece. This is well written and tells the facts straight out. I also enjoyed a bit of humor when referring to the other candidates in a manner such as "that Arkansas governor who stayed around forever." That is truly the appropriate lack of praise all of the others in the GOP nominee race deserve to be heralded by.

Not only did Ron Paul bring sound principles for freedom and economic reform, but he out performed every single one of his CFR member competitors. They each had the media behind them telling Americans who to support, while the media blackout Ron Paul received gave all the others a handicap advantage to their campaigns. And still Ron Paul received more financial & military support and grassroots turnout than any of them were capable of creating. It reminds me of the story of the tortoise and the hare. Just let the Bilderberg group funded, warmonger "hare" feel cocky enough to nap while in the lead... as the slow, but steadily building freedom movement walks the tortoise's path to victory... despite the results of our sham election. We will not quit until America is once again a free nation.

Rest assured, we will march faithfully until we see the global elitist, tryannical empire fall to its knees. Love, gratitude, faith and peacefulness are greater forces of nature than control and suppression of life could ever be. Look not at what appears to be. Instead, look within and know that victory is ours and that our numbers and unity of purpose grows stronger with each day.

[MJ]

Ron Paul is publishing a new book in April and it should be a top ten bestseller hopefully number one. Until then tell your local banker to read up on the Federal Reserve and the history of money. RON PAUL 2008

[Vincent M]

I will be donating more to Dr. Paul as I get it. I have to make up for the legions of brain dead McWar followers. Listen up GOP, I will never, and i mean NEVER vote for Juan McSenile! AND there are over 400,000 just like me out there, possibly double that and growing. You have several months to fix things. We are the future of the party and you can no longer carry on ignoring our Constitutional values by supporting McJuan. Yes, this is a threat!

[Loren Schooley]

9 out of 11 black X's ask: What happens if old clogged artery McCain has a stroke trying to beat up a reporter when he gets back from vacation in Iraq?

[Tannim]

Google "Green Zone Follies" for a candid glimpse of the man who thinks he's the GOP nominee.

Then ask yourself if you voted for him, "Why did I make such a boneheaded decision?"

Then go watch any of Dr. Paul's public speeches on YouTube, especially those that accurately predicted this fiscal mess.

Then ask yourself that same question again.

We knew. We warned you. We were ignored. We were disparaged. We were right. We told you so.

Enjoy the reaping of what you sowed.

[Bodybuilding Blog]

You just HAD to say "longshot" didn't you?

(Well, yes, but I warned you so you could skip it. Alas, it's also true.)

[GL]

Dr. Paul had my vote here and will get it in November. He is the only one who made any sense in the debates. His insightful comments about Iraq and monetary policy were never challenged by any of his opponents...because they are true!!! His campaign is waking up the American People albeit slowly.

[Tess]

Mr. Malcolm:

I have enjoyed reading your blog, but would like to make a suggestion. Would you please get with the Editor of the L.A. Times, and see if your work can actually be published in the paper as an article verses a blog on line. I guarantee the sales on that day would skyrocket, if not I will personally send you a check for $20.00. We Ron Paul supporters will not be going away anytime soon.
Thanks for this piece about Ron Paul.

(Well, I'm flattered, Tess. The truth is it's really two different worlds. This online blog is a lot less formal than newspaper writing, one reason I like it so much. And we can write up stuff that might not merit a lot of inches in a newspaper. Every Sunday the newspaper does publish excerpts from 3-4 blog items from the previous week. And that selection is also available online on our Campaign08 page next door here. Each one of those colllections of excerpts also have links back to all of the weekly excerpts starting last June. A lot of Paul supporters seem to think that if it doesn't appear in print in a newspaper, it's not real somehow. The fact is, already this evening this morning's newspaper is going in to line birdcages and under kitty litter pans. And everything we've written since this blog started June 11, 2007 is still right here online for anyone anytime, including the dozens of items on Dr. Paul. A lot of people think printed papers are eventually going to disappear in their current form. I wouldn't know. But I do know from our readership that many more thousands of people will read this item -- in fact, already have -- than would ever even scan the same thing in the printed paper. So you got what you got. Thanks for the suggestion and for reading and re-visiting us.)

[Barney Palmerston]

Contrast the interest in Dr Paul on the internet versus the MSM coverage of the man.

Go ahead, write an article on any candidate or subject, and see if you get a viewer response like when you mention Dr Paul.

Even you Mr Malcolm, have to admit,... that an orchestrated effort by the establishment to mute his message is not a conspiracy, but a blatant reality.

[Parke]

Another goodie Mr. Malcolm.

I stand with T. Jefferson. 'Advertisers are the only truths to be relied upon in newspapers.' After seeing the treatment of Paul by the media.. I cancelled my cable subscription. I get the news I need online, watch what I want all over the net.. I do not like, trust or allow television media anywhere near my home any longer. They dismiss the right to inform us and lead America down a slippery slope that looks to run us into the gates of hell. Or Depression.

Heres a sample of what my newspaper front page would read:
-GOLD $1000/OZ
-DOLLAR CRASHING
-38m ILLEGALS INVADING
-WAR COULD LAST 100 YRS SAYS McCAIN
-NOBODY RUNNING WILL EASE SPENDING
-RIGHTS STRIPPED BECAUSE OF PATRIOT ACT
-TEXAS MOVING FORWARD WITH TCC PLANS
-NORTH AMERICAN UNION IS REAL
-AMERO IS PLANNED NEW CURRENCY WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF SOVEREIGNTY

Only Lou Dobbs will touch the last two on my list. The pansy ass media is either to cowardly, explicitly involved or just plain to stupid to defend Americans. When a tv is near me i hear about whether or not Brintey Spears takes it in the pooper while smoking crack with her kid in the front seat.

Im telling you folks. One day soon a pretty face on a bright screen will tell us with a smile that those bankers have figured out a way to 'bail' us out of our financial situation. Its called the Amero and you can kiss America goodbye.

So to the media:

Eff you
Eff you
Eff you
(Mr. Malcolm) Youre cool
and eff you.

Im out.

[mistermr]

Thank you Mr. Malcolm. The 400,000 donors that have financially supported this campaign are only a small portion of Americans that are searching for real change in D.C.. Clearly the majority of people supporting the Obama camp are also in the hunt for change. I wonder when the two groups merge out of necessity what will come of politics over the next few years. You can be sure that lines will be drawn in the sand between the status quo folks and those that want big changes. Keep up the reporting so we can stay informed on the situation. Besides, this is history in the making and what writer in their right mind wouldn't want this story line.

[sean truitt]

i can see clearly in my mind how the conversation must have went:
the stogie-chomping chief editor of the times, pacing the floor of the blog-closet.
"circulations down, malcolm! what is it? typos? . . .ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!"
"n-n-no sir! n-n-no typos sir. . ."
"there have been several spikes and then NOTHIN! SQUAT! NADA! ZILCH!"
"well. . .it's ron paul, sir."
"WHO?"
". . . .ron paul, sir. it seems that there is some . . . inactivity. . .
"ron paul?" drops cigar from slack jaw.
"yes, well, you see. . .ron paul is the reason for all the internet traffic these last months, and. . ."
"well then get this 'ron paul' person back and let's get this web traffic back up there where it belongs. do this malcolm, or your blog will be lining bird cages from now 'til 2012!"
"yes sir!"
(sound of typing)

thanks andrew!

[dj]

The only one's who sank the Paul campaign are the 9/11 conspiracy whackos and white supremecists who came to the campaign rallys and turned off alot of everyday people, it's guilt by association I love Ron Paul's message but when most people see a guy holding a sign saying "9/11 was a inside job" they dismiss that person and whatever he's associated with

[Tom J]

Christy said:
"Besides, I've already set aside funds to purchase my "Don't Blame Me, I Voted Ron Paul" bumper sticker to replace my Presidential bumper stickers. I was thinking something along the lines of ... Don't blame me I actually checked out my candidates voting record... haven't quite got the wording down the way I want it."

How about a Ron Paul version of:
http://www.barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/

[Jack Richardson]

Word is the Independent Green Party of Virginia has collected over 10,000 petition signatures to put Ron Paul on their Presidential ballot line in November.

[Eloy Gonzalez II]

Wow! Finally a GREAT, accurate, fair and balanced article about Ron Paul! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

RON PAUL 2008!!!

[Andrew]

Thank you Malcom for yet another fair piece on Ron Paul. You have been a great outlet for all of the people that support our man R.P.. The media blackout has been so blatant that alot of people have awakend, we have come to realize the FULL power of our current political system. Its a scary thing. Your post has pointed out the most important thing. This idea of liberty, freedom and small Gov. isn't stoping with Ron Paul. This message will last forever. Thanks again for keepin it real.

[William]

"In the beginning, the patriot is a lonely man, hated and scorned. But once his cause is won, the timid him, for then is costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain

God bless the Ron Paul revolutions. God bless Ron Paul. God bless America.

[Rhys]

good report

[chug]

The "federal" "reserve" is controlled by the likes of the rothchilds, rockefellers, and their globalist cronies in the bilderberg mob. Greenspan, Bernanke, our presidents, English P.M.s, are their puppets, let alone most of our senators and congressmen, except for RON PAUL.

[Trent G.]

Andrew, I love the article. You warned your readers about all of our comments to come, warned us before you mentioned Paul's "Long Shot" at the nomination, and you didn't even name the contenders that have dropped out.

Myself, being a self-proclaimed Paulite (another word for people that share common belief in limited government and that little piece of paper called The Constitution), am growing to really enjoy your articles. Whenever I see A Ron Paul article and it says that it's from the LAT, I always click because you feed my need for news on events that are not reported by most mainstream media outlets. Congratulations, this isn't the first article where you have done a remarkable job, hence the remark. ;-)

[tim, minnesota]

I am life long republican, state delegate looking to make national. Yet in November if my only choice is McCain against a democrat, I vote democrat. Logic is a democrat president is actually proud of the label and I know who they are. McCain is a liberal democrat hiding in republican form. People would have four more years of thinking McCain’s view is Republican and lean toward that thinking when really is democrat views.

[ART DEKKO]

THE FACTS ARE SIMPLYTHAT:

THE PEOPLE CONTROLLING THE MEDIA FEAR RON PAUL ( THE LITTLE DEARS)....
HE STILL CAN WIN....
HE HAS MY FAMILIES VOTES REGARDLESS OF ALL THE IN-JUSTICE....
HE WILL NEED YOURS ALSO.....
THE OTHER CANDIDATES WILL BE DEADLY....
SPREAD THE WORD, AS USUAL, AND THEN SOME!

Last summer my family and I seriously considered relocating to Austra