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

[jason]

I read the Ticket quite a bit, and I have to say, even if you have been a little harsh at times, if someone from both sides doesn't walk away pissed it wasn't a fair article. I have seen so much hate and flaming from all sides that I can't help but say; damn good writing, folks.

(Thank you. Glad to have you back. Hope to see you here again soon.)

[zubadub]

Hey Guys,

Cheers for the nice write up, I'm glad you noticed that Paul ran a debt free campaign. How 'bout that...a fella' that leads by example. Who'da thunk it?

At any rate, thank you very sincerely for all of the great coverage during this campaign season, my hat's off to you both.

[Steve]

Ron Paul has way more Freedom fighters than you can imagine.I figure he has at least twice as many the fraud voting machines say.And there are alot more that are getting sick and tired of being run over by the corrupt potiticians.Tired of these people trying to make laws that never intended to be laws set by our fore fathers.They warned us about this very problem we have to day.OUR 2ND AMENDMENT IS NOT UP FOR SALE,SO JUST BACK OFF TRYING TO MAKE LAWS TO BAN GUNS.That is not for the so called judges to even debate.Youll be glad we have them when we are invaded! We need new leaders,the ones we have are broke.

[MJ]

Thank you for this article. I am so glad to see that media is aware of politicians who live within their means. Ron Paul's campaign is the archetype for fiscal responsiblity, sincerity, and CONSTITUTIONALITY. Now that I see how well Dr. Paul manages money I feel further inspired to donate more and to buy presents from his campaign store.
Presidency or not Dr. Paul's campaign is changing the country. Enlightening thousands of CONSERVATIVES who felt abandoned by the REPUBLICAN party.

[Cryo]

You forgot... the only candidate with a... BLIMP!

[Drew]

Don't lose hope yet, I just came from my SD convention in San Antonio - It could have been a pep rally for Ron Paul!! Lots of us are going to Houston, stay tuned!

[martin]

Im writing this as a Brit, on verge of getting my Green Card. Ive viewed Dr Paul from afar, throughout the campaign, with delight and was blessed to see him on the rump whilst i was visiting Durham, NC.
He makes me feel 'proud to be an American' before i even am one!
I see him as Obi Ron Kenobi...and his loyal, intelligent, awake and aware support base collectively as Princess Leia, crying out in the midst of their unconscious com-Patriots - "Help us Obi Ron, You're our only Hope!".
The Empire might win this round Team Ron Rebels...but we all know how the movie ended.
Don't lose Faith...the Truth will out...Good will conquer Evil!
May the Ron Force be with you!