Ron Paul reports spending $322,000 on deceased campaign in May

According to the latest campaign finance reports filed Friday, Rep. Ron Paul, the 72-year-old libertarian-like Republican congressman from Texas who ended his hopeless presidential race recently to focus on a long-shot, long-term revolution, still managed to spend $321,983 on his White House campaign in its last month.

Paul, a Republican who refuses to acknowledge Arizona Sen. John McCain as the winner of the GOP nomination, ended May with $4.5 million in the bank after all expenses, according to The Times' diligent Dan Morain, who combs through all these political numbers each month.

Paul's fund-raising slowed significantly in May, at least into his presidential account. He reported receipts of only $133,215, a sharp drop from the nearly $20 million he raised in the fourth quarter of 2007 to lead all GOP presidential candidates.

Altogether, Paul has reported net contributions of $34.34 million since early 2007 and campaign expenditures of $29.97 million. He ended the effort with about 1.1 million primary votes, perhaps 24 delegates, no debt and refused to accept federal matching funds for his primary campaign.

If the 10-term congressman holds on to those delegates for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., in early November, that works out to about $1.24 million per delegate, more than moneybags Mitt or New York Rudy spent per delegate won in their losing causes.

Click on the Read more line below to see a detailed accounting of Paul's May spending, which includes $236 for a security hotel room, $14,305.74 for an unidentified credit card payment and $60 for a consultant, which means he wasn't employing Mark Penn.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Eric Thayer / Getty Images

Detailed expense accounting of Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign, May 2008

ACCOUNTING SERVICES    4,255.50 
AIRLINE TRAVEL    37,068.40 
BANQUET TICKETS    1,875.00 
BOOKS/MAGAZINES    712.67 
BOOTH RENTAL    500.00 
BULK PRINTING    2,141.61 
CATERING    892.66 
COMPUTER ACCESS SERVICE    11.95 
COMPUTER SUPPLIES/EXPENSE    425.00 
CONSULTING    60.00 
CONSULTING-POLITICAL FIELD WORK    25,195.00 
CONTRIBUTION REFUND    80,786.91 
CONVENTION SPONSORSHIP    500.00 
CREDIT CARD CONTRIBUTIONS PROCESSING FEE    5,026.93 
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT    14,305.74 
EMAIL SERVICES    3,360.00 
FOOD EXPENSE    4,002.68 
FREIGHT/SHIPPING EXPENSES    8,207.51 
GASOLINE    518.38 
GENERAL POSTAGE EXPENSE    2,424.58 
LIST RENTAL/PURCHASE    200.00 
MEDIA EXPENSE    2,096.48 
MILEAGE EXPENSE    1,428.85 
NEWSPAPER ADS    2,882.00 
OFFICE SUPPLIES    1,463.14 
PARKING EXPENSE    596.89 
PAYROLL PROCESSING FEES    243.19 
PAYROLL TAX EXPENSE    50,634.51 
PHOTO SHOOT    300.00 
POLITICAL FIELD WORK    182.00 
REIMBURSE PHONE EXPENSE    177.55 
REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSES    22,861.38 
RENT EXPENSE    20,034.88 
SALARIES    62,452.59 
SECURITY ACCOMMODATIONS    246.00 
SERVICE CHARGE    270.00 
SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE    862.52 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS    2,247.03 
TELEPHONE EXPENSE    2,309.14 
TRAVEL EXPENSE    1,448.46 
TRAVEL-CAR RENTAL    631.30 
TRAVEL-HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS    3,678.81 
TRAVEL-TAXI EXPENSE    349.00 
UTILITIES    814.15 
VIDEO/DVD PROCESSING    650.00 
WEB DESIGN/HOSTING/MAINT    12,649.02

Photo credit: Wire Image

Comments

[Freedom Fighter]

Just leave it to the lying, manipulative media to call Ron Paul a long shot from the very begginning of his Presidential bid. And now they call the Campaign for Liberty a longshot. WOW! What a bunch of shills!

[john]

McCain is not eligible to be president. The Isman lobbying for billions in main stream media effecting billions in cross ownership issues has presented a couple of meaningless corporate fascist. The Neo-cons and Likud parties are hugely unpopular in by almost two thirds. It is sad what the sheep have for choices. There really is very little difference on meaningful issues. The sheep want Ana Nicole, Natale, Peterson or some wacko ideas from the non conservative Neo-cons in both parties. I guess that is why 48% DON'T VOTE AT ALL... Sad that the MSM did not get behind Paul as the economy sure is doing all he said.. The Neo-cons are going to cook another Gulf of Tonkin is my read.. I am voting for Paul on Write in... I guess the only justice is people get what they deserve.

[Geepa]

One word: SHEEPLE!

[THarms]

LOL, you deadwood press guys just don't get it, do you? You're like dinosaurs trying to comprehend how those furry little critters could possibly hope to be the future.

(You're a riot. Is your screen made of paper? So where do you come as soon as you see the words Ron Paul? Thanks for stopping by -- again.)

[connecticut loves nathan hale!]

Andrew Malcolm is a puzzle wit. Los Angeles has lost it's American identity in a now welcomed flood of illegal immigration. Arise patriots -- time is short and we must educate the public about the dangers of hierarchical society and totalitarian government; and why the Constitution is the greatest document ever written -- a priceless blueprint to freedom and prosperity -- OUR heritage!

[sarah]

this is the dumbest article i've ever read. what a waste of energy you used to type this. ron paul's message is the best thing to have happened to this country in a long time. glad to see you're an american with integrity standing up for what's right and writing about what's wrong.....not. how sad for anyone who takes this article seriously, and how sad of you for writing it. why don't you write about something with a little more substance....for america's sake please!

[Edward]

If the 10-term congressman holds on to those delegates for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., in early November, that works out to about $1.24 million per delegate, more than moneybags Mitt or New York Rudy spent per delegate won in their losing causes.

Gee, Andrew, according to CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=R

Ron Paul got 35 delegates, and Rudy Giuliani got a big ol' goose egg. That would make RG's $/delegate ratio something approaching infinity.

Now, I can accept that your math skills aren't too good... journalism, such as it is, ain't rocket science. But I thought you people were supposed to be good at checking facts.

Congratulations, Andrew... work worthy of Jayson Blair.

Oh wait... he actually had a byline, didn't he? My bad.

[Rosco1776]

Andrew Malcolm = Moron

[Tom deSabla]

As to how much Ron Paul spent...as I've said before, if he received 30 million bucks in donations, that is still nothing

NOTHING

without being included in the news cycle.

(No Andy, your small-minded blog doesn't count.)

Just to clarify the point - to mail ONE first class letter costs 40 cents. That means that a million bucks only lets you mail ONE LETTER to less than 3 million people.

Thirty million bucks just means you can mail ONE LETTER to less than 90 million people - ONE TIME.

Compare that with free coverage in the nation's newspapers on TV programs nearly every single day, which is what people like Guiliani received but Paul did not. That kind of constant, free coverage is crucial to credibility and cannot be bought.

Paul's astounding lack of media coverage has been detailed by the Project for Excellence in Journalism, among others.

There is no comparison. Paul's money wouldn't have been enough if he'd had 100 million bucks.

****

Malcolm, I knew you hadn't changed; I knew you were still a nasty evil hater underneath your supposed "new tone" on Paul. I was right.

Rest assured, there are thousands, maybe tens of thousands, who will never forget you and your "journalism" and "commentary."

I hope that comforts you.

[ron]

Malcolm
Read your bio. Sounds respectable. I don't get it, you don't need the web traffic; or do you just get your kicks from writing silly little articles in your blog and then watch what happens.

Grow up!
You have a duty as a journalist-live up to it!

(Glad you're enjoying the blog and appreciate your regular visits.)

[Joe]

Trying to measure success in a winner-take-all nomination game is easy - one person wins.

Are there other measures of success for the other candidates? Ron Paul got me to become a delegates to our state convention, and he go me to run for (and get elected) city council. I am the grassroots, I am an elected official (small time, but I'm here), and I AM NOT LEAVING.

[Paul]

You are nothing until you hear the words of true freedom! The American dream is of freedom! Not what the party you believe in tells you old fool. Blog away to get ratings and each day the cost increases not to me but to you because I have heard the words and I know they are true. I am taking action and kicking out my body politic. They (dem or GOP) are nothing without money so I give NOW to The Cause for Liberty!!

Your old school system is corrupt and you have wasted space here in the blogspace on a non-issue.

Can you feel the heat? I used to drive the path you took to work today. I waited in line to get on the freeway just like you too! Be afraid because life will not get any better until you face loss of your freedom at the hands of your politicians.

What we have today is the product of a failing two party system.

Ron Paul is the catalysis that started the Revolt in Nevada, Montana, Washington, Texas, Idaho, Arizona and almost every state in our Union.

I and millions more am the engine that will not rest until the Cause for Liberty and Freedom is restored!

The GOP leadership can hear the thunder and soon you will too!

[DG]

I don't know if I'd use the word "hopeless" to describe Dr. Ron Paul's campaign... if anything, I'd describe most of his supporters as "full of hope." ;)

[Web Smith]

There doesn't appear to be criticism in this article. Just facts that there's nothing wrong with.

If Ron was the President and had Congressional support, the country would also be in the black.

Ron's supporters should be celebrating a job well done. The public is now much more aware of government violations of the Constitution and assaults on their freedom. Many more now understand how the government is limiting their freedom through taxation and regulation. Hundreds of thousands of people have been born again and are chanting the word freedom.

Freedom is a powerful word. It creates fear in those who would prevent it and courage in those who would have it.

[eling]

You have a duty as a journalist-live up to it you fool. You say paul is going to focus on a long-shot, long-term revolution and you act like its not happening or serious but do you even believe yourself.

Because of garbage trash written like this I will never ever pay a single cent for an LA times newspaper. This BS you write is so offending, dont you get it. Its prostitutes like you that are the reason this revolution is happening.

WAKE UP DUDE!

[John]

I am from the UK and I have visited a few times. I have to say I really began to dislike the USA over the last few years, and the feeling is widespreas in Europe. However, this Ron Paul character really represents the old USA which we really love, freedom, liberty and truth. America has lost its respect in the world, and unless you can return to these values your country and tradition is lost. Why does your press continue t o support criminal politicians - if your leaders were running over here they would be sacked or in prison for corruption charges! Its time to clean up Washington... and the press.

[richard]

It's clear that this is not a credible accounting for expenses, with some items grossly underestimated.

$520 on gasoline expenses? I spent that on just one fill-up the other day!

[lk]

Y is there a pic of Scarlett Johansen on this page?
Shouldnt it be a pic of ron paul?

Scarlett doesnt support Ron Paul, she supports Obama.

[RaferJanders]

Gosh, Andi, You write some many anti Paul blogs, Makes me wonder, Do you realy have some kind of fetish for the man, Look dude, What are you going to write about after Paul is gone. Shabby and Poorly written at best, at worst another hit piece, I mean In the Union of the Socalist Republic of California, You are a Conservitive?
more like a commie in drag

[Integr8d]

Umm... I think Ron Paul acknowledged McCain as the presumptive nominee, by dropping his bid for the White House. I think the word you meant to use was 'endorse'.

And why would he? Their platforms are at complete odds. For 'the good of the party'? That's so 1950's. And what has the party done anyway? Lose their majority to their opponents? Spend money against all conservative logic? Wage another ideological and endless war?

Sorry. Can't think of a bang to go out with...

[James]

"$1.24 million per delegate"

Dude. You still haven't got it. That main purpose of donating money to his campaign wasn't to get delegates. That money was not spent in order to get delegates. it was spent in order to provide resources for campaigning in order to RAISE HIS POLLING results in order to keep him in the debates and in the news. It's "ABOUT THE MESSAGE." It was not and has never been about trying to becoming president, except for only his most irrational supporters.

[Sandra]

For goodness sakes, he's writing for a blog.

[David Gibson]

Shame on you, Malcom, for using your pen to be so trivial while Rome burns.

[Steve]

Well, I suppose when the media opts to either mock you, or flat out ignore you, and even the leadership of your own party works to keep you marginalized, it costs a little more per delegate. Dr. Paul made it perfectly clear that he would continue to campaign until the primaries were over, which he did. So, if this blog was supposed to be shocking, you missed that mark.

After reading this poorly researched piece, I can understand how it happened that you failed to win the Pulitzer, sir. If you're going to write something about Ron Paul just to draw in an audience on the net, you could at least take five minutes to do your homework.

[Michael Shanklin]

What a terrible piece of journalism. Whether you like Ron Paul or not, you have to agree this is just garbage!