Author: José A. Cruz
People's Weekly World Newspaper, 01/10/08 13:09
NASHUA, N.H. — As voters came out in record numbers for a presidential primary here, Jan. 8, the great majority could agree on one thing: the need for a new direction for the country, away from the Bush/Cheney policies.
Many voters said they only made up their minds about who to vote for in the last few days before the primary, and many came to the polls without having made a decision.
Shopping at a mall in southern New Hampshire before he voted, Tim Welles expressed the mood of many in the state, saying, “Things got to change in America.” President Bush has let “jobs leave the country” while using tax dollars for “a stupid war,” Welles said. His anger, he said, was in part because he had to leave school to work when the plant where his stepfather worked closed. “I want to vote for someone who is different, maybe Obama or McCain,” he said.
New Hampshire handed a much-needed but slim win to Hillary Clinton with 39 percent of the vote, over Barack Obama’s 36 percent, and John Edwards’ 17 percent. Bill Richardson got 5 percent while Dennis Kucinich got 1 percent.
Thanking her supporters, Clinton sounded an anti-corporate note, saying, “The oil companies, the drug companies, the health insurance companies, the predatory student loan companies have had seven years of a president who stands up for them. It’s time we had a president who stands up for all of you.” Clinton and Obama each won nine convention delegates and Edwards won four. The race for the Democratic nomination is now in a virtual three-way tie, with Obama at a total of 25 delegates, Clinton 23 and Edwards 19.
On the GOP side John McCain won with 37 percent of the vote, defeating “favorite son” Mitt Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, who drew 32 percent. Mike Huckabee, who finished first in Iowa, came in third with 11 percent, Rudy Giuliani had 9 percent and Ron Paul drew 8 percent.
For workers here, jobs were a major concern.
“After the devastating impact of NAFTA on manufacturing and the middle class, this election more than ever is the most important election,” said Bill Pienta, Northeast regional director for the Steelworkers union. “There is no alternative to getting candidates speaking on the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs.”
Some 50-60 Steelworker volunteers spent the last weekend campaigning for Edwards here. Pienta credited Edwards with bringing the concerns of unions and workers into the presidential debates.
Michael Atkins and Silvia Gale reflected the varying views of voters here. Both are both board members of a local child advocacy agency. “Silvia and I believe in the same things — we just have a difference on who is the best person to lead,” Atkins, a lawyer, said as he held a Clinton sign.
Holding an Obama sign, Gale, a children’s advocate, said this year’s election is especially important because “we’re in a perilous state.” The outcome, she said, “affects our country and the globe.”
“As a life-long feminist, reproductive issues are really important to me,” Gale said. But the number one issue, in her view, is “putting an end to an unnecessary war that is robbing our upcoming generation.” Gale noted that, at her polling place, an older woman had told her, “It’s because of Barack Obama that I’m here voting. I have never voted in a primary election before.”
Born in El Salvador, Ester González, a medical assistant at a health clinic in Nashua, said her main concern is immigration reform. “I’m going to pick someone who is going to fix the status of people who don’t have any papers,” as a way to start “fixing” what’s wrong in the world, she said as she walked into her polling place with her husband and toddler son.
In Manchester, Margarita Jamie said she and her husband David were concerned about issues relating to working people. “We’ve been slammed in getting help from the government,” she said emphatically. “It’s important for me to get my vote in because it’s important for that to get taken care of and also health care is a big issue for me, too.” Jamie said health insurance costs have “gone skyrocket high and they should make it more affordable, especially for the middle-class people that are trying to make ends meet.”
On a record-breaking warm day, a record-breaking 453,000 voters turned out for the primary. In some places, poll workers had to make photocopies of ballots in order to have enough. Some precincts reported having to swear in poll workers as deputy registrars to handle the influx of voters registering for the first time on primary day. New Hampshire is one of a few states that allow same-day registration.
Susan Webb contributed to this article.
I found this info. at http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/12296/1/405
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Youth Vote Soars In N.H. Primary
This story was written by Allie Lowe, The DartmouthYouth voters came out for this year's New Hampshire primary in dramatically higher numbers than in past contests, as 53,000 more voters under the age of 30 headed to the polls than in 2004 . On Tuesday, the youth vote revived Sen. John McCain's, R-Ariz., ailing campaign and helped Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., secure a close second-place finish.
Forty-three percent of eligible New Hampshire voters under age 30 participated in Tuesday's vote, a dramatic increase from the 18 and 28 percent participation rates in the 2004 and 2000 primaries, according to a report by The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a nonpartisan research center that studies youth civic engagement.
Obama received 60 percent of the 18 to 24-year old vote in the state, while Clinton received 22 percent of this demographic. Among voters aged 25 to 29, Clinton narrowly beat out Obama, gaining 27 percent of the vote to Obama's 25 percent.
Clinton was dominant among older voters, gaining the highest share in every category of voters over age 40, including 48 percent among voters 65 and older. Obama received 32 percent of the votes from this group.
On the Republican side, McCain won the youth vote, earning 27 percent of the 18 to 24-year old vote and besting Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who gained the next highest share with 19 percent. McCain garnered the highest percentage of votes among every age division except those voters 65 and older, a group that tended to vote in favor of former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass.
The stark contrast between statewide outcomes and the results according to exit polls in Hanover and Durham County, which is home to the University of New Hampshire, have revealed the importance of the youth vote to Obama's campaign. In comparison to his 36.4 percent tally in the state as a whole, which left him just short of Clinton's 39 percent, Obama garnered 48 percent of the vote in Durham, besting Clinton's 30 percent.
In Hanover, where Dartmouth students comprise of approximately half the population, this difference was even more striking, as Obama gained 58 percent of the vote to Clinton's 26 percent.
An exit poll conducted by The Dartmouth that surveyed 351 voters leaving the Hanover polls indicates that the war in Iraq and health care were among the issues most important to Hanover voters. The exit polls measured votes to within three percent of official results,
Obama's support among students was critical in eliminating Clinton's previous commanding lead in the state, Dartmouth government professor Dean Lacy said.
"Student voters played an incredibly strong role for Senator Obama," Lacy said. "He made up a 15 point deficit in the polls as of just a few weeks ago."
Dartmouth government professor Linda Fowler, while noting that she had not yet examined exit poll data, said the early date for this year's primary may have deterred a number of potential student voters. Most students have not yet returned to UNH, which will commence its spring semester classes on Jan. 22.
Fowler also pointed out that the lack of time allowed for registration efforts may have affected turnout among students. In past years a later primary date allowed registration efforts to take place several days before the vote, but this year, many students were forced to register on the day of the primaries, which caused long lines at the Hanover polls.
"Maybe it wasn't the difference between a win and a loss, but it would have probably put [Obama] closer," Fowler said.
McCain's support among younger voters, Lacy said, likely came as a surprise to Paul's campaign, which had been banking on securing a large percentage of the student vote.
"On the Republican side, I think more younger Republicans look to [McCain] as a long-time party leader who is also abit of an independent," Lacy said. "Ron Paul's message just hasn't caught on with younger Republicans as much as the Paul campaign had hoped."
Jennifer Bandy '09, vice president of the Dartmouth College Republicans, said McCain's popularity among Dartmouth voters may have been correlated to McCain's multiple visits to Dartmouth's campus, which she called "emblematic" of his efforts to court New Hampshire's overall youth vote.
"I'm not surprised. He made the effort to come by twice," Bandy said, pointing to McCain's most recent visit on Monday. "We haven't had visits from other candidates as recently."
McCain's support among young voters represents a departure from a Republican party that has struggled to court young voters in the wake of the current administration, Fowler said.
"McCain's support among young people was kind of an anomaly - but then again he's not a typical Republican candidate." Fowler said, adding that McCain is a more conservative candidate than some voters may realize.
Tuesday's high youth voter turnout mirrors youth voter increases in Iowa, where participation in the caucuses rose from 4 percent in 2004 to 18 percent in this year's contest. In 2000, Iowa saw only two percent of youth participation in its caucuses, CIRCLE reported.
"The broader story here is the huge increase in the youth vote in general," Mike Heslin '08, president of the New Hampshire College Democrats, said.
There has been controversy over the role of student voters in both Iowa and New Hampshire in recent years.
In 2006, New Hampshire legislation that would have made it far more difficult for students to establish domicile in the state, was vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, D-N.H., after lobbying by Dartmouth students.
In April 2007, the New Hampshire Senate passed two bills that solidified students' right to vote in the state after establishing domicile.
At Dartmouth, Heslin pointed to the efforts of both campaigns and student groups as major contributors to Tuesday's high youth turnout.
"And the students themselves can't go overlooked," Heslin said. "When it comes down to it they were the ones who had to go to the polls and cast those votes."
I found this at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/10/politics/uwire/main3698115.shtml
Forty-three percent of eligible New Hampshire voters under age 30 participated in Tuesday's vote, a dramatic increase from the 18 and 28 percent participation rates in the 2004 and 2000 primaries, according to a report by The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a nonpartisan research center that studies youth civic engagement.
Obama received 60 percent of the 18 to 24-year old vote in the state, while Clinton received 22 percent of this demographic. Among voters aged 25 to 29, Clinton narrowly beat out Obama, gaining 27 percent of the vote to Obama's 25 percent.
Clinton was dominant among older voters, gaining the highest share in every category of voters over age 40, including 48 percent among voters 65 and older. Obama received 32 percent of the votes from this group.
On the Republican side, McCain won the youth vote, earning 27 percent of the 18 to 24-year old vote and besting Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who gained the next highest share with 19 percent. McCain garnered the highest percentage of votes among every age division except those voters 65 and older, a group that tended to vote in favor of former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass.
The stark contrast between statewide outcomes and the results according to exit polls in Hanover and Durham County, which is home to the University of New Hampshire, have revealed the importance of the youth vote to Obama's campaign. In comparison to his 36.4 percent tally in the state as a whole, which left him just short of Clinton's 39 percent, Obama garnered 48 percent of the vote in Durham, besting Clinton's 30 percent.
In Hanover, where Dartmouth students comprise of approximately half the population, this difference was even more striking, as Obama gained 58 percent of the vote to Clinton's 26 percent.
An exit poll conducted by The Dartmouth that surveyed 351 voters leaving the Hanover polls indicates that the war in Iraq and health care were among the issues most important to Hanover voters. The exit polls measured votes to within three percent of official results,
Obama's support among students was critical in eliminating Clinton's previous commanding lead in the state, Dartmouth government professor Dean Lacy said.
"Student voters played an incredibly strong role for Senator Obama," Lacy said. "He made up a 15 point deficit in the polls as of just a few weeks ago."
Dartmouth government professor Linda Fowler, while noting that she had not yet examined exit poll data, said the early date for this year's primary may have deterred a number of potential student voters. Most students have not yet returned to UNH, which will commence its spring semester classes on Jan. 22.
Fowler also pointed out that the lack of time allowed for registration efforts may have affected turnout among students. In past years a later primary date allowed registration efforts to take place several days before the vote, but this year, many students were forced to register on the day of the primaries, which caused long lines at the Hanover polls.
"Maybe it wasn't the difference between a win and a loss, but it would have probably put [Obama] closer," Fowler said.
McCain's support among younger voters, Lacy said, likely came as a surprise to Paul's campaign, which had been banking on securing a large percentage of the student vote.
"On the Republican side, I think more younger Republicans look to [McCain] as a long-time party leader who is also abit of an independent," Lacy said. "Ron Paul's message just hasn't caught on with younger Republicans as much as the Paul campaign had hoped."
Jennifer Bandy '09, vice president of the Dartmouth College Republicans, said McCain's popularity among Dartmouth voters may have been correlated to McCain's multiple visits to Dartmouth's campus, which she called "emblematic" of his efforts to court New Hampshire's overall youth vote.
"I'm not surprised. He made the effort to come by twice," Bandy said, pointing to McCain's most recent visit on Monday. "We haven't had visits from other candidates as recently."
McCain's support among young voters represents a departure from a Republican party that has struggled to court young voters in the wake of the current administration, Fowler said.
"McCain's support among young people was kind of an anomaly - but then again he's not a typical Republican candidate." Fowler said, adding that McCain is a more conservative candidate than some voters may realize.
Tuesday's high youth voter turnout mirrors youth voter increases in Iowa, where participation in the caucuses rose from 4 percent in 2004 to 18 percent in this year's contest. In 2000, Iowa saw only two percent of youth participation in its caucuses, CIRCLE reported.
"The broader story here is the huge increase in the youth vote in general," Mike Heslin '08, president of the New Hampshire College Democrats, said.
There has been controversy over the role of student voters in both Iowa and New Hampshire in recent years.
In 2006, New Hampshire legislation that would have made it far more difficult for students to establish domicile in the state, was vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, D-N.H., after lobbying by Dartmouth students.
In April 2007, the New Hampshire Senate passed two bills that solidified students' right to vote in the state after establishing domicile.
At Dartmouth, Heslin pointed to the efforts of both campaigns and student groups as major contributors to Tuesday's high youth turnout.
"And the students themselves can't go overlooked," Heslin said. "When it comes down to it they were the ones who had to go to the polls and cast those votes."
I found this at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/10/politics/uwire/main3698115.shtml
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Ron Paul Debate: Fox News and New Hampshire
By Tim Morgan
Jan 6, 2008
Should Ron Paul be invited to the Fox News debate in New Hampshire? The US Congressman from Texas is know inside of Washington, DC as "Dr. No" and that's the answer that he has received from Fox News as he has tried to get into the last debate before the New Hampshire primary. It's a ridiculous move by Fox, but as bad as the debate on ABC News was on Saturday it likely won't make any difference.
The New Hampshire Republican Party was a co-sponsor to the debate but they have pulled out as they think the move by Fox is elitist and unfair. State party Chairman Fergus Cullen has decided that he wants no part of the debate unless all of the candidates are invited citing New Hampshire's "underdog" status. That sounds about right, but Fox has likely made a favorable move for the Paul campaign.
He is getting a lot of mileage claiming that he has been wronged by the network. He claims that Fox does not like the fact that he is anti-war. That's a fair charge, and it certainly is a poor move by Fox to exclude him. You really don't need polls, he finished fifth in Iowa with 9.99% of the vote. Paul's supporters predicted a big upset and perhaps even a third place finish in Iowa.
He didn't get it but he was only three percent behind John McCain and Fred Thompson, both who will be at the debate. He finished ahead of Rudy Giuliani in Iowa, and he invited as well. If you want to use polls the latest Rasmussen Reports Survey has him tied for third place in New Hampshire with Iowa winner Mike Huckabee at eleven percent (11%) making Fox look even more foolish. Fred Thompson is at four percent (4%) in the state in that poll, and Rudy is only at nine percent (9%).
Still, I think the snub helps Paul. These debates on the Republican side have been useless of late, and Paul can fire up his support by claiming the exclusion is unfair and even with all of his support and his campaign cash he is being blacklisted by Fox. And the good thing for Paul, he would be right.
All that said I still believe that Fox should do the right thing and in light of this last Rasmussen poll should reverse their decision and tell Dr. No, yes you are welcome at the Sunday night debate.
I found this piece at http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272618090.shtml
Jan 6, 2008
Should Ron Paul be invited to the Fox News debate in New Hampshire? The US Congressman from Texas is know inside of Washington, DC as "Dr. No" and that's the answer that he has received from Fox News as he has tried to get into the last debate before the New Hampshire primary. It's a ridiculous move by Fox, but as bad as the debate on ABC News was on Saturday it likely won't make any difference.
The New Hampshire Republican Party was a co-sponsor to the debate but they have pulled out as they think the move by Fox is elitist and unfair. State party Chairman Fergus Cullen has decided that he wants no part of the debate unless all of the candidates are invited citing New Hampshire's "underdog" status. That sounds about right, but Fox has likely made a favorable move for the Paul campaign.
He is getting a lot of mileage claiming that he has been wronged by the network. He claims that Fox does not like the fact that he is anti-war. That's a fair charge, and it certainly is a poor move by Fox to exclude him. You really don't need polls, he finished fifth in Iowa with 9.99% of the vote. Paul's supporters predicted a big upset and perhaps even a third place finish in Iowa.
He didn't get it but he was only three percent behind John McCain and Fred Thompson, both who will be at the debate. He finished ahead of Rudy Giuliani in Iowa, and he invited as well. If you want to use polls the latest Rasmussen Reports Survey has him tied for third place in New Hampshire with Iowa winner Mike Huckabee at eleven percent (11%) making Fox look even more foolish. Fred Thompson is at four percent (4%) in the state in that poll, and Rudy is only at nine percent (9%).
Still, I think the snub helps Paul. These debates on the Republican side have been useless of late, and Paul can fire up his support by claiming the exclusion is unfair and even with all of his support and his campaign cash he is being blacklisted by Fox. And the good thing for Paul, he would be right.
All that said I still believe that Fox should do the right thing and in light of this last Rasmussen poll should reverse their decision and tell Dr. No, yes you are welcome at the Sunday night debate.
I found this piece at http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272618090.shtml
Ron Paul will be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul will be appearing on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Monday, one day before the New Hampshire primaries.
Coming off an impressive showing in Iowa, the Texas Congressman will be a Leno guest as the comedian continues to work without the aid of writers. On his first night back on the air Leno had Republican candidate Mike Huckabee on the show.
Ron Paul will tape the show and then head back to New Hampshire where he will hold a Primary Party at 8:30 p.m. Paul was left off the invitation list for the FOX News Republican roundtable forum scheduled for Sunday evening, a decision that will likely be a topic of discussion when he speaks with Leno.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno featuring Ron Paul as a guest will air on Monday night at 11:35 p.m. ET.
I will be putting a youtube video up after the show.
New Spot: "Troops Support Ron Paul"
By Sarah Lovenheim | January 4, 2008; 5:12 PM ET
Republican Ron Paul is out with a new TV ad, set to run in New Hampshire through Tuesday's primary, stressing his military credentials.
Patriotic music booms. Soldiers salute. The announcer begins: "A proud military veteran who served our nation. Ron Paul salutes and supports our troops who protect and defend our freedom." A flag waves. The announcer continues, "But who do the troops support? Ron Paul. The record shows they're standing up for him." The ad concludes: "Ron Paul is their choice for commander-in-chief."
His campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said Paul "has long been a praised as staunch advocate for veterans' issues." Still, he "wants to bring the troops home from Iraq" because he would rather America "never again sends out brave soldiers to war unless doing so is necessary for our defense," according to Benton. Whether his anti-war message will appeal to New Hampshire veterans is hard to say.
I found this article at http://blog.washingtonpost.com/channel-08/2008/01/new_spot_troops_support_ron_pa.html
Republican Ron Paul is out with a new TV ad, set to run in New Hampshire through Tuesday's primary, stressing his military credentials.
Patriotic music booms. Soldiers salute. The announcer begins: "A proud military veteran who served our nation. Ron Paul salutes and supports our troops who protect and defend our freedom." A flag waves. The announcer continues, "But who do the troops support? Ron Paul. The record shows they're standing up for him." The ad concludes: "Ron Paul is their choice for commander-in-chief."
His campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said Paul "has long been a praised as staunch advocate for veterans' issues." Still, he "wants to bring the troops home from Iraq" because he would rather America "never again sends out brave soldiers to war unless doing so is necessary for our defense," according to Benton. Whether his anti-war message will appeal to New Hampshire veterans is hard to say.
I found this article at http://blog.washingtonpost.com/channel-08/2008/01/new_spot_troops_support_ron_pa.html
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
I tried to send this e- mail to rmurdoch@newscorp.com who is for the fox network I, as a citizen of the United States would like to know why anyone would be excluded from any debate? If someone is a candidate and they want thier views heard, how is it possible that someone has the right to stop them? They have as much right to be at the debate as any other candidate. I am not questioning you as a person, but I would like some answers, and I come to you for them. This is my first time getting involved in an election, and the one person I like the most seems to be getting the worst treatment from the networks, and I don't know why. So if you can, please help me.
THANK YOU, SENCERLY
CONFUSED
And it would not go thru, I don't know why, maybe someone out there might, if so please let me know thank you
THANK YOU, SENCERLY
CONFUSED
And it would not go thru, I don't know why, maybe someone out there might, if so please let me know thank you
Monday, December 31, 2007
Antiwar America Unite!
by peacecandidates.com (Posted by Nadia) Page 1 of 1 page(s)
http://www.opednews.com
Antiwar America Unite!
impeach_pollIf 80% of America wants to End the War & Impeach Bush, why can't we accomplish our goals?
We have been unsuccessful thus far because we are not united. And why is that? Because many of the anti-war 'leaders' are actually government plants operating in the cointelpro tradition of infiltrate, disrupt and discredit.
Does that sound outlandish to you? Do you still think we're a free country and our government would never use fascist tactics like that? Well it's true.
* Police spies chosen to lead war protest
* Police Infiltrate Protest Groups, Incite Violence
* Pentagon spying on Peace Groups & Quakers
These are not isolated incidents, but a nationwide pattern.
In my little hometown, the anti-war leaders love to march on the beach, or stand in silence with their little signs, but if one suggests we take the truth to the local public radio station, ask for a community dialogue about the war and reasons for impeachment- they are 100% opposed to the idea. Not only were they against it, they did everything in their power to prevent a community discussion- just sign these petitions and go home.
It turns out many antiwar websites are also run by the same type of cointelpro goons. Their goal is not to end the war, but to distract and stall the antiwar movement. These 'fake antiwar' websites refuse to post articles with concrete actions citizens can take to reclaim the country, but they will post just about anything and everything else to keep you busy reading, because that's harmless.
This is why the war continues, because we are divided by cointelpro agents locally and cointelpro websites nationally.
To end the war, antiwar Americans need to wake up to these cointelpro tactics and UNITE. It's not about democrat vs republican- that is just more of the same divide and conquer strategy. Most of America wants the war to end, but do they realize that voting 20 more democrats into Congress this fall will accomplish nothing. Look at Pelosi and Reid- they are not alone as Bush enablers, they were voted to 'lead' by the majority of Dems, ie if we had real Dems in DC, they would have booted Pelosi and Reid a long time ago.
To get real change we need to flush the House, we need to get rid of all the career politicians and put fresh faces in DC. We need to organize true Peace Candidates in every state.
This is a real plan, something actionable that every American can participate in- the goal being to recruit and organize regular Americans to run for Congress.
Sure we can't beat the big money candidates one on one, but if we all unite under a common platform of End the War and Restore the Constitution- then yes we could win.
The goal is to End the War and Take Back America from the corporations- who is truly on our side?
ps- for all you Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich backers- consider this plan B. Recall 2004, the antiwar movement was behind Howard Dean, when he collapsed so did the movement. We need a people's movement that cannot be crushed by the failure of our candidate(s).
I found this at http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_peacecan_071231_antiwar_america_unit.htm
Ron Paul Blimp To Reach 70,000 Voters At Capital One Bowl
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The Capitol One Bowl Tuesday was set to pit Florida against Michigan.
Besides their teams in the big game, the two states have one other thing in common: both are holding presidential primaries in January.
At least one candidate has taken advantage of having all those voters in one place.
The Ron Paul campaign planned to put a blimp up over the Citrus Bowl Tuesday before the game, so more than 70,000 fans attending the Capital One Bowl would be able to see it pass by the arena.
The blimp has already flown around Central Florida. It was spotted over the Mall at Millenia Sunday.
The blimp had not received clearance to fly over the Citrus Bowl, so it would have to move to three miles away from the arena before the game's opening kickoff, and it would not be permitted to return until one hour after the game.
Michigan holds its primary on Jan. 15, while Florida's was scheduled for Jan. 29.
This story was found at http://www.cfnews13.com/Features/BowlBlitz/2007/12/31/ron_paul_blimp_to_reach_70000_voters_at_citrus_bowl1.html
Belief in Ron Paul rallies young Iowa volunteers
By KEN HERMAN
Cox News Servi
Published on: 12/31/07
BOONE, Iowa — The polls say one thing. The Pauls say another.
Despite surveys indicating a Ron Paul presidency is about as likely as a balmy January day in Iowa, young supporters who have flocked to his campaign remain upbeat as Thursday's Iowa caucuses approach.
"Do I expect him to be president? I think so," said John Zambenini, a 22-year-old Dayton, Ohio native who became the campaign's Iowa spokesman in October, a month after he first heard the name Ron Paul. "I think the more Americans know about Ron Paul they will realize we cannot afford not to have him as president."
Paul's Iowa campaign claims more than 300 volunteers from 39 states and four foreign countries. Most are bivouacked at seven camps around the state and driven into towns for door-to-door campaigning.
"It's like herding cats," said Jeff Frazee, a Houston native and Texas A&M graduate who is Paul's national youth coordinator.
At a YMCA Camp in Boone rented by the campaign, Frazee on Sunday gave the 8:30 a.m. pep talk to volunteers who signed up for "Ron Paul's Christmas Vacation in Iowa." Participants were reminded in advance to bring "bathroom supplies (toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc. — medication" and "warm/nice clothes ? you will be representing Ron Paul to Iowans, don't be a slob."
A "What NOT to bring" list included "alcohol/drugs" and "guns, knives, fireworks."
Many, like University of Georgia senior Andrew Pierson of Atlanta, are doing something they never saw themselves doing.
"It's 70 degrees back in Georgia," he said Sunday (overshooting the actual Atlanta high by about 20 degrees) as he headed out on a 14-degree morning to go door to door in Des Moines. "Why am I here? I'm here for Ron Paul."
For Pierson, 21 and already "disgusted with politicians and politics," Paul is someone to believe in.
"I thought they were all corrupt. And then I heard about Ron Paul and he really just made me rethink everything," said Pierson, sporting a University of Georgia sweatshirt as one of his layers of clothing against the cold.
After the Thursday caucuses, Pierson will make a 24-hour Greyhound bus trip back to Atlanta.
For Texan Brittney Lowery, 20, the Paul camp is a combination of love and politics. It is, she said, "sort of our honeymoon." Lowery and Adam Weibling, who's also here, got married Oct. 5.
"I've never done anything like this before," Lowery, a University of Houston student, said of campaigning for Paul.
In the face of polls that say otherwise, the young people who gathered here Sunday before fanning out to knock on doors are convinced President Ron Paul will take the oath in January 2009.
"The thing that nobody notices in the polls is that 60 percent of the people have still never heard of him," said 19-year-old Matt Strunk of Vero Beach, Fla., who first saw Paul on "The Colbert Report." "So once his message gets out, that's really all it takes for him to win."
Texas Tech senior Kevin McBride of Bridgeport, Texas, says Paul will win because "the alternative is unacceptable."
The enthusiasm is stoked by a campaign that says the stakes are high.
"Iowa is a key state in the political process," according to the campaign's in-house guide to the caucuses, "and Ron Paul may be our last hope for America."
Dayton native Zambenini came to Iowa with recent experience in accomplishing uphill goals a little at a time. After graduating from Asbury College in Kentucky last May, he got on his bike in Norfolk, Va., and pedaled until he reached San Francisco 53 days later.
At 22, he typifies Pauldom, categorizing himself as a Republican who is "quite disenfranchised with the war and things like that" and fed up with President Bush, who he brands a "tax-and-spend politician."
"Finally," he said of Paul, "a candidate I felt like I could get behind."
I found this article at http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/12/31/caucuspaul_1230.html
Cox News Servi
Published on: 12/31/07
BOONE, Iowa — The polls say one thing. The Pauls say another.
Despite surveys indicating a Ron Paul presidency is about as likely as a balmy January day in Iowa, young supporters who have flocked to his campaign remain upbeat as Thursday's Iowa caucuses approach.
"Do I expect him to be president? I think so," said John Zambenini, a 22-year-old Dayton, Ohio native who became the campaign's Iowa spokesman in October, a month after he first heard the name Ron Paul. "I think the more Americans know about Ron Paul they will realize we cannot afford not to have him as president."
Paul's Iowa campaign claims more than 300 volunteers from 39 states and four foreign countries. Most are bivouacked at seven camps around the state and driven into towns for door-to-door campaigning.
"It's like herding cats," said Jeff Frazee, a Houston native and Texas A&M graduate who is Paul's national youth coordinator.
At a YMCA Camp in Boone rented by the campaign, Frazee on Sunday gave the 8:30 a.m. pep talk to volunteers who signed up for "Ron Paul's Christmas Vacation in Iowa." Participants were reminded in advance to bring "bathroom supplies (toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc. — medication" and "warm/nice clothes ? you will be representing Ron Paul to Iowans, don't be a slob."
A "What NOT to bring" list included "alcohol/drugs" and "guns, knives, fireworks."
Many, like University of Georgia senior Andrew Pierson of Atlanta, are doing something they never saw themselves doing.
"It's 70 degrees back in Georgia," he said Sunday (overshooting the actual Atlanta high by about 20 degrees) as he headed out on a 14-degree morning to go door to door in Des Moines. "Why am I here? I'm here for Ron Paul."
For Pierson, 21 and already "disgusted with politicians and politics," Paul is someone to believe in.
"I thought they were all corrupt. And then I heard about Ron Paul and he really just made me rethink everything," said Pierson, sporting a University of Georgia sweatshirt as one of his layers of clothing against the cold.
After the Thursday caucuses, Pierson will make a 24-hour Greyhound bus trip back to Atlanta.
For Texan Brittney Lowery, 20, the Paul camp is a combination of love and politics. It is, she said, "sort of our honeymoon." Lowery and Adam Weibling, who's also here, got married Oct. 5.
"I've never done anything like this before," Lowery, a University of Houston student, said of campaigning for Paul.
In the face of polls that say otherwise, the young people who gathered here Sunday before fanning out to knock on doors are convinced President Ron Paul will take the oath in January 2009.
"The thing that nobody notices in the polls is that 60 percent of the people have still never heard of him," said 19-year-old Matt Strunk of Vero Beach, Fla., who first saw Paul on "The Colbert Report." "So once his message gets out, that's really all it takes for him to win."
Texas Tech senior Kevin McBride of Bridgeport, Texas, says Paul will win because "the alternative is unacceptable."
The enthusiasm is stoked by a campaign that says the stakes are high.
"Iowa is a key state in the political process," according to the campaign's in-house guide to the caucuses, "and Ron Paul may be our last hope for America."
Dayton native Zambenini came to Iowa with recent experience in accomplishing uphill goals a little at a time. After graduating from Asbury College in Kentucky last May, he got on his bike in Norfolk, Va., and pedaled until he reached San Francisco 53 days later.
At 22, he typifies Pauldom, categorizing himself as a Republican who is "quite disenfranchised with the war and things like that" and fed up with President Bush, who he brands a "tax-and-spend politician."
"Finally," he said of Paul, "a candidate I felt like I could get behind."
I found this article at http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/12/31/caucuspaul_1230.html
Saturday, December 29, 2007
British Newspaper Group Supports Ron Paul's Financial Policy -- Dollar Could Drop Further 50 Percent in Value
The Dollar could fall to half or one-third of its existing value -- British Newspaper and Media Group announces 100 percent support for Ron Paul on Republic Radio. Ron Paul's Ideas are heralded on air as the catalyst for the end of communism in China. International support for Ron Paul's message exceeds all expectation.
Download video!
At the last US election the people did not have universal access to Google and YouTube. Today they do and truth is speeding its way across this world at rate that even those who own the mainstream media have not yet fully woken up to.
(PRWEB) December 29, 2007 -- With his song and video for Ron Paul climbing up the international YouTube charts, John Mappin was invited onto Republic Radio by Fred Smart in the US Midwest where he was interviewed from Camelot Castle, England. (The Mythological Birthplace of King Arthur)
You can hear the whole interview here:
http://www.camelotcastle.com/download/Interview_on_Republic_Radio.mp3
Speaking later along the same lines to his Media Finance Group, Mappin spoke of the unprecedented international support for Ron Paul's ideas.
"If the the financial management of the US over the last few years had been perpetrated by a foreign power other than the US government, it could be considered an act of war.
"Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate whose policies could prevent a dramatic devaluation of the dollar."
"In the absence of a Paul presidency it is not impossible that the dollar could fall in value against other currencies by as much as half or even two-thirds."
"The US is essentially bankrupt with approximately $156,000 of government debt for every man woman and child in the US on its balance sheet. On top of that individuals have been oversold personal debt and credit. And the biggest US corporations, in debt and over leveraged, are themselves heavily dependent on the international bankers willingness to lend."
"Chinese money is currently supporting the US credit system and effectively funding the war."
Mappin, who had been invited to speak on Republic Radio in the US Midwest, was clear in his support for Ron Paul and pointed out that Paul's ideas and his "Freedom Message" may well also catalyse the end of Communism in China as we know it.
"Just wait till the youth in China really gets the Ron Paul message and the Freedom purpose. You think 1989 Tiananmen Square shook the world. Think again! Just watch what happens when the youth and middle class in China and India get it."
Mappin's interview on Republic Radio also illuminated that there are many journalists that work in mainstream media that agree completely with Ron Paul and his policy. He highlighted the simplicity that those mainstream media owners that attempt to block the truth from being communicated on media lines will ultimately lose their franchises, compromise their position in the free marketplace and lose the trust of the public.
"At the last US election the people did not have universal access to Google and YouTube. Today they do and truth is speeding its way across this world at rate that even those who own the mainstream media have not yet fully woken up to."
John Mappin's Song for Ron Paul was aired on Republic Radio. You can hear the whole song here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jQpeldFJG_Y
John Mappin also appeared in support of Ron Paul on Iranian TV in the UK last week:
www.camelotcastle.com/download/1217_THE%20AGENDA.wmv
This show can also be viewed in its entirety at Press TV's web site:
Click this link below and then click the video link titled "Can Hillary Win."
http://www.presstv.ir/prg_detail.aspx?SectionID=3510509
Many Ron Paul supporters have emailed the show and the Press TV network in support and there is now talk of further coverage of the Ron Paul campaign by Press TV. Yvonne Ridley, who hosts AGENDA and is one of Britain's most respected journalists, is interested in interviewing Ron Paul when she visits the US next month.
Please contact Press TV at theagenda@presstv.com and let them know your views.
Or Fred Smart at Republic Radio at aftfmidwest@gmail.com
I looked this up at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/12/prweb593502.htm
Download video!
At the last US election the people did not have universal access to Google and YouTube. Today they do and truth is speeding its way across this world at rate that even those who own the mainstream media have not yet fully woken up to.
(PRWEB) December 29, 2007 -- With his song and video for Ron Paul climbing up the international YouTube charts, John Mappin was invited onto Republic Radio by Fred Smart in the US Midwest where he was interviewed from Camelot Castle, England. (The Mythological Birthplace of King Arthur)
You can hear the whole interview here:
http://www.camelotcastle.com/download/Interview_on_Republic_Radio.mp3
Speaking later along the same lines to his Media Finance Group, Mappin spoke of the unprecedented international support for Ron Paul's ideas.
"If the the financial management of the US over the last few years had been perpetrated by a foreign power other than the US government, it could be considered an act of war.
"Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate whose policies could prevent a dramatic devaluation of the dollar."
"In the absence of a Paul presidency it is not impossible that the dollar could fall in value against other currencies by as much as half or even two-thirds."
"The US is essentially bankrupt with approximately $156,000 of government debt for every man woman and child in the US on its balance sheet. On top of that individuals have been oversold personal debt and credit. And the biggest US corporations, in debt and over leveraged, are themselves heavily dependent on the international bankers willingness to lend."
"Chinese money is currently supporting the US credit system and effectively funding the war."
Mappin, who had been invited to speak on Republic Radio in the US Midwest, was clear in his support for Ron Paul and pointed out that Paul's ideas and his "Freedom Message" may well also catalyse the end of Communism in China as we know it.
"Just wait till the youth in China really gets the Ron Paul message and the Freedom purpose. You think 1989 Tiananmen Square shook the world. Think again! Just watch what happens when the youth and middle class in China and India get it."
Mappin's interview on Republic Radio also illuminated that there are many journalists that work in mainstream media that agree completely with Ron Paul and his policy. He highlighted the simplicity that those mainstream media owners that attempt to block the truth from being communicated on media lines will ultimately lose their franchises, compromise their position in the free marketplace and lose the trust of the public.
"At the last US election the people did not have universal access to Google and YouTube. Today they do and truth is speeding its way across this world at rate that even those who own the mainstream media have not yet fully woken up to."
John Mappin's Song for Ron Paul was aired on Republic Radio. You can hear the whole song here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jQpeldFJG_Y
John Mappin also appeared in support of Ron Paul on Iranian TV in the UK last week:
www.camelotcastle.com/download/1217_THE%20AGENDA.wmv
This show can also be viewed in its entirety at Press TV's web site:
Click this link below and then click the video link titled "Can Hillary Win."
http://www.presstv.ir/prg_detail.aspx?SectionID=3510509
Many Ron Paul supporters have emailed the show and the Press TV network in support and there is now talk of further coverage of the Ron Paul campaign by Press TV. Yvonne Ridley, who hosts AGENDA and is one of Britain's most respected journalists, is interested in interviewing Ron Paul when she visits the US next month.
Please contact Press TV at theagenda@presstv.com and let them know your views.
Or Fred Smart at Republic Radio at aftfmidwest@gmail.com
I looked this up at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/12/prweb593502.htm
Hillary Clinton and Ron Paul winning big on AOL straw poll
Hugo Mann
Published 12/23/2007 - 10:05 p.m. EST
An AOL straw poll that is supposed to be spam proof shows both Hillary Clinton and Ron Paul winning their respective primaries. The poll records national as well as state-by-state results. At the time of this report over 57,000 Republicans and 56,000 Democrats have voted in the poll.
On the Democratic side the results somewhat mirrored media generated polls. Nationally Clinton has 46%, Barack Obama 27%, John Edwards 17%, Biden 4%, Kucinich 3%, Richardson 2%, Gravel 1%, and Dodd 1%.
Clinton leads in most states but Obama leads in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Wyoming.
In Iowa the race is tight where Obama leads with 31% followed by Clinton with 30%and Edwards with 24%.
In New Hampshire, Clinton has 46%, Obama 26%, and Edwards has 15%.
On the Republican side the results mirrored media generated polls with one exception. Ron Paul is placing first in most states and second in several others.
The results of the other candidates did mirror media generated polls. Giuliani is winning in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut but is being edged out by Paul in Florida and New Mexico. Florida and New Mexico have changed hands several times between Giuliani and Paul.
Romney is winning Utah, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Huckabee is edging out Paul in South Carolina and is being edged out by Paul in several southern states. Several southern states are virtual ties and have swung back and forth between Huckabee and Paul, including North Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Nationwide Ron Paul is generating 26% of the vote, Giuliani is getting 18%, Huckabee 17%, and Romney is getting 15%, McCain has 14%, Thompson 9%, and Duncan Hunter has 1%.
In Iowa Ron Paul has 38% of the vote. The rest of the GOP candidates mirror media generated polls regarding strength in the state. Huckabee and Romney are tied at 19%. Thompson has 9%, McCain 7%, and Giuliani 7%, with Hunter at 1%.
In New Hampshire Paul has 30% Romney 23% McCain 20%, Giuliani 15%, Huckabee 8%, Thompson 3%, and Hunter 1%. Once again, aside from Paul the candidates mirror media polls regarding strength nationally and regionally.
Paul supporters have maintained that media generated polls have been under representing his support. Paul leads GOP candidates in 4rth quarter fund raising. He has received donations from an astounding 123,000 donors this quarter.
I located this at http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=208588
Published 12/23/2007 - 10:05 p.m. EST
An AOL straw poll that is supposed to be spam proof shows both Hillary Clinton and Ron Paul winning their respective primaries. The poll records national as well as state-by-state results. At the time of this report over 57,000 Republicans and 56,000 Democrats have voted in the poll.
On the Democratic side the results somewhat mirrored media generated polls. Nationally Clinton has 46%, Barack Obama 27%, John Edwards 17%, Biden 4%, Kucinich 3%, Richardson 2%, Gravel 1%, and Dodd 1%.
Clinton leads in most states but Obama leads in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Wyoming.
In Iowa the race is tight where Obama leads with 31% followed by Clinton with 30%and Edwards with 24%.
In New Hampshire, Clinton has 46%, Obama 26%, and Edwards has 15%.
On the Republican side the results mirrored media generated polls with one exception. Ron Paul is placing first in most states and second in several others.
The results of the other candidates did mirror media generated polls. Giuliani is winning in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut but is being edged out by Paul in Florida and New Mexico. Florida and New Mexico have changed hands several times between Giuliani and Paul.
Romney is winning Utah, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Huckabee is edging out Paul in South Carolina and is being edged out by Paul in several southern states. Several southern states are virtual ties and have swung back and forth between Huckabee and Paul, including North Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Nationwide Ron Paul is generating 26% of the vote, Giuliani is getting 18%, Huckabee 17%, and Romney is getting 15%, McCain has 14%, Thompson 9%, and Duncan Hunter has 1%.
In Iowa Ron Paul has 38% of the vote. The rest of the GOP candidates mirror media generated polls regarding strength in the state. Huckabee and Romney are tied at 19%. Thompson has 9%, McCain 7%, and Giuliani 7%, with Hunter at 1%.
In New Hampshire Paul has 30% Romney 23% McCain 20%, Giuliani 15%, Huckabee 8%, Thompson 3%, and Hunter 1%. Once again, aside from Paul the candidates mirror media polls regarding strength nationally and regionally.
Paul supporters have maintained that media generated polls have been under representing his support. Paul leads GOP candidates in 4rth quarter fund raising. He has received donations from an astounding 123,000 donors this quarter.
I located this at http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=208588
Paul: Fox News is 'scared of me'
By James Pindell December 29, 2007 01:40 PM
PLAISTOW, N.H. -- Ron Paul said the decision to exclude him from a debate on Fox News Sunday the weekend before the New Hampshire Primary is proof that the network "is scared" of him.
"They are scared of me and don't want my message to get out, but it will," Paul said in an interview at a diner here. "They are propagandists for this war and I challenge them on the notion that they are conservative."
Paul's staff said they are beginning to plan a rally that will take place at the same time the 90-minute debate will air on television. It will be taped at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown.
"They will not win this skirmish," he promised.
The Fox debate occurs less than 24 hours after two back to back Republican and Democratic debates on the same campus sponsored by ABC News, WMUR-TV and the social networking website Facebook.
Paul, the Republican Texas Congressman, was wrapping up his final day of campaigning in New Hampshire until the Iowa Caucuses on Thursday.
He spent much of the day campaigning at diners in Manchester and Plaistow and downtown walks in Derry and Exeter.
I found this at http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/primarysource/2007/12/paul_fox_news_i.html
PLAISTOW, N.H. -- Ron Paul said the decision to exclude him from a debate on Fox News Sunday the weekend before the New Hampshire Primary is proof that the network "is scared" of him.
"They are scared of me and don't want my message to get out, but it will," Paul said in an interview at a diner here. "They are propagandists for this war and I challenge them on the notion that they are conservative."
Paul's staff said they are beginning to plan a rally that will take place at the same time the 90-minute debate will air on television. It will be taped at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown.
"They will not win this skirmish," he promised.
The Fox debate occurs less than 24 hours after two back to back Republican and Democratic debates on the same campus sponsored by ABC News, WMUR-TV and the social networking website Facebook.
Paul, the Republican Texas Congressman, was wrapping up his final day of campaigning in New Hampshire until the Iowa Caucuses on Thursday.
He spent much of the day campaigning at diners in Manchester and Plaistow and downtown walks in Derry and Exeter.
I found this at http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/primarysource/2007/12/paul_fox_news_i.html
Friday, December 28, 2007
Ron Paul surging in Iowa, brings in volunteer army
Hugo Mann
Published 12/26/2007 - 3:48 p.m. EST
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is surging in Iowa according to sources on the ground despite spending little time in the state until recently. Paul, now the top Republican fund raiser raising over 18.7 million from over 128,000 people this quarter, could disable Giuliani, McCain, and Thompson should he finish third.
Iowa is not supposed to be one of Paul’s stronger states. A strong finish in the state will indicate that his nationwide support is very broad. Paul doesn’t have the organization that Romney or Huckabee might have after spending so much time in the state but there are indications that people may be organizing on their own to support Paul’s ideals.
Paul is also bringing in a volunteer army to make a last minute push. Ron Paul will address more than 250 college students who have volunteered their Christmas vacations to the campaign.
Dr. Paul will speak at 8:00 pm on Thursday December 27 at the Des Moines Marriott in the Des Moines Room. He will be available to the press directly afterward in the Waterloo Room.
The students have come from 39 states and four countries to spend their time off phoning Iowa voters, canvassing and distributing literature as part of “Ron Paul’s Christmas Vacation.”
An indirect indication of Ron Paul’s increase in support nationwide has been the recent orchestration of a massive smear campaign by some corporate media outlets and their highly paid pundits. Apparently they don’t believe their own polls and perceive Paul as a threat.
Although Paul has ruled out a third party run saying that he is 99.9 percent sure he wouldn’t run as a third party candidate some media outlets are saying that he’s left the door open for an independent run. This may also be an indication of Paul’s surge nationwide. Media talk of a third party run seems designed to create the illusion that Paul can’t win the GOP nomination.
Also, a third party run would allow media conglomerates to censor Paul like they did Buchanan in 2000. If Paul starts winning Republican primaries corporate controlled media outlets will only be able to attack him they will not be able to censor him like they could if he ran as an independent.
Paul’s message of protecting civil liberties, ending the Iraq war, eliminating federal income taxes, border security, and reforming the monetary system seems to be attracting broad support
I found this at http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=210089
Published 12/26/2007 - 3:48 p.m. EST
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is surging in Iowa according to sources on the ground despite spending little time in the state until recently. Paul, now the top Republican fund raiser raising over 18.7 million from over 128,000 people this quarter, could disable Giuliani, McCain, and Thompson should he finish third.
Iowa is not supposed to be one of Paul’s stronger states. A strong finish in the state will indicate that his nationwide support is very broad. Paul doesn’t have the organization that Romney or Huckabee might have after spending so much time in the state but there are indications that people may be organizing on their own to support Paul’s ideals.
Paul is also bringing in a volunteer army to make a last minute push. Ron Paul will address more than 250 college students who have volunteered their Christmas vacations to the campaign.
Dr. Paul will speak at 8:00 pm on Thursday December 27 at the Des Moines Marriott in the Des Moines Room. He will be available to the press directly afterward in the Waterloo Room.
The students have come from 39 states and four countries to spend their time off phoning Iowa voters, canvassing and distributing literature as part of “Ron Paul’s Christmas Vacation.”
An indirect indication of Ron Paul’s increase in support nationwide has been the recent orchestration of a massive smear campaign by some corporate media outlets and their highly paid pundits. Apparently they don’t believe their own polls and perceive Paul as a threat.
Although Paul has ruled out a third party run saying that he is 99.9 percent sure he wouldn’t run as a third party candidate some media outlets are saying that he’s left the door open for an independent run. This may also be an indication of Paul’s surge nationwide. Media talk of a third party run seems designed to create the illusion that Paul can’t win the GOP nomination.
Also, a third party run would allow media conglomerates to censor Paul like they did Buchanan in 2000. If Paul starts winning Republican primaries corporate controlled media outlets will only be able to attack him they will not be able to censor him like they could if he ran as an independent.
Paul’s message of protecting civil liberties, ending the Iraq war, eliminating federal income taxes, border security, and reforming the monetary system seems to be attracting broad support
I found this at http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=210089
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Ron Paul Unveils New TV Ad: ‘Defender of Freedom’
December 26, 2007 05:18 PM Eastern Time
30-Second Spot Highlights Congressman Paul’s Unmatched Conservative Credentials
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul has released a new television ad – titled “Defender of Freedom” – that will run in Iowa and New Hampshire.
“Congressman Paul has an unmatched record of defending the rights of Americans,” said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “This advertisement is about bringing Dr. Paul’s message of freedom, peace and prosperity to potential voters. The more people know about Dr. Paul, the more support he gains.”
The ad can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AmY-fW3gdc
The following is a transcript of the 30 second advertisement:
Narrator: “He defends our freedom, and his record shows it… Ron Paul.
“Answering our country’s call, Ron Paul became a flight surgeon in the Air Force.
“As a doctor, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies and is a leading defender of life.
“In Congress, Ron Paul never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted to restrict gun rights or raise congressional pay.
“Protecting our God-given freedom… Ron Paul for President.”
Congressman Paul: “I’m Ron Paul and I approve this message.”
I FOUND THIS INFO. AT http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071226005216&newsLang=en
30-Second Spot Highlights Congressman Paul’s Unmatched Conservative Credentials
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul has released a new television ad – titled “Defender of Freedom” – that will run in Iowa and New Hampshire.
“Congressman Paul has an unmatched record of defending the rights of Americans,” said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “This advertisement is about bringing Dr. Paul’s message of freedom, peace and prosperity to potential voters. The more people know about Dr. Paul, the more support he gains.”
The ad can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AmY-fW3gdc
The following is a transcript of the 30 second advertisement:
Narrator: “He defends our freedom, and his record shows it… Ron Paul.
“Answering our country’s call, Ron Paul became a flight surgeon in the Air Force.
“As a doctor, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies and is a leading defender of life.
“In Congress, Ron Paul never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted to restrict gun rights or raise congressional pay.
“Protecting our God-given freedom… Ron Paul for President.”
Congressman Paul: “I’m Ron Paul and I approve this message.”
I FOUND THIS INFO. AT http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071226005216&newsLang=en
In Jersey, Bon Jovi is the hot political ticket
By Jeremy W. Peters
Published: December 26, 2007
He calls her "Mrs. C." And she calls on him to add a little celebrity gloss to her presidential campaign.
The rock singer Jon Bon Jovi and Hillary Rodham Clinton have been friends for more than a decade, uniting for state dinners at the White House and campaign fund-raisers.
If it seems strange that a rocker who sings paeans of working-class New Jersey is so friendly with a senator and former first lady who is using a Celine Dion song as the theme of her presidential campaign, consider a few items on Bon Jovi's social calendar in the last few months.
There were dinners with Clinton and another Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, her fiercest rival for the nomination, asked Bon Jovi to hear him speak in New York. And the former Vice President Al Gore caught up with him in London for a photo op.
Bon Jovi, 45, whose tousled golden mane and porcelain-white smile have twice helped him earn People magazine's award for sexiest rock star, can lay claim to an unofficial new title these days: the New Jersey's elder statesman.
In New Jersey, it is practically a requirement for any high-ranking politician to attend at least one of his shows. And despite his left-leaning political allegiances, Democrats and Republicans alike seek him out as if he were New Jersey's very own Bono.
When a former governor, Christie Whitman, was deciding whether to build a sports arena, she consulted Bon Jovi - part owner of the Arena Football League team the Philadelphia Soul - and took his advice to pass on it. When Newark needed a marquee name to christen the Prudential Center arena, one of its most important new developments in decades, it turned to him.
"He basically says, 'Hey, here's where I'm from, like it or not,' " said Whitman, a Republican who later became administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush. "And that's refreshing for the state of New Jersey because we don't have a lot of that."
Former New Jersey governors, senators and state legislators who have worked or played with him over the years say it is a combination of his fealty to New Jersey and his blue-collar authenticity that draws politicians to him. And as someone who sings about his "plastic dashboard Jesus" and performs at concerts to fight global warming, his appeal is broad.
Unlike many other celebrities, he keeps his thoughts about the war in Iraq and Bush largely to himself. While a fellow New Jersey rock star, Bruce Springsteen, is not shy about taking Bush to task and speaks out against the war on his new CD, Bon Jovi is more comfortable talking about poverty and affordable housing. And his attention to those causes has earned him an audience with some of the biggest American political names.
"My impression of Jon Bon Jovi is, every time he's been asked to help his state, he's done it," said a former governor, Thomas Kean Sr., a Republican. "We have an enormous amount of entertainers in New Jersey, and I can't say that about a lot of them."
Bon Jovi's high visibility recently touched off speculation in gossip columns that he had designs on running for office, possibly governor, because he is keeping his estate in New Jersey even though he and his family spend most of their time in New York.
But Bon Jovi dismissed the rumors. Life as a rock star, he said, suited him quite well. In a recent interview by telephone from London, he recounted a conversation with President Bill Clinton about two years ago.
The two were on a flight to Maryland for a day of horse racing at the Pimlico race course with some friends when someone asked them to compare occupations. "He said, 'Mr. President, which is better, your job or Jon's?' I said, 'I know the answer to that. Mine, because I get to keep the airplane and the house.' "
Terms of Use
I found this at http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/26/america/bonjovi.php
Published: December 26, 2007
He calls her "Mrs. C." And she calls on him to add a little celebrity gloss to her presidential campaign.
The rock singer Jon Bon Jovi and Hillary Rodham Clinton have been friends for more than a decade, uniting for state dinners at the White House and campaign fund-raisers.
If it seems strange that a rocker who sings paeans of working-class New Jersey is so friendly with a senator and former first lady who is using a Celine Dion song as the theme of her presidential campaign, consider a few items on Bon Jovi's social calendar in the last few months.
There were dinners with Clinton and another Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, her fiercest rival for the nomination, asked Bon Jovi to hear him speak in New York. And the former Vice President Al Gore caught up with him in London for a photo op.
Bon Jovi, 45, whose tousled golden mane and porcelain-white smile have twice helped him earn People magazine's award for sexiest rock star, can lay claim to an unofficial new title these days: the New Jersey's elder statesman.
In New Jersey, it is practically a requirement for any high-ranking politician to attend at least one of his shows. And despite his left-leaning political allegiances, Democrats and Republicans alike seek him out as if he were New Jersey's very own Bono.
When a former governor, Christie Whitman, was deciding whether to build a sports arena, she consulted Bon Jovi - part owner of the Arena Football League team the Philadelphia Soul - and took his advice to pass on it. When Newark needed a marquee name to christen the Prudential Center arena, one of its most important new developments in decades, it turned to him.
"He basically says, 'Hey, here's where I'm from, like it or not,' " said Whitman, a Republican who later became administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush. "And that's refreshing for the state of New Jersey because we don't have a lot of that."
Former New Jersey governors, senators and state legislators who have worked or played with him over the years say it is a combination of his fealty to New Jersey and his blue-collar authenticity that draws politicians to him. And as someone who sings about his "plastic dashboard Jesus" and performs at concerts to fight global warming, his appeal is broad.
Unlike many other celebrities, he keeps his thoughts about the war in Iraq and Bush largely to himself. While a fellow New Jersey rock star, Bruce Springsteen, is not shy about taking Bush to task and speaks out against the war on his new CD, Bon Jovi is more comfortable talking about poverty and affordable housing. And his attention to those causes has earned him an audience with some of the biggest American political names.
"My impression of Jon Bon Jovi is, every time he's been asked to help his state, he's done it," said a former governor, Thomas Kean Sr., a Republican. "We have an enormous amount of entertainers in New Jersey, and I can't say that about a lot of them."
Bon Jovi's high visibility recently touched off speculation in gossip columns that he had designs on running for office, possibly governor, because he is keeping his estate in New Jersey even though he and his family spend most of their time in New York.
But Bon Jovi dismissed the rumors. Life as a rock star, he said, suited him quite well. In a recent interview by telephone from London, he recounted a conversation with President Bill Clinton about two years ago.
The two were on a flight to Maryland for a day of horse racing at the Pimlico race course with some friends when someone asked them to compare occupations. "He said, 'Mr. President, which is better, your job or Jon's?' I said, 'I know the answer to that. Mine, because I get to keep the airplane and the house.' "
Terms of Use
I found this at http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/26/america/bonjovi.php
Edwards says he sounds like a Democratic president
CONWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE: U.S. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards tried to increase support in the key early voting state of New Hampshire on Wednesday with promises of fighting the establishment, changing Washington — and even speaking with a Southern accent.
The former U.S. senator, in a tight race with rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, stuck to populist themes.
"You'd better choose someone as your candidate who's ready for this battle. Nice words will not change anything," Edwards said.
New Hampshire and Iowa are the crucial first contests in political parties' state-by-state process of selecting presidential nominees. Candidates who do well in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3, and in the New Hampshire primary five days later, can gain momentum and media attention, establishing themselves as front-runners. Those who do poorly often decide to drop out of the race.
Edwards has spent years building an organization in Iowa. In New Hampshire, polls show Clinton and Obama in a tight race. Edwards remains a distant third but hopes a strong showing in Iowa will let him go into New Hampshire with momentum.
Today in Americas
In Jersey, Bon Jovi is the hot political ticket
Candidates rush into final stretch in Iowa
Colombia authorizes mission to recover 3 hostages
"It's a very competitive race. From everything I see, it's a dead heat between the three of us," Edwards told reporters after going door-to-door looking for votes.
He refrained from criticizing his rivals, aware that Iowa voters tend to reject overtly negative campaigning.
"My fight is not with politicians. My fight is on behalf of those kind of people I grew up with who deserve a real chance in this country," Edwards said.
He cited his small-town, Southern roots as an asset in the race.
"The last two Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter," he said in his Southern twang, "both talk like me."
He said Wednesday was his last day in New Hampshire before the voting begins.
"We'll go from here to Iowa very late tonight. ... I, Elizabeth, my kids, my parents — everybody will be stationed in Iowa between now and Jan. 3."
"Having done this once before, this is crunch time, now's when it matters," Edwards said.
I found this at http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/26/america/NA-POL-US-Edwards-New-Hampshire.php
The former U.S. senator, in a tight race with rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, stuck to populist themes.
"You'd better choose someone as your candidate who's ready for this battle. Nice words will not change anything," Edwards said.
New Hampshire and Iowa are the crucial first contests in political parties' state-by-state process of selecting presidential nominees. Candidates who do well in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3, and in the New Hampshire primary five days later, can gain momentum and media attention, establishing themselves as front-runners. Those who do poorly often decide to drop out of the race.
Edwards has spent years building an organization in Iowa. In New Hampshire, polls show Clinton and Obama in a tight race. Edwards remains a distant third but hopes a strong showing in Iowa will let him go into New Hampshire with momentum.
Today in Americas
In Jersey, Bon Jovi is the hot political ticket
Candidates rush into final stretch in Iowa
Colombia authorizes mission to recover 3 hostages
"It's a very competitive race. From everything I see, it's a dead heat between the three of us," Edwards told reporters after going door-to-door looking for votes.
He refrained from criticizing his rivals, aware that Iowa voters tend to reject overtly negative campaigning.
"My fight is not with politicians. My fight is on behalf of those kind of people I grew up with who deserve a real chance in this country," Edwards said.
He cited his small-town, Southern roots as an asset in the race.
"The last two Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter," he said in his Southern twang, "both talk like me."
He said Wednesday was his last day in New Hampshire before the voting begins.
"We'll go from here to Iowa very late tonight. ... I, Elizabeth, my kids, my parents — everybody will be stationed in Iowa between now and Jan. 3."
"Having done this once before, this is crunch time, now's when it matters," Edwards said.
I found this at http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/26/america/NA-POL-US-Edwards-New-Hampshire.php
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Iranian TV Network Broadcasts Ron Paul Song
A SONG for RON PAUL from CAMELOT CASTLE - ENGLAND
Iranian TV Network broadcasts Ron Paul song, and gives Ron Paul appropriate airtime during Hillary Clinton debate. Experts conclude that Ron Paul can split democratic vote. Many Ron Paul supporters have e-mailed the show and the Press TV network in support and there is now talk of further coverage of the Ron Paul campaign by Press TV. Yvonne Ridley wants to exclusively interview Ron Paul on a future news show.
Download video!
God knows, we need a Ron Paul in England immediately. Truth and wisdom cannot be stopped by even the thickest armour plate and whatever the mainstream media try to do to block Ron Paul's message, in the long run they will fail.
(PRWEB) December 22, 2007 -- Yvonne Ridley, who is one of the most respected mainstream journalists in the UK and who now hosts a TV show called "The Agenda," invited John Mappin, who last week announced his media group's support for Ron Paul in the US, to appear on a news show that was supposed to be discussing what Hillary Clinton's chances were in the election. Ron Paul however quickly became a predominant topic of discussion. As you will see when you watch the show at the link below, Ron Paul's ideas and his campaign quickly grabbed the interest and the attention of the panel of political and media experts who agreed that Ron Paul's nomination would indeed split the Democratic vote and it was clear that the amount of voter support for Ron Paul may well be underestimated.
As US political expert Professor Toni Michelle Travis of George Mason University stated on the news broadcast.
"Ron Paul can split the democratic vote."
The show can be viewed in its entirety at Press TV's web site:
Many Ron Paul supporters have emailed the show and the Press TV network in support and there is now talk of further coverage of the Ron Paul campaign by Press TV.
Please contact Press TV at theagenda @ presstv.com and let them know your views.
Press TV also aired, in full, the song "Inner Truth" which is dedicated to Ron Paul and which shot to number one in the UK last week on Utube when it was released by John Mappin from Camelot Castle in England. The song and clip which can be seen on U Tube here are creating thousands of allies for Ron Paul.
John Mappin was delighted with the way that the program developed.
"It became quite clear to me that the mainstream media has really been caught off guard by Dr. Paul, even those who should be aware of what is occuring with US voters have no idea of the sheer size or the impact and power of the Ron Paul campaign," said Mappin.
"Interestingly Ron Paul's campaign for Freedom is not just a phenomenon that is limited to America. It's Global," said Mappin.
"I am certain that we will now see other Ron Paul like leaders emerging in other countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia for they have learned from the positive response to Dr Paul's wisdom and will now create political campaigns of their own along the same lines," he continued. "God knows, we need a Ron Paul in England immediately. Truth and wisdom cannot be stopped by even the thickest armour plate and whatever the mainstream media try to do to block Ron Paul's message, in the long run they will fail."
He added, "The fire of freedom is already well ablaze and will not be put out. It is somewhat ironic that an Iranian TV network based in a country that is often presented as a supposed threat to freedom is giving Dr. Paul the airtime that he deserves."
Yvonne Ridley has an extraordinary track record as a journalist of integrity and principle. Captured by the Taliban in 2001, she became a household name, as the world watched with bated breath as her imprisonment and release from captivity on the first day of bombing in Afghanistan grabbed the media's attention.
She has since continued on in her campaign to help diffuse inaccurate and bigoted misunderstandings between the West and Islamic cultures. She is the anchor and presenter of "The Agenda" and one of the most influential journalistic voices on the international mainstream media and political stage today.
"It is no surprise to me that Yvonne Ridley is one of the first mainstream journalists in Europe to give appropriate notice to Ron Paul's Campaign. Yvonne has a history of delivering in her role as a journalist of integrity and is second to none when it comes to searching out the truth and exposing it," said Mr. Mappin
I found this at http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/12/prweb591281.htm
Iranian TV Network broadcasts Ron Paul song, and gives Ron Paul appropriate airtime during Hillary Clinton debate. Experts conclude that Ron Paul can split democratic vote. Many Ron Paul supporters have e-mailed the show and the Press TV network in support and there is now talk of further coverage of the Ron Paul campaign by Press TV. Yvonne Ridley wants to exclusively interview Ron Paul on a future news show.
Download video!
God knows, we need a Ron Paul in England immediately. Truth and wisdom cannot be stopped by even the thickest armour plate and whatever the mainstream media try to do to block Ron Paul's message, in the long run they will fail.
(PRWEB) December 22, 2007 -- Yvonne Ridley, who is one of the most respected mainstream journalists in the UK and who now hosts a TV show called "The Agenda," invited John Mappin, who last week announced his media group's support for Ron Paul in the US, to appear on a news show that was supposed to be discussing what Hillary Clinton's chances were in the election. Ron Paul however quickly became a predominant topic of discussion. As you will see when you watch the show at the link below, Ron Paul's ideas and his campaign quickly grabbed the interest and the attention of the panel of political and media experts who agreed that Ron Paul's nomination would indeed split the Democratic vote and it was clear that the amount of voter support for Ron Paul may well be underestimated.
As US political expert Professor Toni Michelle Travis of George Mason University stated on the news broadcast.
"Ron Paul can split the democratic vote."
The show can be viewed in its entirety at Press TV's web site:
Many Ron Paul supporters have emailed the show and the Press TV network in support and there is now talk of further coverage of the Ron Paul campaign by Press TV.
Please contact Press TV at theagenda @ presstv.com and let them know your views.
Press TV also aired, in full, the song "Inner Truth" which is dedicated to Ron Paul and which shot to number one in the UK last week on Utube when it was released by John Mappin from Camelot Castle in England. The song and clip which can be seen on U Tube here are creating thousands of allies for Ron Paul.
John Mappin was delighted with the way that the program developed.
"It became quite clear to me that the mainstream media has really been caught off guard by Dr. Paul, even those who should be aware of what is occuring with US voters have no idea of the sheer size or the impact and power of the Ron Paul campaign," said Mappin.
"Interestingly Ron Paul's campaign for Freedom is not just a phenomenon that is limited to America. It's Global," said Mappin.
"I am certain that we will now see other Ron Paul like leaders emerging in other countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia for they have learned from the positive response to Dr Paul's wisdom and will now create political campaigns of their own along the same lines," he continued. "God knows, we need a Ron Paul in England immediately. Truth and wisdom cannot be stopped by even the thickest armour plate and whatever the mainstream media try to do to block Ron Paul's message, in the long run they will fail."
He added, "The fire of freedom is already well ablaze and will not be put out. It is somewhat ironic that an Iranian TV network based in a country that is often presented as a supposed threat to freedom is giving Dr. Paul the airtime that he deserves."
Yvonne Ridley has an extraordinary track record as a journalist of integrity and principle. Captured by the Taliban in 2001, she became a household name, as the world watched with bated breath as her imprisonment and release from captivity on the first day of bombing in Afghanistan grabbed the media's attention.
She has since continued on in her campaign to help diffuse inaccurate and bigoted misunderstandings between the West and Islamic cultures. She is the anchor and presenter of "The Agenda" and one of the most influential journalistic voices on the international mainstream media and political stage today.
"It is no surprise to me that Yvonne Ridley is one of the first mainstream journalists in Europe to give appropriate notice to Ron Paul's Campaign. Yvonne has a history of delivering in her role as a journalist of integrity and is second to none when it comes to searching out the truth and exposing it," said Mr. Mappin
I found this at http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/12/prweb591281.htm
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Surprising Ron Paul Sparks A Movement
This info. was found at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/21/eveningnews/main3640041.shtml
GOP Presidential Hopeful Has Fervent Followers And A Message Whose Resonance Surprises Even Him
PLYMOUTH, N.H., Dec. 21, 2007
(CBS) His progress has been as gradual as a tortoise on ice, but Ron Paul can no longer be dismissed as the favorite of the fringe, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.
Unlike other candidates consigned to the periphery, Paul has refused to go away. He is now in a tie for third in Iowa with supposed top-tier hopefuls.
And in live-free-or-die New Hampshire, he believes his anti-Iraq war, anti-tax, pro-freedom message with its libertarian tinge may resonate.
"People are flocking to the campaign," says Paul. "Maybe they've been starved for a campaign like this."
Paul's trip to Plymouth was promising: one woman told Reynolds that he was following the next president.
"Absolutely! No doubt," she says.
Paul's supporters are fervent - almost feverish - both on the ground and online.
He has used the Internet to drum up the bulk of an eye-popping 18 million dollars in this quarter alone from what he says are frustrated members of both parties and first-time voters. If money talks, Ron Paul is shouting.
"I am surprised," Paul says. "But I'm disappointed that I am surprised. Why shouldn't this be a popular message? Why was I pessimistic?"
He adds: "Why do we assume that everybody wants the status quo? And evidently they don't."
GOP Presidential Hopeful Has Fervent Followers And A Message Whose Resonance Surprises Even Him
PLYMOUTH, N.H., Dec. 21, 2007
(CBS) His progress has been as gradual as a tortoise on ice, but Ron Paul can no longer be dismissed as the favorite of the fringe, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.
Unlike other candidates consigned to the periphery, Paul has refused to go away. He is now in a tie for third in Iowa with supposed top-tier hopefuls.
And in live-free-or-die New Hampshire, he believes his anti-Iraq war, anti-tax, pro-freedom message with its libertarian tinge may resonate.
"People are flocking to the campaign," says Paul. "Maybe they've been starved for a campaign like this."
Paul's trip to Plymouth was promising: one woman told Reynolds that he was following the next president.
"Absolutely! No doubt," she says.
Paul's supporters are fervent - almost feverish - both on the ground and online.
He has used the Internet to drum up the bulk of an eye-popping 18 million dollars in this quarter alone from what he says are frustrated members of both parties and first-time voters. If money talks, Ron Paul is shouting.
"I am surprised," Paul says. "But I'm disappointed that I am surprised. Why shouldn't this be a popular message? Why was I pessimistic?"
He adds: "Why do we assume that everybody wants the status quo? And evidently they don't."
Rooting for Ron Paul
I found this info. at http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=191721
Comment: Republicans would do well to listen to the Texas congressman
National Post Published: Saturday, December 22, 2007
Ron Paul makes a pretty odd sort of 21st-century JFK. He's a slight-built, goofy-grinned 71-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist from Texas, a man old enough to have delivered milk as a teenager to Honus Wagner's doorstep. In interviews, the congressman comes off a little like your less cuddly but more interesting grandfather. He believes the U.S. should return to a gold-backed currency, wipe out the Federal Reserve and most government agencies, pull out of NATO, and eliminate federal income taxes. At live events, he projects extraordinary charisma. When he starts talking in his bedside-manner voice about the harm done by the blind, senseless War on Drugs, he can move a listener almost to tears.
Even on the libertarian end of the political spectrum, some would consider him pretty hard-core -- a borderline anarchist who has devoted his life to destroying the U.S. federal government as we know it. But if you're looking for a modern candidate who seems to have the Kennedy-like ability to weld disparate social elements into a game-changing campaign, you'll have a hard time making a stronger choice this year than Ron Paul.
He is a Depression-era country boy who has somehow built what may be the strongest Internet following of any 2008 candidate for the presidency -- at any rate, it is the loudest. Cheques from gun-control opponents who admire his strong Second Amendment stance flow into his coffers alongside equally large cheques from peaceniks impressed by his stance against the Second Gulf War. He's an "isolationist" who has thousands of expatriate and libertarian supporters in Europe. By some accounts, his following amongst active-service soldiers abroad towers over those of other Republicans.
In most official polls of Republican voters, either nationwide or in early primary states, he has yet to crack double digits -- yet he now holds the all-time U.S. political record for fundraising in a single day, raising $6-million on Dec. 16, and he has summoned up an astonishing $18-million in the fourth quarter of the calendar year.
Will all this money and energy amount to anything in the end? Republicans on the ground in New Hampshire, which holds the country's first primaries Jan. 8, are warning the national leadership that it is impossible to guess. Congressman Paul may actually be stronger with independent voters than with Republicans, and those independents make up more than 40% of the electorate in the tiny New England state.
It's the same terrain on which John McCain delivered a surprise 49%-30% hiding of George W. Bush in 2000, and where Pat Buchanan edged out Bob Dole in 1996 with his appeal to the "pitchfork-wielding peasants." In other words, it's a playground for "mavericks," and nobody fits the description better than Dr. Paul.
Looking on the Republican race as Canadian outsiders, we're rooting him on -- if not to win (which he won't), then to at least grab his party's bloated, big-spending Bush-ite establishment by the lapels and slap it around a little.
Notwithstanding Dr. Paul's eccentric-- and, many would argue, dangerous -- views on foreign policy, the GOP does occasionally needs a reminder of its roots in limited government and the Constitution. Ron Paul won't be the next president, but the next president will have to take notice of what he has achieved by means of nothing more than patience, plain speaking and stubborn integrity.
Comment: Republicans would do well to listen to the Texas congressman
National Post Published: Saturday, December 22, 2007
Ron Paul makes a pretty odd sort of 21st-century JFK. He's a slight-built, goofy-grinned 71-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist from Texas, a man old enough to have delivered milk as a teenager to Honus Wagner's doorstep. In interviews, the congressman comes off a little like your less cuddly but more interesting grandfather. He believes the U.S. should return to a gold-backed currency, wipe out the Federal Reserve and most government agencies, pull out of NATO, and eliminate federal income taxes. At live events, he projects extraordinary charisma. When he starts talking in his bedside-manner voice about the harm done by the blind, senseless War on Drugs, he can move a listener almost to tears.
Even on the libertarian end of the political spectrum, some would consider him pretty hard-core -- a borderline anarchist who has devoted his life to destroying the U.S. federal government as we know it. But if you're looking for a modern candidate who seems to have the Kennedy-like ability to weld disparate social elements into a game-changing campaign, you'll have a hard time making a stronger choice this year than Ron Paul.
He is a Depression-era country boy who has somehow built what may be the strongest Internet following of any 2008 candidate for the presidency -- at any rate, it is the loudest. Cheques from gun-control opponents who admire his strong Second Amendment stance flow into his coffers alongside equally large cheques from peaceniks impressed by his stance against the Second Gulf War. He's an "isolationist" who has thousands of expatriate and libertarian supporters in Europe. By some accounts, his following amongst active-service soldiers abroad towers over those of other Republicans.
In most official polls of Republican voters, either nationwide or in early primary states, he has yet to crack double digits -- yet he now holds the all-time U.S. political record for fundraising in a single day, raising $6-million on Dec. 16, and he has summoned up an astonishing $18-million in the fourth quarter of the calendar year.
Will all this money and energy amount to anything in the end? Republicans on the ground in New Hampshire, which holds the country's first primaries Jan. 8, are warning the national leadership that it is impossible to guess. Congressman Paul may actually be stronger with independent voters than with Republicans, and those independents make up more than 40% of the electorate in the tiny New England state.
It's the same terrain on which John McCain delivered a surprise 49%-30% hiding of George W. Bush in 2000, and where Pat Buchanan edged out Bob Dole in 1996 with his appeal to the "pitchfork-wielding peasants." In other words, it's a playground for "mavericks," and nobody fits the description better than Dr. Paul.
Looking on the Republican race as Canadian outsiders, we're rooting him on -- if not to win (which he won't), then to at least grab his party's bloated, big-spending Bush-ite establishment by the lapels and slap it around a little.
Notwithstanding Dr. Paul's eccentric-- and, many would argue, dangerous -- views on foreign policy, the GOP does occasionally needs a reminder of its roots in limited government and the Constitution. Ron Paul won't be the next president, but the next president will have to take notice of what he has achieved by means of nothing more than patience, plain speaking and stubborn integrity.
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