Political Lunch 10-25-07: Thursday Snack

October 25, 2007

On today’s Snack, Rob takes a close look at the Ron Paul phenomenon. Just how does this lesser-known candidate continue to win so many informal polls and dominate much of the political conversation online?

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), MP3 Audio (.mp3), Flash Video (.flv)

Tags: president, political_lunch, ron_paul, rob_millis, bloggers

Posted by PL | Filed Under Political Lunch

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124Comments2007-10-25+17%3A01%3A38PL to “Political Lunch 10-25-07: Thursday Snack”

nigh_eve on October 25th, 2007 12:59 pm

I can’t speak for the rest of Dr. Paul’s supporters, but I could be considered an ultra-conservative republican based on my 25 year voting record and view on social and economic issues. If the party doesn’t wake up after this election — I’m pledging my future support for the Constitution Party.
Jive Dadson on October 25th, 2007 1:09 pm

The primary elections have self-selected participants too, you know.

Ron Paul is not just the only anti-war candidate in the Republican race. Along with Gravel and Kucinich, he is one of only three in either party who are sincerely for non-intervention.

– A Paultard
zenpiper on October 25th, 2007 5:52 pm

Nice piece. Unlike Fox, it was fair and balanced. Your assessment of the Paul supporters (of whom I am one) was on-target. Yes, there are some disenfranchised (to put it nicely) RP supporters, but what is good about the campaign is that everybody is welcome. I’ll post a nice comment about this at DailyPaul.com with a link to your video.
GBell on October 25th, 2007 6:52 pm

This is my first time on this site, but I must say I was really impressed with the coverage.

Being a Ron Paul supporter myself, I generally agree with this assessment of Ron Paul’s campaign. I’ve been a registered Republican since I was able to vote, but I am fed up with the current GOP. If Ron Paul doesn’t win the nomination, I’m out of the party.
John Lambrechts on October 25th, 2007 7:17 pm

Why does everyone insult Ron Paul, I don’t understand.
NH on October 25th, 2007 7:28 pm

Because they can’t figure him out? He’s finally an honest man with the right ideas. This is such an anomaly that it frightens them! They have no idea what to do!
Nick on October 25th, 2007 7:29 pm

Is it a vocal rabid minority, or is it a larger percentage of the population that’s for Paul that make it seem like a vocal minority? The “scientific” polls are those conducted among registered voters, most of whom don’t show up to vote in primaries(and don’t admit it). I would also like to remind you that the “scientific polls” didn’t see Bubba coming, in fact neither did NH or Iowa…as he polled behind and lost those two primary states yet went on it garner the nomination…so much for “scientific polls” huh? Rather than blather on about who’s polling where and what the pundits think, how about the MSM focus on the issues and where candidates stand hmmm?
NH on October 25th, 2007 7:30 pm

Hey he gets 7.4% in NH just among the GOP so this movie guy is wrong…..that doesn’t count they indies and libertarians
Alex Merced on October 25th, 2007 7:31 pm

Overall, I think a fair report a a ron paul support except few points.

- the reason Ron Paul supporter get upset about the poll is cause they are accused of cheating. You can’t stack a txt message poll. The straw polls arn’t online as well and Ron Paul has almost all of them. Wouldn’t mind a follow up on your takes on that aspect.

- Also, as far as Rasmussen and Zogby polls, people forget the pool that this poll is taken from whih is from likely voter. Who are voters voted in the last primary in 2004 which was only 6% of registered republicans cause it was a re-election. So basically those polls are only of the most die-hard neo-cons. Ron Paul is attracting a lot of new voters which won’t reflect in those polls. Not saying the other polls are more believable.

Basically, all I’m saying is there’s a lot to take into consideration in analyzing Ron Pauls polling compaed to his fund raising.

I’d appreciate it very much if you guys could briefly cover the points I mentioned with you response, I think understanding how the poll are taken are important to all voters.
Jack Armstrong on October 25th, 2007 8:22 pm

I am a former diehard “neocon” voter and one day I simply “woke up.” I saw the level of corruption and the addiction to power with such groups as the Council on Foreign Relations, the Bilderberg group, Trilateral Commission, and so on… and I decided to cleanse myself of the negative and do what is right for human life and the unborn generations to come. Live in love, peace and harmony — not in fear or suffering. Government serves the people and if the people don’t want to be governed, government should cease to exist, on our command.
Alan on October 25th, 2007 9:10 pm

Here’s a simple question - what is stopping supporters of any other candidate from showing such enthusiasm? Nothing. The difference is plain - RP’s supporters believe in him rather than the usual “lesser evil” of the others.
Theresa H. on October 26th, 2007 4:51 am

I’m a 40-something life-long Republican who is proud to be a Ron Paul “spammer”. I was banned from FreeRepublic after posting there for almost 10 years so I understand the frustration being felt by many Ron Paul supporters. It’s nice to see something reported fairly and with a bit of humor for a change. Keep up the good work!
Warren Norred on October 26th, 2007 5:34 am

I was part of the Texas delegation to the 2000 National Republican Convention, been president and VP of multiple GOP clubs over the last twenty years, as well as precinct chairman off and on for more than a dozen years. I support Ron Paul because of the constitutional issues and desire for a limited government. Not exactly new to the game.

I do understand why bloggers struggle with the newbies to the political world that the Paul campaign attracts, but these are opportunities to build the party. These guys need to be brought in and taught to use their energy properly, not shunned. It takes work and time, but it is the only part of the party that is growing, and old-school Republicans are fools not to see it.

Redstate should have made a complete section for Ron Paul on their site, and put someone on that section to spend the time and attention that they need to be brought into the fold. It is a pity that the neocons can welcome people like Guiliani and Romney, but show disdain for Paul, the only one in the bunch with a truly conservative voting record that is dependable.
Jason Mitchell on October 26th, 2007 5:48 am

Its just a shame that RonPaul2008.com gets about twice the daily traffic that Redstate.com gets, and within the last few days, actually has caught up with the DailyKos in daily views, something that Redstate has never been able to do. Also, RedState has lost 7% of its viewership over the last 3 months, with the noteable exception of when the Ron Paul story broke and the Paul supporters went to the site to check out what the fuss was about. Meanwhile, RonPaul2008 has increased views by 71% in the last 3 months.

We are not all crazies, although, certainly there are some. I personally am a military veteran, a lifelong Republican and hope to God that the Republican Party embraces us socially tollerant fiscal conservatives before they lose us forever. They have placed so much into the Religious Right and the war that they forgot that there is a signifigant number of the party who are not primarily concerned with either and even disagree with both. I want the government out of my bedroom and out of my wallet. That is what the Republican Party used to mean to me, now they just repeat tired mantra’s about ‘freedom’ while they take it away and promote pre-emptive war with third world countries who pose no threat to us. Its amazing that people are so afraid that they support our party at all anymore. The Party has failed all of us, there has been no progress on the abortion issue that they pander to the social conservatives and Bush has spent more money than LBJ, what a complete disaster.

That is why I support Ron Paul, not because of some conspiracy. I have been a Republican for years and he is the only one that is trying to carry on the Goldwater/Reagan vein of the GOP… and he is labeled the kook?!? The only guy that doesn’t advocate preemptive nuclear war is the ‘crazy’ guy??? I feel like I’m in some alternate universe where everything happens the opposite of the way it should. Ok, thats enough of my rambling, thanks for the honest story.
Dena on October 26th, 2007 8:00 am

First time to your website; I will mark it to make sure I come back. I too am a lifelong Republican and have been voting for the party for the past 40 years. Along came the internet and I was able to do my own research without having to rely solely on the “party” for information. During my research, I discovered how former liberals took over the Republican Party by re-naming themselves “Neoconservatives.” Apparently they weren’t getting their agenda through fast enough by controlling the Democratic Party, so had to take over the Republican Party too. Now there’s not five cents worth of difference between the two parties. It doesn’t matter if you vote for Hillary or Rudy; the end result will be the same. I can only conclude that RedState is in the control of these same ruling elite, who do not want Republicans to have a real choice – vote for who I say or else you will be banned! I’ve only been to RedState once or twice – don’t remember that I commented either time. However, I do speak out on various websites as a private individual and concerned citizen because I want to make it clear to my fellow countrymen and the world, that these self-appointed, delusional elites are not running the world at my bequest and are not speaking on my behalf. RedState will surely lose by restricting access to its website. The only people visiting there will be those already in agreement with their philosophy. If they want to sit around and listen to their own thoughts reverberate around them, so be it. I can go elsewhere and learn from people with differing opinions.
James Moore on October 27th, 2007 8:20 am

All I can say is, with the media and his own party doing their best to “stack the deck” AGAINST Ron Paul, I APPLAUD Paul supporters for sticking to their guns, voting in every poll they can find, and making as much noise as possible to get the word out - this is the ONE conservative who is the real deal. If you want straight-talk, vote Paul. If you want just another CFR member who will continue the retarded 2-party polarized national disaster we currently call our government, simply vote for any of the other candidates, save Tancredo or Huckabee. Ron Paul deserves to be heard, and his supporters deserve more respect too.
Wasabi on October 28th, 2007 7:32 am

The reason Paul’s supporters are being so vilified IMO is his message. One RW site says that his supporters are spamming polls. If the number of his supporters is so low how is it possible that they are able to make such an impact. And if it’s so easy to affect the online polls why aren’t they doing it themselves for their candidates?
James Crispino on October 28th, 2007 7:45 am

Up until the 2004 election I had been a registred republican all my voting life. The only thing that brough me back to the party was the Ron Paul candidacy. If he fails to receive the nomination, I will return to my independent status.

BTW, the ONLY candidate I have ever supported financially is Ron Paul. I even send $ to help him with his congressional re-election, even though I lived in CT at the time.
James Crispino on October 28th, 2007 8:05 am

In response to Theresa’s comment number 12, there is a home for exiled Freepers and RedStaters who support Ron Paul. It is called Freedom4um. Click my name to get there. :)
Katherine on February 5th, 2008 1:11 am

You don’t seem like a knob to me, but this is also the first time I found your site. I’ll give you the presumption of innocence on that.

I don’t know that Ron Paul supporters (or Paultards, Paulites, Paulians) fit into any one little category and perhaps THAT’s what drives people crazy. My 50 year old husband is a conservative (lifetime) republican Paultard, ex-husband is a very conservative retired military Paultard–also republican for over 25 years, I’m a moderate Paultard who has been a republican 23 years. My mother was a democrat when I was a child, switched to the republican party, and now she also supports Ron Paul. My young conservative neices also support Ron Paul, as do my children who describe themselves as more moderate but fiscally conservative.

Personally I think the GOP is commiting suicide.

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Political Lunch 10-25-07: Thursday Snack

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