Wingnut Ron Paul just woke up his rethug opponents, now what?

[RiverStone]

Yesterday, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX), who has “a libertarian tilt and an out-of-Iraq pitch,” set a single day fundraising record for the Republican field by hauling “in more than $4.2 million in nearly 24 hours.” Asked by MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell this morning about what he “attribute” the “success” of the effort to, Paul said it was his anti-war “message” because Americans “don’t like the war.”

http://thinkprogress.org/

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I doubt Ron Paul will be the rethug nominee, but he sure is stirring up some attention and lots of money. Anybody know if logistically he could spin off and run as an independent? Or has his intent to run as a rethug already committed him per ballot deadlines etc? My guess is he would split the rethug vote far more then the Dem vote if that were to happen.

For the record, though his anti-war message resonates strongly with progressives; he also is very anti-choice and anti-immigrant. I doubt he would get many Dem votes.

If you need any reminding just how wingnut Paul is, read here:

http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Ron_Paul.htm


What do you think will become of the Ron Paul factor as we look to 2008?

[redqueen]

1. He won't get the repub nomination...

I sure hope he runs as an independent.

[Devlzown]

13. Delete

[book_worm]

2. Ok, Why is Paul having such success and DK isn't?

[LeftyMom]

4. Better grassroots web presence and worse competition. nt

[Clark2008]

7. More likely that the media caters to Republican outliers and not

Democratic ones.

The Republican can be nuttier than a fruitcake, but the media makes him "lovable," while they make the likable and populist Dem seem to be, well, nuttier than a fruitcake - even though neither perception is true.

Dennis is far more stable than Ron Paul, but, ask the average Joe and he'll tell you that it's Dennis who is a nut, never realizing that Tim Russert wasted our time and brought up UFOs in the debate, not Kucinich.


And, as far as worse competition - thus far, I've seen very little difference between the top tier Republicans and the top tier Dems as it relates to issues of major importance to us in the dwindling middle class. Abortion? Civil Unions? Sure, there are differences - but, not so much on health care, the bleeding of jobs and a foreign policy stance.

[Atman]

5. Because the corporate media won't report anything but PRESIDENT HILLARY

...until they have to. "Have to" meaning, Swift Boat her, knee cap her, whatever. Or maybe even just hand her the prize, since GE and the corporate media have much to be gained by another corportist warring president. They pretty much know that no Republican on the planet is going to win the Oval Office, or even the office of Dog Catcher, in 2008, so they can say anything they want about Paul. But since a Democrat will win in 2008, they need to make sure it's the one who has their backs.

.

[harun]

3. He will be beat in the primaries

Most of his support is with young people. They don't vote in big enough numbers, or in primaries.

[gateley]

9. They voted with their checkbooks enough to give him a $4 million+ boost

IN ONE DAY! It's a apparently a fundraising record.

I'm becoming a bit concerned about his coverage and growing support. Some of his ideas sound appealing on the surface and that may be all that people hear - not understanding the repercussions that would arrive if they would be implemented.

And I too am perplexed at why his popularity has taken such a quantum leap.

[Mz Pip]

6. The only

Republican signs or bumper stickers I have seen in either California or NYC have been for Ron Paul.

His following may not be large enough to win the nomination but they are getting his name out there, unlike the other Repug candidate supporters. And if he makes the Republican Party nervous, well good for him.

I have not seen one Giuliani, Miwit, Fred, or McCain sign or bumpersticker anywhere.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Clark2008]

8. All I've seen is Paul and Thompson stickers here in the South.

[CGowen]

10. I think he said he didn't want to run as an independent n/t

[Wickerman]

11. My hope is he continues to gain support in the Rethuglican crowd

Then, when he gets his ass handed to him in the primaries you will see a very large dis-enfranchised voter group, all the pissed-off Republicans party-less. They will either have to split Dem, Ghoulianni, or stay home. My guess is we will get enough pouters that stay home to offset the Ghoul/9-11 vote - the others are welcome to come home to the party of sensibility.

[harun]

14. I think they will stay home (n/t)

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Well, if he takes over the lead in the polls, he will probably commit suicide with 3 bullets to the

head. Just a guess.