Online community flocks to Ron Paul

[Truth2Tell]

So.... question: How do the Democrats tap into these Ron Paul supporters once Paul washes out of the Repug primary? The young, disaffected and populist voters flocking to Ron Paul are doing so for some very understandable reasons. These are folks that any progressive Democrat will want and need on their team in the Spring and/or November of next year.


Source: The Hill

By Klaus Marre
July 06, 2007

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani may lead the polls and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney might have the most money among GOP presidential candidates, but Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) clearly leads his Republican colleagues in online support, and his second-quarter fundraising figures will reflect this, the campaign said Friday.

Paul leads all Republicans in YouTube channel views with nearly 2.1 million, according to the popular video website. The next closest Republican is Romney, who has fewer than 700,000 channel views. Only Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has more among all presidential candidates, with close to 5.2 million.

-snip-

Although Paul is widely viewed as an also-ran, the online support is translating in a bump in the polls, according to the campaign. In addition, several factors also contribute to Paul’s under-performance in traditional polls, Benton said.

-snip-

Contributions from April to June will be “significantly higher” than the $640,000 that Paul had raised in the first quarter, Benton added.

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/online-community-flocks-to-ron-paul-2007-07-06.html

[Rosemary2205]

1. I think Obama has the power to reach them

I'd guess Ron Paul's main support comes from conservative Democrats and Libertarians. Obama could get the Conservative Democrats but to do so he'll have to tread lightly because the progressives with start flapping around the minute any candidates makes any move to pull in more conservative Dems. The libertarians he might pick off a few but those normally go Republican.

I doubt Hillary can get them because she voted for war. Biden isn't "hip" enough and he voted for the war. The rest are too far left to get Ron Paul's crowd.


Just MHO.

[Truth2Tell]

4. I disagree somewhat

I don't think Paul's support comes from conservative Dems per se. Typical DLC Hillary types are nowhere near Paul.

I think Paul's support comes more from the anti-establishment - disaffected independents, populists, iconoclasts, anti-authoritarians, etc. - folks likely to have more in common with Kucinich or Gravel than to Obama. That's not to say that an Obama or an Edwards (or a Clark or a Gore) couldn't capture these people. But they would need to recognize the real power of this bloc and make real moves to attract it.

No sign of that yet from Obama.

[rubberducky]

2. In my very small community, we recently had our festival.

NO political comments from anyone, except a big tent for Ron Paul. I was truely amazed at how zealously these people defended thier candidate. Really dedicated people. This town encompasses 1 square mile. Nothing for dems or cons. Shocked the hell out of me.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Well, try to appeal to the fact that he's against gov't meddling in Americans Private lives.

What far too many people online don't realize about Ron Paul is that he wants to bring back "The Society of The Wild West." True, myself being liberal, I like not having Agents Mike and Mary having access to all of America's library files, etc. However, Paul wants NO taxes which equates also to "NO monies for the public good" like Highways, Fire Departments, Police, Health Departments, Community and Crisis Aid, etc.

The best way to appeal with Ron Paul republicans is to have whomever is the Democratic Nominee make it clear that they will encourage the End of The Patriot Act; lowering funding to The War on Drugs; returning family planning choices to *the individual women* and their families; and keeping The State and Religious organizations separated.

We, as Democrats, should have a strong appeal to the moderate to left type "libertarian" values. Stress the points above and we should be able to bring them into our camp. ;) :hi:

[Truth2Tell]

7. I would add

Begin to move the debate on foreign policy beyond just Iraq - and address the larger geo-political strategic questions of American Empire. Talk about behaving as a member of the community of nations rather than an arrogant "superpower". Talk about long term security through peace rather than through brute strength.

and

Talk about the stranglehold of corporations on the U.S. political system and the U.S. economy. Talk about the present dangers we face as a result of this arrangement.

The Dems COULD go there. And I think the Paul phenomenon should tell us it's a winning direction. Gore has danced around this stuff a bit. But none of the anointed candidates have jumped in with both feet.

[ShortnFiery]

9. IMO, excellent analysis. Instead of running to the center, the democratic nominee

should be *standing out* with the desire, as President, to remain fully engaged in Foreign Policy, but MAINLY as an effort to bring the opponent parties to the negotiating table. Yes, many people feel angst that seemingly all our tax dollars are being pissed away for perpetual war-making.

It would be a tough balance to rein them in, but there's a huge difference between a strong, prepared Armed Forces and an Empire. :scared: If the Democratic Nominee addresses this and other left-leaning "libertarian" values, IMO we could thoughtfully ... carefully ... bring the lion's share of Ron Paul's supporters to vote for Our Democratic Nominee. Not only that, we may be able to snag back *the full support* of the liberal base of the party. Right now, many of us are feeling left out. :shrug:

[Truth2Tell]

12. Yep, thoughtfully and carefully is the key

My rhetoric of "arrogant superpower" is likely not the best for general consumption.

But talk of a "smarter, more common-sense strategic posture" would fly quite well, IMO.

(It wouldn't fly with the DLC or CFR types, but they're not really needed to win votes - just to raise money)

[Rosemary2205]

14. End patriot act and cut funding for War on Drugs loses lots of union support

Both created money to pay everyone connected with law enforcement and the judicial system. Most of those are union workers, yes? They are going to see that as budget and pay cuts.

[ShortnFiery]

21. Unions based on spying on fellow Americans are WRONG - phase into service sector

like turn into "Educational Public Affairs" (not propaganda). There are a great number of functions these agencies can morph into without trashing Our Constitutional Rights. :shrug:

If they're law enforcement, we can put them on the border. :thumbsup:

[jwirr]

25. Yes, because that usually adds up to anti-social programs including,

social security and a national health care program. Scary.

[LordJFT]

35. my question is will he still run on the libertarian ticket?

[Warpy]

5. Support for him represents resistance to both the war and

the religious right. A closer examination of his positions on government regulation of industry will damage him. A closer examination of his ideas on taxation will sink him.

He's a libertarian, a dreamer, and he's the best they've got.

[orleans]

6. yes, people---go for another republican----just go to sleep---... n/t

[Truth2Tell]

8. Not my point

No suggestion that anyone support Paul.

Question is, how to attract the Paul voters who have some very legit reasons for gravitating to him.

[orleans]

13. (i know it wasn't your point...i was just making a comment about

all the people supporting him at this time--they want a change, they want someone different, and yet they are willing to sacrifice it all by getting another R into office! they're unfucking real. why don't they just WAKE THE FUCK UP??)

i know you weren't telling anyone to support him.

[maximusveritas]

10. I think Paul's support is overstated

The problem with internet support is that it's almost impossible to gauge how much of it is real and where it's coming from. Channel views on YouTube tells you nothing about how much support he really has. Are they eligible voters? Are they mostly Democrats or Independents? I don't think there's enough evidence to show that this is a group worth pursuing at all.

[The Magistrate]

11. Indeed, Sir: You Are Right on all Counts

Not only is there no evidence Paul's supporters are a group worth pursuing, there is a good deal of reason to believe they are not only not worth pursuing, but unreachable even if pursued. Paul's support is comprised mostly of hard right libertarians, whose views of government and the social contract are utterly incompatible with the views of progressives and leftists. The more energetic among them tend to come from the militia and posse comitatus strands of the political fringes: people committed to delusional views of political life, subscribers to a panoply of conspiracist constructs, and in general wholly divorced from actual politics, and glad to be so.

"The enemy of my enemy is another enemy of mine."

[Truth2Tell]

17. Not my experience

I spend plenty of time with grassroots activists - anti-globalists, anti-war progressives and outcasts of all types. I've found a huge overlap between Kucinich and Paul supporters, for example - despite the ideological contradictions. Paul is seen as speaking truth to power - rightly or wrongly - and that resonates with MANY Americans.

I think the real myth is the alleged "swing voter" - this elusive sliver of media fed mush eaters who shift between DLC Dems and Bloomberg-ish non-fundie Repugs. While we all fight tooth and nail for these mythical swingers, the vast 50% of the population who has chosen to sit out politics entirely patiently awaits the candidate with the guts to bring them back in.

[The Magistrate]

20. If It 'Resonated With MANY Americans', Sir

He would have substantial support, and he does not. His comments, in fact, resonate with very few people here, and those who do appreciate and approve of them are mostly elements on the fringes of our political life.

It is not, after all, like the man is a new creature: he has been around for many years, and is a known quantity, as are his supporters, in and outside of his district.

"When people say 'speak truth to power', God kills a baby kitten."

[Truth2Tell]

27. Despite his longevity on the scene

I respectfully submit sir, that MOST Americans have never heard of him before this election cycle - political junkies not withstanding. I don't buy that he is a "known quantity".

And the response to his ideas around here seems to be a mixed bag - not covered by the blanket disapproval you suggest. Many here approve of his anti-war and ant-corporate messages, while the vast majority disapproves of his wild west libertarianism on issues of social justice.

Because a candidate does not have "substantial support" does not necessarily equate to his or her ideas having "no resonance". Kucinich would be a case in point. His lack of polling support doesn't mean Americans don't support single-payer health care, or don't support a more peace-oriented foreign policy.

Sometimes it's important to look beyond the messenger and cull what we can of value from the message. And it the case of Ron Paul, I submit, sir, that there is some substance there to be culled.

[The Magistrate]

31. Lack Of Support Is Lack Of Resonance, Sir

'Culling' is indeed an interesting concept to bring up in connection with Paul: my tolerance for right libertarians, gold-bugs, and racists has grown very strained over the years....

[Truth2Tell]

33. right libertarians, gold-bugs, and racists

Just because Paul is such, doesn't automatically make all of his supporters such. Many may be willing to find a new home more fitting - if someone were to offer it up.

[The Magistrate]

34. It Makes Them People Who Support Such A Person, Sir

It certainly increases the likelihood they themselves have such views, above the average rate at which they are found in the population at large, and certainly indicates they are either not too squeamish about such things, or ignorant of who they declare support for, which latter element certainly removes them from consideration as serious and responsible citizens....

[Truth2Tell]

37. or ignorant of who they declare support for

Yes, I think the ones we should be reaching for are these indeed.

Frankly, ignorance of whom one is really supporting is a widespread characteristic of American voters - Democrats and Republicans alike.

My impression is that many of the younger and newer supporters of Ron Paul have gravitated to him because of his outspoken views on the war and on corporate influence. Many are simply unaware of his whack-nut views in other areas.

Remove them "from consideration as serious and responsible citizens" if you like - but remove them from the potential pool of Democratic voters at all of our peril.

[Progressive Friend]

15. RE: Paul's monetary support

Apparently, Ron Paul raised more money than John McCain did in the last quarter.

http://www.ballot-access.org/2007/07/06/ron-paul-releases-information-on-last-quarter-fund-raising/#comments

[maximusveritas]

26. Not true; He didn't raise more; He just has more in the bank

and that says more about McCain's campaign than it does about Paul's

[R_M]

16. Young people won't take well to his anti-woman, anti-choice,

socially reactionary policies.

Paul is going no where.

[ShortnFiery]

18. Ron Paul, to the best of my knowldege is Pro-Choice - he'll just make you pay for BC and abortions.

Well that's what I find humorous about right wing libertarians.

You can smoke all the dope you can handle and use all the BC you can get your hands on, but YOU pay for it because there ain't gonna be TAXATION.

Wild Wild West, for sure. :P

[Bolo Boffin]

22. Ron Paul is anti-choice, completely and utterly.

He wants to neuter Roe v. Wade by removing abortion cases from federal jurisdiction.

He also waffles on the separation of church and state.

He has his own version of school vouchers.

He believes people should be able to opt out of Social Security, which would kill the program.

He is the only candidate in the 2008 race to receive an A+ rating from the NRA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Ron_Paul

A little bit of "Dr. No" goes a long way. I don't know why we should bother with supporters of Ron Paul.

[ShortnFiery]

28. Thanks for keeping me smart. That sure doesn't mesh with "libertarian"

Thank you. This doesn't make much sense even of right wing libertarians, but I haven't been motivated to scratch much more than the surface regarding Ron Paul.

Thanks again - we need to help get out the truth. :hi:

[Bolo Boffin]

32. No problem!

:hi:

[LordJFT]

36. neither do his anti-gay adoption views

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

19. I am utterly unable to look at this guy's name and NOT read "Ru Paul." -nt

[fujiyama]

23. I was at an Air Show yesterday in MI

and I saw random banners that said "Ron Paul Revolution" just outside the area.

Up until that I have seen no support for any candidate (republican or democrat).

[TwilightGardener]

24. Fringey guys like Paul always end up with a weird hodge-podge of fanatical support

that never translates into electoral success, except in their home districts. Sorry, but I see Kucinich this way too--there's a reason these guys are Reps and not Senators--narrow appeal. I don't think the kinds of folks who like Paul, Kucinich, Gravel, or Nader would EVER go for mainstream candidates in such numbers as to make it worth it to try to attract them.

[Truth2Tell]

29. But sometimes

there are lessons to be learned from the Fringeys. And I don't know why in the world the Dems would be "writing off" anyone at this point? Is it that we really want to use the same formulas as the last two cycles? Cuz they worked so well? :shrug:

[CGowen]

30. Security tells people with Ron Paul sign to take it down during a Marlins baseball game

http://www.calgary911truth.org/my_weblog/2007/07/unbelieveable-c.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKftJT54h_s


A Ron Paul meetup group went to a Florida Marlins baseball game and were actually told by security that since their signs read "Ron Paul 2008" they could not show them!! I am not kidding. Watch the video!

I guess they have no other options but the internet

[depakid]

38. "question: How do the Democrats tap into these Ron Paul supporters"

Answer: They don't- they let an independent movement co-opt the issues and then whine about it.