2008 Woodie Awards
The Future of Ron Paul Fever
Editorial
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Commentary
- Page 1 of 1
I've been joking with our staff lately that in order to increase readership we should add the name "Ron Paul" to every article. Every opinion or news piece we've published online about him has received far more than the average number of hits.
It would be easy to make fun of a candidate who wants to abolish the CIA and IRS, but given the passion and sheer number of his supporters, I'm not sure he can be that easily dismissed.
From reading all the comments posted in response to articles online, you get the sense that "Ron Paul Fever" isn't so much about the man himself, but about the ardor of his followers. These guys are all over the place, and I find myself becoming jealous - I wish I could feel that passionately about a candidate.
Whether you love him or hate him, revere him or laugh at him, you must admit that Paul's views - particularly his anti-war, anti-interventionist stance on geopolitics - make him unique among the Republican presidential hopefuls running.
There would seem to be a growing demographic of voters interested in smaller government - both in social and economic spheres - and they're not going to go away anytime soon. College students make up a sizeable portion of his fan base, so it will be interesting to see the results of the practice primary UNH will be hosting for students here on Dec. 11, 2007.
But regardless of how Ron Paul fares in the UNH primary or the 2008 general election, the libertarian-esque base he has energized will undoubtedly be influencing the course of politics in America for years to come - and I'm eager to see just how.
It would be easy to make fun of a candidate who wants to abolish the CIA and IRS, but given the passion and sheer number of his supporters, I'm not sure he can be that easily dismissed.
From reading all the comments posted in response to articles online, you get the sense that "Ron Paul Fever" isn't so much about the man himself, but about the ardor of his followers. These guys are all over the place, and I find myself becoming jealous - I wish I could feel that passionately about a candidate.
Whether you love him or hate him, revere him or laugh at him, you must admit that Paul's views - particularly his anti-war, anti-interventionist stance on geopolitics - make him unique among the Republican presidential hopefuls running.
There would seem to be a growing demographic of voters interested in smaller government - both in social and economic spheres - and they're not going to go away anytime soon. College students make up a sizeable portion of his fan base, so it will be interesting to see the results of the practice primary UNH will be hosting for students here on Dec. 11, 2007.
But regardless of how Ron Paul fares in the UNH primary or the 2008 general election, the libertarian-esque base he has energized will undoubtedly be influencing the course of politics in America for years to come - and I'm eager to see just how.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 29
Alex Michel
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:05 PM EST
The Ron Paul Presidential Campaign has raised more money in the first two months of the 4th quarter than Romney raised in the entire 3rd quarter.
Not only can Ron Paul raise lots of money online in a day, but he is outraising the front-runners in absolute dollar terms. (Continued…)
Pliny
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:15 PM EST
You're right about one thing, it isn't the candidate its the message. I'd be equally supportive of anyone professing Dr. Paul's viewpoints on protecting US sovereignty, returning to sound money, cutting the size, scope, and spending of government, federalism, and free market economics. (Continued…)
JohnMatthews
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:18 PM EST
This page doesn't open properly in Firefox. You should fix issues like that if you would like to receive more web traffic.
Go Ron Paul!
Brad
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:27 PM EST
People are starting to wake up to the fact that Government Does Nothing Well and that their future is being sold out from under them.
Things are out of whack. (Continued…)
DBevins
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:36 PM EST
The people's passion are very much about the message, but Dr. Paul also has a 30-year voting record which make him unique among all other candidates.. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:40 PM EST
I dont understand McCain and other people calling RP's foreign policy isolationist. That is ridiculous. RP is not talking about closing embassies and trade organizations, he is talking about closing the military bases and bringing home the troops we have spread around 130 different countries. (Continued…)
Dan
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:51 PM EST
Yes indeed, Ron Paul's movement isn't entirely about Ron Paul. But it isn't entirely about his supporters either. What it's really about is an awakening by American citizens from many walks of life to the perils of liberalism/globalism. (Continued…)
Kate
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:53 PM EST
Ron Paul is the only candidate speaking FOR the people and is in favor of people ruling the government instead of big government ruling the american citizens. (Continued…)
Alan
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:56 PM EST
With respect, I have to ask the editor, and all others, just why is it "easy to make fun of" those who propose any scaling back, diminution, or elimination of any government programs? Why is it automatically "loony", "kooky", or "fringe" (the usual words hurled at Ron Paul and his supporters) to ever say that this governmental power, or that governemental program, is unnecessary or inimical to freedom, and should be abolished?
It seems that the unspoken assumption of so-called "mainstream" political belief is that societal progress can only be achieved in one manner: furthering the power and scope of government (i/e/, coercion), and anything to the contrary is ipso facto "kooky". (Continued…)
bt
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:58 PM EST
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Yes, us spambots point out helpful bits of info too.
Check out his stances on the issues:
http://www. (Continued…)
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