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Ron Paul's long shot

Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:37 AM EDT

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U.S. Sen. John McCain is one of the most famous politicians in America.

He has been running for president off and on since 1999, has a campaign financing reform bill named after him and is one of the most quoted political figures on big issues like the war in Iraq.

In the last reporting period, McCain raised about $6 million for his presidential campaign.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul is a relatively obscure Texas congressman who once ran for president as a libertarian, is now running as a Republican and is stuck in single digits in public opinion polls.

He raised $5.1 million last quarter. Paul has $5.3 million in his campaign bank account. McCain has $3.6 million, according to published reports. So who is Ron Paul and how did he raise all that money?

Paul is a former obstetrician and gynecologist who brags he delivered 4,000 babies. He was once a flight surgeon in the Air Force. As a congressman, he claims to have never voted for a tax increase or a congressional pay raise. He said he has never taken a junket trip.

His libertarian streak caused him to vote against the Patriot Act. In debates, he stands out because he strongly condemns the war in Iraq while the other Republicans endorse both.

Some voters know him only by the handmade signs touting his candidacy that hang on highway overpasses.

Although he barely makes a wave in the polls, he is one of the most popular candidates on the Internet, and that is where his money is coming from.

His anti-war creditials make him a favorite of young people surfing sites like MySpace and Facebook. His videos on YouTube have received 4.5 million hits, more than those of any other candidate, according to published reports. His Internet appeal allows him to collect more in donations every quarter, mostly from small donors.

Paul is still an extreme long shot. He trails heavy hitters like Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani

in both poll numbers and money. His anti-war stand is unlikely to endear him to mainstream Republicans.

But, Paul is gathering momentum and media attention. At the very least, he will help keep the Republican primary campaign entertaining.

Filling a vacancy State Rep. John Lepper is trying to return power to the governor to fill vacant U.S. Senate seats.

Massachusetts law used to allow the governor to name a replacement when a senator retired, died or resigned before his or her term expired. The replacement filled the remaining portion of the term under the old system.

When Sen. John Kerry was running for president and there was the possibility he might have to resign his seat, the Legislature changed the law.

The House and Senate voted to fill vacancies through a special election held within 160 days of the vacancy.

Lepper, R-Attleboro, is proposing something of a compromise that would allow the governor to appoint a replacement until the special election is held.

He said the state needs constant representation in Washington. Critics contend it makes no sense to appoint a replacement for five months at the most.

JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. His commentaries appear in this space on Saturdays. Contact him at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.

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ckls wrote on Oct 14, 2007 3:13 AM:

" There are obviously real people behind those internet clicks and donations. This will be the first election where the majority of voters are able to do their own research on the candidates and not rely on the media for their information. Ron Paul reflects all core Republican values, as no other candidate does. He is the choice candidate for all Old-time conservative Republicans, Constitutionalists, Value-voters, strong defense, strong border security, small limited-government, a balanced budget, and the restoration of states rights and Constitutional government. He would restore true economic and foreign policy conservatism. The vast majority of Americans (over 70%) now want to put an end to the Iraq War and bring the troops home now. Even Hillary and Obama don't promise to do that. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate of both parties committed to doing this. Ron Paul has received more donations from the military than any other Republican candidate. As a registered Republican for the past 30 years, I hardly consider myself one that fits into your pre-described categories. It is the Republican Party which has become out-of-step with America, not Ron Paul. He is the only candidate who can restore core Republican values to the failing GOP. Many people see him as this country's last hope. This life-long conservative Republican will be voting for Ron Paul, as I encourage others to do the same. "

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Mitch C wrote on Oct 13, 2007 12:00 PM:

" Nice article, thank you! I'd just like to add one very important item to the list of things that show Ron Paul is truly a class act: He declines the incredibly lucrative pension that congress voted for themselves. This gravy-train-for-life package could be worth millions of taxpayers' dollars for each retired congressman. Not bad for "Public Servants", eh? If only the masters could retire that comfortably! "

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goldenequity wrote on Oct 13, 2007 9:50 AM:

" The real question, rather than calling him a longshot is: WHY would he get this much support? Ron Paul signs seem to be popping up everywhere. I mean, come on, when's the last time you saw homemade Giuliani, Romney or McCain signs hanging on poles, fences and highway bridges? And that's across the nation....not just New Hampshire. A local Iowa talk host, Jan Michaelson of WHO news talk radio, had been handling the latest supporter focus in Des Moines Iowa. In one afternoon/evening….they documented over 17,000 server requests to download the broadcast coverage concerning Ron Paul. Now that's not spammers trying to hack or skew some pole. His testimony is heard here: http://www.ronpaulaudio.com/rpaudio/RonPaulIowaTaxReliefBLOWBACKonWHOnewsradio.mp3 We as a people, need to stop relying on hearsay and anecdotal commentaries like talk radio. People need to do their OWN homework because NOBODY explains Ron Paul BETTER than Ron Paul himself! Here is an interactive audio archive of Ron Paul speeches and interviews as a resource in chronological order. http://www.ronpaulaudio.com "

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Peterjar wrote on Oct 13, 2007 6:20 AM:

" Dear Mr. Hand, Thanks for giving press to Dr. Paul. Dr. Paul's message is resonating with thousands of Americans and is thus an important aspect of this election cycle - perhaps the most important aspect. None of the other candidates can boast the supporter turnout for Ron Paul at events across the country. Mc Cain had an event where only one supporter turned-up, but Paul gets hundreds, and more recently, thousands, of people at every event. These are real in person numbers, not Internet phantoms. On the Internet he creams all others like you have mentioned. The point about the polls needs to be addressed. Main stream polls likes these are completely bogus. Paul does not do well in them for a few reasons. Many do not include Ron Paul as an option. They poll voters on landlines who are registered as republicans and have voted in recent elections. RP supporters are younger and more tech-savvy; they use cell phones, may not be republicans, and may be too young to have voted before. In some cases they are independents or non-politicos who have only recently been inspired to get involved. Other polls are better indicators. Call-in or text messaging polls cannot be hacked and always place RP on top by huge margins. They are an indicator of the focus and intensity of his support base. This is essential for voter turn-out down the line and can make or break a candidates chances. Thanks again, Peter "

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