I admit it's impressive, but reading into the numbers, I was surprised by how few donations actually comprised the total figure. Only 25,000 odd donations across a country of 220,000,000 voters doesn't seem anywhere near as exciting as the money total. I don't mean to downplay the fundraising accomplishment, but it doesn't reflect the kind of grassroots support you might think it does. Howard Dean's campaign strategy was similar to this and had similar success - but the average campaign donation was only $20, far less than Paul's average gift, signifying a broader support among the population.
So yeah, Paul's supporters should be commended for being diehard. But I am still not convinced that there are all that many of them.
___________________
Nov-06-2007 07:19
Trancer-X
mutatis mutandis
Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Shambhala
so much for that element of doubt that the status quo shills are trying to introduce
Ron Paul Makes Political Fundraising History 11/06 - MSNBC
quote:
Nov. 6, 2007, 1:43PM Maverick Paul sets one-day, GOP fundraising record
By BENNETT ROTH
WASHINGTON — Maverick GOP presidential contender Ron Paul of Lake Jackson continued his fund-raising juggernaut, raking in $4.3 million in one day over the Internet.
The 24 hour fund-raising drive on Monday brings Paul's contributions to $7.3 million so far for the final quarter of this year, eclipsing the $5.4 million he raised in the third quarter.
Paul received 38,000 donations during the drive, which was spearheaded by the candidate's supporters in honor of Guy Fawkes Day, which commemorates Fawkes, a British mercenary who unsuccessfully sought to kill King James I on Nov. 5, 1605. Guy Fawkes was also the inspiration for the novel and movie "V for Vendetta," in which the lead character takes on a fascist government in Great Britain.
The libertarian leaning Paul is a strong opponent of many government programs and is the only Republican candidate for the White House advocating troop withdrawal from Iraq.
In a message to supporters on the candidate's Web site, Paul's fund-raising director, Jonathan Bydlak, called the cash haul, "earth-shattering, jaw-dropping ... No matter which way you phrase it, Ron Paul is for real."
Paul now holds the record among Republican White House candidates for fund-raising on a single day, according to the Associated Press. Democratic presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton has raised the most, $6.2 million, on a single day during the current campaign.
While he has built a fervent fan base over the Internet, Paul still remains mired in the low single digits in most national polls.
Paul's spokesman Jesse Benton said the influx of funds will allow the candidate to increase his name recognition. The candidate is already airing television and radio commercials in New Hampshire and radio spots in Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada.
Benton said the campaign has already increased its staff to 70 people. Paul is scheduled to be in New Hampshire on Wednesday and speak at Independence Mall in Philadelphia on Saturday.
ok folks, Ron Paul money bomb #2 is coming December 16th, the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party! There is plenty of time to spread the good word on Dr. Paul. We've got just over one month to get ready..
100,000 pledges of $100 each = $10 million in a single day.
November 16, 2007
Illegal Ron Paul currency seized
Ron Paul is set to have a big fundraising quarter.
EVANSVILLE, Indiana (AP) — Federal agents raided the headquarters of a group that produces illegal currency and puts it in circulation, seizing gold, silver and two tons of copper coins featuring Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.
Agents also took records, computers and froze the bank accounts at the "Liberty Dollar" headquarters during the Thursday raid, Bernard von NotHaus, founder of the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve Act & Internal Revenue Code, said in a posting on the group's Web site.
The organization, which is critical of the Federal Reserve, has repeatedly clashed with the federal government, which contends that the gold, silver and copper coins it produces are illegal. NORFED claims its Liberty Dollars are inflation free and can restore stability to financial markets by allowing commerce based on a currency that does not fluctuate in value like the U.S. dollar.
"They're running scared right now and they had to do something," von NotHaus told The Associated Press Friday. "I'm volunteering to meet the agents and get arrested so we can thrash this out in court."
Wendy Osborne, a spokeswoman for the FBI's Indianapolis office, declined to comment and referred all questions to the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of North Carolina. Suellen Pierce, a spokeswoman for that office, also declined to comment.
The raid comes eight months after von NotHaus filed a lawsuit in federal court in Evansville seeking a permanent injunction to stop the federal government from labeling the Liberty Dollar an illegal currency.
The U.S. Mint issued a warning this year that the Liberty Dollar violated the Constitution and warned consumers against using them unsuspectingly.
Paul's campaign said it had not authorized production of the Ron Paul dollars.
"We were aware they existed, but we didn't have any affiliation with them," said Jesse Benton, a spokesman for Ron Paul's campaign. "He didn't ask our permission to make them."
