Ron Paul Is Not the Story
By Stephen Spruiell
National Review Online
Antiwar Republican Ron Paul shocked the political establishment this week when his presidential campaign announced that it raised $5.1 million, more money than John McCain in the latest quarter of 2007. How has a relatively unknown congressman from Texas attracted more support than a party stalwart and war hero like McCain? Answer: He is the only antiwar Republican running for president...
...Meanwhile, Paul’s campaign sees these triple-digit growth rates continuing in the fourth quarter. According to his website, he’s aiming to raise $4 million this month and $12 million by the end of December. One of the most interesting possibilities floating around out there is that, after the primaries are over, Paul could offer an antiwar, pro-life, third-party alternative to either Rudy Giuliani or Hillary Clinton (in 1988 Paul ran for president as a member of the Libertarian Party). If his fundraising continues at this pace, he might be tempted to do it. Something tells me it’s a possibility the Clinton camp isn’t exactly dreading.
I can see Ron Paul becoming another Ross Perot-type candidate in next year's election if he doesn't win the GOP nomination. Who knows, maybe some of Hillary's supporters are donating to Paul to inflate his ego and inspire him to run as a third party candidate in '08.
posted by Andy W. Rogers | 7:37 PM
3 Comments:
Who knows, maybe some of Hillary's supporters are donating to Paul to inflate his ego and inspire him to run as a third party candidate in '08.
Yeah, right.
If Hillary's supporters wanted to game the system, they would be contributing to Giuliani. His nomination would virtually assure a Clinton win. The same could probably be said for Romney and Thompson as well.
If Hillary's supporters wanted to game the system, they would give to Paul because him, not Giuliani, would be willing to run as a third party candidate next year. It's like when Republicans were giving money to Ralph Nadar to inflate his ego to make a run as a third party candidate in '04.
Why would they want to take the indirect route? They don't even know whether Paul would run as in independent. They have no idea whose side would lose votes to Paul if he did run. That's a high risk investment. Why not take the easy road and bet on Giuliani? If he wins the GOP primary, Hillary skates into the Oval Office, probably by wide margin.
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