Paul's cash on hand puts him in third place in the Republican field in that important metric, although he is well behind leader Rudy Giuliani, who has $18 million in the bank, and Mitt Romney, with $12 million.
On the one hand, this shows the dismal turn of events for McCain. But the fact that Paul is more liquid than all the other Republicans running is something of a surprise. Though it is highly doubtful that Paul has any real chance of winning the nomination, his continued rise from national obscurity is something to consider. He boasts an impressive and fervent following owning to the fact that he has clearly defined principles and sticks to them. Unlike Giuliani, Romney, and McCain, you won't hear people calling Paul a flip-flopper. So long as he's allowed to participate in the debates, he will continue to draw disgruntled voters from across the political spectrum. And if he continues to raise large sums of money, he may just succeed at infusing his Libertarian-inspired issues back into the Republican party.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. This bit of news should not really have come as a shock, considering the fact that Ron Paul won all the major polls after each and every GOP debate!
If Ron Paul loses, it will be no one's fault but the mainstream media's; and it will also be our own fault for failing to jump on this amazing opportunity.
Please visit http://www.RonPaul2008.com!
RJM at 7:48PM on Jul 6th 2007
2. What? Ron Paul supporters are spamming with donations now?
Hehe, and they say he has no real life support.
James Fetner at 10:30PM on Jul 6th 2007
3. Ron Paul definitely stands out among the back benchers.
Steve Bonomo at 11:16PM on Jul 6th 2007
4. I am a life long democrat and liberal, mainly because bigots like Bush, Cheney, Gingrich, Guiliani, etc. have turned me off on the GOP so much with their war mongering, curruption filled, dishonest, lying, & hateful demeanor. But Ron Paul is a true Republican. I admit i wasn't really paying any attention at all to politics when Regan was in office, mainly because i wasn't able to vote then, but from what ive studied Reagan wasn't like the the republicans today and ot be honest i think thats why he was so popular. Ron Paul seems to truly emobody Reagan and if Paul got the nomination, i would be inclined to consider voting for him, but would most likely still vote for Hillary.
Patrick at 12:50AM on Jul 7th 2007
5. A politician with integrity...?? Who knew they existed? Dr. Paul will continue to surprise a lot of people.
Go Ron Paul!
Go Ron Paul at 12:18PM on Jul 7th 2007
6. Wouldn't it be something if the best candidate actually won. If Paul is in third place with campaign money that tells me more and more people are are supporting him. I've met him a few times and I can tell you first hand, everything people say about him is true. He has no equal, in many more ways than one.
Steve Laser at 2:33AM on Jul 8th 2007
7. Patrick (4), there is a peculiar phenomenon that occurs once a president has left the political scene. I recently came across this bit of interesting info from by Dalia Sussman, ABC News (from 8/01):
"Improving With Age: Reagan Approval Grows Better in Retrospect
Two-thirds of Americans look back favorably on Ronald Reagan's presidency, a better rating than he received while serving in the White House.
Reagan's average approval rating during his two terms in office was 57 percent, in the mid-range for a postwar president and tied with Bill Clinton's rating. But looking back today, more Americans — 66 percent — say they approve of Reagan's work, according to an ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll."
Reagan is now seen as a great hero to current republican candidates; and Jimmy Carter will probably always be seen as a better ex-president than president. Yet, here's the really oddest factoid from the same ABC News article:
"Reagan scored a similarly strong retrospective job approval rating in February 2000. And Jimmy Carter's was 66 percent in a poll a couple of years ago — a full 20 points higher than his career average while in office."
My point is that memory has a way of forgetting the pain and just remembering the good.
From my p.o.v., under his presidency, Reagan scared a lot of people with his sabre rattling and his continual taunting of the USSR. His policy of supply side economics, especially its tax cuts for the rich policy, was almost disastrous and he was thought by many as an outright idiot. Of course, we hadn't seen either Bush in action at that point.
Carter, on the other hand, was a true disaster as a president. Except for his bringing together of Sadat and Begin, a remarkable achievement unfortunately resulting in getting Sadat later assassinated for their efforts at Mid East peace which then fell apart (yet again).
So be careful when you hear how wonderful Reagan was. It's all relative.
Ron Paul is saying what I want to hear. Philosophically, we're on the same page. But until he proves real leadership and the ability to deal with foreign policy beyond simplistic and unrealistic US isolationism, and there is time yet, my vote is for Hillary, too.
Liz at 2:46PM on Jul 8th 2007
8. This is great news. The first time I voted, I voted for Clinton (Bill) because I did not know any better. Then I started watching CSPAN and I was floored when I watched this Ron Paul guy. I watched in disbelief as I heard the things he was saying. His words really turned me on to politics. I found that I was more of a Libertarian than anything else and have been voting Libertarian for the most part ever since. I have been waiting for over a decade to have a chance to vote for a man like Ron Paul for President and now it appears that I will have the chance to actually vote for Ron Paul himself. It is truely an exciting time to be an American! Thanks Dr. Paul and all of your supporters.
CNelson at 6:05PM on Jul 10th 2007
9. Let's NOT blame the media for censoring Ron Paul. Scarborough has said some good things about Paul, Tucker and Dobbs practically idolize this guy. Hell even Glenn Beck has said some good things about this guy. I'm not expecting Fox to back this guy any time soon, but what do you expect, it's Fox?
The only two major pundants who are still holding out are Olbermann and Matthews.
thequietkid10 at 1:56AM on Jul 11th 2007
10. Sorry realistic, but your comment leaves a bad taste in my brain, as most people who share your thoughts. I think Ron Paul has ideas and integrity; and realistically, this is what a political leader should have, no? I would not be interested at all in this election if it weren't for him. He is tackling the serious issues beyond war, problems that arose as far back as Woodrow Wilson days. We are abject to move forward into the future without fixing these problems first. I, for one, am not a fan of Brittney Spears or the political equivalent, i.e. the other candidates.
Roger Houdaille at 7:44AM on Jul 11th 2007
11. He doesn't have any serious plan for anything period.He's a dangerous man and a Freedom Loving country of ours will never trust his philosophy alone about The War on Terrorists.What kind of Tax Policies for every American Families,individual and American Businesses?What is his Health Care plan and many other important issues matter most to Americans apart from the war? Any candidate out there Democrats or Republican think the war is the main issue should think again.The real issue is Can You Lead Us through the midst of many problems domestic and foreign with a very strong and positive attitude if we are attack again,he doesn't seems the candidate that have the GUTS to do that.He's the first one run for cover and leave us defenseless.I challenge anybody out there including any candidate to show the American people that Bin Laden,Zawahiri,Amadinejad and the powerful Islamist Terrorist groups and their Holy War Theme is not real?The moment we sleep we sleep forever.
Realistic at 2:56PM on Jul 11th 2007
12. Our world is different today than it was yesterday.The enemy this country is facing is not a country or a uniform army,its a worldwide religion of Islamist with a serious deadly agenda without mercy to the human race.Now who in his bright mind and concern for the future of our people especially our children would buy his philosophy concerning this war on terror,definitely not this bright mind of mine.I care for my childrens and grandchildrens for their future,and his politicising of this eminent threat so that he can sell his candidacy doesn't sit well with intelligent Freedom loving American.No matter the situation in Iraq right now,the TERRORIST AGENDA is long and serious it'll never go away.Conquering the entire world is their objective and they will stop at nothing to do just that.
Realistic at 7:16PM on Jul 12th 2007
13. Shut up, you asshole neo con!
VOTE RON PAUL 2008!!
Joseph at 5:30AM on Jul 16th 2007
14. #13 Joseph whats wrong with your brain!don't take too much pills kid.
Realistic at 10:26AM on Jul 16th 2007
15. Propaganda Alert! Realistic you are a poster child for the Neo-Cons..scarring us into submission.
Realistic...if you truly believe this, back it up with logic and fact...a revolutionary idea for neo-cons ..do some research...Cui bono?
Patriot at 4:33AM on Jul 18th 2007