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    Fox News Shows Ron Paul Supporters' Passion and the Power of Internet Marketing

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    COMMENTARY | Congressman Ron Paul's supporters are unwavering, and extremely vocal in their desire for a smaller, more Libertarian U.S. government. And, whether you agree with his positions or not, what candidate wouldn't want such a devoted, vocal following? After the Aug. 11 Republican presidential debate, Fox News asked their viewers who they believed won the event, and with 23,079 votes out of the 38,510 so far, a clear majority of site visitors picked Congressman Ron Paul.

    The next candidate who viewers felt handled the debate best is Newt Gingrich at 5,814 votes, as of this report. While Fox's survey is as informal as can be, it does speak to the power of Internet campaigning. Whether you agree with his platform or not, his supporters consistently prove themselves to be noisy, determined, and loyal. Party favorites would be foolish to try to write him off as no threat to their possible candidacies.

    Many of them believe other Republican candidates to be too supportive of the status-quo of Washington, while his campaign focuses on maintaining the U.S. Constitution as the law-of-the-land, individual liberties and something our grandparents called common sense. His detractors rarely have much to say on the issues themselves, but more often rely on ad hominem attacks, and references to his age.

    By the second quarter of 2011, he had raised $4.5 million after the bills were paid. While building his campaign for the 2012 elections, Paul opted to fly commercial and to stay in cheaper hotels. In a rare showing of fiscal responsibility from any politician, his campaign shows a $5 million surplus.

    The results of the Ames Straw Poll are not a guaranteed bid for the Republican nomination. Mitt Romney proved that in 2008. But the results will give the selected candidate a clear idea of what's really on the American voter's mind. Whether Ron Paul wins the nomination, or even the Ames Straw Poll itself, it should be evident to career politicians in Washington of the dissatisfaction with business-as-usual.

     

    25 comments

    • steven  •  9 mths ago
      who is this RON PAUL a few are talking about on here/ and who in there right mind would trust a man they had to give 2 frist names to?and can he prove hi is and amrican born. ron paul / that sure sounds fonny .
      • Donald Pennington 9 mths ago
        That may be the weakest try I've ever seen "Steven." Big fail.
      • steven 9 mths ago
        just as long as you got the point. I am happy."Donald" Just don't take mewrong.I am not an Oboma. fan,and damb sure not a Rick Perry fan are a supporter. just a concerned old Vet nam vet.just rember not many knew of Oboma when he came out. What I was saying is for the voter to know who they are voting for and be sure they want who the vote for.. thank
        Steven "the old Vet"
      • Donald Pennington 8 mths ago
        Thanks for the clarification. The error is mine. Thanks for what you did for us all. I'm glad you made it home.
    • Dina Montgomery  •  9 mths ago
      :o)
    • kleinechen  •  9 mths ago
      It is not about who has more charisma, but who knows what needs to be done & has the courage & determination to do it.... I heard Ron Paul that he wanted to be afront runner for those like me who believe that if we stay active & committed to what is right for the Nation, it will pay off by changing the way we view the Federal Government & the power that the Constituion places directly on the States not the Federal Government. We need a shift in the mentality of America who has forgotten who it is and where her freedoms and the ability to pursue a life of liberty and not a socialist or facist agenda......huge difference
    • JPT  •  9 mths ago
      Everywhere you look, you can find a story on each GOP candidate. You actually have to search for a story on Ron Paul.

      Interesting.
    • Robert  •  9 mths ago
      GO RON PAUL!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT!
    • steve  •  9 mths ago
      Paul not only has republican voters, he has democratic voters, independent voters, and people such as myself that have never voted. He represents what the People of the United States want!
    • steven  •  9 mths ago
      just as long as you got the point. I am happy."Donald" Just don't take mewrong.I am not an Oboma. fan,and damb sure not a Rick Perry fan are a supporter. just a concerned old Vet nam vet.just rember not many knew of Oboma when he came out. What I was saying is for the voter to know who they are voting for and be sure they want who the vote for.. thank
      Steven "the old Vet"
    • dan  •  9 mths ago
      Its buried cause Mainstream media has shareholders that are fleecing America. Traitors to the constitution..........................Ron Paul 2012
    • Priscilla King  •  9 mths ago
      Romney and Gingrich (together) embody everything I don't like about Republicans. Ron Paul at least writes about everything I do like about Republicans. I'd like to have an opportunity to vote for him. If noise is what it takes, hurrah for the noise!
    • Ron  •  9 mths ago
      In a former life I was a Reagan Republican - now an Independent. I tuned into the Rupert Murdoch Television Network (FOX-NEWS) to view the entire debate with an open mind. THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT PRESENTS WHAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BELIEVE IS RON PAUL yet, the Fox-Newscasters continue to highlight 'SlickWilly" (aka: Mitt Romney), 'CrazyChic' (aka: Bachman), and their own "MediaDarling" (aka: If I Could Turn Back Time Newt Gingrich). The whole Newt 'mad at the media' thing was totally staged, you could tell by how the Fox pundits spun Gingrich's comments after the debate (As if Newt gives a #$%$ about us commoners). 
Here’s one independent voter’s view of the ® candidates:Michelle Bachman – Nuts and a Total Bullshitter who couldn’t lead fish through water (that goes for Sarah Palin too);Herman Caine – not Presidential material. Put him in charge of Economic Development though;Newt Gringrich – Egomaniacal Scumbag – Rupert Murdoch’s candidate for sure!Jon Huntsman – some good ideas but more of the same #$%$Tim Palenty – a Politician – need I say more!Mitt Romney – Slick Wall Street Hired Gun. 98% of us loose with this guy!Rick Santorum – sorry Rick, I don’t want to live in a Fascist Theocracy ( goes for Rick Perry too)!DR. RON PAUL - All the right ideas: back to Gold Standard, Govt out of our lives, Focus on Domestic Economy, Get out of other Nation's business, Observe The Constitution...sounded like a 'Founding Father" to me!
      • Enough Already 9 mths ago
        AMEN!!!
      • Twins+1 9 mths ago
        right there with you! I am a former chickenhawk neocon but radicalized back to my old libertarian roots. RON PAUL is the man!
      • Twins+1 9 mths ago
        right there with you! I am a former chickenhawk neocon but radicalized back to my old libertarian roots. RON PAUL is the man!
    • 86ortega  •  9 mths ago
      Why did FOX IMMEDIATELY remove the poll after Ron Paul was clearly dominating it across the country. They didn't even mention it as if it never happened., Give me a break.
      • kleinechen 9 mths ago
        Miguel .....remember it is us the every day folk who have no say in the MEDIa but we can change the course of this Nation by our votes ....we need to remain united, not loose hope until we get someone like minded in the white House...it will not come easy but we cannot give up... we must continue pursuing liberty for ourselves our loved ones & for those who do not know or understand what is at stake.... we must not surrender, or falter we need to keep talking encouraging one another towards the goal.....to be represented by a candidate who truely cares about the People and that is by the People
        every change comes with a cost we can obtain a great reward if we do not falter no matter what the outcome /........this is only the beginng of what is to follow
    • shawn  •  9 mths ago
      I really think most of America is opening their eyes because they are sick and tired of the Status quo politician. Ron Paul is what this country needs. Everyone should donate what they can to his campaign due to the fact he has to compete with the media that doesnt even mention him. Donating is a small price to pay to get this country back on track.
    • steve  •  9 mths ago
      Go Ron Paul! I want a President who represents ALL of the people that elect him, not one that pushes his parties agendas and a portion of the population's beliefs and ideas on the entire population. Long live freedom of choice!
    • Enough Already  •  9 mths ago
      America is sick and needs a doctor fast. Dr. Paul we need you.
    • NickDC33  •  9 mths ago
      Even as a Leftist, I love the fact that I never know what he's gonna say next, but it will be the truth you will NOT here from anyone else. Awesome. He very well may be our last chance before corporate candidates take over for good.
    • AntiMedia  •  9 mths ago
      Why is this story buried?
    • Emily  •  9 mths ago
      This is very encouraging! At least they couldn't ignore him this time =o)
      • munmun 9 mths ago
        they did... in fact fox news erased their polling.
    • bb  •  9 mths ago
      RON PAUL WE SUPPORT YOU!!!
    • steve  •  9 mths ago
      Pay attention media because "The People" are speaking!
    • Roy P  •  9 mths ago
      Two Party Political System

      Flag Day ! President Barack Obama is expected to withdraw roughly 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year. I am confused. During our effort to win victory in the Pacific and Europe, did we stop mid-stream to withdraw troops?

      Will the withdrawal BEFORE victory in Afghanistan/Pakistan put the remaining troops at greater risk and greater loss?

      Will a Republican or democrat party politician (McCain included) have compassion for the families that have lost soldiers over these last TEN years? Say, how many years till victory in Europe and the Pacific?

      What is the difference today and then? Korea ~ Viet Nam ~ Somalia ~ Libya and on and on ad nauseam. We have a president(s) that send our soldiers, airmen and sailors into battles with no intention of achieving victory. Their interest must be monetary. For they simply replace body bags with fresh live soldiers. Flag Day! No victories.

      What is the difference today and then? During the 1940s would our president(s) disregard the Geneva Convention or Uniform Code of Military Justice and shoot captives, unarmed prisoners of war?

      I am confused? American citizens are asked to sacrifice (life and finance) to pay more taxes and to take greater cuts in social programs. Neither the Republican party or candidates or the democrats direct any cuts whatsoever of monies our government and citizens send to foreigners and many foreign governments that are actually our enemies, i.e. Palestinians, Pakistanis, now Egyptians (islamists).

      I am confused? There is no organization or party (including the Tea Party) that appear to address these important issues. Am I confused by the two party system? The parties have only interest in issues as election arguments and not issues that actually solve international and internal problems. No party, while in office (or out) pursues issues that impact upon the citizens. The only issue of importance is an issue that they may use to campaign for the next election.

      Question: Is there truly any difference when we vote for one party over the other?

      proud, God fearing, patriotic, Republican, Lincoln County New Mexico Tea Member, old fashioned American, hoping for a revival of American patriotism
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