Ron Paul Raises $4.2 million in one day

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071106/...lR_vXaBlxh24cA

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WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, aided by an extraordinary outpouring of Internet support Monday, hauled in more than $4.2 million in nearly 24 hours.
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Paul, the Texas congressman with a libertarian tilt and an out-of-Iraq pitch, entered heady fundraising territory with a surge of Web-based giving tied to the commemoration of Guy Fawkes Day.

Fawkes was a British mercenary who failed in his attempt to kill King James I on Nov. 5, 1605. He also was the model for the protagonist in the movie "V for Vendetta." Paul backers motivated donors on the Internet with mashed-up clips of the film on the online video site YouTube as well as the Guy Fawkes Day refrain: "Remember, remember the 5th of November."

Paul's total deposed Mitt Romney as the single-day fundraising record holder in the Republican presidential field. When it comes to sums amassed in one day, Paul now ranks only behind Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton, who raised nearly $6.2 million on June 30, and Barack Obama.

Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said the effort began independently about two months ago at the hands of Paul's backers. He said Paul picked up on the movement, mentioning in it speeches and interviews.

"It's been kind of building up virally," Benton said.

The $4.2 million represented online contributions from more than 37,000 donors, fundraising director Jonathan Bydlak said Monday night.

Paul has been lagging in the polls behind Republican front-runners. But he captured national attention at the end of September when he reported raising $5.2 million in three months, putting him fourth among Republican presidential candidates in fundraising for the quarter.

Paul as of Monday had raised more than $7 million since Oct. 1, more than half his goal of $12 million by the end of the year, according to his Web site.

Paul advocates limited government and low taxes like other Republicans, but he stands alone as the only GOP presidential candidate opposed to the Iraq war. He also has opposed Bush administration security measures that he says encroach on civil liberties.

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The largest online fundraising effort ever, all performed by a grassroots organization with no ties whatsoever to the campaign.

This is really quite amazing.

I would regain all faith in American politics if a limited libertarian was voted into office.

Hopefully this prompts Ron Paul to consider a third-party bid in the general election. I doubt he'd win, but I think he would do surprisingly well (maybe 15% of the vote?) given how strongly people seem to be getting behind him. Libertarians are growing in numbers, they LOVE the internet, and IMO a lot of their positions are absolutely necessary to avoid the looming social security/medicaid/national debt/endless wars crisis.

Remember remember the 5th of November...

Why do people keep starting these threads. They're not allowed here. And worse yet, why do folks who know better actually respond?

The next member here who starts a political thread is ging to be banned for a month! Anyone who responds will be banned a week! Knock this off!