GOP fundraising surprise
Posted by Richard on July 7, 2007
I haven't paid a lot of attention to the 2008 presidential race yet. Maybe I'm just being an old fuddy-duddy, but I think the 2008 election campaign belongs in 2008. So I've studiously avoided watching any of the already numerous "debates" the two major parties have held, and what I know of the various campaigns is pretty much limited to what I hear on a newscast or see when skimming the headline news stories.
But yesterday, Doug Mataconis at The Liberty Papers pointed out a bit of political news that caught my attention: The Ron Paul campaign has more money in the bank than John McCain. In terms of campaign cash, Paul is in third place (albeit a distant third) behind Giuliani and Romney.
It wasn't that long ago that many "experts" considered McCain practically a shoe-in for the nomination. Now, his campaign seems to be in free-fall. Good. I've never liked McCain, who's always struck me as an authoritarian at heart with a bullying and vindictive streak. And the Incumbency Protection Act, a.k.a. McCain-Feingold, is just one his many sins that I can't forgive.
I have mixed feelings about Ron Paul's relative success. I'd sure like to see him promote a return to small-government Republicanism and spark a revival of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party. But I'm afraid he's spending most of his time and money talking about Iraq, because that's what gets him news coverage and attracts eager volunteers.
Hathor said
I see your state has moved up its presidential primary, maybe you will get to have a choice.
Eric said
Scanning headlines won’t give much exposure to Dr. Paul unfortunately. They mention his squirmish with Guliani over Iraq because they think it hurts him. The GOp is so out of touch with conservatives right now it isn’t funny.
He has talked constantly about how if we simply adhered to constitutional spending, we could eliminate the IRS. He talks about the out of control nature of the Federal Reserve and how the individual states could be handling most of what dominates the federal election landscape, but it’s all ignored.
Rich Paul (no relation) said
The focus on Iraq does not, in my opinion, detract from Ron Paul’s message of Limited Government. As a matter of fact, I consider it to be not only consistent with but required by his beliefs in following the Constitution, in limiting spending, in avoiding (or rather reversing) the creation of the Police State, and in preserving the blessings of self government in America.
Freedom cannot coexist with the welfare/warfare state, or with the Military/Industrial/Political complex which requires that people be kept in constant, unreasoning fear. Ron Paul is a powerful voice for the return of reason in America, and his rejection of preemptive war is one important part of paving the way for that return.
Hathor said
I know you don’t have a primary, I googled. I guess I had my state on my mind where we seldom have any choice, no matter what party. Most candidates have dropped out, since our primary is so late.
Senior moment!
mikew said
For more information on Ron Paul please visit Rep. Ron Paul’s Project Vote Smart Page.
For more information on John McCain please visit Sen. John McCain’s Project Vote Smart Page.
For more information on Presidential Candidates’ and their campaign finances please visit Project Vote Smart or call our hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART.