The Ron Paul Money Machine

The "Donklephant" blog gazes in wonder at Ron Paul's recent fundraising prowess, including raising $300,000 in a day and a half, and looking likely to raise more money in 2007's third quarter than the $2.4 million raised in the second.

A listing of presidential candidate cash-on-hand figures as of the end of June. 

Comments

[JasonC]

I won't know what to think about this until Edward adds his two cents.

[J sub D]

Mildly interesting, Next!

[Taktix?]

I want to know why Paul isn't taking his donations in gold coin or bullion.

Not many people would actually send gold, but I would be an easy way to get the gold standard item jambed in to every fundraising event.

[Dan T]

Regardless of your opinion of Ron Paul, it is somewhat curious that people would donate money to the campaign of someone who really has no chance of getting nominated. I guess it amounts to an expensive symbolic gesture.

[mike]

It is symbolic, and it heightens the debate to include "fringe" candidates, like Kucinich or Ralph Nader back in the day. Kucinich has long said that he has no fantasies about winning. It's all about bringing different issues and perspectives into the national arena. I applaud both of them.

[Edward]

This news confirms the old adage about fools and their money. True believers always have deep pockets; their gurus often have big bank accounts.

[NoStar]

Regardless of your opinion of Dan T, it is somewhat curious that he would continue to post comments to blog where his opinion has no chance of being respected. I guess it amounts to a time wasting symbolic gesture.

[Vermont Gun Owner]

it is somewhat curious that people would donate money to the campaign of someone who really has no chance of getting nominated. I guess it amounts to an expensive symbolic gesture.

Isn't that true of all donations? The election is not going to have different results based on whether or not you donated to Clinton.

[An Ottawa Reader]

...it is somewhat curious that people would donate money to the campaign of someone who really has no chance of getting nominated.

Is it? No more curious than it is to pay for any other type of libertarian propaganda.

(Note to myself: renew sub to paper edition of Reason.)

Most libertarians are well aware of the educational nature of the campaigns of most L/libertarian candidates, and are more than happy to finance the spreading of the gospel, which all of them (I trust) would agree is a valuable enterprise.

[Edward]

Regardless of your opinion of NoStar, it is somewhat curious that he would resort to the school-yard device of recasting the statements of others in mock refutation. I guess it amounts to an invitation to play.

[EEKman]

Dan, perhaps the better question is. Why is it that national polls have Ron Paul at 3%, and the mainstream media has decided that Ron Paul is a 'fringe' candidate with no chance at the nomination, and yet he has won or placed top 3 in 21 of 25 real world straw polls and is raising money online at a faster pace than John Edwards?

Behind which door is the illusion?

[Vermont Gun Owner]

Why is it that national polls have Ron Paul at 3%, and the mainstream media has decided that Ron Paul is a 'fringe' candidate with no chance at the nomination, and yet he has won or placed top 3 in 21 of 25 real world straw polls

His head-to-head record in the straw polls is very impressive. He has a positive record on every single one of the other candidates.

Ron Paul's Head-to-Head Records (Win-Lose-Tie):
Rudy Giuliani 23-3-0
Mitt Romney 15-11-0
Fred Thompson 13-12-0
John McCain 22-3-0
Mike Huckabee 21-3-1
Sam Brownback 22-2-1
Tom Tancredo 23-1-0
Duncan Hunter 22-2-0

[Justin Gardner]

I wouldn't say I was gazing...

Long story short, there's something about the Paul campaign. Ultimately I think his shot for the GOP nomination is slim to none, but his message is resonating with a pretty diverse group of supporters and the momentum seems to be going up, not down. He's definitely one to watch.

[NoStar]

Regardless of your opinion of Edward, it is somewhat curious that he finds it somewhat curious that I would resort to the schoolyard device of recasting Dan T's statements in mock refutation. The strength (and weakness) of my ability to play games like chess is that I easily play up to (or down to) the ability of my opponent. Your move. ;~)

[J sub D]

Is it? No more curious than it is to pay for any other type of libertarian propaganda.

(Note to myself: renew sub to paper edition of Reason.)

An Ottowa Reader, And with the exchange rate at par it's so easy.

[Fluffy]

Edward,

Donating to the Paul campaign may not lead to a Paul presidency, but it has a pretty good shot at leading to the destruction of the possibility of a Giuliani or Thompson Presidency.

If Paul stays in the campaign until the end, he may only get a small percentage of primary voters, but it will rip those voters out of the GOP for this cycle. Without that 3% the mainstream nominee can't win. The party apparatus relies of those voters having nowhere else to go, but in 2008 the place to go for them will be "sitting in my living room on election day instead of voting, still pissed off at the way the Paul campaign was treated by the party".

This is certainly a worthwhile and desirable end.

[Marco]

Wow, these guy (Ron Paul) and especialy the non-hierarchic, autonomous around him movement is amazing. Maybe he'll have a real chance to become next president of the US and A. I would really appriciate that.

He's giving even me (I'm from Germany, a puppet state of the EU[SSR] superstate) a sign that there is hope for freedom in this totalitarian times. And because the USA are the leading nation on the globe and therefor an example, a victory of the "Ron Paul Revolution" would have an effect even on Europe and Germany.

[CoveAxe]

Fund raising numbers don't show the whole picture. I think I've spent just as much if not more on meetup group activities and promotions, not even including time. The cash numbers are just something for the media to gawk at.

I'm also amazed at some of the projects that the campaign has no connection with. One group is getting some TV commercials made. Iowa had some group-made and financed radio spots that the campaign had nothing to do with. It's impressive, really.

[Sean]

Just sent him $100 more bucks yesterday. Damnit! I want this man in office!!

Can't we just buy it?

[Warren]

FIE on all you naysayers. RON PAUL 2008 is the turning point in history! A new day of freedom is dawning and you're pulling down the shades.

His home page is rocking the Raising to WIN thermometer. I watched it for about ten minutes. He's pulling in about $50/min. If it keeps up at that rate for say 12 hours a day, he'll fall short of the half million goal by the end of the quarter. But it doesn't have to pick up by much for him to make it.

I think I'll send him another $100. You should toss him a few buck too! Ron Paul 08 is the most exciting thing to happen in libertarian politics that I can remember. What else could you do with your hard earned to promote liberty? Buy drugs? Well you might want to do that too, but throw a little Ron Paul's way. If not for what he's doing now, then for what he's already done as a congressman. Think of it as 'Payment for services rendered'.

[CoveAxe]

I watched it for about ten minutes. He's pulling in about $50/min

The donations aren't constant. Over the course of about 6 hours last night, he raised about $100k. It seems to be slow during the day, picking up rapidly during the evening. He will easily make the $500k within a day or so.

[Edward]

"Donating to the Paul campaign may not lead to a Paul presidency..."

You're really going out on a limb there, Fluffy.

[Edward]

"...his [Ron Paul's] message is resonating with a pretty diverse group of supporters..."

Including a large contingent of complete nutballs.

[Brian Defferding]

"Including a large contingent of complete nutballs."

And, apparently, a few trolls riding their ass.

[smartass sob]

So...Edooard? Who's campaign are you supporting?

[An Ottawa Reader]

FIE on all you naysayers. RON PAUL 2008 is the turning point in history! A new day of freedom is dawning and...

...for God's sake stop that, Warren! You'll go blind!

[Mr. Nice Guy]

"Regardless of your opinion of Ron Paul, it is somewhat curious that people would donate money to the campaign of someone who really has no chance of getting nominated. I guess it amounts to an expensive symbolic gesture."
That's what donations are for! There are a few rent-seeking bastards who actually have monetary goals at stake for contributing, but for most it is a chance to say "I believe in THIS!" I'm taking quite the attacks on the illegal immigration thread, so I will point out that on this issue I PROUDLY STAND WITH RON PAUL LIBERTARIAN. So bite me my socialist opponents! 😉

[Grignr the Ecordian]

Most voting, let alone libertarian voting, comes down to a symbolic gesture, no?

As for expensive-- pish. The cap on donations is quite low.

[EEKman]

"Wow, these guy (Ron Paul) and especialy the non-hierarchic, autonomous around him movement is amazing. Maybe he'll have a real chance to become next president of the US and A. I would really appriciate that.

He's giving even me (I'm from Germany, a puppet state of the EU[SSR] superstate) a sign that there is hope for freedom in this totalitarian times. And because the USA are the leading nation on the globe and therefor an example, a victory of the "Ron Paul Revolution" would have an effect even on Europe and Germany"

I would take this comment very seriously guys. The world is watching us. The europeans were complacent in allowing the EU to come into fruition. Now they are regretting it, but do not yet have the political will to abolish it, it will only get harder over time.

The NAU is on our doorstep, the AMERO is being minted in secret as we speak. The dollar is collapsing. Soon it will be too late for us as well. We have an uphill battle, but lets show the world what freedom really means.

We MUST resist the formation of a global oligarchy.

[Reinmoose]

Duh political donations are symbolic. Most people who donate to a candidate will have nothing to show for their money. There's only one winner.

[gaijin]

"Regardless of your opinion of Ron Paul, it is somewhat curious that people would donate money to the campaign of someone who really has no chance of getting nominated. I guess it amounts to an expensive symbolic gesture."

It's even curiouser that people go on living, given that everything we do in this life will amount to essentially nothing...oh, wait, I guess that's why it's called hope. Cynics wouldn't know about that...not that it matters.

[flix]

"would take this comment very seriously guys. The world is watching us. "

I'm from Spain and can confirm that we are watching... It definitely affects us, as our Pauls copy most of what happens in the US 5-10 years later.

[flix]

"as our Pauls copy most of what happens "
I meant "Pols"

[smartass sob]

You might just as well donate some money - the damned dollar is getting to where it's not much good for anything else. I sure as hell would not want to be holding alot of them right now.

[Warren]

someone who really has no chance of getting nominated.

No? You may be right. I'll gladly support Ron Paul in his futile campaign against the giant douche and shit sandwich. But let me put the rose colored glasses on and take a quick look around.

It's months away from the first primaries. Most voters (even GOP primary voters) don't even know Ron Paul is running. A few weeks before the first primary, Ron Paul cracks the faucet on the war chest. His polling numbers break 10%. He gets more media attention. He gets more voter attention. More money comes in. More money is spent in the final days. Ron Paul finishes in the top three. Even though he still trails the front runner(s) his campaign is seen as strengthening at the same time others are seen as running down. Other candidates are getting pinned down on particulars while the mainstream is first getting acquainted with Ron Paul. The message of freedom and personal liberty is seen as outside the beltway break with politics as usual. His grass roots support is seen as integrity against special interests. Yet his constitutional rhetoric is seen as adherence to traditional American principals that have served this country well in the past.

*removes glasses*
WHOA, I'm feeling a little light headed. I guess I got a little carried away there. But it's not much of a stretch to see him bringing his numbers up and finishing in the money Winner take all means 2nd is no better than 22nd. But even so, he is going to change the directions of politics in America.

[sixstring]

Ever plunk a buck down on the lottery? Pull a one-armed bandit? Sure there are extraordinary odds, but the reward is huge. And the longer he can stay in the game, the greater are his chances and more importantly his influence at the Republican Convention. I for one would be giddy with delight if Rudy had to come with tail between his legs to the Paul campaign to ask for his support. What, besides his children, would ol' Rudy be willing to give?

This presidential process is wide open, and it may be the first time in about 50 years that the Republicans get to the convention without a candidate with a clean >50% of committed delegates. If that happens, the friends and enemies you have made along the way become a HUGE factor.

[sixstring]

Correction -- 32 years. See here what shenanigans can occur at a convention with no clear pre-convention choice:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Republican_National_Convention

[guy in the back row]

I've gotten a couple of non-political coworklers to invest $20 on the off chance he'll cut their taxes, it's better odds than the lottery.

It was easy the during the week of headlines promoting Hillary's 110 billion dollar heatlh care scam!

[robc]

sixstring,

The wikipedia article you linked to said that 1976 was the last year that the a major party nominee hadnt been decided by primary process. I thought in 1984 Mondale had less than 50% going into the convention, but the superdelegates pushed him over the top? Can anyone verify?

[BakedPenguin]

As always, it pays to look at a market. Betfair is currently giving 23 to 1 odds on Paul. Of course, since he hasn't been elected, most of us can't bet any money on him winning.

Others: Benito 3/1; Romney 4/1; F. Thompson 4/1; McCain 20/1; Gingrich 30/1; C Rice 90/1; Brownback 210/1

[robc]

From intrade.com, Best to Buy prices to win 100:

Rudy 34.6
Fred 25.8
Mitt 22.9
RonP 5.7
John 5.1
Newt 4.7
Mike 3.4
Rice 1.2 (her first name is too long)

I would convert to odds, but math is hard.

Hey Edward, you can sell Ron Paul for 5.2 right now, but you are on the hook for 100 per contract (units are dimes, so each contract could cost you $10). If you are so sure he cant win, that is EZ money.

[prolefeed]

Regardless of your opinion of Ron Paul, it is somewhat curious that people would donate money to the campaign of someone who really has no chance of getting nominated vote or even pay attention to politics, given the huge odds against your one vote deciding even the most inconsequential election. I guess it amounts to an expensive symbolic gesture.

Fixed it.

P.S. I vote anyway, knowing it is futile -- gotta rage against the machine, or you go crazy.

[sixstring]

I was speaking of Republicans (and initially thinking of the Goldwater nomination in 1964)...Mondale was far from a Republican...do superdelegates get to wear the cape?

If the current polls for the Dem nomination hold, then Hillary will have the nomination wrapped up in March, April at the latest. But the Republicans may stretch the process all the way into September, which is why Ron Paul needs to have a large warchest. It'll be a war of attrition.

[Warren]

Of course, since he hasn't been elected, most of us can't bet any money on him winning.

I think you're overbaked Penguin. What did you mean to say?

[Warren]

Of course, since he hasn't been elected, most of us can't bet any money on him winning.

Because we're Americans. And it's illegal. And Ron Paul will call for the repeal of internet gambling prohibition once elected. Ahhh OK I get it now.

[Kurt]

Just wanted to put in a snarkless plug for Paul. Those are rare here. Being involved in the campaign is very exciting and addicting for the over 40,000 of us. This apparent fund-raising success is intoxicating. A von Mises/Hayekian getting almost hourly major media coverage is unprecedented. It's a great time to be alive.

[Smappy]

robc,

I'd say Paul is the best to sell. My bet is he's got enough support to artificially inflate his InTrade price beyond the actual probability of a win. If my state had looser gambling laws, I would be putting my money where my mouth is.

Besides, selling Paul is a great hedge. If he loses, you get the money. If he wins, the tax breaks will soften the blow of losing the bets.

[BakedPenguin]

Warren - That's ok, I have incoherence issues sometimes. Anyway, from robc's post, it looks like I was wrong. Only, it's not gambling, its investing in futures.

[Nash]

"A von Mises/Hayekian getting almost hourly major media coverage is unprecedented. It's a great time to be alive."

That's why I keep giving him money. The word "libertarian" keeps getting repeated in the media. People who are giving any kind of attention to this stuff are hearing about concepts like getting rid of the IRS, blowback in the middle east, pulling out the UN, and how much centralized government planning sucks (please see NCLB and FEMA).

This kind of stuff is all second nature to readers of this blog, but to the average yahoo news reader or even the Huffington post it's stuff they have never heard before.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Warren,

Paul's currently averaging $150/min and even if it dropped to 50/min, he'd be at 500,000 by Friday morning.

[J sub D]

I am a skeptic and will probably remain one till the day I die. That said, Jimmy Carter didn't have a chance. I'll bet we can find 16 year old punditry that says Bill (Arkansas? No way) Clinton doesn't have a chance. I've already given upon the Detroit Lions, but I stil hold out faint hope for Ron Paul.

[Edward]

The smartest thing libertarians could do is run no candidate and back no candidate. Urge people not to vote at all. Given our very low voter tunrout, nobody could be sure how much impact libertarians were having. As it is, libertarians run some shmuck or back a totally unelectable libertrain purist, and then look like fools when their guy gets a tiny fraction of the vote. Libertarian becomes another word for loser. The new Libertarian slogan should be DON'T VOTE!

[Edward]

This is my last last post on this nutball blog! I swear! I mean it this time!

[Tom Walls]

I just donated my $17.76.

I notice someone named Kyle Dondero also made a donation. Eric, is this a relative of yours?

[Ericwardonderoo]

MainstreamLibertarians support the wars on IslamicFascism, GayMarryin, IllegalMexicans, and NutballBlogs. It is also an IncoherentPosition (if you know what I mean) to oppose the DeathPenalty or the WaronDrugs. God, you are all so stupid!

CRY CRY I HATE RON PAUL SO MUCH!

HE'S SO MEAN!

[Jake Boone]

As I write, the Paul website's up to $443,870.00. With over three and a half days left, I think I'll go out on a limb and predict that he's going to make it to $500,000 by the end of the month.

[Tom W]

My word, Ron's one of the 5 candidates addressing the RNC's 'Presidential Trust' dinner in DC October 16.

From GOP.org...

Featuring the 2008 GOP Presidential Candidates

The Honorable Rudy Giuliani
The Honorable John McCain
The Honorable Ron Paul
The Honorable Mitt Romney
The Honorable Fred Thompson

You know they didn't want to invite him. Either that or they want to cash in on the Paulistas too.

[Tom W]

Expect to see Alan Keyes outside on his hunger strike.

[Warren]

Paul will easily make the $0.5x10^6 by tonight. And then undoubtedly will blow past it. Paul's fund raising ability is fantastic. A bit too fantastic maybe. The "too good to be true" part of my brain has me wondering if this money is real, and if it is, if it's legal. Legal in the sense of not violating any campaign finance laws.

Well he's still got my support, and that's 100% grass root.

[Estrella Eguino]

The more appearances by the Democratic cowards that don't take a stand on any issue, the more the Republican stooges talk, the more chances Ron Paul has of being the next President - despite what Bush has done to the party. Ron Paul and his supporters have somehow managed to turn around the misguided course of this nation as more and more people from every walk of life hear his message. He is the only candidate whose supporters are diversified across every walk of life, race, color and age. He has more young, educated, supporters than any other candidate and nobody gets tazed at his rallies! They're actually fun!

[Lost_In_Translation]

Should we be pushing for $1 million now. I haven't maxed out yet and am considering another donation if he goes for $1 million.

[Sean]

over $460k right now. GO RON!

[gcoats84]

Ron Paul broke $500k at 5:03pm today. Ticker now reads, lets go for a million.

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

Well he's still got my support, and that's 100% grass root.

I could use some 100% pure grass root right now.