December 7, 2007 8:29 AM
Be a Republican -- for one night only?
Going into next month’s Iowa caucuses, one of the big mysteries is Rep. Ron Paul.
His movement is unconventional, so it’s unclear that conventional polling gets a very good picture of its strength.
In the latest Iowa Poll by the Des Moines Register, he’s tied for fifth place with Sen. John McCain of Arizona with 7 percentage points.
But that was a survey of 405 “likely caucus participants,” and the anti-war, libertarian-leaning Paul is reaching out beyond the traditional pool.
Consider this.
In the weeks leading up to the caucuses, Paul is putting part of his record-setting online fundraising to work with automated telephone calls to unaffiliated voters – presumably including independent-minded people who have never attended a Republican caucus before.
The Rocky Mountain News’ Des Moines bureau received one such call on Thursday night.
The recorded male voice identified the caller as an independent Iowa voter who supported Paul.
The message touted Paul’s congressional record – his famous opposition to anything vaguely resembling a tax increase, his call for securing the U.S.-Mexico border, etc.
And then it included an unconventional pitch to independents, saying that if they want to support Paul, they can change their voter registration to Republican, caucus for Paul on Jan. 3, 2008, and then change right back to independent shortly thereafter.
“We’re just making the point that it’s not permanent. There are a lot of people who would not be in the Republican Party without Ron Paul here,” said Jeff Jared, special projects coordinator for Paul’s Iowa campaign.
We'll dub this the "Republican ONO" strategy -- for "one night only." (Or RON-O if you prefer...)
To caucus for Paul, “Some people feel they have to hold their nose and join the Republican Party,” said Jared, a Seattle lawyer who put his practice on hold so he could work for Paul in Iowa.
Jared speculated that for every one person who joins Republicans and quickly bolts after the caucus, there will be several who will stay. So it’s a net, long-term gain to bring new folks into the fold, he said.
So how much of a movement does Paul have underneath the numbers captured by traditional polling? Nobody knows.
“Anything new moving in that we’re attracting is not being measured in that,” Jared said.
December 21, 2007
9:41 AM
Dave writes:
I registered as a Republican with the sole intention of voting for Ron. I am trying to become a Precinct Captain and and maybe delegate, but where do the republicans list their contact people? Cologop.org is a horrible site. Who's kidding whom? The GOP doesn't have money for a website?
December 10, 2007
12:56 PM
Joseph writes:
Add this to the bottom of my earlier post about Wild Geese vs Sheep.
Ron Paul will be as great a President as Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln served only 1 term as a congressman before winning the Presidency. Paul has served 10 terms as a congressman. I think he will be 10 times as great as Lincoln.
He will have to be. Lincoln had one major issue, slavery. Paul has at least 10 major issues: national bankruptcy, overextended military, energy shortage, broken tax code, broken borders, crumbling infrastructure, sovereignty threats from North American Union schemers and the UN, restoration of civil liberties, an obese bureaucracy that has burst the limits of the Constitution, failed foreign policy which has lost international good will, and an unregulated internet with net neutrality.
I know he will have a lot of good help from We the People to pressure Congress and the Senate to solve these problems. Gridlock between parties competing to plunder the nation will no longer be tolerated (Head butting between two flocks of sheep fighting for control of the nation's pastures won't be tolerated by the wild geese).
The nation survived thanks to Honest Abe, now We the People have a new leader, Honest Ron.
December 10, 2007
6:08 AM
Tim M. writes:
I'm a long time republican. 48, married with two children. I've not been this excited about a person running for office since the Ronald Regan days. And to be honest, I'm 100% more excited about Ron Paul. I've always voted, but never donated or 'promoted' my candidate in the past. I plan to do both for Ron Paul in 2008.
"Ron Paul - the candidate for the awake voter."
Joseph - the wild geese analogy is awesome!
December 9, 2007
10:17 PM
Marc writes:
Well, I went to a rally this weekend for Dr. Paul and his message is strong and his support was HUGE! In Rock Hill, SC a rally was announced just 36 hours before it took place and it was standing room only in the 1,000 seat Freedom Center.
And those "automated" calls you're getting? Usually they aren't even the campaign. They are just supporters organizing at the grass-roots level to make sure Ron's name and message is heard.
I'm just a white-collar, 38 year old web developer, married and 1 child and have never voted in a primary. In fact, I've never even sent money into a political candidate before and really never would if you ripped my fingernails off.
Ron Paul's message has prompted me to donate the max $2,300 and give to other grass-roots activities such as Vijay from Google's project, the blimp. I also sponsor Ron Paul Radio, and I've given to 4-5 other smaller projects.
On the way home we stopped to eat and got gas and I talked to a good 10 people and within a minute each, I had people interested enough to ask for more information and wanted to know how to get involved.
There's a huge recession coming and Ron Paul seems to be the only real candidate that understands that we simply CAN'T spend more money and we need to not only stop the war, but get a large percentage of our troups out of the other 130+ countries..
Why do we have troops all over the world? It's such an insane waste of money and yet we can't even solve simple problems here at home like help people pay for medical care or rebuild our roads and bridges. Amazing.
December 9, 2007
9:52 PM
Joseph writes:
The 2008 election isn't about Democrat versus Republican.
It is really a contest between sheep and wild geese.
Both sheep and wild geese like to dine on green grass.
Sheep need a shepherd to guide them to green pastures. The shepherd controls his sheep so that he can either fleece them or make mutton stew. The sheep are chased around by the shepherd's yapping border collies.
Wild geese can find the next green pasture on their own. The wild geese poop on the shepherd's head and elude his collies as they take flight to fly in a V for victory formation with the Ron Paul blimp.
The cackling of the wild geese is rising in a deafening crescendo as they prepare to darken the skies and blot out the sun on the coming election days to vote for Ron Paul. They will manage this phenomenal feat without air traffic controllers (the FAA could learn a thing or two from these wild geese.)
They have a tried and true flight plan, the U.S. Constitution.
December 9, 2007
3:02 PM
Dave writes:
I tell people about Ron Paul all the time. I'm also a business owner, 50 years old, family guy, a well-known and respected member of my community, and I interact with lots of people every day. And I'm a registered Republican. People from all walks are listening, from diverse political backgrounds, but united by a belief that America is the People, not the Government. But according to the bloated talking heads of the media, and the high mucky mucks of the corrupted Republican party leadership, I don't exist. Well, we'll see.
To all who work in the media I ask a question: Do you really wanted to be remembered for trying to steer the election? All we ask is that our guy gets a fair and equal exposure ON THE ISSUES, and let the people decide. This is the biggest story in politics in a generation. Do your jobs, and cover it, please.
December 9, 2007
2:57 PM
Ralph Z writes:
Promises, promises. That's all the other candidates can give me. With what money? None have a answer for the economy and devaluation of the dollar. They'll tax us to death and in the end the money won't be worth the paper it's printed on. Ron Paul seems to be the only rational and principled candidate on the Republican ticket.
December 9, 2007
2:33 PM
Tina writes:
I also changed from democrat to republican ONLY to
vote for RON PAUL in the primaries. I honestly think
he can and WILL win!!!!!!! GO RON PAUL. RON PAUL
PUTS ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES TO SHAME.....
December 9, 2007
2:18 PM
Brandon Johnson writes:
I have been telling every person I know about Ron Paul... and you know what? It seeems to be working. My friends are telling their friends. And their friends are telling more friends.
My life has changed because of this. I am so happy to be a part of it.
December 9, 2007
2:36 AM
Sam writes:
I'm another one of those spam-bots or what ever Sean Hannity is calling us this week. Both of my sons and I registered R in July so that we can vote for Ron Paul in the FL primary. My mom and my 4 brothers were already Republicans, and they will also cast their votes for Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul next month. As the good doctor says, "Freedom is popular"
December 8, 2007
7:17 PM
Heckler writes:
Wow! That's a lot of mind numbing Ron Paul support crawling out of the wood work. I've heard he has a powerful blog contingent, but now I know it's true. I wonder if his supporters aren't just bloggers, but real people too.
Finally, Republicans have a Dennis Kucinich. That's good. Both parties need their resident conscience. The Republicans haven't had one in a while.
December 8, 2007
7:46 AM
Freemarketeer writes:
I switched from the Libertarian party to the Republican party to vote in the primary. Dr. Paul has cured my apathy.
December 8, 2007
3:00 AM
freedomjoyadventure writes:
It's a shame that it's so 'unconventional' to have a candidate with consistent integrity.
We need many more like him. Ron Paul is the only real Republican in the race - the others are just RINOs.
December 8, 2007
12:56 AM
Anonymous writes:
The Ron Paul Phenomenon is not a movement, it is the spontaneous regeneration of the spirit of democracy in America. Ron Paul doesn’t own it. The Republicans don’t own it, and the Libertarians aren’t going to politically benefit from it when the general election is over.
What lies behind the regeneration of the spirit of democracy in America? Ron Paul’s integrity, honesty, and impeccable voting record in Congress. This phenomenon hallmark’s the beginning of the demise of Spin. For the more the media attacks, slurs, slams and disparages Ron Paul supporters and the more the media tells Ron Paul that he doesn’t have a chance of winning the primary race – the more the American people are losing confidence in the press.
In yesterday’s Washington Post, for instance, John McCain who is polling at 6% in the Iowa polls was referred to as a ‘leading candidate’. Whereas, Ron Paul polling at 9% of the Republicans in Iowa is referred to as bottom tier candidate.
The Republican Party machine and the press are still sleeping.
December 7, 2007
10:54 PM
Keith writes:
In Colorado you had to change your registration by Dec 5 to participate in the caucuses. After over 20 years, former party state chair, 4 runs for public office, as a Libertarian, I am once again registered as a Republican.
I expect on Feb 6, I will be back at the election office to change my registration back, but, after voting for Ron Paul in 1988, I would love to see him win in 2008.
December 7, 2007
10:39 PM
august west writes:
You just have to chuckle. Ron Paul has the supposed "front runners" running scared; they're apparently scared of the Constitution. The present day playbook for campaigning says Nixon lost the election to JFK because of a poor TV prescence-particularly in one debate. Ron Paul has clearly gained support from the debates thus far; this really scares the other buffoons in both parties. People are fed up and so jumping through the hoops for one primary is nothing.
December 7, 2007
8:29 PM
Lydia writes:
I have been registered Republican since Eisenhower, but have not alway voted straight Republican. I have split my vote at times, as long as there was one vote in each category.
I found out that I can write in my choice, which I had planned to do if Ron Paul was not on the primary ballot. At our recent local election, I had one of the poll workers show me how it was done, just in case. If Ron Paul does not win the primary in my state, (NY) I plan to write his name in in the general election .
December 7, 2007
8:29 PM
Lydia writes:
I have been registered Republican since Eisenhower, but have not alway voted straight Republican. I have split my vote at times, as long as there was one vote in each category.
I found out that I can write in my choice, which I had planned to do if Ron Paul was not on the primary ballot. At our recent local election, I had one of the poll workers show me how it was done, just in case. If Ron Paul does not win the primary in my state, (NY) I plan to write his name in in the general election .
December 7, 2007
7:27 PM
not brian writes:
I am an internet spambot who will materialize on election day even as my money has materialized in the Ron Paul coffers. I am not real. I am just a virtual person. Sean Hannity says to ignore me and the legions of other spambots out there. Back to sleep neocons. Sean and Bill 'O have everything under control.
(see Brian's post above)
December 7, 2007
5:44 PM
Scott Frost writes:
I am a Libertarian supporting Ron Paul. I think the Republicans had better take this opportunity to welcome the libertarians, "Reagan Democrats" and disaffected paleoconservatives into the GOP.
The Republican Party has a chance to infuse themselves with a great deal of youth and enthusiasm. If the party machinery continues to try to discourage these people who support Ron Paul, they will find that enthusiasm going elsewhere, probably to the Libertarian Party, and, if that happens, it will be too late for the GOP. By then, the Republican Party will be on a downward spiral into irrelevance. Instead of shunning Ron Paul's campaign and his supporters, the GOP should embrace them with gratitude. Anything else would be foolish.
Jeff Jared is just one Seattlite who put his career on hold to campaign for Ron Paul. Vijay Boyapati quit his Google job in Seattle to go to New Hampshire, where he is organizing Operation Live Free or Die, an effort to recruit volunteers to come to New Hampshire and campaign for Ron Paul. There are many more like Jeff and Vijay.
The other candidates do not have the kind of enthusiasm and creativity that Ron Paul has supporting him. If the GOP turns its back on these people, then the Republican Party will richly deserve its fate.
December 7, 2007
4:41 PM
DR writes:
Having been very disillusioned with the Republican party, with whom I was associated since 1976, I decided to register Independent after Dubya's first term. I will be contributing to Ron Paul's campaign on December 16th (see http://youtube.com/watch?v=DKZmIzEMUN8), and he will receive my vote in the primary, and hopefully later. I see no better candidate on the horizon from any other party. Everyone else is just the face of the establishment that will bring more of the same crap as in years and years past.
December 7, 2007
3:40 PM
lin j writes:
I am independent, and also held my nose to register republican. That was over 4 weeks ago and I still haven't received my voter registration card; guess i need to call my county elections office.
December 7, 2007
2:43 PM
Marcello writes:
For the first time in my life I don't have to either vote for the lesser of two evils because Ron Paul is not evil. He is a champion of the ideas that this country was founded on and a decent human being.
In the past others have said I've "thrown my vote away" by voting for third party candidates. This year I get to vote Republican, not for the party but for the man.
If your a Paul supporter remember to donate on December 16th.
December 7, 2007
2:23 PM
coloradovoter writes:
I have been a democrat all my adult life. I "held my nose" and changed my registration to Republican only to vote for Ron Paul. If he doesn't win the Republican nomination, you can be sure I'll be voting either Democrat or Independent in the 2008 election.
December 7, 2007
2:14 PM
Charles writes:
I was an idealistic young Republican in 1994 who was on board with the message of smaller government, lower taxes, and less federal regulation and control. Disgusted with the Republicans inability to follow through with their rhetoric I switched the following year to Independent.
Now there is someone in the Republican party I can believe in again and I have switched back to support him.
Go Ron Paul!
December 7, 2007
2:13 PM
Allison Lukens writes:
I'm an independent who has registered Republican for Ron Paul. This primary will be the first I have voted in.
December 7, 2007
1:56 PM
Bud writes:
Ron Paul is the only reason I'm still a registered Republican.
December 7, 2007
1:46 PM
brian writes:
i'm a libertarian anarchist. i had to fill out the voter registration to switch to the republican party. let me tell you, my head was spinning! oh well, anything to reduce state power.
December 7, 2007
1:46 PM
Graham Dugas writes:
I am an internet spambot who will materialize on election day even as my money has materialized in the Ron Paul coffers. I am not real. I am just a virtual person. Sean Hannity says to ignore me and the legions of other spambots out there. Back to sleep neocons. Sean and Bill 'O have everything under control.
December 7, 2007
1:32 PM
James Hanlon writes:
I re-registered yesterday so that I could vote for Ron Paul . I've followed him since 1971 , we have the exact same birthdays , 08/20/1935 and I've been hoping and praying for this opportunity .
My ladyfriend from Sweden , like numerous others also follow his progress and are rooting for him . They wish that they had such politicians . The foreigners see the U.S. following the same path that engulfed them into Socialistic control. They seem to know more about the U.S. than we do .
December 7, 2007
1:19 PM
Jacob writes:
Local parties usually love for new people to get involved!
December 7, 2007
12:53 PM
Aaron writes:
I was registered Independent. But in order to vote for Ron Paul I have changed to Republican and have even joined the party as a Precinct Committeeman. And there are many more like me in AZ. From the response we've received from the Republican Party, they are very happy to have us.
In fact we volunteer to help Republican booths where no one else had signed up and we've turned in ALOT of voter registration forms.
And SURPRISE, SURPRISE, we've found our Republican party to not be like what we see on TV (Thanks alot BUSH), but has a libertarian minded center and is very eager to see this continue with new blood.
THANKS RON PAUL.
December 7, 2007
12:39 PM
James W. Harris writes:
I am not a Republican but I will DEFINITELY be voting Ron Paul in the primaries!
Ron Paul: Hope for America!
December 7, 2007
12:09 PM
maeqFREEDOMfree writes:
I agree with adam, never voted in a primary but i will be voting in this one.. .i've also registered republican specifically and solely to vote for Ron Paul in the Primary
December 7, 2007
12:09 PM
mark writes:
switched from dem to rep to vote for rp
December 7, 2007
12:06 PM
Andy writes:
My wife and I also changed our affiliation to vote for Dr. Paul in the primary.
December 7, 2007
10:45 AM
jlbraun writes:
Both my girl and I have registered Republican to vote for Ron Paul.
December 7, 2007
10:43 AM
jlbraun writes:
Both me and my girlfriend have joined the Republican Party to vote for Ron Paul. I have never registered for any party, ever - and neither has she.
December 7, 2007
10:15 AM
Adam writes:
I'm a Denver resident who changed my party affiliation in order to vote for Dr. Paul in the caucus. But even on top of that, because of my involvement with this cause I am also in talks to become a Precinct captain and hopefully a delegate as well.
RonPaul2008.com
December 7, 2007
9:54 AM
Kevin Houston writes:
As a self confessed RONO (Republican One Night Only) I can assure you that there are many more of us than anyone thinks.
It didn't hurt a bit to change my party affiliation to Republican. I don't have to hold my nose if I'm supporting a honest candidate like Dr. Paul. His 20-yr. record of voting for smaller, less expensive, less intrusive government speaks for itself. I know I can trust him to do the right thing for America and the Constitution. He was right about 9-11, he was right about Iraq, and he was right about Iran.
If he gets the nomination, I will support the GOP as strongly as I am supporting Ron Paul. If he doesn't, I will be switching my voter registration back the very next day.
I have never been polled over the telephone, I don't have a regular land-line, and I never voted in a Republican primary before. But I sure will be voting in this one.
Later.
December 7, 2007
9:43 AM
Diana writes:
I joined the Republican party to support Ron Paul, always having been an Democrat-leaning independent. but following Ron Paul has caused me to reassess my political positions. I now find the Democratic debates, where they fight over who can spend more money to help people who don't need their help, truly distasteful. So while I started out as a "Republican ONO", I am starting to think that I may just be a republican.
But I won't ever subscribe to the war-mongering big spender Republican brand of Huckabee, Giuliani, etc.
December 7, 2007
9:40 AM
David writes:
"His movement is unconventional, so it’s unclear that conventional polling gets a very good picture of its strength."
I think this is certainly an accurate statement. You also have to consider the blatant manipulation that is CLEARLY EVIDENT in how these polls are designed.
Here is one example from a long list:
Here`s audio recorded evidence of why RP is low in the polls--take a listen
http://bhday.files.wordpress.com/200...l-polling2.wav
Here is a link with more details from the guy that recorded this:
http://bhday.wordpress.com/2007/12/0...s-really-work/
December 7, 2007
9:32 AM
Ben Bolton writes:
Thx for the story... I've been a registered republican, and firmly believe that he is the most republican (in the sense that it favors small government, state authority, individual responsibility) of any of the candidates.
Ron Paul is the choice for this Colorado Springs caucus voter:)