Comments on: $34 Million for the Ron Paul Prez Campaign http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/ Author James Bovard Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:45:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Greg http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112876 Greg Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:28:09 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112876 The best idea to get the big media's clout out of the political system is to, by a fair system, require them to advertise political campaigns for free to obtain their FCC license. That should be their investment in the democratic process and the freedom of speech they are quick to defend. Without this, money is the only determining factor for our representation in our government. If they tell you it would hurt them financially, look at all the news channels, politics is all they talk about anyway but only what they decide is to be broadcasted. Common sense change is the only way we can get true representation in our government. The best idea to get the big media’s clout out of the political system is to, by a fair system, require them to advertise political campaigns for free to obtain their FCC license. That should be their investment in the democratic process and the freedom of speech they are quick to defend. Without this, money is the only determining factor for our representation in our government. If they tell you it would hurt them financially, look at all the news channels, politics is all they talk about anyway but only what they decide is to be broadcasted. Common sense change is the only way we can get true representation in our government.

]]> By: Jim http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112823 Jim Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:50:50 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112823 That's an excellent point about the Paul campaign skirting the war issue. I noticed the same thing in the campaign literature and tidbits I saw. There was a giant well of discontent on the war out there, but the Paul campaign apparently did not want to drill hard on that turf. That’s an excellent point about the Paul campaign skirting the war issue. I noticed the same thing in the campaign literature and tidbits I saw.

There was a giant well of discontent on the war out there, but the Paul campaign apparently did not want to drill hard on that turf.

]]> By: D. Saul Weiner http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112822 D. Saul Weiner Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:49:17 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112822 I don't know how much they cost, but I do know that the campaign did pay for an enormous number of campaign signs and campaign literature (e.g. slimjims, as they called them), having volunteered at one of the campaign offices. Whether these materials did any good is an open question. Unfortunately, even the slimjims played down his antiwar stance, for the more part. The literature mostly emphasized how conservative Paul was, though most self-identified conservatives today did not buy this line since they equate conservatism with being prowar, especially pro WOT. I don’t know how much they cost, but I do know that the campaign did pay for an enormous number of campaign signs and campaign literature (e.g. slimjims, as they called them), having volunteered at one of the campaign offices. Whether these materials did any good is an open question. Unfortunately, even the slimjims played down his antiwar stance, for the more part. The literature mostly emphasized how conservative Paul was, though most self-identified conservatives today did not buy this line since they equate conservatism with being prowar, especially pro WOT.

]]> By: freedomsadvocate.com » Blog Archive » Ron Paul in the News…Daily Digest 4/01/2008 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112821 freedomsadvocate.com » Blog Archive » Ron Paul in the News…Daily Digest 4/01/2008 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:56:06 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112821 [...] $34 Million for the Ron Paul Prez Campaign By Jim The latest financial disclosure forms indicate that more than $34 million has been raised by and for the Ron Paul campaign for president. The campaign has spent more thanp $28 million. The campaign had $5.5 million on hand at the end of … BOVARD - http://jimbovard.com/blog [...] [...] $34 Million for the Ron Paul Prez Campaign By Jim The latest financial disclosure forms indicate that more than $34 million has been raised by and for the Ron Paul campaign for president. The campaign has spent more thanp $28 million. The campaign had $5.5 million on hand at the end of … BOVARD - http://jimbovard.com/blog [...]

]]> By: Dirk W. Sabin http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112819 Dirk W. Sabin Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:30:02 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112819 After a quick perusal of the stats, the only thing I can add is that if this boy don't stay out of chain restaurants, he gonna be dead pronto. I know it's awful hard to find anything beyond the chain eatery blightage along the nation's highways but damn, there is enough Taco Bell offal here to kill one's taste buds off for good. Then again , is there a subtle message about a crypto reconquista movement here? Please, Dr. Paul, for your own good, pack a lunch After a quick perusal of the stats, the only thing I can add is that if this boy don’t stay out of chain restaurants, he gonna be dead pronto. I know it’s awful hard to find anything beyond the chain eatery blightage along the nation’s highways but damn, there is enough Taco Bell offal here to kill one’s taste buds off for good. Then again , is there a subtle message about a crypto reconquista movement here? Please, Dr. Paul, for your own good, pack a lunch

]]> By: Mace Price http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112815 Mace Price Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:41:59 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112815 ...Doctor Paul should challenge Cornyn or Hutchinson for a GOP Texas seat in The US Senate...Given the money, recognition and legitimacy his Presidential Campaign has now earned him, he just might upset one. …Doctor Paul should challenge Cornyn or Hutchinson for a GOP Texas seat in The US Senate…Given the money, recognition and legitimacy his Presidential Campaign has now earned him, he just might upset one.

]]> By: Jim http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112814 Jim Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:53:08 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112814 "BadMedia" - I agree that McCain-Feingold is a dreadful law that boosts the media's clout. As for the Ron Paul ad campaign - it would be different if the campaign had not had the money to make and run good ads. But folks donated $34 million. The money was there to do some great media hell-raising. Didn't happen. And I remain puzzled about why the campaign ignored numerous invitations from prominent talk show hosts for Paul to appear. “BadMedia” - I agree that McCain-Feingold is a dreadful law that boosts the media’s clout.

As for the Ron Paul ad campaign - it would be different if the campaign had not had the money to make and run good ads. But folks donated $34 million.

The money was there to do some great media hell-raising. Didn’t happen.

And I remain puzzled about why the campaign ignored numerous invitations from prominent talk show hosts for Paul to appear.

]]> By: Jim http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112813 Jim Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:48:00 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112813 Jean - I agree that the Paul campaign has helped open some minds. My first glance at the financial statement gave me the same impression that you had. On the other hand, it is hard to spend $28 million at Dunkin Donuts & McDonalds. Hopefully there will be some solid analysis of these reports out there soon. The grassroots campaign for Paul was superb. So many fine folks around the nation volunteering their time and picking up the tab for signs and so many other things... They seemed to achieve far more visiblity than did the formal campaign in many places. Jean - I agree that the Paul campaign has helped open some minds.

My first glance at the financial statement gave me the same impression that you had. On the other hand, it is hard to spend $28 million at Dunkin Donuts & McDonalds. Hopefully there will be some solid analysis of these reports out there soon.

The grassroots campaign for Paul was superb. So many fine folks around the nation volunteering their time and picking up the tab for signs and so many other things… They seemed to achieve far more visiblity than did the formal campaign in many places.

]]> By: badmedia http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112812 badmedia Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:34:47 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112812 Can't really discuss this, without referring to the McCain-Feingold laws. I myself donated the max, and would have donated more if I was able to. In effect, all the McCain-Feingold law did was put even more power in elections into the hands of the media. By limiting the amount of money people can donate, it means the mainstream media is the only real way to get a message out these days. Ads are expensive, and the amount of money allowed to be donated just doesn't come close to comparing with candidates who get mentioned on the news multiple times a day for free. And oddly enough, here we have a nominee who's name appears on the election laws bill, and who was doing so poorly in volunteers and support he had to get financing. Is that not an odd coincidence to anyone? So to say Ron Pauls ads didn't have an impact, is to say that the other candidates ads did. Which really just isn't true. The difference was simply Ron Paul was ignored and ridiculed and never given a fair chance by the media. Can’t really discuss this, without referring to the McCain-Feingold laws. I myself donated the max, and would have donated more if I was able to.

In effect, all the McCain-Feingold law did was put even more power in elections into the hands of the media. By limiting the amount of money people can donate, it means the mainstream media is the only real way to get a message out these days.

Ads are expensive, and the amount of money allowed to be donated just doesn’t come close to comparing with candidates who get mentioned on the news multiple times a day for free.

And oddly enough, here we have a nominee who’s name appears on the election laws bill, and who was doing so poorly in volunteers and support he had to get financing. Is that not an odd coincidence to anyone?

So to say Ron Pauls ads didn’t have an impact, is to say that the other candidates ads did. Which really just isn’t true. The difference was simply Ron Paul was ignored and ridiculed and never given a fair chance by the media.

]]> By: Jean http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112811 Jean Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:16:16 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2008/04/01/34-million-for-the-ron-paul-prez-campaign/#comment-112811 Hello Jim. I went thru the first page of the expenses, and for the most part, the campaign did try to minimize expenses. I noticed alot of McDonalds, and Dunkin Donuts, and other fast food establishments. I agree with the ad campaign, it did seem a bit much, and the impact wasn't strong. In New Hampshire, if McCain won the anti-war vote, that speaks volumes. Jim, in this area, I have no idea of how to calculate the amount of time and money, but it would be interesting to know how much of the grassroots spent on putting up signs, and walking neighborhoods etc. I know my meet up group did many walks thru my city of Portland here, and passed out lots of brochures, and other information. Even though the campaign seems to have not the desired impact as I would have like to see, the recent bubble burst in real estate and Fed acting as banker to Wall St may wake up people. Let's hope so. However, I think some seeds have been planted in peoples minds, and this maybe a start in breaking up this monopoly the Remocrats have in DC. Let's hope so for the future generations. Hello Jim. I went thru the first page of the expenses, and for the most part, the campaign did try to minimize expenses. I noticed alot of McDonalds, and Dunkin Donuts, and other fast food establishments.
I agree with the ad campaign, it did seem a bit much, and the impact wasn’t strong. In New Hampshire, if McCain won the anti-war vote, that speaks volumes.

Jim, in this area, I have no idea of how to calculate the amount of time and money, but it would be interesting to know how much of the grassroots spent on putting up signs, and walking neighborhoods etc. I know my meet up group did many walks thru my city of Portland here, and passed out lots of brochures, and other information.

Even though the campaign seems to have not the desired impact as I would have like to see, the recent bubble burst in real estate and Fed acting as banker to Wall St may wake up people. Let’s hope so.
However, I think some seeds have been planted in peoples minds, and this maybe a start in breaking up this monopoly the Remocrats have in DC. Let’s hope so for the future generations.

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