Why Ron Paul is the New Howard Dean.

As things stand today, who is best positioned to be the GOP presidential nominee? Cast your vote in the Nation Poll.

It is now clear that Congressman Ron Paul has the strongest Internet movement out of all the current presidential candidates. His online supporters flexed their muscles on Tuesday, raising over $4 million for the libertarian's long-shot campaign. It was a record-breaking haul -- far more than celebrity Republicans like Giuliani have raised in a day -- but it's not just about money. Paul has gingerly filled a huge political void in his party's primary while embracing ideas bubbling up from activists. He is the Howard Dean of 2008.

In the November 5th effort, activists blended anarchist history and the 2005 "V for Vendetta" movie to organize a counterculture political holiday. It's the kind of zany idea that volunteers might dream up over beers after a day of door-knocking. A fundraising campaign built on a passé film and a European terrorist sounds like it would never get off the ground, let alone earn cooperation from the official campaign. Yet like Dean in 2004, "Paul is running a loosely-controlled campaign that freely shares attention with its base, and thus benefits from all kinds of self-organizing energies from below," explains Micah Sifry, a longtime observer of web activism and third party politics (for TechPresident and The Nation).

Just as the campaign's strategy is animated by actual supporters, Paul's positions reflect the views of actual, conservative voters who have been neglected by the Republican establishment. Apart from Dean, all the major 2004 Democratic presidential candidates initially ignored the antiwar community. Likewise, today's GOP candidates support Bush on Iraq, even though 35% of Republicans do not. It's the same dynamic on the constitution -- Republicans get to choose between Romney's plans to "Double Gitmo" or Giuliani's paranoid neo-fascism. Ron Paul offers better choices. And like Dean, his biggest impact may come by nudging his clueless rivals to embrace their constituents' priorities.

Comments (31)

1. He's a true anomoly. A "lefty" for his anti-war position, but a hard-right conservative in many respects, backed by John Birchers and college kid activists alike. I wonder which base he would siphon from more if he ran as a third party candidate.

   Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 2:27pm

2. As noted on Ms Currier's thread...

   Isn't it odd that Ron Paul has taken off as the hot ticket "netroots" anti-war candidate...and not so much Dennis Kucinich?

   Sure Dennis won the "all important" ONLINE poll at the DFA (much to the chagrin of HSUB who was counting on a Gore win to propel the fantasy football campaign of Al)....but in money, he's coming up short.

   But here's Ron Paul raking in the cash over the 'Net, and not from any of the Big Money Boys of the GOP, but individual donors.

   Indicator that maybe the public is anti-war, but not quite ready for a "Department of Peace" single-payer health care pro-impeachment anti-war candidate...but a LIBERTARIAN one?

   Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 2:30pm

3. Posted by MATTMAN 11/07/2007 @ 2:27pm

   Interesting. I am banking he'll siphon more GOP as they have yet to put anyone forth worth voting for....

   Posted by leftofcenter at 11/07/2007 @ 2:33pm

4. Indicator that maybe the public is anti-war, but not quite ready for a "Department of Peace" single-payer health care pro-impeachment anti-war candidate...but a LIBERTARIAN one?

   Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 2:30pm

   Thankfully, only somewhere between 1 and 10% of the public to date.

   Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 2:33pm

5. and if libertarianism could actually function in this crooked ass corporate fascist country...i'd vote for the guy!

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/07/2007 @ 2:47pm

6. Posted by MATTMAN 11/07/2007 @ 2:33pm

   He's certainly not going to be President, probably not even a "force to be reckoned with" (and unlike Dean no way in HELL he's going to become GOP Party Chair...heheh)...but...

   as noted on Ms Currier's thread....why the flock to Paul...and not to Kucinich? Dennis may be the darling of the Left-wing Blogosphere now with his Quixotic quests at ousting Darth Cheney...but...

   Paul's getting the cash!

   Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 2:54pm

7. Posted by LEFTOFCENTER 11/07/2007 @ 2:33pm

   Possibly, LOC, but consider....who would you think about voting for (taking in both stances on Iraq and our personal principles) if the choices were--

   A. Romney

   B. Hillary

   C. Ron Paul

   (BTW, personally, I'd vote for Her Nibs. Paul has no shot and can't risk Romney or any Repub with "more of the same")

   Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 2:56pm

8. paul should run as a libertarian, denny as a green...some wacko as christivangelist...lieberman as likud...and then we could have a winner with 17% of the vote!

   or a dem with 40+%...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/07/2007 @ 3:05pm

9. (BTW, personally, I'd vote for Her Nibs. Paul has no shot and can't risk Romney or any Repub with "more of the same")

   Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 2:56pm

   Hmm. A rare insight into the realm of your own opinions. Nation bloggers-- cherish this moment for all it is worth!

   I'm kidding. I'd do the same, albeit begrudgingly if those were the selections to choose from. I'd probably have to stop at a liquor store on the way home, get a 'bottle of anything' and drown my conscience.

   Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 3:06pm

10. have to stop at a liquor store on the way home, get a 'bottle of anything' and drown my conscience.

    Posted by MATTMAN 11/07/2007 @ 3:06pm

    you mean on the way THERE!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/07/2007 @ 3:15pm

11. Posted by MATTMAN 11/07/2007 @ 3:06pm

    MATT, I've said for weeks that if She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed gets the nom...I'm voting for her. Or for WHOEVER gets the Dem nomination.

    Unless Paul got the GOP nomination (no chance for that!)

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 3:47pm

12. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 11/07/2007 @ 3:05pm

    Bush pushed his agenda with a 49% "mandate" in 2001. But despite the claims of the deluded (no NAMESUB needed)...it's probably just going to be Her Nibs and More-of-the-Same Republican.

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 3:49pm

13. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 3:47pm

    Okay, okay, take it easy! I haven't been around lately, see. Been busy and stuff, see.

    Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 3:50pm

14. you mean on the way THERE!

    Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 11/07/2007 @ 3:15pm

    Good call. I'll take all necessary precautions.

    Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 3:52pm

15. Posted by MATTMAN 11/07/2007 @ 3:50pm

    No, not a hit on you. Just want it clear.

    Since Paul as GOP nom is out, Dems nominate anybody from Her Nibs to Barack to Obama to even the beloved "Fox Mulder" of the Pack, Dennis?....

    I'm voting for 'em.

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 4:09pm

16. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 4:09pm

    hehe...slight correction "from Her Nibs to Barack to EDWARDS..."

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 4:11pm

17. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 4:11pm

    What's your prediction on the likelihood of "Her Nibs" getting the nomination? By the way, where does the Nibs tag originate?

    Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 4:26pm

18. Posted by MATTMAN 11/07/2007 @ 4:26pm

    Given the rushed primary schedule...January 3rd for Iowa and the others in rapid succession....I'd say, at this point, 75% likely.

    Money, name recog, a divided liberal base (Obama, Edwards, Dodd, Kucinich all pulling away pieces), and a solid, organized machine. All add up to a probable winner.

    BTW, I'd be MORE than happy to be proven wrong.

    As for "Her Nibs"---

    Q] From K Mackay: "I would appreciate your knowledge of the origin of the expression his nibs, which was always applied to my beloved, albeit autocratic, father."

    [A] This is a mock title used to refer to a self-important man, especially one in authority. It is modelled after the pattern of references to the British aristocracy, such as his lordship.

    Most sources say something like "origin obscure". It is first recorded in print about 1820, but is presumably older. There is some evidence that nibs is a variant form of nabs, and that both may have their origin in the ancient word neb, meaning a beak or nose, or more generally, the protruding bit of anything (our word for the business end of a pen comes from the same root). Also, nib itself was once used as a slang term for a gentleman, as was another old slang word still to be heard, nob, and these could very probably be connected. Several early examples of the latter are spelled nab and his nabs is a variant recorded form of his nibs. It seems the vowel was highly fluid, not surprising considering the different dialects and periods it has come through.

    Perhaps the association with supposed social superiors may have something to do with people so elevated in self-importance that they "have their noses in the air"?

    www.worldwidewords.org

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 4:43pm

19. i think kucinich may still tap into his base and garner financial backing the way paul has. it's not too late.

    for one thing, paul is given better questions to debate with, to do his thing. i've never seen a candidate so marginalized so consistently as kucinich. it's amazing how blatant and obvious it is, debate after debate after debate. criminal, actually, but on the long list of criminal endeavors going on now, probably doesn't merit much attention from most.

    kucinich's impeachment move may generate a push in his coffers & in his campaign. emphasis on "may" of course...

    Posted by Scrub at 11/07/2007 @ 4:55pm

20. I think the dems awash in funding may very well be doing 'a right' to redirect some of that green to Paul as did those GOPers with Nader's run a while back... (Oh to what end!)

    As the GOPer cands aren't awash in the cash, neither is Kocinich.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/07/2007 @ 5:05pm

21. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 4:43pm

    cool. Well I'm glad I finally get it. Thanks.

    Posted by MATTMAN at 11/07/2007 @ 5:08pm

22. Libertarians, small "l" and large, have had a substantial presence on the net for quite some time, and it has always been my impression that many of them have at least some disposable income. Right-wing libertarians - laissez faire on both social issues and economic ones - who have found there home in the GOP since the early 80's see a pretty good mirror of themselves on their key issues of the day - war, civil liberties, spending and immigration - in Ron Paul, while the rest of the Republican candidates stand for continuing and expanding the war in the Middle East, furthering the erosion of our civil liberties, busting the federal budget for ever and ever and maintaining open borders on behalf of the corporate elite.

    Kucinich, on the other hand, suffers from the fact that most Dems are relativley satisfied with their presidential choices. He does not stand out as much on the war (especially from Richardson and Gravel) and foreign policy, nor on domestic policy (Edwards) from the other Dems as Paul does from the other Repubs, so he doesn't have a relatively unique constituency on which to base his campaign. My guess is that Paul is not getting support from folks who would otherwise support Kucinich or some other Dem, aside from a few independents and maybe some Greens and big "L" Libertarians.

    By the way, Paul has no shot at the nomination, but (Reckless Speculation/Mind Fart Alert!!!) he might have a shot at second or third place in New Hampshire, serving to knock McCain or, less likely, Romney out of the race just like Huckabee will probably fatally wound Thompson in Iowa. Who knows, the GOP race may come down to Rudy vs. Mitt vs. Mike vs. Ron. Should be some mildly interesting debates, thanks to the latter two.

    Posted by cka2nd at 11/07/2007 @ 5:46pm

23. Unless Paul got the GOP nomination (no chance for that!)

    Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 3:47pm

    Are you saying if he actually got the rep. nomination, you would vote for him?

    Or are you sticking to voting dem., regardless?

    Especially curious.... in a paul vs. clinton race, who would you vote for?

    Eric

    Posted by Malcontent at 11/07/2007 @ 6:04pm

24. Especially curious.... in a paul vs. clinton race, who would you vote for?

    Eric

    Posted by MALCONTENT 11/07/2007 @ 6:04pm

    Cumbuckets is a Hillary girl

    Posted by Will C. at 11/07/2007 @ 6:31pm

25. can't you tell?

    Posted by Will C. at 11/07/2007 @ 6:31pm

26. Posted by MALCONTENT 11/07/2007 @ 6:04pm

    Eric, if it came down to Hillary, still talking thousands of troops in Iraq until the end of her first term (maybe longer), or Ron Paul, who's fiercely committed to us getting out....no choice...Paul.

    WILL on the other hand will stick with Hillary no matter what (as with FRANK and HELEN), they are HRCultists.

    WILL has "issues" with women, hence his need for me to be female and his "secret" info that I am. (Coming as a complete shock to my wife that she's a lesbian and my son who keeps calling me "Dada" and asking "why my chest have hair?"...heheh)

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 7:46pm

27. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 4:43pm

    thanks for the cool link!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/07/2007 @ 9:55pm

28. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 7:46pm

    WILL on the other hand will stick with Hillary no matter what (as with FRANK and HELEN), they are HRCultists.

    hmm, lets see. If hillary were to say, start making shit up like you do cumbuckets, I'd drop her in a heart beat. Which Of course kills the no matter what portion of your imaginary inner dialog.

    WILL has "issues" with women, hence his need for me to be female and his "secret" info that I am. (Coming as a complete shock to my wife that she's a lesbian and my son who keeps calling me "Dada" and asking "why my chest have hair?"...heheh)

    Still trying to hide behind the skirts of the other ladies eh, cumbuckets? You must be some kind of fella over there on fantastic planet.

    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

    Posted by Will C. at 11/07/2007 @ 10:28pm

29. Posted by WILL C. 11/07/2007 @ 10:28pm

    "fella"?...so now you think I'm a guy (again, as you first did, when I first started blogging here, before your Pat Robertson-style "revelation" of last year)?!?!??!

    heheh

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2007 @ 10:32pm

30. Posted by MASK 11/07/2007 @ 10:32pm

    fella"?...so now you think I'm a guy (again, as you first did, when I first started blogging here, before your Pat Robertson-style "revelation" of last year)?!?!??!

    No syb, I was just trying to connect with the son your father never had. Sorry to confuse your vagina

    heheh

    Posted by Will C. at 11/07/2007 @ 10:41pm

31. Wow. When did all the Nation readers become pro-war? If you want out of Iraq RIGHT NOW, there are 3 choices: Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, and Ron Paul. If you want to stay in Iraq indefinitely, and start another war in Iran, probably have a draft, and possibly start World War III, then vote for Hillary "Bush Jr. Jr." Clinton.

    I can't believe the Nation is ignoring Mike Gravel! He embodies all the best ideals of the Progressive Movement: anti-war, anti-corruption, will re-vamp the tax system to be more progressive, pro universal health care, pro equal rights for the LBGT community (one of only 2, i think the other is Kucinich), respect for citizens ability to create laws, AND HE HAS THE BALLS TO GET THINGS DONE! Check out his record in congress during Vietnam. He's the only one with the guts to defy the democratic party and campaign in Florida. I also encourage all of you to email CNN and protest them kicking Gravel out of the debates.

    If you lean more libertarian, but want out of Iraq, Ron Paul is the one. If it was Ron Paul vs Any Democrat except Gravel or Kucinich, Paul gets my vote. He's really the only candidate for whom freedom is the most important issue.

    The reason Paul is getting money is because the libertarians and republicans are apparently more willing to thumb their nose at the Mainstream Media (and I include the Nation in that group). If you call yourself a progressive, and you even THINK about voting for Hillary (or those 'other two democrats' for that matter), then you're a tool, and I hope you get drafted.

    Posted by hjohnson221 at 11/08/2007 @ 12:08pm