Ron Paul shares the political wealth with like-minded candidates -
Submitted by cpowell on Thu, 2008-02-28 02:55.
Section: Daily Dispatches
By Jonathan Allen
Congressional Quarterly, Washington
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
cqpolitics.com
Ron Paul is starting to give like-minded candidates a taste
of the political gold he discovered on the Internet by
lending his endorsement and renting out his donor list.
A previously little-known Texas congressman with a libertarian
bent, Paul had raised $32 million for his quixotic bid for
the Republican presidential nomination through the end
of January, a figure that dwarfed the totals of several
Democratic and Republican candidates who began the race
with much higher profiles.
He created an online sensation with his platform of limited
government, expansive individual liberties and withdrawal
from Iraq and international organizations.
More than $6 million came into his coffers on a single day
in December through a "moneybomb" Internet fundraising effort.
That haul of cash has not translated into victory in primaries
or caucuses, but it has built a political base for Paul --
and, perhaps more important, a donor list -- that would be
the envy of any incumbent or challenger. (Paul, by the way,
faces a primary challenger of his own in Texas on Tuesday).
Murray Sabrin, a New Jersey Senate candidate who has been
endorsed by Paul, is expecting a "moneybomb" from his
own backers and Paul's this Friday.
Sabrin has raised $194,260 since launching his campaign
last month, according to a calculator on his Web site.
"We're working hard to cultivate his previous donors
and Murray's previous donors and donors across the country,"
said Sabrin consultant Adam Alonso.
Republican Rep. Walter B. Jones, a fellow Iraq war critic
who faces a tough primary challenge in North Carolina's
coastal 3rd District, has rented access to Paul's list
of donors in the state.
But Paul's imprimatur was not limited to the list itself:
He sent out an e-mail soliciting help for Jones last week.
Jones said he already has raised about $5,000 from
Paul supporters, which is not an insubstantial figure in
a relatively inexpensive market.
Jones had raised $192,185 through the end of December, and
his rival for the Republican nomination, Joe McLaughlin,
had collected $78,278.
Paul says lending a hand to his friends is old hat but
acknowledges it's a bigger hat these days.
"I’ve been helping people for a long time.
Nothing new about it," he said during a brief interview
in the Capitol on Tuesday.
"The degree might be different but the principle's the same."
Paul's presidential spokesman said the campaign is still in
the process of figuring out how best to make full use of
its massive list of campaign donors.
"A likely use would be to help candidates for office who
are running on a constitutionalist platform,"
Jesse Benton said. "It will go to a good use."
Though Paul is winding down his presidential bid as he
focuses on winning re-election -- he also has rented his
donor list to his own congressional campaign --
he wants to have an impact on the direction of his party.
One way to do that is to aid the campaigns of colleagues
and congressional challengers who share his outlook on politics.
"We put together a movement and that movement is going
to continue," Benton said.
* * *
Join GATA here:
GATA Goes to Washington -- Anybody Seen Our Gold?
Thursday-Saturday, April 17-19, 2008
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia
gata.org
* * *
God Bless America
Judge for yourself and then decide whether you wish
to join the strike.
WE ARE CHANGE!!!
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Constitution Class taught by
The 2004 Libertarian Presidential Candidate,
Michael Badnarik teaches his famous class about
the Constitution....
tinyurl.com
ronpaulaustin.com
ronpaul.meetup.com
ronpaulaustin.com
lighthouse57.com
Dr. RON PAUL,
BIOGRAPHY -
en.wikipedia.org
ronpaul2008.com |
