November 06, 2007
Is Ron Paul the GOP's X-factor in NH?
New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen told On Call today that Republican Ron Paul has a shot at shaking up the GOP contest in the first primary state. Cullen said that with Paul's $4 million fundraising take yesterday, he legitimizes his candidacy. Also, the crusty Granite State is fervently anti-war, a sentiment shared by members of both parties.
"I believe there is an anti-war sector in the Republican Party, and Ron Paul has that sector all to himself," Cullen told On Call.
To date, of course, the NH contest has primarily been a two-man race between Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. But Cullen noted that Rudy hasn't gone up on television in New Hampshire. Paul has. Paul, the Texas congressman, is also on the radio and has sent a color direct mail piece to state voters.
With UNH expected to release new poll numbers next week, it will be interesting to see if Paul's support has grown with the press coverage he has received from his stellar one-day fundraising take. The question, Cullen said, is: If Paul's numbers do go up, will he impact the frontrunners' standing?
"Is it coming out of anyone's hide," Cullen said of Paul's support, "or is it coming out of the woodwork?"
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 11:17 AM
Comments
Screw Giuliani and Romney! I'm proud to be one of the many who have come "out of the woodwork", and finally have a REAL choice for president.
Termites for Ron Paul!
Alan | 11.06.07 12:43 PM
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Thank you for supporting the logical answer to the question below.
Which is more absurd?
1. The polls are correct. Ron Paul truly has 1% of the population as supporters, and nearly all of them donated on November 5th.
2. Ron Paul is enormously popular and not all of his supporters donated on November 5th.
The surge in funds is because the message of freedom is enormously popular.
Remarkable that, this fund-raising event was NOT organized by Ron Paul 2008 PCC. His supporters made this happen -- remarkable that...
Thank you for acknowledging the strongest grassroots movement we have seen in decades.
William | 11.06.07 12:46 PM
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Thank you Jennifer! This is one of the first articles written about Paul that isn't "slanted" with negative wording! You remind us of what real journalism should look like...reporting of the facts, clear and simple! Go Ron!
Joanna | 11.06.07 01:03 PM
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Guiliani support is smoke and mirrors by the Republican elite and the MSM. Rudy has not won a single straw poll and had never done better than 5th to my knowledge. Rudy G. has no support other than his massive free Main Stream Media - do you really think conservatives are going to vote for a pro choice, anti gun, pro gay marriage, illegal immigration sanctuary city pusher - nice try but no takers. The Ron Paul campaign is exploding and I see not only New Hampshire in his pocket, but South Carolina and Michigan to. From there it will get interesting
Joe Lawson | 11.06.07 01:05 PM
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Thank you for the coverage and not turning your article into a hit peice. We appecriate it and wish that bigger media outlets will do the same. Help us get his message out. I am disgusted with the corporate media. I have been watching the new's all day and it has only gotten bare mention this black out is bull ...
beeradgezze | 11.06.07 01:18 PM
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Ms. Skalka -
Thank You! Finally, a newspaper article that mentions Ron Paul without calling him a "long-shot" or a "fringe candidate."
Plenty of time before the election. NH voters often oppose endless war and support the US Constitution, and I think Ron paul will be competitive.
MKW | 11.06.07 01:50 PM
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Many people I talk to say, "I like Ron Paul, but he has no chance." That's why I donate money; to help them believe Ron does have a chance. Dr. Paul may raise more this quarter than any other Republican. Wouldn't that be a shocker?
Cameron | 11.06.07 02:15 PM
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Congrats. You are a fine journalist, and I appreciate finally reading an article that is unbiased, does not resort to name-calling or cherry-picking an expert who doesn't know what they're talking about.
Well-written article, informative, and the guy you interviewed makes an excellent point with proof to back it up-- rare in the media these days.
I wish you all the best in your career and keep up the good, unbiased reporting!
Gloria | 11.06.07 02:43 PM
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"Is it coming out of anyone's hide," Cullen said of Paul's support, "or is it coming out of the woodwork?"
Many of Paul's supporters (myself included), are first-time voters and contributors.
He shook us up out of apathy.
Klutometis | 11.06.07 02:52 PM
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Look at the fundraising trends by quarter. Ron Paul WILL BE the top fundraiser 4th quarter! He has already raised nearly as much now as Rudy did in the 3rd quarter, and Rudy's $ has been dropping each quarter!
Walty | 11.06.07 03:26 PM
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Attracting more independents to vote in the NH GOP primary could hurt Obama.
SJC | 11.06.07 04:05 PM
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Wonderful news. Thank you Jennifer. The media in general would be quite surprised to learn just how big and strong Ron Paul's support really is. He is massively popular among ordinary, everyday Americans.
Jay | 11.06.07 04:19 PM
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"I believe there is an anti-war sector in the Republican Party, and Ron Paul has that sector all to himself," Cullen told On Call.
Precisely. Paul will not win a majority of the Republican party votes, because the majority of Republicans still think the Iraq war is a good idea simply because a Republican president started it (they'd oppose it had Clinton started it). But Paul doesn't need to win a majority. With several Republicans in the race, he only needs to win a plurality. And since anti-war Republicans have no place else to go, Paul has a good chance at that plurality.
In the general election Paul is the only one who will be able to beat the Democrat, whichever Democrat that is.
John | 11.06.07 04:42 PM
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Just to add to a point made by John above. The Clinton administration was the one that pushed the resolution for regime change in Iraq, Bush Co. just went bonker's with it. Although The entanglement goes back to the Iran Iraq war when we were allied with Saddam until he started kicking the Kurds's butt, then we sent troops to Saudi Arabia to protect the oil fields, I mean the country from a possible spill over from that war. Ack!! Basically Ron is the only one who's spot on with what's going on with our imperialistic hubris.
Aaron | 11.06.07 06:10 PM
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Guiliani 16%
Romney 16%
McCain 16%
Thompson 16%
Huckabee 16%
Paul 20%
Victory!
Gee | 11.06.07 06:30 PM
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Thank you for getting this news out about RON PAUL.
He gets my vote and my money. All the other candidates are phonies....
Annie | 11.07.07 12:04 AM
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Ron Paul brings sense back into a process that is utterly senseless. Help get this man elected NOW!
N. American | 11.09.07 12:40 AM
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Jessica | 01.28.08 06:40 AM
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