Ron Paul Raises $4.2 Million On The 5th
On the 5th of November 2007 -- Guy Fawkes Day (remember, remember the fifth of November) -- Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) raised more than $4.2 million for his run for White House.
The irony of a dark horse candidate raising such an amazing sum on a day that honors an attempt to blow up the British Parliament was probably lost on his Republican counterparts. However, in this campaign, he has now trumped all Republican front-runners. Only Clinton and Obama have raised more money in a single day.
Paul, 72, says this sum sets a one-day online fundraising record. (It was $2.7 million in 16 hours.) What's also amazing is that this Pennsylvanian-turned-Texan physician isn't technologically (or popular culture) savvy. He is, however, dead-set against the war in Iraq (the only Republican candidate), wants to abolish the Federal Reserve (and return to the gold standard "only gold and silver should be legal tender"), and opposes abortion.
I hope that the enthusiasm for civic engagement that has been stimulated by his candidacy extends beyond next summer's convention, with its probable disappointment. Dark horse rabble-rousers usually get squashed; just ask the Howard Dean supporters.
See Anatomy of the Ron Paul Nation, Ron Paul, Scientific Polling, and His Support Base, Congressional Quarterly Profile.