a) I'm pretty sure this "story" is like 1-2 months old
b) Everyone knows that unlike other candidates he does not sell out his beliefs. So if the guy wanted his $500 to turn Ron into a racist he failed.
c) If I remember correctly Reagan and George Bush were both endorsed by the KKK…so its not that unusual for the racists to play politics

Ron Paul ftmfw

That is all.

I am not a fan of Ron Paul…but CNN come on…money from a racist does not make Ron Paul a racist (nor a supporter) - it doesn't reflect on his campaign at all…if people want to dislike him…then look at his Libertarian stances on issues….like getting rid of the CIA and the FBI…and isolating us here in the US….shutting down the department of education…etc…etc…other than those…90% of his ideas are good….10% crazy

So what? How many lunatics with fringe views (or worse) donate to other people (left and right) and what difference does it make? Keep the money and use it. Even nut cases have the right to donate their money and Paul isn't going to win anyway.

Say what! Hillary was the racist now Ron Paul? What the…

Hey, This is America. We are allowed to have any opinion we want… even if it is crazy. And that's what Ron Paul stands for. So for him to not take this money would go against exactly what he stands for. In otherwords, it's not his business what you believe. I really like this "live-and-let-live" attitude.

This proves Paul is ready to change the world. The easiest thing to do would have been to give the money back; and $500 is not going to make or break his campaign.
But he is clearly saying he disagrees with the white supremacist but giving the money back would only help the white supremacist.
Ron Paul is a new politician- honest and consistant.

I hope that a small group of people in this country don't try to twist this into something big which it's not. Dr. Ron Paul does not beleave it is the roll of the Federal Government to tell people how to think or who to like or dis-like. I am 26, and an American and he has my vote no matter if it is just a write in. He is the only one not just saying more of the same.

I find the headline for this article to be ridiculous. I can guarantee that Ron Paul isn't the only candidate to have recieved money from questionable sources, but alas, the MSM doesn't care as long as they get to defame Ron Paul as a kook, racist, conspiracist and all around nut-job as much as possible before the GOP primaries. The writer should be ashamed for attempting to label Ron Paul as a racist. Way to appeal to the short-attention spans of the majority of the American population.

Shame on Ron Paul. Didn't this guy just raise $6 million in 24 hours? Keeping $500 donated by the head of a hate group shows just where his priorities are. I shudder to think what else Ron Paul would tolerate if elected President.

A "Whte" supremist named "Black".
Now, that's irony !

Actually, that seems pretty reasonable from Paul's stance. Nobody can realistically check every person's belief system when they donate.

I've got a new motto for the Ron Paul campaign:

"Ron Paul, bankrupting White Supremacists $1 at a time!"

This is a ridiculous smear against Ron Paul as is to be expected from the mainstream media.

Instead of focusing on the real issues that face this nation CNN resorts to diverting our attention with these minor, meaningless issues like the floating cross, the American flag lapel pins, endorsements from brothel owners and now this. Come on people, don't stand for this rubbish and demand more from the media.

How about discussing the ridiculous war in Iraq, the US soldiers maimed and killed, the hundreds of thousands of dead innocent Iraqis due to a war that has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with oil and war profiteering? A war that does nothing to stop terrorism but only incites more hatred and terrorism from the Muslim world. A war that was based on lies from the start. Billions spent and still no sign of Osama bin Laden.

How about the broken monetary system that has produced the disastrous housing bubble due to easy credit with low interest rates and the inflation tax that we're all burdened with? Yes, inflation is the cruelest of all taxes because it's indirect and the government uses their dishonest measure of inflation which excludes food and energy and uses substitutions.

How about the $10 trillion debt and the fact that no other candidates have any feasible solutions for addressing it?

How about the REAL issues CNN? Or are we going to continue with more of this ninnying about with the trite and meaningless while this country goes down the tubes?

Is he really so desperate for money that he's gotta take donations from extremists???

Why would he return the money? After all–the GOP gets plenty of money from right-wing groups (including the way-far right) and individuals. Is anybody really suprised by this?

Remember–the RNC doesn't expect him to get elected anyway. He is just a conduit for moderate conservatives who otherwise may vote Democrat. The RNC will then use those funds in the general election with their REAL GOP candidate.

John Edwards and the Democratics!!Voice of tolerance and democratic ideals for all–not just the privileged few.

Only Ron Paul would be foolish enough to keep it….Only Ron Paul!!

I find it hard to believe that Paul is the only candidate that has received money from an individual who has distasteful views on some issues. Why is he the only one who gets this type of attention?

Are there really people who have nothing better to do than look over Dr. Paul's donations list and look up each person to see what mud they can sling? It's not like Dr. Paul has ever endorsed this POS's view points. I'm sure of the thousands and thousands of people that make political contributions you can find questionable people donating to every candidate's coffers.

Nice try though, CNN.

Good for Dr. Paul. Now that money will be used to spread a good message vs. a bad one. I like him more everyday.

Ron Paul's supporters also include the KKK, which obviously Don Black (how ironic that is his name!:), the contributor, is a member of.

Real Ron Paul Quotes

"If you have ever been robbed by a black teen-aged male, you know how unbelievably fleet-footed they can be." - Ron Paul, 1992

"Given the inefficiencies of what D.C. laughingly calls the `criminal justice system,' I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal." - Ron Paul, 1992

"We don't think a child of 13 should be held responsible as a man of 23. That's true for most people, but black males age 13 who have been raised on the streets and who have joined criminal gangs are as big, strong, tough, scary and culpable as any adult and should be treated as such." - Ron Paul, 1992

"What else do we need to know about the political establishment than that it refuses to discuss the crimes that terrify Americans on grounds that doing so is racist? Why isn't that true of complex embezzling, which is 100 percent white and Asian?" - Ron Paul, 1992

KUCINICH is THE only choice for peace-loving Americans. Ron Paul may be for peace abroad, but he festers war at home. NO THANK YOU!

My opinion of Mr. Paul just went from 100 to zero. This is an affront to every Jew, Catholic, Gypsy, gay person and person of color in the country. He just lost the possibility of thousands of votes including mine. It is clear, for the Paul campaign to contend that this man is not a "White Nationalist", that they have not looked at his web site. Ron Paul is off my list of people I am considering voting for.

Haha. Seriously? This is a two month old event. Ron Paul has answered it repeatedly. If you can not find dirt on a candidate, can you please start to cover their positions on, oh… i don't know… foreign policy, fiscal agenda, civil rights, rule of law, ect ect. Maybe the IRS should refund this guy's money too?

lmao now this is funny and how many other kkk gave money with out telling

What kind of journalism is this? Is CNN just some sleazy gossip tabloid? Or do you honestly expect us to swallow this as objective reporting?

Guilt by association is bad reporting. Period.

Who cares? No one complains when other Republicans receive donations from white supremacists or anti-gay ministers, or religious people on the fringe… Mike Huckabee says being gay is a disease.. HELLO?!

There's nothing anyone can say to keep Ron Paul down, give up, stop trying, isn't going to work…might as well start covering him.

"Ron is going to take the money and try to spread the message of freedom."

How about NOT taking the money and trying to spread the message that racism is not tolerated by Ron PAul. Big mistake if he hangs on to the money. Bad message.

Stop this anti-Paul propaganda!!!! Howmany polygamists have donated to Mitt Romney?! lol

Who cares he's done in Iowa anyway, he is a wako!!!!!!!!!!1

One must wonder why this "story" is newsworthy? The guy donated $500 out of $18 MILLION…AND he donated to GWB's campaign in '04. It didn't make the news then, now did it?

Once again CNN digging for smear stories. I applaud Congressman Paul's staff on the way they handled this questioning. Let's stick to the issues please.

I guess Ron Paul is finally showing his true colors….or, better put…LACK of them.

Thank you for telling the whole story, not just flashing a headline. So many people think that Ron Paul is the same as all the other candidates: that he can be bought.

Well, look at his congressional record and the lobbyists will tell you: this man has no price!

When I vote, it will not be for the man Ron Paul, but for everything he stands for, and against what the usual suspects have force fed us for decades.

REVOLUTION 2008

Hmmm…Ron Paul will take money from anybody, because he maintains that no one will cause him to think differently, and believes that others are free to think what they want.

This is just proof that pandering to no one, can be just as effective as pandering to everyone.

Ron, please promise you'll never pander to me-I don't want your help, I want to do it on my own. Thanks

This exact story was written with the exact letters a long time ago… why is it being dig up and reposted now?
This sick individual only represents himself… why is CNN trying to defame the good doctor by trying to find any unrealistic link between him and sick individuals? Did we finally enter the "then they fight you" phase of the Ron Paul movement… this is nothing but flattery for us… thanks for mentioning him… regardless of the intent.

OMFG CNN…how many times are you going to re-hash this.

I'm I military officer and I have given money to Ron Paul twice…Can you publish my story?

What makes this racist's tool Don Black's donation news? This is purely an attack on Ron Paul.

118,000 unique people have donated to Ron Paul this quarter for almost 18.5 MILLION dollars.

How can you make such a big deal about one guy, when Ron Paul has said a hundred times that he isn't a racist and that Don Black is just wasting his money if he thinks he will have any influence on Ron Paul.

It is just hilarious how CNN points out how affected other candidates are by their big money fundraisers and PAC contributions.

RON PAUL CAN"T BE BOUGHT!

RESTORE THE REPUBLIC!

I White supremacist named BLACK…

thats all i have to say.

This isn't the first time a white supremicist has supported a republican and it's really unremarkable. White supremicists generally support republicans and donate every day but they just don't openly call themselves "white supremicists".

It's all just done with code words and little winks and nods. Without racism, the modern republican party could not compete nationally. It's been behind their success over the last 30 years and it's now driving their phony anti-immigration rhetoric. (they had years of undivided republican rule to fix it but ignored it and only use it to get hateful voters to come to their side).

Hillary Clinton and others should return donations from the military industrial complex…
MSM can't find any dirt on Ron Paul so they find one supporter to blacken his name.

How about this same guy has donated money to other candidates in the past. Ron Paul have broken the record on public donation, so do you think he screens ever single person who gives money?

What about all the special interest groups giving mass donations to candidates? That's the real problem, don't nit pick and choose those who donate money to Dr. Paul..

OK, follow my train of thought here…isn't White Supremecy kind of like terrorism? I'm not trying to piss of my brothers in the white sheets or anything, but think about it. If someone beats up, intimidates or threatens a person of an alternative lifestyle, race, religion, gender, etc., then that is usually considered a hate crime, right?

So why would Ron - or any other candidate - knowingly take funds from this hate-mongering donor? Even Hillary gave back money from a questionable contributor (and I'm not a fan of hers).

RON PAUL IS NOT PRESIDENTIAL!!!

I know I'll get eaten alive by the "Paulites" or "r3volutionaries" on this board for posting this, but I feel it needs to be said in light of his recent fund raising antics (whether the fund raising was cordinated by him or his supporters is of little relevance).

Ron Paul could NEVER win in a general election because he is by far too extreme.

Ron Paul could NEVER persuade congress to vote in favor of his agenda, because he cannot come to a compromise with both parties.

The constitution is interpreted by leaders in a modern context, we cannot go back to the 1700's in our interpretation of the constitution. His argument is that the constitution is being used to restrict people, rather than free them. What about slavery Ron Paul supporters? What about the fact that people are still allowed to bear arms despite the groups that are fiercely opposed to it? What about the porn that is sold all over the nation…many groups oppose this, but it is allowed to continue because of a right free speech (I might add, just as flag burnings are also allowed under this right).

No, I think the majority of the constitution is being followed very closely under modern interpetation. Sorry Ron Paul, you don't have my vote.

Ron Paul is a nut. Are you pseudo-intellectuals reading this correctly? A Nut.

Paul is Certifiable.

Guilty by association…, that's all I have to say, period!

Enough with the hit pieces on Ron Paul!

If a crooked criminal tithes do his church, does that make the church a criminal organization?

If a racist gives money to a homeless shelter, is that homeless shelter now racist as well?

This is a dumb story nothing but B.S I'd take his money no matter what he believes in, he's American and has a right to his own beliefs we can't judge the candidates by who they get there donations from thats why this story is irrelevant.

From using the same bad picture of Ron Paul to practically ignoring his record setting donation event, CNN has once again shown us that they can't stand the message of liberty and freedom that Ron Paul embodies. They even accuse him of being soft on national security yet he has more donations from actively enlisted US soldiers than any other candidate. Even when you combine the Active Duty donations from ALL the other candidates they BARELY add up to more. CNN should be ashamed of themselves. Just goes to show how disconnected CNN (and the mainstream media) really is from reality. Again making news rather than reporting it.

Wise and bold statements by the Paul spokesmen.

So what? you guys are realy reaching here to discredit Ron Paul. I think the other candidates should return all of the money they recieve from greedy, corrupt, and elitist corporations because they do far more damage to this country than some guy with a internet site nobody visits. Pathetic CNN.

This is disgusting. He couldn't have possibly hurt his chances more had he just stuck a knife in his eye. I've already written here a bit of my thinking about Ron Paul's inability to properly gauge public perception. Whatever his politics, whatever your politics, you have to admit that his behavior has to be pretty far out for a right-wing extremist conservative like me to refuse to vote for the guy. Actions like this today just further cement my belief that I made the right decision. I don't know who I will vote for yet, but Ron Paul makes it easier and easier not to vote for as each month passes by.

Good grief, to the village that lost their idiot, his name is Ron Paul.

Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #1:

"Once you have their money, never give it back!"

Anyone else find it ironic that the "White Supremacist's" name is Don BLACK!

Just a thought…

Lee that's just ridiculous, that Republicans couldn't compete nationally w/o racism. And you know it. We can all nit pick the major parties and find plenty of faults with each, going decades and centuries back, and how w/o those bad things neither party could have gotten to where it is today (especially the pervasive pandering).

Start looking for the positives — like Paul's message of freedom, national sovereignty, and limited government — and you will see that your statement is absurd.
But if you want to look at the negatives, then by all means continue, and you'll notice that both major parties are very, very similar, that Republicans and Democrats will do, for the most part, the exact same thing, and that the only way to change things is to elect a person like Ron Paul, someone who isn't a product of party bosses and the Washington Establishment.

RPWW 1776

This is absolute rubbish, gutter journalism. Is Ron Paul supposed to trawl through every one of those 35,000 or more donations and check their background history? What a ridiculous thing to say.

How about mentioning some of the incredibly virtuous things about Ron Paul that none of the other candidates could match?

He has never voted to raise taxes.

He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.

He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.

He has never voted to raise congressional pay.

He has never taken a government-paid junket.

He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.

He voted against regulating the Internet.

He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.

He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

What a surprise, so he does have white power tendencies after all.

I always knew this guy is kooky in the head.

If ron paul denied the contribution then it would mean he endoreses the views of all people whose contributions he accepts.

In other news, thousands of people that think the country is headed down the wrong path and are tired of the corruption at the Federal government donated to Ron Paul.

Let's talk about some real issues please.

so does that mean he would take money from drug dealers, murderers, and sex offenders if he knew what they were involved in? I mean, if he did that he would be keeping the money from being used for wrong actions (sarcasm)

…Paul has made it. CNN finally considers him top-tier.

So, will we be looking at all the individual contributions to Hillary Clinton anytime soon? How about to Obama? I'd like to see how many members of MEChA and the New Black Panther party turn up on those doner lists. Is anyone prepared to call on those camps to return that money?

Personally I think this is bull. I'm no Paul supporter, but I think he had the best answer to the matter. Paraphrasing here: So should I return the money so he can use it to go promote racist causes?

Ron Pual can't control who he receives support from. And isn't it better to keep the money than give it back to the guy so he can by more sheets or lumber for a cross? I don't hear anything about the Democrat Senator Byrd who was an active KKK member… who has ran unopposed since 1992.

I challenge anyone to find a quote that RP is a racist. (And I am aware of his conversation in 1992 on economic hardships of the urban youth, sure is juicy when you take it out of context, but makes a lot of sense when you read the whole story.

This guy simply understands that Ron Paul won't take away his right of free speech, because he believes in the constitution. Which I would think CNN is all for.

I don't understand why you guys keep bringing up old news. Is there nothing, really nothing of substance that you have on this guy that you choose to bore us with this repetitive ridiculous nonsense?

For the nth time, whoever donates to the Paul campaign believes in Ron Paul's message and NOT the other way round. Can't you guys just understand basic logic?

For those who haven't seen this yet, check out how Ron Paul completely defends himself on this topic on this youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrRtZaG63o8

Kind of makes the reporter look like a fool.

Ron Paul's supporters also include the KKK, which obviously Don Black (how ironic that is his name!:), the contributor, is a member of.

KUCINICH is THE only choice for peace-loving Americans. Ron Paul may be for peace abroad, but he festers war at home. NO THANK YOU!
Posted By Pam Holt Los Angeles, CA : December 19, 2007 5:17 pm

Stop lying, Pam. Enough with the smear campaign and taking quotes out of context. Dr. Paul was discussing those who rioted in LA when he made those quotes and anybody who reads the entire content of the article you quoted them from can clearly see that he was referring to the violent looters, thugs, and thieves who went around beating the crap out of anyone they could find during the riots. The point was that if those people were representative of the entire black community in LA, then it is no wonder there is racism in this country. For your information, Dennis Kucinich is a good friend of Dr. Paul and even offered to give him the VP slot if he were to get the nomination. So much for your bias against Dr. Paul, which your favorite candidate doesn't share.

As for not returning the money, what does that say? It says that you don't believe people should be able to give their money to whomever they choose. It says that you helping out a white supremacist and letting him spend his money on someone who will espouse his views is preferable to taking his money, depriving him of resources with which he can preach his message of hate. It does not say that racism is tolerated. It does not say that you condone his views. It does say that you support free speech and free will, which is exactly what Ron Paul puts out there every day.

It takes a big man to listen to everyone. It takes a bigger man to listen to those who promote everything you hate.

Way to go, Ron. I respect you for sticking to your guns.

The fact that he accepted money from a White Nationalist group shows he has no place in politics whatsoever.

The amount, the justification, the reason have nothing to do with the issue. Ron Paul took money from a group with disgusting beliefs, you cannot attempt to explain that.

People should not ever accept money from Neo Nazi's.

Its that simple.

If the white supermacists start voting for Paul then who are the rest of the Republican candidates going to have?

(((((The populace of Oceania, belonging to three classes—Inner Party members, Outer Party members and members of a lower-class proletariat ("the Proles")—is subordinate to ruthless government control.))))

Ron Paul does not want to police and bully Americans around like the NWO crowd you Proles adore. The money will be used frugally and hopefully will buy our Habeus Corpus back some day…

First they came for the white-supremacist and I did not care because I wasn't a white-supremacist..Then they came for the Patriots and Truthers and I could care less because I wasn't either…..Then they came for the guns….and gave us all implanted chips….and watched our every move butI didn't care because I do no wrong….Good little proles aren't you!

Ron Paul will go down as a founding father to my Children's generation and there ain't a thing that you can do about it. Most of us have had a taste of real freedom and will never STFU.

World Net Daily did this story right so please read this fair journalism and for God's sake read 1984 and Brave New World soon and wake UP!

GO RON PAUL!
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59294

He keeps money from a white supremacist bit a few elections back Bob Dole returned donations from the Log Cabin Republicans (a gay Republican group). I suppose for these guys being gay trumps being a racist any day! How revealing!!

If Hillary gets the nominations from the Dems I will vote for Ron Paul!

My opinion of Mr. Paul just went from 100 to zero. This is an affront to every Jew, Catholic, Gypsy, gay person and person of color in the country. He just lost the possibility of thousands of votes including mine. It is clear, for the Paul campaign to contend that this man is not a "White Nationalist", that they have not looked at his web site. Ron Paul is off my list of people I am considering voting for.
Posted By Stu, Crooked River Ranch, Oregon : December 19, 2007 5:18 pm

Stu, you got it backwards. It was Black saying that Ron Paul clearly isn't a white nationalist, not the other way around.

I'm sure CNN can be counted on to check the background of each and every donor to the 'top' candidates as well, right? What a joke CNN has become.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317536,00.html

I agree with Ron Paull 100%. Take the scumbag's money and turn it around to be used for something he wouldn't like at all. If I got $500 from a drug dealer I'd donate it to the Police Pension Fund, or from a member of the KKK and give it to the Rainbow Coalition. The more money that is moved from the trash of the nation to the hands of good people, that just means the trash have less money for their deeds. Money is money, it's what you do with it that counts.

Why is some loser making a 500 dollar donation newsworthy? Once again CNN shows its bias against Ron Paul.

LET'S SEE, HILLARY AND MR. BILL HAS RECEIVED MONEY FROM WHO? OMG!!!!

CNN is scared to death of Ron Paul, as is Fox. CNBC has been decently fair to Dr. Paul and I commend them for that.

I pray Ron Paul becomes our next President.

Way to screw people over again CNN. You have no news on Ron Paul so you publish old news to try to drag him down.

Too bad, he's one of the most honest candidates who spends his time talking about improving our country rather than attacking each other like Obama and Clinton. You should all be ashamed….once again

Not like he stood any chance before - but I was willing to learn more about him - until now. Anyone who will not catgotically and vehemently reject this sort of hatemonger is no better than one himself. Shame. Shame. Shame.

Mr. Black is not just someone who happens to have white supremacist views, he runs a huge white supremacist website that spews racist vitriol. Furthermore, as Pam Holt so kindly pointed out, this is not the first instance of racism from Ron Paul. Saying that 95% of black males are criminals doesn't sound like "spread[ing] the message of freedom" and peace to me.

I'll pass on him, thanks, and ask any other person who considers him or herself progressive to look at more than just his stance on the war.

What bothers me about Paul is his willingness to intrude on a woman's privacy to enforce his notion of the protection of children. What is a man who swears the government ought to stay out of people's lives doing when he plays big brother to all the women in the country?

Is wrong pol (pot) really that short on cash?

By the same logic the other (Council on Foreign Relations) candidates should give the donations they receive from the murderous military industrial complex back?

This thread is almost as strange as the title of this wannabe "story". I've never seen so many anti-Pauls in one place. It's kinda suspicious to see so many "Ron Paul is a racist" comments… All sane, informed people know this to not be the case. In fact, his anti-racist views and concern for the desperation of Black America is what made me listen to begin with.

I've attend two Ron Paul rallies - one of them being the now infamous Vet's Rally in Philadelphia. There were 5000 whites, blacks, asians, MUSLIMS, old, young, vets, hippies, families, weirdos, colonial impersonators…EVERYBODY UNDER THE AMERICAN SUN in attendance and cheering loudly.

The only people that should feel threatened by Ron Paul and The People's Movement are those who have profited from blood and division.

And the detractors are kidding themselves if they think we are a small group. We're taking this train all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue, Jack!

one thing the repubs have in cooman they are sexist ,.rascist and anyone that not christian,.,.repubs are the kkk.,,.if repub could treat their wives like the muslims do they should be not seen or heard,.,.anyone who takes money from rascist are rascist.,but then the repubs are the evil rich so we know who they for,.,.txtj

Ron Paul’s ideology is actually diametrically opposed to racism. Paul’s website says the following regarding racism:

“A nation that once prided itself on a sense of rugged individualism has become uncomfortably obsessed with racial group identities.

In a free society, every citizen gains a sense of himself as an individual, rather than developing a group or victim mentality. This leads to a sense of individual responsibility and personal pride, making skin color irrelevant. Racism will endure until we stop thinking in terms of groups and begin thinking in terms of individual liberty.”

Of course, all CNN and the rest of the main stream media just takes cheap shots without sharing both sides of a story. This is what the once proud occupation of journalism has become - tabloid journalism.

Why in the world would people want him to give the money back? So this guy can promote his "white pride" message with it? So he can more easily fund his Stormfront website?

By keeping the donation, Ron Paul is doing us all a favor: He's keeping the money out of the hands of someone who could use it to spread a bad message.

18.1 million in one quarter and I do believe someone is really reaching in regard to one 500.oo contribution. Any citizen can donate. CNN, please supply a better topic.

The term or title "white supremacist" is an oxymoron. Sort of like jumbo shrimp. Two completely contradictory terms!

CNN Talking Points Regarding Presidential Candidate Ron Paul

We in the main stream media all know that Ron Paul cannot win the presidency because of his extremist views. Given this fact, it is important we don’t allow him the same media coverage as our preferred candidates. It is true that we must give him some coverage, but it is also true that we must adhere to the “Mass Media Ron Paul Rule” when giving him coverage during this campaign season. Generally, the “Mass Media Ron Paul Rule” can be summed up in two words:

Marginalize him.

Here are some wonderful tactics to utilize when applying the “Mass Media Ron Paul Rule:

Continually label him as a long shot candidate. This is the most important of all the tactics so we list it first. Sure, it is true that Ron Paul has won or placed high in many straw polls across the country but we must never mention it. Instead, in every article or television news story copy we should use one or more of the terms “dark horse”, “long shot”, “barely registering in the polls”, “quixotic”, or “gadfly”. If we can do this consistently, our job is complete.

Attack his supporters. Ron Paul has a stellar personal record with his marriage of over 50 years, 5 children, and 18 grandchildren. His political record is also exemplary with him never voting to raise taxes and always voting in accordance with the Constitution. Because of this, attacking him on his record is a daunting task. The best method to marginalize him is to attack his supporters. This can be accomplished by calling his supporters names like “kooky”, “crazy”, “conspiracy nutjobs”, “paultards”, and the like. This is classic “guilt by association” and works well on the apathetic electorate.

Call him “Libertarian” as much as possible. Continually giving him the libertarian label is a great covert method of Ron Paul marginalization. This reinforces that he’s not really a Republican even though he has held office as a Republican for 10 terms. We find that if you are in radio or television you may even say the word “libertarian” using a negative tone during questions. This perpetuates the extremism inherent in Ron Paul’s policies even though the word libertarian simply means: one who believes in liberty.

Continually ask him if he’s planning on running as a third party candidate. This tactic should be used often. It accomplishes two things. First, it suggests that he is not a serious candidate for the Republican party. Second, it will get him on record as saying he won’t run for a third party. If he should happen to run third party at a later date he can be attacked for changing his position.

Ask him if he would support the GOP nominee if he doesn’t win. Ron Paul is against the Iraq war and wishes to bring the troops home from overseas in order to help stem the tide of government overspending. This makes him different than all of the other Republican candidates who support keeping our troops overseas indefinitely. As media we must make all attempts to not only marginalize his candidacy, but also marginalize his steadfast message of linking the cost of the war on terror to our economic woes here at home.

Focus on his campaign strategy rather than his message. Ron Paul’s message of freedom, prosperity, and peace should be overshadowed by talk of his successful grassroots campaign. The more we focus on how he raises money and the types of supporters he has, the less time he has to talk about his message that is sure to resonate with most Americans. We must make all attempts to block or cloud that message. If it were to get out, it could spell doom for our chosen candidates.

Attack him for not returning donations from fringe supporters. White supremacists and prostitutes have donated money to Ron Paul and that is bad. We can use our political correctness and superior morality as a weapon and ask him why does he not return that donation money. After all a white supremacist would do more good with having an extra $500 in his pocket than a doctor who has delivered over 4000 babies while preaching peace and equal rights for everyone.

Abolishing the IRS is crazy. Attacking his stance on abolishing the IRS and replacing it with nothing is also effective. After all most Americans don’t know that we could do without the income tax if we just went back to the same level of government spending that we had in the 1990’s. A great method is to reply to his answer with an incredulous “replace it with NOTHING? How can the government function?” comment. This tactic will scare people into believing in how the government always has our best interests at heart. It will help people ignore the fact that Ron Paul also wants to cut government spending drastically in order to balance the budget.

Label him an isolationist for his foreign policy views. Since he wants to bring our troops home from not just Iraq, but all of the 700 other occupied countries he should be deemed an isolationist. It doesn’t matter that Ron Paul wants free trade and travel with other countries and thus is not truly an isolationist. The people will believe what we tell them to believe.

I just want to point out that itwas not a "group" that donated. It was a single individual. If Black had bundled donations from Stormfront or the KKK, or made donations on behalf of his site or organization, then no question the money would be returned, as this is a form of lobbying, which Paul has no use for. Thank you.

CNN should be ashamed for blatantly ignoring & censoring Ron Paul, and then posting crap like this, a non-story. Just recently, CNN censored Ron Paul out of the Christmas campaign commercial story, even though Paul had the first and best ad that others copied. Such a hit piece about distasteful supporters could be done on any candidate. Here, CNN, run with this one: Major Drug Dealers endorse Rudy Giuliani & Hillary Clinton: http://nymag.com/guides/money/2007/39948/

I'm just bummed out to hear about Kucinich's brother. That's the real choice of freedom. Ron Paul is a great rhetorician with some good stances, but he's also a bit convoluted in his stances on eliminating all government programs that benefit the populace. People need to wake up to the fact that this small government rhetoric is dangerous, and is killing America. Let's just gut the defense budget, tax corporations and the rich accordingly, and use that revenue to improve social programs. 99% of us wouldn't have to pay a dime more in taxes, and the overall benefits would be good for everyone. I hate to burst the free market raiders' bubble, but the new deal worked.
Oh, and I don't think Ron Paul is a racist.

Another desperate attempt by Corrupt News Network to smear what they fear.

How about another big story about Hillary's donors from Communist China?

Better than taking blood money from Republican War Mongers and blood sucking Multinationals.

Don Black is an RNC/Bush shill. Google florida election don black

I'm not a Ron Paul supporter (and am definitely not a white supremacist supporter), but I admire his open mindedness and tolerance in this situation. Someone who actually understands the spirit of the Constitution. Imagine that.

Another great attempt to discredit Paul, thank you CNN. Does anyone want to explain to me why Paul should give back this guy's money? I'd personally rather Paul have it than some dumb racist.

"And that's $500 less that this guy has to do whatever it is that he does,"

- Priceless!

It's really irrelevent where his money comes from. His campaign wont even be a blip on the radar in two years, when the democrats take the win.
All this effort… to dilute a candidate that might be able to put up a fight in the election.

It's not like he couldn't live without $500. He just has to take money from everywhere, eh?

I see people polarized, once again, between the supporters and the sensible. He's broken records with the help of the honest [though in my opinion, foolish] people. He doesn't need this money, and could have done something much better with it.

It wouldn't be as bad if he immediately sent the money to an alternate, charitable source. In my opinion, he should have donated it to the NAACP, or the Red Cross. But what will he do with the funds? Probably use them to air another campaign ad.

For shame, Ron Paul. Even more sensible evidence to why we don't need you in the white house.

Why give the $500 back for the guy to promote racism???

I'd rather see CNN show more of Ron Paul's response rather than quote a white supremacist…..

Ron Paul's Integrity is well above this!

Get Real CNN!

Ron Paul is no Libertarian. Wayne Allen Root is a libertarian. Fred Thompson is a libertarian.

Ron should give the money back.

There has been so much awesome news about Ron lately and this is all they can dig up? They could fill CNN with articles like this about every other candidate. This article is total BS.

DISGUSTING CHOICE FOR PERSON OF THE YEAR.
MY CHOICE IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER WHO IS IN HARM'S WAY.THOSE WHO DIED ON DUTY & THOSE WHO ARE AWAITING THE FINAL OUTCOME OF WAR IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN.MY HEART ALSO GOES OUT TO THEIR FAMILIES.
PUTIN, IS A DISGRACE TO DEMOCRACY.
CHEERS.
SURESH CHAWLA

WOW CNN, you throw mud for no reason and you hope to create controversy when there is none. You just fling it and hope it sticks to discredit the guys campaign and insult his supporters intelligence! You make me sick! Why don't you just report REAL NEWS for once! Why don't you write a positive story about the man for once without mis-characterizing him.
If Ron Paul were not in the elections, there would be no debate.

I feel sorry for the knuckleheads that follow Ron Paul. He is the cafeteria plan candidate- people like him for bits and pieces of reasons, but overall his philosophy is just plain hypocritical. "No government in people's lives unless it has something to do with your uteras"!

I'm not surprised the racists like him- with no government intervention they can turn back the clock in the South and resume their reign of KKK terror.

Ron Paul in shortsighted- the people that give him $ are just stupid. Get an education and learn some history. You might find out why we have a government.

to TheScientificDictatorship,

excellent work.

To Lee, Mays from New Jersey……… BINGO!!!!

Ron Paul is the closet to the founding fathers as we will ever come across. He is a force that the RNC and more than likely the DNC is trying to keep down. I don't think it will work anymore. I was a moderate fan before the Glenn Beck interview, but now my vote goes to Ron Paul. He represents real change, and not the same old politics. I have got real sick of politics as usual, and it's time things change. As far as the contribution goes, I agree that he should not give it back. Why would he give it back? So he can support their cause? He is the only serious candidate that America should be looking at. Good for Ron Paul. Go get em.

Nuff said. Proof positive that Paul's suporters (either form the left or the right) represent the loony fringe…and that Paul is happy to indulge them. Enough with the circus..let's get on with the SERIOUS candidates.

Sepcific to Pritchard of North Carolina. It may not be the role of the federal government to tell people what they should say…but it IS the role of a candidate for president to represent the values of his/her constituents. Maybe white supremacy represents the views of people in your North Carolina, but it doesn't represent the values of most Americans.

Of course CNN splashes this story all over the place instead of meaning ful stories of Dr. Paul. Ridiculous. And I love the remarks of Paul's spokesman, Jesse Benton. That was a great way to come back on the media trying to paint this so negative. The media can just leave this one a lone and go back and kiss up to your corporate/militaty/industrial complex bosses. Join the Ron paul Revolution and let's take back America and the Constitution.

summus- a very uninformed and dumb post on you part. Dr. Paul believe that the federal government should stay away from the abortion issue and leave it to states. The man is for limited government and keeping them out of our business. sheesh. go to his website and get informed before stating a blanket GOP belief.

CNN loses more credibility with this latest smear. Trying to tie Ron Paul to a racist white supremacist is transparently pathetic.

Ron Paul is a champion for every American's civil rights.
For example, Ron Paul advocates ending the useless War on Drugs, which has been the single greatest oppressor of minorities for the last thirty years, is racist. The War on Drugs is the main reason why our prisons are overwhelmingly filled with minorities.

Seeing stories like this only strengthens my support of Dr. Paul and further discredits CNN.

this article is a lame attempt to somehow link Paul to supporting neo-nazis… good luck!

i think you've got that backwards, because the "white power" dude donated to PAUL, not the other way around! FAIL!

i wonder how many racist people donate to the salvation army?
do you think they are horrible for not returning those donations?

RP08!

Was the donor a supremist or a separatist? There is a difference, although those who want to influence your opinion won't admit to it and will use the terms interchangably to confuse you.

GutterJourno, you are absolutely right. Since so many big fish ate up the little fish during the Reagan era, we have darned few independent journalists. The mainstream media (that CNN represents) don't want change. They want the status quo: our "leaders" and Big Business on top of the heap and the rest of us under their thumbs.

Mick Pinto from Canada– are you saying Ron Paul did the right thing by taking the money away from the white supremacist? If so, then you are lost… I bet my entire lifesavings that you and the other Paul wackos (along with the usual liberals) would be crying bloody murder if Giuliani, Huckabee, or Romney accepted donations from a blatant racist. You can spin it any way you want, but don't expect anyone to buy into it!

By the way, I feel I must express my grave disappointment with Ron Paul. For many years he represented my district well–in fact, he once held the title of "Taxpayer's Best Friend". And my grandfather fiercely defended and donated to Paul… but I don't think my grandfather would today if he were still alive.

18,000,000 at approximately $100 per donar is 180,000 donars. Whom do you expect to employ to canvas this many diverse people to investigate their history? Have you looked into the other campaigns? Besides he answered this to death after the last money bomb. So this is the best your crack reporters can come up with??
As to the posts of statements by Dr.Paul that indicate some proclivity to racism. He also answered that and explained it was a ghost writer. Believe the story or not has to do with how you view his history. It seems entirely plausible (the ghost writer) when everything else seems to indicate a principled individual who values individual freedom and local level power over collective freedom gained by big government intervention. If he was for big government then these words would merit questioning but getting federal government out of our lives gives all the right to control the govenment at the local level thus giving power to the marginalized poor who feel their voices are not heard by the big corporate lobbyist who gain all the favors in Washington.
Think beyond the emotional reaction. Research and make an informed decision!! Don't be a media sheep!!!!!

If it is okay to take money from a supremacist then it is okay to take money from any corporation out there. It would also mean it is okay to take money from criminals like the crook fundraising for Clinton. Sorry I don't buy that line of thought.

Then again it doesn't matter and I am glad he won't win since his stance is the same isolationist stance that kept us out of World War I and II until the situations were out of control and impossible to ignore any longer. We definitely don't need to be sticking our nose into everyones business but we sure as hell shouldn't always be watching from the sidelines either like was the case in Rwanda and currently in Sudan.

If he returned the donation it would look just as bad. The media would still play it up. The statement from the campaign and keeping the money is the best he could have made from this bad situation.

Think about it. It would be like "Oh darn we got caught taking money from racists, better give it back". The media can then play up the 'we caught them' angle.

Against. "Yeah the racist gave us money, we don't agree with him, but we are going to keep it anyway."

At least I suspect that is the reasoning they used.

The reform party of Canada had the same problem when racist groups tried to join up with them but they still did pretty well in ending the two party monopoly of worthless cookie cutter liberal/conservatives.

So if Don Black or Hitler likes beer, it doesn't make all beer drinkers bad people. Hitler created the autobahn, Eisenhower created the interstate system. That doesn't make Eisenhower a Hitler.

The torch of liberty, burning brightly, may attract a few flies once in a while.

Humorless bastards.

Someone supporting you doesn't not mean you support their beliefs.

Paul said it himself, Freedom is popular. There's no boundaries on it, even racists like freedom, but should we not have it because they do?

If a racist wants to give Paul money for Paul to spread Paul's beliefs that's better than having the racist spread his own.

This story is so absurd. Like Ron Paul is supposed to keep track of where every cent comes from? The nature of a free society should prevent that anyhow. I was pleased so see he kept it. Any other managed, packaged, plastic, tell them what they want hear, spin it, candidate would have given it back. Can't you imagine Hillary Clinton or Obama? ("We are shocked by this donation and in no way condone it. We have returned the money and want nothing to do with this racist…etc etc") Political packaging. Ron Paul tells it like it is. He doesn't keep track of the source. ALL his money comes from individual donations. That means hundreds of thousands of donors. Everyone has their opinion and if they want to give him money he'll take to promote his own message. God this country needs a man like Ron Paul. We need our integrity back. We need our country back.

Nice try CNN, nice try. Trying to smear ron paul because he got a donation from a racist. haha CNN is pathetic, we know who ron paul is and what he stands for. you corporate hacks are shaking in your boots now that ron paul is exploding in popularity.

try again CNN, you cant smear someone who is honest, trust worthy and has integrity.

why not smear giuliani for his ties to terrorist harborers in Qatar? or Hilary for accepting dontations from seedy PAC's?

losers.

The Ron Paul rEVOLution is growing!

To: John in NY.

You are an idiot. Have you even read the Constitution?? I bet the other candidates have accepted money and not agree with everything. The others have hired people with ties to drugs and the mob, what do you have to say to that?! Being free means one has to live with other people's views even if it's disgusting and moronic. Find some real substance to debate on!

Why nothing about Giuliani's campaign contributions from child molesting Catholic priests, CNN?

Out of all of the good things Ron Paul has done, and continues to do - this is the best CNN can report?

I mistakenly thought, because of some videos from CNN on youtube, that you all were more fair and unbiased. This totally partiality (to the usual media "darlings") loses my respect for your "news". This is the same old, same old news with skewed views.

The CNN, "Communist News Network" comments I've seen seem to be accurate. That's too bad.

Ron Paul will be the 2008 "spoiler" and responsible for a Hillary win (12/21/07). You may quote me on this in January 2009 if not before (wink, wink)!!

What is interesting about this news commentary is that it is an attack from CNN, not another candidate. Why would CNN want to punch Paul below the belt?

There will be papers written about propaganda in the future, and I bet this will be included as reference material. If not.. then I'll write it.

Reading this article at the beginning , Jesse Benton -spokesperson for Ron Paul - clearly states :

"Jesse Benton said. "Ron is going to take the money and try to spread the message of freedom."

"And that's $500 less that this guy has to do whatever it is that he does," Benton added." "Dr. Paul stands for freedom, peace, prosperity and inalienable rights. If someone with small ideologies happens to contribute money to Ron, thinking he can influence Ron in any way, he's wasted his money,"

My doubt has been dismissed. thank you!

It matters who candidates accept money from. Corruption is widespread in Washington from the influence of powerful, special interest, campaign doners. Libertarians call this "free speech", I call it very a dangerous threat to egalitarian democracy.

Now, my mother always said you are judged by the company you keep; what kind of company is Ron Paul keeping?

Ron Paul abhors socialism, fascism and Nazism

In the media this past week there has been a blatant attempt to smear the Ron Paul campaign with implications of racism and anti-Semitism. This is as a result of a minor contribution made to the campaign by a contributor with a supposed connection to a white supremacy group. The contribution was $500. How do I call this minor? This is relative to the $26,000,000 raised by the campaign to date. How this $500 contribution is newsworthy of a national syndicated columnist is incomprehensible.

There are a large number of Jewish supporters of the Ron Paul Campaign who do not buy into these tactics and have formed their own group and website at http://www.jews4ronpaul.org/advisors.html.

In response to these recent smear attempts to link Ron Paul to an alleged Nazi sympathizer, I am prompted to respond. After reading numerous books by Ron Paul and reading hundreds of speeches and articles at http://www.RonPaulLibrary.org, I am certain about this one thing. Ron Paul abhors everything to do with socialism, fascism and the inherent evil embodied in Nazism or any tyrannical government.

Many Jewish people understand the threat that the Nazi regime posed to a freedom loving people and witnessed the devastating effects of Hitler’s socialism. Few today understand that Nazi is the abbreviation of National Socialism. Today we as Americans are once again confronted with two ideologies: Liberty and National Socialism. Socialism is represented here in America by nationalized health care, a centrally controlled economy, high taxation and a redistribution of wealth mentality. Fascist Socialism is represented by intense government intrusion into our businesses, personal lives and the growing national police state.

Some of the first things that Hitler did when gaining power was to convince people of the terrorist threat coming from the communists. In fact, the Nazi’s burned down the German capital, blamed it on the Communists and used this event to rally the Germans to suspend the constitution and give Hitler unbridled power. The Socialist controlled parliament then passed laws to allow Hitler the ability to suspend the constitution and allow German troops to be used against the German Jews. Here in America we have recently passed a very similar law called the Defense Authorization Act of 2007. Ron Paul fought against this Act.

Additionally, the Germans passed laws to allow the Nazi's to read Jew’s mail and to search their homes and businesses. This law is very similar to the USA Patriot Act. Ron Paul fought the passage of this Act.

The Germans then passed laws allowing Hitler to declare Jews and other citizens’ enemy combatants. They were then rounded up, denied the Right of Habeas Corpus, tortured and sentenced to death. All without the ability to confront witnesses or evidence against them, based upon secret testimony and without counsel. Currently American Citizens deemed as enemy combatants can receive similar treatment under our Military Commissions Act. Ron Paul fought the passage of this Act.

The Germans required all Jews to have identification. This will be required in America starting May 2008 with the National ID Card required under the Real ID Act. Ron Paul fought the passage of the Real ID Act.

Hitler then created a secret loyal military police force called SS. Recently we have witnessed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the new quasi military police force, not accountable to Congress, called Blackwater. Prior to Hitler, the German Republic was called the “Republic”. Then, in an effort to promote German nationalism, Hitler changed all references to the nation to “The Fatherland.” Now in an effort to promote American Nationalism we have “The Homeland.” Please read Naomi Wolf’s new book tilted Letter to a Young American Patriot and Judge Andrew Napolitano’s book A Nation of Sheep.

Now, this past week an even more ominous piece of legislation stealthfully passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and is now before the US Senate http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1959. Like these others pieces of legislation, it was in the sheep’s clothing of a patriotic sounding name, The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. This Act is one of the most blatant assaults against the Constitution in that it defines an American Citizen who holds an “extremist” thought or viewpoint as a “homegrown terrorist” and specifically targets the civilian population of the United States by use of a vague definition of homegrown terrorism. The problem with the word “extreme” is that it is relative. To a socialist - liberty is extreme, to an atheist - Judaism or Christianity is extreme, to a pro life supporter -abortion is extreme, to an environmentalist - property rights are extreme. Thus, we will witness the Department of Homeland Security arbitrarily defining extremism and placing law abiding Americans on a watch list as a result of their “extremist” views. Our foreign enemies seek to undermine our Constitution and so does this legislation. Thus, this legislation promotes the efforts of our foreign enemies. Please contact your US Senator and demand a stop to this Treasonous/ Unconstitutional legislation. Find your Senator here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.

Full PDF text if the bill: http://tinyurl.com/3a3y2z.

Jewish people – please do not be mislead. We must fight for liberty and freedom and against the fascist and socialistic elements working their way into our great nation. Ron Paul’s campaign is based upon a philosophy of liberty and freedom. Ron Paul, liberty and freedom abhor socialism, fascism and all that the Nazi party represented. Keep in mind; the Germans were at parties, the opera, and sporting events, enjoying prosperity and the great society while all of these laws were being changed. Those who were identifying what was happening in Germany and warning the Jews and German people were labeled as kooks by the National Socialist. Don’t believe everything you hear. Read and investigate for yourself. Stand up for liberty. Vote Ron Paul.

In regards to the $500, I think it is incredible stupid this has gotten so much heat. I think any campaign should accept and keep whatever money they get from anyone, including white-supremist groups. An individual has the right to whatever they believe in. You may not agree with it, but It's the individual's rights as a HUMAN BEING to decide what is best for them. So what if some bigoted racist gave Ron Paul money? Doesn't he have the RIGHT to give money to whatever function he wants? Ron Paul has ever right to keep the money and use it towards his campaign. If you think this is wrong you're just as narrow-minded as those to object to.

Well, Ron Paul must really be moving up in the polls and starting to scare the hell out of the media and the Republicrat Party. Now he's being accused or racism. They have to find some way to get him out of the way so some mediocre twit Republicrat Part apparatchik can get the nod.
Ron Paul has been persona-non-grata up until now CNN and others want to look at his history. As I watch the CNN report I find it interesting that CNN admits they cannot attribute the words to him, but hey, what the hell. Lack of credible evidence never stopped the media before.
Looks like they are pulling the same garbage they pulled with Ross Perot to make him look like a crackpot.

This is the only type of publicity the media will allow because it is negative they fear an honest man with faith in the constitution. I guess this is the only dirt they can find so they use it and try to discredit him. The trouble with our nation is they do not like to hear the truth even when they are tripping over it every day. Let's cover our eyes and maybe it will just go away like the monster under our beds did.

I have one question: Has that theory been working for the last 100+ years?

The Government and the government controlled media use fear to keep the people from taking a closer look and using our Constitutional rights to stop them. Now they are taking our rights one bad law after another.

The trouble is when the "sheep" finally uncover their eyes and see what is really happening they would have lost the right to protest it.

Now, lets get back to worrying about a political donation from someone with different views than our own..thats the real problem here..Right?

This is not a big deal Ron Paul doesn't have a chance in hell at winning anyway. Take the money and buy a clue on how to win.