October 15th, 2007
07:45 PM ET
15 years ago

Meet Ron Paul

Watch Jim Acosta's report on Rep. Ron Paul.

(CNN) - Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul, R-Texas, surprisedĀ pundits with his third quarter fundraising total. CNN's Jim Acosta takes a closer look at the libertarian who has become an Internet sensation during the 2008 presidential nomination race.

Click here to see CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com


Filed under: Ron Paul
soundoff (20 Responses)
  1. laurinda,ny

    I was just waiting for a blog to come up about him. I am seeing quite a few signs around Woodstock and Kingston for him. But they all seem to be homemade. I was wondering why he doesn't have any factory printed ones like the other candidates do. But, then again everyone seems to be using the same coloring with their magic markers.

    October 15, 2007 08:43 pm at 8:43 pm |
  2. Aaron, Bondurant, IA

    Very good report. Absolutely the only man that has a clue what's really going on in the world. I get the feeling people are going to be surprised by the amount of support this guy gets when the primaries happen.

    October 15, 2007 09:10 pm at 9:10 pm |
  3. chuckles, lucy , desie

    The only problem with Ron Paul and the Libertarians is they will not protect our country, will not fight!!

    October 15, 2007 09:17 pm at 9:17 pm |
  4. Helen, San Francisco CA

    Interesting. Only when CNN sees dollar signs do they start covering a candidate.

    October 15, 2007 11:27 pm at 11:27 pm |
  5. Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA

    Some good ideas which must aggravate the heck out of his less libertarian GOP colleagues, but absolutely _no_ chance of nomination or election. Like Hillary and Obama, fun to watch.

    October 16, 2007 01:48 am at 1:48 am |
  6. Ben, Chicago IL

    Overall a pretty fair report, however I take issue with the emphasis place on Paul being pro-life. Paul has repeatedly said that although he is pro-life he does not think that issue should be decided at the federal level and should be left to the states, so for this particular office he is running for, he would take no action on that issue if elected. It is similar to electing someone to your school board based on whether or not they are pro-life or not; it really should have no bearing on what they should do in that office.

    October 16, 2007 10:10 am at 10:10 am |
  7. Gerald, Palm Beach FL

    Interesting. Only when CNN sees substantial dollar signs do they start covering certain candidates.

    October 16, 2007 10:21 am at 10:21 am |
  8. Robert, Vivian, La

    Ron Paul is going no where in the polls. Even in New Hampshire, which is supposedly a rather libertarian state is not supporting him.
    His supporters are vocal and passionate, but what's he doing to get his message out with the money he's raising.
    I'll vote for him, but I'm disappointed in his efforts.

    October 16, 2007 10:42 am at 10:42 am |
  9. Nate, Knoxville, TN

    I think its funny someone mentioned polls . I was called a few weeks ago by the some tennessee GOP'ers wishing for me to make a donation. I said I wanted to wait and make sure they got someone conservative nominated first. Then they took a poll where they tried to shove Fred Thompson down my throat, and didn't even mention Ron Paul. I had to mention him. So if you call that legitimate poll taking - come back from Mars. Thankyou.

    October 16, 2007 11:44 am at 11:44 am |
  10. James, Phoenix AZ

    THANK YOU CNN – for pointing out Ron Paul is a Libertarian! He is not a Republican.

    Ron Paul actually is warmed over Pat Buchanan/Reform Party. Want proof?

    Words/Views of Pat Buchanan:

    1. GOVERNMENT: Abolishing many government agencies, such as the Department of Education and the Bureau of Land Management. "We do not consider 'Big Government conservatism' a philosophy," Buchanan said in 2005. "We consider it a heresy." (Sound like Ron Paul?)

    2. FOREIGN POLICY: Reform Party presidential candidate Pat Buchanan called for an end to U.S. economic sanctions around the world and challenged the notion that it was America's role to police the globe. (Sound like Ron Paul?)

    3. WAR: Buchanan has "outflanked" the left on anti-war issues. (Sound like Ron Paul?)

    Thankfully Ron Paul will be as successful as Pat Buchanan in his election bid!

    October 16, 2007 01:18 pm at 1:18 pm |
  11. jay, Snellville, GA

    Ron Paul is the guy who raised $5,000,000 in the 3rd quarter with very little advertiseing. The average donation was $40. If you guys don't think he has supporters, you are fooling yourselves.

    Will he win the nomination? I don't know. However, he does have lots of grass roots support.

    October 16, 2007 01:21 pm at 1:21 pm |
  12. Aaron Kinney, Sherman Oaks CA

    Ron Paul is certainly not "going nowhere in the polls."

    The "scientific" polls only count Republicans who voted in the primaries in 2004, where Bush had no opposition, and only 6% of republicans turned out to vote. Not a very representative sample if you ask me.

    Instead, try looking at the "polls" that start with "straw." Im talking about the straw polls. Ron Paul is absolutely crushing the opposition in the straw polls. Even in a recent straw poll where Romney spoke at, Ron Paul wasnt even there and he won in a landslide!

    Where are the homemade signs for other candidates? Where is the enthusiasm for the other candidates? What about the youth vote in which there are mostly first time voters? Who is polling them?

    Ron Paul is going to give us a few more surprises before this campaign is over. He will surprise us when he gets the GOP nomination, and he will surprise us again when he wins the general election. Go Ron Paul!

    October 16, 2007 01:33 pm at 1:33 pm |
  13. Zac, Ypsilanti, Michigan

    This guy has all the support in the world. Its obvious with the hundreds of people that come out everywhere this guy goes. Without being paid to do so, I might add...

    The only support he doesn't have is the corporate support, because when people donate to his campaign they do it because they believe in him, not because it's their ticket to a free handout.

    The only candidate who wants to end the war. The only candidate that cares about Americans. The only candidate who is getting this former lifer-democrat's vote.

    October 16, 2007 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |
  14. Garrett Babb Indianapolis

    Just 50 more of these and he's in the same range (media-coveragewise) as the other GOP hopefuls. Thanks for the drop in the bucket!!

    October 16, 2007 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  15. bill derry, nh

    I believe Ron Paul will be President. Look at that crowd...Now remember that this is 1 town in 1 state. when we all go to the polls in november he will have a landslide WIN!

    October 16, 2007 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |
  16. Paul, New Orleans, LA

    To: James, Phoenix AZ

    So, you want more government and you like to pay income taxes?? Have you even checked out all his views?

    Would you rather the power be with the states or the federal govt??

    October 16, 2007 08:08 pm at 8:08 pm |
  17. Keith, MI

    Mr. Paul, You may be the last hope the republican party has. It's future rests in your very, very lonely hands. Good luck and godspeed.

    October 16, 2007 10:16 pm at 10:16 pm |
  18. Danny C TN

    Ron Paul has a ton of support in the state of Tn too. Just in my town alone Ive seen several cars with bumperstickers in support of Dr. Paul and peope on the street corner waving signs. I really hope he wins the nomination. Lets all have hope in Dr. Paul, cause I know the powers at be dont want him in power. Well that is just too bad because if we all do our part to raise our voices and tell them just where they can go then I think we stand a chance. Im sick of this corrupt to the bone administration and am sure most of you are too. We need someone who is gonna listen to our concerns and not just turn a blind eye and go about their merry ways all care free. Ron Paul has the compassion and intelect to go against the NORM and go back to our roots we have forgotten about. He is the way of the future and has my total support. Best of luck Dr.Paul and vic em'..peace to you all even the haters. you know who you are...down with the fascist pigs.

    October 17, 2007 11:34 am at 11:34 am |
  19. James, Phoenix AZ

    To: James, Phoenix AZ

    So, you want more government and you like to pay income taxes?? Have you even checked out all his views?

    Would you rather the power be with the states or the federal govt??

    Posted By Paul, New Orleans, LA : October 16, 2007 8:08 pm

    -–

    Paul – what I DO want is: 1) a strong military that maintains strategic deployment to deter rogue nations and protect US interests abroad.

    2) Federal organization which watches against home-grown terrorists, organized crime, and other threats to our nation (FBI). I also want to keep an eye on our enemies abroad (CIA).

    3) I want real solutions to drug problems – not legalization. Drugs cause more crime, death, and destruction in our country than any other social ill.

    4) Yes I want smaller government and I do believe State's rights should take precedence over federal rights. Any social entitlement program should be funded and managed at the State level – not the Federal level.

    The problem with Ron Paul is he doesn't know how to moderate his harsh libertarian views. If he were more realistic: finding better drug solutions and NOT legalizing it, modifying FBI/CIA and not eliminating, discuss transfering certain Federal programs to the State level to insure continuity of benefits until the States decide how to manage issues – THAT would be more palatable.

    Right now – Ron Paul sounds wacky to most. That's my opinion.

    October 17, 2007 01:15 pm at 1:15 pm |
  20. Anonymous

    vote for freedom. down with the war on drugs, down with the war on terror, and down with the unholy irs and federal reserve.

    Ron Paul, For the People

    October 27, 2007 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |