Paul 'pleasantly surprised' at record fundraising haul
DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul said Monday that his campaign has raised a sum of money so vast he isn't even sure how to spend it yet - but his advisers have already gotten to work on the top items on their wish list.
A spokesman for the Texas congressman's campaign told CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand that they are in the process of adding staff in Florida and in several of the states that head to the polls February 5. He also said they were buying airtime in the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.
At a Monday press conference touting the fact his campaign raised more than $6 million the day before, Paul said that even his most optimistic supporters were "pleasantly surprised" by the massive haul.
"Towards the end it was difficult to keep up with all the accounting," Paul said.
He also drew a distinction between himself and other candidates in the GOP field by adding that his funds did not come from "powerful special interests."
"In our case it came from individuals who were concerned about what was happening," Paul added, "and I have offered an alternative both economically speaking, monetarily, as well as in foreign policy."
"I believe this is the reason they have come and joined the campaign."
Paul spoke to a room where members of the press outnumbered the few supporters gathered, but that didn't stop him for criticizing the media for focusing on candidates with money.
"Its disappointing to me personally," Paul said, "because it looks to me like money talks, and I like to say ideas talk…[and that it's] my position on foreign policy and the monetary system that should have gotten the attention of the media."
Related video: Paul touts fundraising
–CNN's Chris Welch and Rebecca Sinderbrand
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I am curious to observe the talking heads when the primaries start. I predict there will be some surprises.
I do believe there are a lot of us Republicans and former Republicans out here totally disgusted with the betrayal of the neocons running the Republican's at present, with their out-of-control spending of tax dollars, they've basically turned into
what they hate the most: Hillary.
I am a former Republican, now Libertarian. The Republicans left me, I did not leave them. I can honestly say that if Ron Paul is not the Republican nominee, I'll be voting Libertarian next November. I can't see any good, any difference, between Clinton, Obama, Giuliani, or Huckabee. No more voting for the "lesser of two evils".
"Give me Liberty, or give me death!"
Patrick Henry
Listen, Ron seems to be a good candidate, but let's be realistic. Why would we vote for an old guy like Ron Paul? We need a young President that will last 8 years. This guy could possibly be in and out of the hospital the next few years. He's too fragile.
Robert, Pensacola, FL
I wonder just how in tune you are with the American economy. It doesn't take a Harvard graduate to figure out that fiat money, controlled by international bankers, is unconstitutional and fraudulant. How many classes did you take on constitutional law and economics? Did you learn anything about the passage of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913?
Dr. Paul believes in a sound monetary system backed by gold and silver. Does Article 1, section 8, of the constitution ring any bells? Congress acted in treasonous ways to adopt a Federal Reserve Act, which had absolutely nothing to do with the U.S. government. This idea that a Federal Reserve Accounting Unit Device(FRAUD) is intrinsically not worth any more than a $100 monopoly dollar bill is by far the biggest scam I've ever witnessed in my life. My 11 year old son can figure that out.
The Rockefeller family has great control over the National Education Association. The Rockefeller family has been a driving force behind the questionable content of millions of public school textbooks through Grolier Book Company. I can honestly say that I was greatly brainwashed by the moneychangers earlier in my life.
Is the NEA really doing much to prepare children educationally other than instilling New World Order ideas?
Tax-exempt foundation fiat money has, and continues, to fuel the agenda of the CFR, UN, and the big corporations. Mitt Romney, the slick-talking CFR member, doen't care about the American people. Romney will "put a band-aid" on our national problem of an unsound monetary system, diving the US into deeper debt. Romney hasn't answered the questions directly. I can speak for most of the Ron Paul supporters that none of the candidates can be trusted. That's why Ron Paul has raised nearly $20 million from common hard-working Americans. Our founding fathers would applaud these supporters today.
To Robert in Pensacola:
Check the latest my fellow Floridian...Ron Paul is not ANTI government, but for SMALL government. Big difference here. I'm a Chemical Enginner who's been in the republican party for 10 years, and have been waiting for someone like Ron Paul to step up and get us back on track. From my own home, not my parent's basement, I get more and more excited when I see the flocks of people joining Paul's campaign nationwide. If you want one of the same old republicans who says what he needs to in order to get the votes for office, and is then bought over by large corporations and forgets about us, the people, then by all means vote for another republican. But if you want someone with a consistent voting record, even when it's not "popular", to stand up for the Constitution (which was written to pretect America's people) then I'd say your on the wrong side. I encourage you to do your own research and learn more about Ron Paul before you vote.
Robert,
My mom and dad want you out of our basement as of today. Sorry dude we've been caught.
As a precinct caucus chairperson in Iowa, I can tell you, this country is in for an eye opener from Iowa.
We have so much support for Ron Paul out here and, as seen by all these comments, all over this great land!
There will be a train leaving Iowa Nov 4th called The Revolution, and it will be roaring into New Hampshire!
Ron Paul 2008 Hope for America!
I am a 28 year old female musician and artist who has voted democratically the last two elections and I support Ron Paul. I don't live in my parents basement and consider myself a highly productive and intelligent woman who understands why Ron Paul represents such an important change for our country. Thank you.
If you are interested in the "Honest Money" issue I would suggest that you take the time to check out U.S.A. vs. Jessy M. Snyder, 2007-cv-0331, U.S. Dist. Ct. at Pittsburgh, Pa.
This woman discharged 1.3 million in debt (taxes) with her own privately created credit in the form of a "note" a.k.a. I.O.U. which was sent directly to the Secretary of the Treasury Mr. John Snow.
As you know Mr. Snow resigned, probably to avoid the issue of the "substance of the money".
Give the "Credit Bankers" what they so richly deserve... Some of your own privately created credit...