'Liberty lovers' flock to Paul event
Concord, New Hampshire (CNN) - While Rick Perry dominated the political dialogue at a speech in Bedford, New Hampshire, 30 miles away a group of several hundred "liberty lovers" lined up to cheer on Ron Paul.
Paul, the Texas congressman whose libertarian views have inspired a legion of full-throated conservatives to unswerving devotion, opened his campaign office in the state capital of Concord Wednesday evening. His supporters turned out in force.
Traffic was backed up onto the road as supporters searched for spots at the office park where the headquarters will open. Throngs of people toting yard signs waited in line to sign in and grab a plate of barbecue.
"This is the only man that knows the people," said Chris Lawless, a volunteer from Contoocook, New Hampshire. "The real grass-roots people are here."
Paul took the stage as his supporters chanted his name. He used his speech to further the populist, David vs. Goliath themes of his presidential run, and criticized the media for failing to give him due credit for ranking second in the closely watched Ames Straw Poll last weekend.
"We did have that rough and tumble with the media on the weekend but I think this has made up for it," Paul said of the size of the audience. "The issue has become the fact that I did not get any interviews on Sunday."
He also took the opportunity to poke fun at Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who came under fire this week when he suggested Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke could be committing treason if he printed more money before the 2012 elections.
"Now we have a Southern governor, I can't remember his name," Paul said to raucous applause. "He makes me look like a moderate. I have never once suggested Bernanke committed treason."
Instead, the man who has pushed to "end the Fed" said he might consider Bernanke a counterfeiter.
Paul told his supporters this election was their opportunity to end the country's fiscal woes.
"At times I've been criticized for my lack of ability to give public speeches," he said. "But I've never backed off on a message. It's a message we need."
he pack a full house in north carolina as well. Ron Paul 2012
Congrats Ron on your close, almost tie at the iowa ames poll. Rick Perry is just too much of a flip flopper to me.. I need someone consistent in the white house. I wonder if Ron Paul vs Ross Perot vs Ralph Nader was going for the presidency, I would really have a hard time voting as all would be the right choice.
I can actually stomach Paul. But those other clowns?..........
I would love it if Paul took out Perry. That would be great! Send that sorry Texan packing.
We need to hear more about Ron Paul. He might have some ideas that seem out there, but he does have reasoning to support his ideas, and is willing to share his reasoning. Nice that not all pols have to figure out how to sell an idea (on both sides), couldn't possibly tell the real reason or else the public might not like it.
Wa to go Ron, they can't hide the truth much longer. Karma wins all day long!
It's nice to see CNN finally acknowledging Ron Paul. That comment Drew Griffin made over the weekend was deplorable. If he worked for me and behaved that way, I'd fire him in a heartbeat. The media is supposed to be the 4th Estate.. to keep politics honest. Yet here they all are doing everything they can to ignore the most popular man in the race.
Rick perry dominated ?????? have you seen the video from both events Ricks cround was smaller by a large amount. but mainstream media keeps trying to put your crap into the peoples subconsious. Sorry game is over people do not want more of the same.
I'm really not a Paul supporter - I find a few of his views to be pretty out there - but I did find the absolute lack of coverage of him after Ames to be quite odd. There were even interviews with Santorum, who placed fourth, and his [Santorum's] fourth-place finish was seen as a success.
Clearly I do not understand the Republican party.
Welcome to New Hampshire Ron Paul. Momentum is building and Ron Paul enjoys grassroots support across the nation. He Founding Father material...the Statesman of our day. He is the only politician who predicted our nation's financial woes years in advance and the only one who seemingly has a solution to solve them. Major media loses all credibility when they ignore Ron Paul. Ignore Ron Paul and you ignore the people.
Thank you CNN for a simple article covering one of Dr. Paul's speeches. Unbiased simple news.....how refreshing.
There are serious issues that affect this country. Actually, the main stream medias scandalously censor the only presidentiable candidate in the republican straw pool. I mean Ron Paul.
The big "Wall Street government" in Washington is scared of one man who might change the politics as we know it. It's time to stop these useless and endless wars; it's time to strengthen our economy, It's time to vote Ron Paul.
There are serious issues that affect this country. Actually, the main stream medias scandalously censor the only presidentiable candidate in the republican straw pool. I mean Ron Paul.
The big "Wall Street government" in Washington is scared of one man who might change the politics as we know it. It's time to stop these useless and endless wars; it's time to strengthen our economy, It's time to vote Ron Paul.
Thank you CNN for FINALLY putting a Ron Paul story, even though it may be Small. Ron Paul needs more coverage, hes a interesting candidate, and a true grass roots patriot. The People of New Hampshire live by the slogan "Live Free or Die" and Ron Paul embodies that Statement.
Something tells me this guy's going to get a legitimate shot at the white house before it's all said and done.
read between the lines of the speech CNN
Any American that is or will be registered to vote that also is capable and willing to think, critcally; for themselves, should take some time to research, intake, assess, digest and contemplate what this legitimate candidate is offering.
Thanks CNN
Conservative media doesn’t want cover Ron Paul. Ron Paul has some excellent ideas
I wish he win the nomination
Take him seriously and quit undermining him and his supporters. Why is it that when anyone in the media refers to Ron Paul supporters they imply that we are few – get a clue – we are not just a few!
But at least this article was the most mild of the ones I've read today.
And at least he was not ignored – so thank you!
Apparently Ron Paul is capable of birthing babies and so he thinks he can discuss who should have babies and and when. He is totally against abortion, and that would have proven a real problem for a friend who recently gave birth to a son less than two pounds in weight. Mom had a high blood pressure condition that was life threatening to both her and the baby, so the baby had to be born (like they "caused him to be born" whatever you want to call that). The baby is surviving thanks to the best of medical care, but his life will not be without challenges. If his mother hopes to have other children, she will have a high possibility of having this same problem which seems to occur around 30 to 33 weeks of pregnancy. How would Ron Paul deal with all of this since he says there is NO REASON he approves abortions??????????????????