RSS 2.0 FeedRon Paul Has More Money In The Bank Than John McCain
by Doug MataconisNow here’s a story I never thought I’d see:
ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos Reports: Though often regarded as a longshot candidate for president, Republican Ron Paul tells ABC News that he has an impressive $2.4 million in cash on hand after raising an equal amount during the second quarter, putting him ahead of one-time Republican frontrunner John McCain, who reported this week he has only $2 million in the bank.
In an exclusive interview taped Friday and airing Sunday on “This Week,” Paul said his campaign is on a better trajectory than McCain’s.
“I think some of the candidates are on the down-slope, and we’re on the up-slope,” said Paul.
Paul’s cash on hand puts him in third place in the Republican field in that important metric, although he is well behind leader Rudy Giuliani, who has $18 million in the bank, and Mitt Romney, with $12 million.
Paul, who polls show with support in the low single digits, said his surprisingly strong fundraising is the best measure of his support.
“I think people have underestimated the number of people in this country who are interested in a freedom message,” says the Republican congressman from Texas, who has strong libertarian leanings.
This is a reflection of a few things.
First of all, we already knew that McCain’s support was falling and that his second quarter fundraising was abysmal. This confirms it and it would seem to suggest that McCain is in danger of becoming a second tier candidate.
Second, it makes sense that Ron Paul would have alot of cash on hand because he is not running the same kind of high-profile, big money campaign that Giuliani and Romney. He relies alot on volunteers and I don’t get the indication he’s tapping into the high-profile, big money campaign advisors that the others are. Put simply, Paul’s expenses are lower.
Finally, these numbers also suggest that Paul raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $ 1.5 million in the second quarter we now know that Paul raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $ 2.5 million in the second quarter Not bad, but not the $ 5 million some apparently hoped for, and not the kind of money you need to run a real Presidential campaign.
Spin, Doug Mataconis. Spin, my boy!
Ron Paul is going to win this nomination and become president. The reason for this is that D.C. is awash in corruption, waste, and fraud, and the American people are understanding that more and more as we move further online and further distrust the MSM.
Stand aside, Mataconis! These are once in a lifetime events you’re downplaying.
Comment by Buckwheat — July 6, 2007 @ 2:57 pmCorrection – “…$2.4 million in cash on hand after raising an equal amount during the second quarter” – So he raised $2.4 mil, not the $1.5 you suggested.
Presumably, this means he spent about $600k during the quarter since that’s how much he had on hand at the end of Q1.
Comment by Zack — July 6, 2007 @ 3:10 pmYour math teacher needs to be fired. If he has 2.4 million in the bank and raised .5 million last quarter, he raised more than 1.5 million. I guess he may have had money before that I didn’t know about. Seems like he raised close to 2 million which is way more than any other second tier candididate. Go Ron Paul!!!
Simple math:
Comment by Patrick Glover — July 6, 2007 @ 3:10 pm1.5 + .5 = 2
2.0 + .5 = 2.5
Doug,
Paul’s not running a “real” campaign. He’s running a dark horse campaign. And he’s doing a pretty good job.
Think about it for a second. We’re still 7 months out from primary season, and that’s even counting the early primaries we’re going to have in several states in ‘08. He really needs to make some strides in the next few months, but he could surprise some people in January and February.
I personally don’t think he’ll win the nomination, because I don’t think Americans understand or even desire liberty any more. But I’d say compared to where he was 6 months ago, he’s proving doubters like me wrong.
I’d say the news that he’s a solid 3rd place in the campaign, even beyond McCain, is good news that doesn’t require any qualification. He’s putting himself in position to run a dark horse campaign, and whether he succeeds or not, he’s been making the right moves so far.
Comment by Brad Warbiany — July 6, 2007 @ 3:33 pmPaul raised 2.4 million last quarter. Get that straight. .6 million was raised before, 2.4 was raised last quarter, .6 million has been spent to date, leaving 2.4 cash on hand. Total, Paul has raised 3 million.
Comment by Greg — July 6, 2007 @ 3:37 pmRon Paul raised $2.4m in Q2 and has an equivalent amount on hand. See the numbers directly at their source:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/ron-paul-tops-m.html
Joel
Comment by Joel — July 6, 2007 @ 3:39 pmhttp://ronpaul.typepad.com
I concur with Buckwheat above!
The GOP is slowly realizing that it cannot succeed with any of its current or undeclared crop; I’ve even seen some commentary that Fred may stay out of the race after all, which would make sense, nobody is going to elect Bush 2.0, I promise you that. Paul is changing the party, slowly but surely – and that is a win for all of us.
But beyond that, I believe he can actually do it. He is a real alternative to the others, from both parties. All he needs is more exposure to Mainstreet America; once they hear the message, it’s all over. We’re all Pauliacs at heart.
Comment by bret — July 6, 2007 @ 4:12 pmGood piece. It’s not surprising that the hatemongering hacks like Doug Thompson are spreading lies and trying to rain on the parade.
He outright claims that the campaign lied about its fundraising (nevermind the fact that the campaign itself never predicted $5 million).
Even though your piece is commentary, it’s better journalism than the faux-news Thompson is engaged in. Boycott his website.
Comment by Jack Parkman — July 6, 2007 @ 4:13 pmPart of his $2.4 million is the $50 I sent him last month. I’m sending $100 this month…and every month until I’m legally maxed out.
I predict Ron Paul’s 3rd Q is going to punch through the stratosphere.
You are going to have to start to face it:
Congressman Ron Paul grassroots support is nothing short of phenomenal.
I should know, I’m hosting a MeetUp in my backyard tomorrow evening and I expect 25 people – maybe more.
Comment by granny miller — July 6, 2007 @ 4:18 pmWhat is more, 10 people this week have told me they are voting for Ron Paul even if they write him in.
Instead of being so pessimistic against Ron Paul, why don’t you read up about him and determine if he is a worthy candidate based on the ISSUES. If you don’t support him, don’t do so just because he doesn’t have enough money in your opinion.
Comment by David — July 6, 2007 @ 4:22 pmThis election hopefully will be about Americans becoming informed and making educated choices. The internet is a great equalizer and you don’t need to get all your news from the major news organizations.
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Pingback by Dr. No, 72, Excites Our Young Blogosphere OR Ron Paul Has HOW Much Money?! at DailyWrit — July 6, 2007 @ 4:33 pm“Stand aside, Mataconis! These are once in a lifetime events you’re downplaying.”
Great line. So serious and true and funny all at the same time. Some people just don’t get it. yet.
Comment by PeterPan — July 6, 2007 @ 6:37 pmBrad,
He may not be running a traditional campaign, but if he wants to have any chance of winning, he’ll have to sson. And that means $$$ that he hasn’t shown the capability of raising yet.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — July 6, 2007 @ 7:14 pmCome on, Doug, will you get off the idea that winning is what the Ron Paul campaign is about? It is about giving the American people a chance to views that have been honestly expressed since Ronald Reagan left office and the Barry Goldwater campaign of 1964.
These United States have a long, long, long way to go politically before they will be ready for a rebirth of liberty.
Comment by Ken H — July 6, 2007 @ 9:25 pmThat should have been “have not been honestly expressed since Ronald Reagan left office and the Barry Goldwater campaign of 1964.
Comment by Ken H — July 6, 2007 @ 9:27 pmHelp Ron Paul by doing the following:
Comment by Proud American — July 6, 2007 @ 10:18 pmJoin a meetup.
Register as a Republican.
Get signs, t-shirts, bumperstickers, etc.
DONATE! He needs more money!
Ron Paul will be the NEXT President of the United States!
Ken H,:,
I think you and I agree on some level.
I support Ron Paul. If he makes it to the Virginia primary, I will vote for Ron Paul and encourage anyone I know to do the same.
But I’ve spent enough years working political campaigns to know that Ron Paul doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the Republican nomination.
But I still support his candidacy because I hope, and on some level believe, that it will lead to a rebirth of liberty.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — July 6, 2007 @ 11:06 pmI think that I support Ron Paul’s candidacy.
I sent him $25; I will probably send more. I disagree with him on some issues; but, he is by far my favorite candidate.
How can people go for Romney/Giuli/Hillary.
Other candidates that don’t bring up immediate feelings of wanting to expatriate:
~Richardson/Obama…. Huckabee?
But, I definitely don’t really want any of them except Ron Paul. I like Mexicans a lot though.
Comment by Skylar Saveland — July 7, 2007 @ 12:23 am” He relies alot on volunteers and I don’t get the indication he’s tapping into the high-profile, big money campaign advisors that the others are.”
If you look at his voting record and the stances that he has taken against big government, you will find that this is consistent with his message. He has already addressed the issue of big campaigns. Why would he spend all of his money hiring advisors and then claim to be against big government spending?
“and not the kind of money you need to run a real Presidential campaign.”
Again, this would be inconsistent with his philosophies. His campaign is relying on grassroots support. His campaign staff maintains contact with the various meetup group heads who, by the way, also do their own fundraising. The meetup groups are his campaign.
Also, his campaign is continuing to gain steam (as evidenced by the fact that he is moving his headquarters into a larger facility).
“Stand aside, Mataconis! These are once in a lifetime events you’re downplaying.â€
I also like this statement. I recall hearing much ado about how the last presidential election would be one of the most important election of my generation’s (I am 26) lives (up to this point at least). Looking back now at the candidates of ‘04, I feel that we would be in no better shape than we were then. We might be in a different position, but not necessarily a better one. The comparisons that I’ve seen of Ron Paul to many of the founding fathers seems accurate to me. Having read many of the revolution-era documents relating to our country’s founding, it seems as though he is most in line with many of the founding fathers (or at least those who suscribed to the Federalist Papers style of government). It would be interesting to see how our country fares in the years after his term(s) in office if he is elected.
“Even though your piece is commentary, it’s better journalism than the faux-news Thompson is engaged in.”
Agreed.
Comment by Justin Bowen — July 7, 2007 @ 2:50 amHo hum. Here we go again.
Doug, isn’t this the part where you tell everyone that you’re a political science major and know everything there is to know about polling and elections?
Tell you what, we’ll just keep supporting Dr. Paul and sending in money and recruiting more people. You can sit there in your Ivory Tower and tell us rabble how hopeless we are and bemoan how you like Dr. Paul but he doesn’t have a chance, etc.
Be sure to join us at the inauguration party. We’ll need someone to serve us the champagne!
Comment by Not again Doug.... — July 9, 2007 @ 12:20 amWould that be Hillary’s inauguration party, or Rudy’s ? Or Obama’s ? Or maybe Fred’s ?
Because those are the only four people that have a chance having anything to celebrate on 20 January 2009.
Frankly, I think I’d decline each of their invitations.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — July 9, 2007 @ 5:12 amDoug, why such a defeatist attitude. Certainly the years of traditional campaigns have worn down the common sense aspect of your brain. I find it funny how you write for a blog entitled “The Liberty Papers”, yet you seem to have very little interest in protecting and furthering our lost liberties. If more semi-Paul supporters like yourself would take a stand and fully support Paul, we wouldn’t even be questioning his possible candidacy by any means. Take a stance like the founding fathers did against Great Britain, and fight for Paul.
But then again, it is easier to sit in a basement and criticize everything and anything, than to to stand up against it.
Comment by Liberty and defeat? — July 9, 2007 @ 3:40 pmMeant to place a ‘?’ mark there, my mistake.
Comment by Liberty and defeat? — July 9, 2007 @ 3:41 pmSounds like Romney wouldn’t be doing any better if he didn’t loan himself $9M…
Comment by js290 — July 10, 2007 @ 11:04 pm