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Ron Paul Attracts Out-of-Staters (And Beavers)

CLIVE CITY, Iowa — The Ron Paul event I attended this afternoon at Des Moines University was immediately unlike any campaign event I had been to before.

I arrived five minutes late, which ordinarily means I arrived 40 minutes earlier. But when I walked into the massive classroom that was holding the event, Paul was already deep into a discussion of monetary policy. The event was ostensibly a forum about health care, but Paul had already moved off topic and was calling for an end to the federal reserve and a more responsible monetary system.

This would become a theme, because to Paul, the federal reserve and America's monetary system are rarely off topic. Over the course of today's speech, he looped back to hospitals, doctors, and patients every so often, but only to point out that the struggles they face have much to do with inflation, which is caused by the federal reserve and America's monetary system.

The drop of the dollar was a favorite hobbyhorse because it played right into Paul's message. "The wealth of a country is measured by the strength of its currency," he said. "We're flunking."

One other thing Paul did talk about was disentangling ourselves from overseas commitments. He said that while other candidates (Democrats, of course) may want to pull troops out of Iraq, only he wanted to pull them out of Korea, Japan, and everywhere else they are installed around the globe. This would save us a ton of money, Paul argued, and make us safer, because the presence of our troops in foreign countries stokes a lot of the anger that is directed at us. But a few minutes after discussing foreign policy, Paul was back to statements like, "Our nation is based on debt."

But for my lack of interest in Paul's pitch, the crowd was loud and enthusiastic. I set out afterwards to meet them. In particular, I hoped to meet the guy in the cape and the two people dressed in animal costumes (a chimp and a beaver, I suspect; judge for yourself at right).

The first person I ran into was an employee of the university who joked that he was there for the "free lunch." He said he was only checking Paul out; he was caucusing for Obama. The second and third people I spoke to were Paul supporters, but happened to be out-of-towners from Minnesota. The fourth person I spoke was an organizer for the Iowa Fair Trade Campaign who said he liked Paul's trade ideas (because Paul opposes NAFTA and other trade agreements) but that he planned to caucus for an as-of-yet-undetermined Democrat.

Next I talked to an airplane pilot who loved Ron Paul but was in from Texas. Then it was an ardent fan of Paul's monetary policy views who had driven down from Minnesota. Then two college-age kids who were taking their Ron Paul signs back home to New Jersey.

Getting desperate to find an Iowan supporter who planned on caucusing tonight, I headed outside, where people were clustering around Paul as he got into his van. I approached four people carrying Ron Paul signs, but was careful to ask where they were from before I began the interview. No luck: Kansas City. Then the guy in the cape showed up.

"Are you a Ron Paul supporter?" I asked.

"No," he said. "I'm with the Iowa Fair Trade Campaign."

Despondent, I told him I had stopped him because he was wearing a cape. He said it had something to do with fair trade. I asked if he had seen the people in the chimp and beaver suits. He had. "I think they're a little weird," he said.

Noticing the complete lack of irony, I said, "This coming from a guy wearing a cape."

He was taken aback. "I'm wearing this cape for a reason," he said.

Eventually, I found a student from Northwestern who was planning on caucusing for Paul. He said that he liked Paul's non-interventionist views, his free market positions, and his devotion to the Constitution.

And there you have it. If this event was any indication, Ron Paul has an awful lot of committed supporters nationwide who are going to be very disappointed when the results roll in tonight. Commence slaying me in the comments.

Comments

either that, or the people in Iowa are just sick of hearing politicians since they made up their minds weeks or months ago.

We'll know soon enough.

Posted by: me on 01/03/08 at 3:15 PM Respond

Right, but the blogosphere today is FULL of "I couldn't find any Iowans at the Hillary / Barrack / Thompson / etc. event today" posts.

So many out of staters are around that it's a wash.

The campaign insists they have 20,000 people who are committed to showing up.

Posted by: Fluffy on 01/03/08 at 3:24 PM Respond

I won't be dissappointed by the results tonight- what if he wins? Either way I'm still catching a plane tomorrow for New Hampshire to campaign for Dr. Paul.
A vote for liberty is never a wasted vote.

Posted by: kevin allen on 01/03/08 at 3:26 PM Respond

hmmm. 1 and a half hours to go, we shall see.:)

Posted by: freedomjunkie on 01/03/08 at 3:26 PM Respond

SORRY BUD, BUT RON PAUL HAS TONS
OF SUPPORTER AND WILL WIN!!!!!

Posted by: Jose on 01/03/08 at 3:38 PM Respond

Thanks for the scientific poll, I'm sure the 14 people you interviewed will surely reflect the electorate of the entire state.

Posted by: Robert on 01/03/08 at 3:42 PM Respond

It will be sad if America learns that we have over 700 military bases in over 130 countries and in the end no cares about it.

Posted by: Rand Thinker on 01/03/08 at 3:47 PM Respond

No bias, just reporting...that's new. Thanks for attending an event before writing. Hopefully you get more positive responses than negative ones. I don't think that Iowa will be a strong Dr. Paul state, I'm looking forward to NH.

Posted by: Joy on 01/03/08 at 3:54 PM Respond

Your "lack of interest in Paul's pitch" says it all. You are incapable of writing an unbiased article. You and those like you don't get it. Dr. Paul does not have a "pitch". He is a man with a lifetime commitment to integrity. He understands that the Constitution is the law of the land. There is not one Democrat or other Republican that can say that. If we have any intention of reclaiming Liberty in America, Ron Paul is our only hope.

Posted by: Elaine McKillop, Esq. on 01/03/08 at 3:55 PM Respond

Posted by: Elaine McKillop, Esq. on 01/03/08 at 3:56 PM Respond

Dear Jonathan,
Enjoyed reading your article concerning the Ron Paul rally in Iowa you attended recently. It's been my good fortune to follow the career of Dr. Paul over many years and he has proven himself to be a true friend of peace and liberty and a stalwart opponent of war and militarism again and again.
On that basis, I ask you to reconsider your opinion and mindful of the world situation, throw your support to Ron Paul. Granted you never in your life expected to vote Republican, but if by so doing you could pull this country back from the precipe of more endless wars, wouldn't you find it in your heart to hold your nose, and vote for Ron Paul.
In any event, thanks again for your coverage of the rally.

Next year in a free and peaceful America

Posted by: John McCarthy on 01/03/08 at 4:00 PM Respond

"Commence slaying me in the comments."

No, you slay me! It really is funny that people who write anything about RP are getting so gun-shy. You did a fine job. You wrote what you saw. No cheerleading or pandering and no slander or condescending little jabs. In fact, for guy who attended a political rally and saw a chimp, beaver and caped crusader, I think you showed admirable restraint.

Posted by: dph on 01/03/08 at 4:04 PM Respond

What an idiotic article. You interview a few people at one campaign appearance and conclude that Paul won't do well in the caucases. Somehow, I expected better from Mother Jones.

For a funny satire on the dishonesty of our president, the MSM, and the war on terror, see this YouTube video from the international award-winning zombie musical feature film, "Song of the Dead." It features horror movie veteran, Reggie Bannister (Phantasm, Wishmaster, Bubba Ho-tep) as the president of the U.S. The filmmaker, Chip Gubera is giving a share of his profits form the sale of DVDs to the Ron Paul campaign. Go to:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qQmkkoxSKYw

Posted by: mketcher on 01/03/08 at 4:05 PM Respond

This isn't a bad article. It may be pessimistic towarard Ron Paul's chances, but unlike the few other articles about him, it is based on something other than blind assertion. Also, the picture helps carry the real message, that people are involved and listening, and that Paul has a message of substance. Compare this meeting with any of those of the other candidates.

Posted by: David on 01/03/08 at 4:11 PM Respond

Looks like we will know soon enough about the votes in Iowa. I would bet that Ron Paul will get at least 15-20% and at least enough for third, maybe second.

Huckabee is a silver tongued devil who knows what to say AND people are looking for someone to believe in who sounds Presidential. He says he wants to eliminate the IRS, which sounds a little like Ron Paul. The problem is Huckabee's record. And the same with Romney. Who knows what they will really do if elected? With Ron Paul you know EXACTLY what he will try to do. Save the economy and save the country. Paul knows how. But more people in Iowa who the polls say are likely to vote now believe Huckabee.

My own numbers are simply reasoned from this: Zogby says that Ron Paul will get 10% of the votes based on his polling. ~100,000 people will be voting in the Republican primary so 10,000 votes. ~200,000 in the Democratic primary. The population of Iowa is 3 million. Half are adults so 1.5 million. (10%+ are libertarians - 1% always voted that way in the past. That is 15,000 people or your base vote.

2/3 of Americans hate the Iraq war. That is higher in Iowa. 1/3 of Republicans hate the war. The war is a big deal. Only Ron Paul or Kucinich really oppose the war.

People lie to OR avoid pollsters OR they have cell phones. I know I do. Ron Paul supporters are very motivated and very concerned about the impending collapse of the economy from the policies of the status quo. This includes the nasty and idiotic Iraq war which is bankrupting us.

This is it folks. It is now or never for this generation. People in America, who can think, AND even though most choose not to, MUST recognize their need to vote tonight for a doctor and Congressman from Texas who knows how to save the country.

If you are a Ron Paul supporter you will vote even though there is a 9 degree wind-chill index tonight at 7pm. And the entire world says that your candidate will not win. You know he is your only chance to save the Republic. It is time. They know it and they will vote. So I am dreaming of 20%. We shall see.

Hopefully, that will wake up the MSM who will really start smearing Ron Paul then. Like in the economically illiterate article above!! Up to now they have just been playing. MSM smearing will help in an internet age. All smears can be challenged quickly. Ron Paul will be in all the debates or the MSM will look silly once he starts doing better than the other "top tier" candidates in real voting.

We shall see in a few hours if the dream is a reality.

Posted by: DenisL on 01/03/08 at 4:32 PM Respond

This was a truly lousy article. Is that the best you could do?

Posted by: John Galt on 01/03/08 at 4:40 PM Respond

INCREDIBLE!!! I gotta be honest though - I *would* support Ron Paul if he were pro-choice and believed in Evolution.

Posted by: Petson on 01/03/08 at 4:42 PM Respond

As much as I'm annoyed about the constant Ron Paul gestapo online, I have to say - he is an honest man with integrity. Why does he always get slapped by the news? Why does Mother Jones give him the slap? That really pisses me off. Life is not a game. There are real people here!!!!

Posted by: Reppy on 01/03/08 at 4:48 PM Respond

Petson -

It's an understandable thing to overlook in today's political climate, so I wonder if it might be worth pointing out that Ron Paul supports your right to be pro-choice and believe in evolution. He also supports your right to educate your children to be pro-choice and believe in evolution, and to lobby others (including your State government) to be pro-choice and believe in evolution.

To Paul, neither of those is a Federal government issue. His opinions on them are irrelevant to his Presidency. And that's why, as a pro-choice evolution believer, I wholeheartedly support his candidacy.

Posted by: tejón on 01/03/08 at 4:56 PM Respond

Mother Jones' is an incredibly fine publication and respect it thoroughly, but it's articles usually have a point.

Take a cue from that.

Writing an entry like this is what I would expect from Newsweek, etc., completely missing the bigger picture, focusing on trivial matters with a hint of contempt.

Maybe you'd be happier at Newsweek, or similiar...

*shrugs*

Posted by: Saul Tanner on 01/03/08 at 5:06 PM Respond

As You Predicted, not much support in Iowa.

RP-Meetup:
------------------
Location: Des Moines, IA
Members: 92
Meetups: 71 so far

Where were these 92 people in Des Moines??

Posted by: Michael on 01/03/08 at 6:23 PM Respond

I just wanted to remind you that if Ron Paul isn't the Republican nominee, you need to get used to a phrase:

"President Hillary Clinton"

Because that is what you're going to get.

Posted by: Richard Wicks on 01/03/08 at 6:25 PM Respond

You'll have to revisit your disinterest in those Paul positions you enumerate once the ABCP crisis starts making headlines again. It's exactly those far-out positions that will recommend Paul to voters once they realize they are neck-deep in the worst world financial crisis since 1907.

Posted by: John M on 01/03/08 at 6:27 PM Respond

If the way the people of Iowa voted is indicative of the general intelligence level of the rest of the country, then I have no sympathy for what is about to happen to the idiots economically or otherwise. Anyone too stupid to desire liberty and freedom and too lazy to educate themselves about how to achieve it, may as well live as a slave since they're apparently unaware of the difference between freedom and slavery. I'm tempted to go over to the "dark side" and start taking advantage of some of the ignorance that appears to be ubiquitous here in the USA. Now about that bridge in Brooklyn ...

Posted by: Ron Dotson on 01/03/08 at 8:44 PM Respond

Hey! I was one of those Kansas Citians :)

10%, not bad! beat Ghouliani :p

Just wait for New Hampshire - LIVE FREE OR DIE!

Posted by: Catherine on 01/03/08 at 10:50 PM Respond

Petson - I'm not sure that your statement about Paul not believing in evolution is correct.
What I do know is 2 things:
First, when asked in a debate earlier this year if they did not believe in evolution, three candidates raised their hands, and Paul wasn't one of them (I believe they were Tancredo, Brownback,Huckabee).
Second: I know there is a you tube video out there somewhere claiming to show Paul not believing evolution.
FWIW - I've seen it, and it seemed to me to show Paul dancing around the issue a bit in front of an audience - but if you look closely, the video is clearly cut somewhere in the middle. Whoever made it didn't want people to hear the rest of whatever Paul was saying.

Hats off to Zogby for correctly predicting 10 percent. And to Paul for embarrassing Rudy with almost 3 times more votes!

Posted by: DanJ on 01/03/08 at 10:59 PM Respond

well, no matter how he does, i'm going to vote for the constitution.. its the law of the land.. people will tell you that its 200 years old and does'nt apply to today, but its not about time, time is only technology. its a about the evil that men do, and theres nothing new there that they did'nt know 200 years ago.. google "zeitgeist" then decide

i thought ron did great, 11 times the votes of obama and spanked rudy

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