Las Vegas Sun

November 8, 2009

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The lurking Ron Paul

Polls commissioned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Reno Gazette-Journalshow former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with a comfortable lead in theRepublican race in Nevada, with Texas Rep. Ron Paul trailing far behind insingle digits.

But don't be surprised if Paul challenges the other presumed frontrunners -

Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee and John McCain - for second or third place,given how those three have shown little interest in Nevada.

And caucuses - unlike primaries - tend to attract only the most passionate

and knowledgeable, which certainly describes Paul's backers.

Droves of Paul supporters packed a casino ballroom Tuesday night when the

Clark County Republican Party elected its slate of leaders.

One Ron Paul supporter, driving an SUV, blocked Romney backers at a rallyThursday. The SUV had several Paul bumper-stickers and a handwritten note:

"Stop the Traitors."

Discussion: 5 comments so far...

  1. "Lurking"?
    "But don’t be surprised if Paul challenges the other presumed frontrunners - Rudy Giuliani, ... for second or third place, given how those three have shown little interest in Nevada."

    "One Ron Paul supporter, driving an SUV, blocked Romney backers at a rally Thursday"

    A bit pejorative, surely. Does the author or the paper have an agenda?

    Use of the word "lurking" is certainly meant to give a negative impression.

    "Presumed front-runner like Rudy Giuliani", who has come in far behind Dr. Paul in 2 out of the first three contests? By what standard is Rudy a front-runner, and Paul is not?

    A Paul supporter "blocked" Romney backers- what does that mean? He was ahead of them? He stood in front of them? Why is that noteworthy, other than to try and give your story one more negative description of the Paul campaign?

    Brian, your bias is showing.

  2. Brian, Brian, Brian,

    It’s evident by this article, you got your journalism degree from a cracker jack box.

    Ron Paul has more votes than Rudy and Fred combined thus far. He’s also raised more money than any other candidate in the last quarter.

    Ron Paul is the only candidate to support the Constitution. I might remind you that this document affords you the opportunity to do your job, should you ever decide to do it properly.

    RON PAUL "FREE AT LAST" MONEY BOMB COMING THIS MONDAY!!!!

  3. Wow - what a biased article. I'm surprised you even metioned Paul's name. How about unknown candidate for political office may get a vote at the caucus. Why is the press so opposed to Ron Paul?

  4. "And caucuses - unlike primaries - tend to attract only the most passionate and knowledgeable, which certainly describes Paul’s backers."

    Brian, I really appreciate that quote. I understand what some of the other commentors are objecting to here, but I really felt this was a positive article. The majority of Paul supporters I've interacted with are both knowledgeable and passionate. The knowledge impresses me more than the passion.

    Don't know what was up with the SUV, but if the guy was being obnoxious I would worry maybe he was one of the Paul supporters whose passion exceeds his knowledge of how to spread good will for your candidate lol. There are certainly a few of those -- but I agree with your assessment that more generally you find very informed supporters out in the Paul camp.

    Thanks for your story!

  5. The first three comments just go to show that "biased" usually just means "anyone who doesn't drink the same Kool-Aid as I do." C'mon, people! The blogger's argument was that Ron Paul doesn't get enough credit! The fact that the first three commenters are trying to twist that around makes me wonder whether Ron Paul supporters are living in the same world as the rest of us. Judging by the fourth commenter, maybe they actually are.

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