Not sure how much new support there will be due to young people getting older, however I do feel like if RP runs again there will be a huge surge in support that will far surpass '08.
'08 was exciting, but I think there was a underlying realization that we are underdogs just trying to make as much of a splash as possible, but knowing we won't make it all the way. As impressive as the grassroots was in '08, kindof knowing we can't really win along with all the media bias prevented the movement from reaching its full potential.
Here is why I think 2012 will be huge:
1. The experience from '08 and the ability to have a "second chance" perhaps righting some wrongs I think will encourage the folks from '08 to go ALL OUT. Personally, I feel like I did alot and gave a lot in '08 (gave over $1K to the campaign, while making less than $50K that year) and I feel like I am chomping at the bit to get involved and donate again.
2. All the abominations the government has committed since 2008 just gives more anger-fuel to run on. The negative effects of the terrible Bush/Obama policies are being felt a lot more now as the economy deteriorates which makes everyone ever more motivated to effect change.
3. RP has gained ENORMOUS GRAVITAS since '08. It will be impossible for the media to marginalize him again. He has been all over mainstream media for last couple years and is respected. The MSM sure didn't want to accept him, but they had to.
4. The economic and political conditions are much more conducive to the message. The whole Tea Party thing has shifting things in our favor. Republicans talking serious about downsizing the government is in vogue and it is no longer a faux pas amongst mainstream conservatives to critize war (now that Obama owns them).
I would like to add that I personally disdain most of the MSM and think garnering their respect is not typically a worthwhile endeavor. And, I think opposing war for the imbecile reasons (for political points) represents massive moral decay. So, while perhaps not fertile for the right reasons, I think having fertile ground for RP's very moral message is great thing regardless of the reasons. Politics is grubby and you gotta take what you can get.
Regarding the earlier post about the 2008 campaign being unorganized and amatuer-ish, I have heard this comment alot but don't know exactly what it is referring to. The only possibly concrete thing I remember from 2008 was something about an Excel spreadsheet of voter information getting corrupted which may have hindered our turnout in one of the key primaries. I am not necessariy defending the 2008 campaign as it does seem like they should have been able to do more with all that money. However, I constantly hear this accusation of the 2008 campaign being poorly run without specifics. I think it would be more helpful if these people who are so down on the 2008 campaign to state what they think should and should not be done next time.
That said, 2008 is now water under the bridge and I do think there is reason to be hopeful that a 2012 campaign will be run more seriously. RP and his crew now know that they can raise significant money and have significant support in their pockets so you would think they would get very serious about hiring some very professional help to make the campaign top notch. RP has been quite tireless with TV appearances lately...that is a very good start in terms of having an approach of seizing every opportunity.
