Q2 2008 Totals (Perspective)

[amonasro]

That's me. I also feel like nothing is fundamentally different this time around.

I'm hoping the early influx of cash allowed him to put together a better campaign team, and now he can focus on multiple states instead of just NH. Last time around it seemed like a "mom & pop" campaign of sorts (sort of like his Congressional campaigns) who were utterly unprepared to utilize Ron's surge in popularity and fundraising. It was too much too late.

 

[AlexAmore]

Last time around it seemed like a "mom & pop" campaign of sorts (sort of like his Congressional campaigns) who were utterly unprepared to utilize Ron's surge in popularity and fundraising. It was too much too late.

This. Travelling all over NH knockin on doors during the last election, I got the the mom and pop feel of it. The surge was too much for them imo. Your insight it spot on and I don't think I could have explained it better. This time around it seems WAY better. Better team + more popularity. I'm not trying to throw the last team under the bus. Great people and extremely passionate. They also had a MUCH bigger hill to climb back then.

 

[reduen]

Good stuff in this thread...!

 

[AceNZ]

Ace, trust me there are many fundamentally different things.

Midway through the last campaign, it was clear that RP didn't really didn't want to win. He may have a better team this time around, but unless he makes it obvious that he really wants to win and believes he can win (by actions, not just words), I won't donate or jump in with both feet like I did last time. Don't get me wrong, I still support him and will vote for him, but getting press exposure and hiring a bunch of people, regardless of how good they are, just isn't the same as running a winning campaign. Once burned, twice shy. FWIW, I know first hand that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

[BUSHLIED]

Midway through the last campaign, it was clear that RP didn't really didn't want to win. He may have a better team this time around, but unless he makes it obvious that he really wants to win and believes he can win (by actions, not just words), I won't donate or jump in with both feet like I did last time. Don't get me wrong, I still support him and will vote for him, but getting press exposure and hiring a bunch of people, regardless of how good they are, just isn't the same as running a winning campaign. Once burned, twice shy. FWIW, I know first hand that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Why don' you make your comment more concrete? Name specific behaviors or actions that need to be taken in order to win you over. IF Paul in his heart doesn't want to win, well, what can you do? I kinda wish the perception that 'he didn't want to win in 2008" never got out...cause it causes more confusion than anything else...

 

[AceNZ]

Why don' you make your comment more concrete? Name specific behaviors or actions that need to be taken in order to win you over. IF Paul in his heart doesn't want to win, well, what can you do? I kinda wish the perception that 'he didn't want to win in 2008" never got out...cause it causes more confusion than anything else...

I don't think that the perception that RP didn't want to win in 2008 was something that "got out." It's not something I picked up from the MSM or from others on RPF, or anything like that. I got it from RP himself. I used to watch every interview and speech he made. He would regularly be asked things like "Can you win?" or "Do you want to win?", or variations on those themes. And his answers were always either negative or evasive, in both words and body language. Or he would be excluded from some important debate or nationwide poll or something, and his response was like "oh, it's OK."

As far as winning me over: you have my vote already. If you're talking about money and time, too... I'm not sure I can make it concrete. At the moment, it's more one of those "I'll know it when I see it" kind of things.

 

[sailingaway]

Why don' you make your comment more concrete? Name specific behaviors or actions that need to be taken in order to win you over. IF Paul in his heart doesn't want to win, well, what can you do? I kinda wish the perception that 'he didn't want to win in 2008" never got out...cause it causes more confusion than anything else...

Actually, lets not get into that. Some may feel Ron needs to prove himself, others think he is running to win, but that some habits are hard to change, and think that Ron did an absolutely remarkable job shifting the attention of the nation to the right issues. Some may have good reasons from their point of view, it is draining to go through fighting the weight of the system against your candidate, and keep up enthusiasm, without having doubts if he means it when he runs. Others may just want excuses why it isn't good enough, and it will never be humanly achievable to be good enough, but whatever it is, it isn't worth fighting about. That accomplishes nothin Further, picking at any transient moment of weakness you see in supporters doesn't help maintain enthusiasm, overall.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

Actually, lets not get into that. Some may feel Ron needs to prove himself, others think he is running to win, but that some habits are hard to change, and think that Ron did an absolutely remarkable job shifting the attention of the nation to the right issues. Some may have good reasons from their point of view, it is draining to go through fighting the weight of the system against your candidate, and keep up enthusiasm, without having doubts if he means it when he runs. Others may just want excuses why it isn't good enough, and it will never be humanly achievable to be good enough, but whatever it is, it isn't worth fighting about. That accomplishes nothin Further, picking at any transient moment of weakness you see in supporters doesn't help maintain enthusiasm, overall.

Why some people continue to believe that he's not serious about this is beyond me. He literally said directly that the goal is to win.

He says "I want to win" and people are still saying, "Well, gee, I don't know if he's committed..." stop. It's bullshit. He said it, he believes it. You want it to happen. Move on.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

I don't think that the perception that RP didn't want to win in 2008 was something that "got out." It's not something I picked up from the MSM or from others on RPF, or anything like that. I got it from RP himself. I used to watch every interview and speech he made. He would regularly be asked things like "Can you win?" or "Do you want to win?", or variations on those themes. And his answers were always either negative or evasive, in both words and body language. Or he would be excluded from some important debate or nationwide poll or something, and his response was like "oh, it's OK."

As far as winning me over: you have my vote already. If you're talking about money and time, too... I'm not sure I can make it concrete. At the moment, it's more one of those "I'll know it when I see it" kind of things.

You think you'll know it when you see it, but I don't think you will... Wanna know how I know? Because you've seen it and still don't believe. Ron said on Stephanopolous' show, when asked what the goal was, "Well, to win!" and he had a GREAT answer to the electability question at one of the debates. I don't see what you're seeing, and maybe I never will, but we obviously have two completely different perspectives that are causing us to make our conclusions. Problem is, you're making your conclusion on a 'feeling' that you don't even know, and I'm taking it from the horse's mouth. You have the right to believe what you will, but I think all this avoidance of the fact that Ron is serious about this is just silly. Get behind him and give it everything you have regardless of the consequences, or don't bother. Go big or go home. I will donate my money regardless of whether I think my $100 dollars is going to be the tipping-point that somehow makes his campaign into a winning one. I know that's unrealistic, but I do it anyway because it's the right thing to do and it's for a good cause. It's money well-spent if there ever was any. People need to grow up and grow a pair. While I respect your opinion, I just don't see the reason for it.

 

[Birdlady]

I don't think that the perception that RP didn't want to win in 2008 was something that "got out." It's not something I picked up from the MSM or from others on RPF, or anything like that. I got it from RP himself. I used to watch every interview and speech he made. He would regularly be asked things like "Can you win?" or "Do you want to win?", or variations on those themes. And his answers were always either negative or evasive, in both words and body language. Or he would be excluded from some important debate or nationwide poll or something, and his response was like "oh, it's OK."

As far as winning me over: you have my vote already. If you're talking about money and time, too... I'm not sure I can make it concrete. At the moment, it's more one of those "I'll know it when I see it" kind of things.

^This x 1000!! His campaign was not serious enough and never stuck up for themselves on anything. They always just let RP get walked on by the media, polls and during the TV debates. If they thought he had a chance they NEVER would have let them do this... By the time NH happened, I realized we were dead in the water regardless of how much money we raised. He needs to be hardcore. To be fair, I have not watched a single RP thing yet. That's how disenchanted I am about last time...

No money or time from me this time. Fool we once shame on you, fool me me twice...

I think my husband and I donated the max and we sent out 500 letters if not more during the Ames Straw Poll. I'd rather give what tiny bit I have to a charity or soup kitchen to be quite honest.

 

[BUSHLIED]

well I seem to be falling into this trap all over again...all I'll say is that I am glad to see that people are still committed in spirit despite reservations...I guess we are all still waiting for our national "representative" to stand up and fight cause we all know he has it in him...

 

[sailingaway]

^This x 1000!! His campaign was not serious enough and never stuck up for themselves on anything. They always just let RP get walked on by the media, polls and during the TV debates. If they thought he had a chance they NEVER would have let them do this... By the time NH happened, I realized we were dead in the water regardless of how much money we raised. He needs to be hardcore. To be fair, I have not watched a single RP thing yet. That's how disenchanted I am about last time...

No money or time from me this time. Fool we once shame on you, fool me me twice...

I think my husband and I donated the max and we sent out 500 letters if not more during the Ames Straw Poll. I'd rather give what tiny bit I have to a charity or soup kitchen to be quite honest.

Watch these

 

[sailingaway]

well I seem to be falling into this trap all over again...all I'll say is that I am glad to see that people are still committed in spirit despite reservations...I guess we are all still waiting for our national "representative" to stand up and fight cause we all know he has it in him...

He has been fighting. People who aren't watching because they are disillusioned are missing out.

 

[AceNZ]

You think you'll know it when you see it, but I don't think you will... Wanna know how I know? Because you've seen it and still don't believe. Ron said on Stephanopolous' show, when asked what the goal was, "Well, to win!" and he had a GREAT answer to the electability question at one of the debates.

I missed both of the events you mentioned. I guess I'm still reeling from 2008. And you're right, maybe I won't ever see what I'm looking for.

Get behind him and give it everything you have regardless of the consequences, or don't bother. Go big or go home.

Unfortunately, comments like these only serve to alienate people like me who are on the margin.

 

[Sentinelrv]

Watch these

I agree, I love his attitude in those videos, especially at the end of the Chris Matthews one. Is that what you guys are looking for, more confidence?

 

[Shane Harris]

Well I am encouraged by those numbers but discouraged by the disillusion If so many 2008 supporters. I was NOT here 4 years ago and only heard of paul after the general election and had become a huge fan by the time obama was inaugurated. I thought I was joining a growing army not a dwindling one. I only hope that there are enough of people like me who were late to the party to make up for those who are still in a 'wait and see' mindset, which is understandable but unfortunate

 

[BUSHLIED]

Well I am encouraged by those numbers but discouraged by the disillusion If so many 2008 supporters. I was NOT here 4 years ago and only heard of paul after the general election and had become a huge fan by the time obama was inaugurated. I thought I was joining a growing army not a dwindling one. I only hope that there are enough of people like me who were late to the party to make up for those who are still in a 'wait and see' mindset, which is understandable but unfortunate

Better late than never...what is your observations? When did you have your RON Paul moment?

 

[BUSHLIED]

From the campaign website:

Over $4 million, a very good quarter

Wow! Thanks to your generous support, my campaign raised over $4 million dollars during the last fundraising quarter!

In fact, because of a last-minute flood of letters from supporters all over the country, we won’t know the final tally until sometime next week.

Of course, now is no time for complacency. After all, I’m in this race to WIN!

Thanks to your support, I’m campaigning hard and will continue to do everything I can to raise more money and earn more voter support.

The good news is, the generous financial support from folks like you is helping me send a clear message to establishment politicians that the era of Big Government Republicanism is over.

That’s because I’m the only candidate who can say that I predicted our country’s current economic troubles and have spent my entire life defending the Constitution.

So again, thank you for all you have done. Together we can get this country back on track and put an end to out-of-control government!

 

[sailingaway]

Well I am encouraged by those numbers but discouraged by the disillusion If so many 2008 supporters. I was NOT here 4 years ago and only heard of paul after the general election and had become a huge fan by the time obama was inaugurated. I thought I was joining a growing army not a dwindling one. I only hope that there are enough of people like me who were late to the party to make up for those who are still in a 'wait and see' mindset, which is understandable but unfortunate

ditto (except that I did vote and donate in the last election, but I learned of Ron in that election and wasn't active.)

 

[reduen]

Well I am encouraged by those numbers but discouraged by the disillusion If so many 2008 supporters. I was NOT here 4 years ago and only heard of paul after the general election and had become a huge fan by the time obama was inaugurated. I thought I was joining a growing army not a dwindling one. I only hope that there are enough of people like me who were late to the party to make up for those who are still in a 'wait and see' mindset, which is understandable but unfortunate

I thought I was joining a growing army not a dwindling one.

Dude you are joining a growing army. Look at us, we are here. Do not listen to the few that are bitter and trust me, if they are truly earnest they will be back in this with us very shortly! Just think of how strong we will be when this happens...!