There’s no doubt about it. Ron Paul is cheap.
When Republican presidential rival Rick Perry stayed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, his campaign racked up a $1,204 tab at the Hilton Gardens Inn. When Paul visited Council Bluffs, he spent $64.38 at a Super 8 motel.
The Texas congressman’s campaign disclosure report, released to the public this week, reveals that he has worked to stretch his dollars on the presidential trail. His list of expenditures includes a number of purchases from businesses known for low prices, including Walmart, The Dollar Tree, Super 8, Subway and Casey’s General Store.
His favorite restaurant, McDonald’s, appeared more than 40 times. (After all, there’s nothing like a value meal)....
Paul’s biggest expense was his TV ads that saturated the air waves of Iowa and New Hampshire. However he managed to end the quarter with zero in debt — unlike Perry, Cain, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Buddy Roemer, Gary Johnson and Thaddeus McCotter.
Romney was the only other candidate without any debt.
And one more thing: Paul spends the money the way he raises it — in small chunks. Overall, 62 percent of Paul’s disbursements were for under $100. Just 5 percent of Perry’s expenditures were less than $100.
