There are two candidates left in the Presidential race who have the ability to spread Ron Paul’s liberty message far and wide. Which of these two candidates has the best chance to spread that glorious message to the most people? Which candidate has more “reach” with voters?
The candidates for liberty are Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin and Libertarian Candidate Bob Barr. Like Ron Paul both are preaching to bring the troops home from Iraq and switching to a non-interventionist foreign policy. They are advocating getting rid of the Federal Reserve. They are both advocating privacy rights and an adherence to the Constitution. They are both preaching a federalist approach on abortion and drug policy. They are the only liberty candidates left in the race.
Ignoring media attention and the potential for more media attention for now let’s look at hard numbers where we can. The hard numbers we will look at are fund raising and meetup group support via meetup.com.
Some Ron Paul supporters are putting together a Ron Paul style Money Bomb for Bob Barr. There have been other efforts for something like this for Barr, but this one is the real deal. I really like the web site designed for this one. More so than any of the others even those for Ron Paul.
The big day will be on July 2nd, which also happens to be my very own birthday. I’ll be donating on the big day. I hope you will too. Here is the text from the site:
On July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted a resolution establishing the independence of the United States. Help us celebrate that legacy with a donation to the independent and liberty-minded presidential candidate, Bob Barr. Send a message to the status-quo that Liberty will not be ignored, Freedom cannot be defeated and the American people WILL have a choice on Nov. 5th.
Many people think that Trevor Lyman was the man behind the Ron Paul “Money Bomb” idea due to him being in the media following the November 5th event. The fact is that James Sugra is the man who came up with the idea, and he let Trevor create the web site and promote it.
The cause is not the affect it is the reason. This is my 26th video for the Ron Paul movement. To think it all started 8 months ago back in October. I thought of an idea it was pretty simple. I proposed the first mass donation video for Ron Paul on a controversial day November 5th. I didn’t know how many supporters would actually donate and I had no clue how much to make the donation. After reviewing all the various sites the numbers came to mind. 100,000 patriots donating 100 dollars a piece. It was a long shot to say the least. I was so broke I couldn’t even afford to donate myself. I am ashamed to admit that but it’s true.
All my credit cards had been maxed out I just started a new job that was 100% commission. I thought if I couldn’t donate maybe there was someone out there that could and that was my driving force. I only needed to reach one person and if that person believed in my idea they could take it to the next level. I met someone by the name of Ronpaulmeetupvideos on YouTube AKA Trevor Lyman.
He said he created a website for the idea. I knew it needed something more because many people were posting on the original video asking; I am in but who else is going to donate? Trevor Lyman became the general of this idea and I respect him for all his efforts even if some people don’t give him the credit he deserves. His site built so much excitement and was an awesome grassroots effort from so many people.
Big news from the Amit Singh For Congress campaign. In conjunction with an endorsement from Ron Paul they announce a money bomb. They’re calling it the Lunch Bomb and have a fun and horribly acted video to go along with the money bomb and endorsement. Amit isn’t running for Hollywood, and we all know Ron Paul is nothing but genuine so seeing this pair try to act just adds to the charm.
To check out the video and pledge for the “lunch bomb” on May 15th, check out the lunch bomb web site. You can even choose what they (Ron and Amit) will have for lunch, because apparently, they can’t agree.
Tomorrow Thursday, May 1st, 2008 is the Mayday Mckinley Money Bomb. If you haven’t already done so, sign up and pledge a few or a few hundred dollars. He is who I call the first Ron Paul Republican because he decided to run for Congress before Ron Paul decided to run for President. Both share many views on the issues.
Two promotional videos have been created for the upcoming Vern McKinley money bomb on Thursday May 1st, 2008. We have endorsed McKinley for Congress in the 10th District of Virginia. We also encourage those of you with the means to participate in his money bomb on May 1st no matter where you live. The more Ron Pauls we have in the U.S. Congress the better our country will be. Check out the videos below and pledge for the money bomb at: MaydayMcKinley.com
One of the more interesting developments to rise out of the Ron Paul Presidential campaign was the “money bomb.” The “money bomb” is an effort to get the multitudes to donate to a campaign within a specific period of time. Usually, the period is the 24 hours in one single day. The day also normally has a theme associated with it. Ultimately, the purpose is to pool campaign donations in a short period of time as an attempt to gain more funding and perhaps most importantly, free media attention.
What is even more interesting is that the “money bombs” are completely independent efforts from official campaigns. They are conceived and promoted by grassroots supporters via YouTube videos, web sites, forum postings, email lists, and blogs. Technically they are not grassroots efforts, but more aptly, netroots efforts.
Ron Paul had 3 major money bombs and several minor ones. The largest filled his campaign coffers with over $6 million. That amount helped him close out the final quarter of 2007 with the most money in the quarter when compared to his GOP rivals. This was an astounding feat for a candidate who received very little media attention.
It would not be surprising to see future Presidential campaigns take the money bomb concept to new levels in attempts to get similar attention. There is a problem with this though. In order for it to work, it must be a grass/net-roots effort. This requires many like-minded individuals banning together around a candidate and helping to promote the day. If the money bomb is an effort from the official campaign, it is likely doomed to failure.
The money bomb concept is now being taken to new levels by candidates who are running with a Ron Paul style message. In fact, a Ron Paul Republican in my district here in Virginia has an upcoming money bomb on May 1st. His primary is on June 10th and he faces a 28 year incumbent who seems to have lost his way over the years in office. Vern McKinley’s money bomb site is: MayDayMcKinley.com. I strongly encourage everyone to pledge to donate to him on May 1st. He has a great shot at winning. Two Dr. No’s in Congress are certainly better than one.
The legacy of the 2008 Ron Paul campaign is still being written. It is clear that legacy includes at least two new political concepts that complement each other. They are the “money bomb” and the “Ron Paul Republican”. It is important we keep both concepts alive and kicking by participating in money bombs to help elect Ron Paul Republicans to office and keep them there.
Bob Barr is reportedly ready to announce his candidacy for the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination Saturday during his speech at the Heartland Libertarian Conference in Kansas City. This has been rumored for quite a long time, and now seems like a certainty.
Bob Barr was a guest on Sean Hannity’s radio program yesterday and was accused by Hannity of handing the White House to the Democratic nominee. Barr had nothing of that saying, “If McCain is not able to pull enough votes to win outright, then shame on him” and he is “tired of hearing all the whining”.
Barr will pull in a sizable portion of the almost 1 million Ron Paul supporters. He will pull votes from the Democrat because of his civil liberties advocacy. He will pull votes from John McCain because of his conservative roots. If he were to get the Libertarian nomination, he could conceivably get more votes than any Libertarian candidate in history.
The idea that his candidacy will lead to the Democrat winning the White House; I’m not buying it. There seems to be only one publication willing to agree with me. Everyone else sees it as a foregone conclusion that a Barr run equates to a Democratic win. I suppose we’ll find out if there is a chance of this on Saturday following Barr’s speech.
Bob Barr has some events in his past that call into question his character, but faced with the choice between he, Hillary, Obama, or McCain, he wins my vote every time.
Barr introduced Ron Paul at CPAC this year and his association with Paul will likely be used by some neo-conservative McCain lovers against him. I think (and hope) the effect of this will be trivial.
It is interesting to ponder whether Bob Barr would be doing this if it weren’t for Ron Paul’s enthusiastic support in his own campaign. No doubt, Ron Paul will be happy to help Barr in any way he can. Paul will not likely endorse Barr. Paul is a Republican and endorsing a Libertarian spits in the face of the GOP he’s trying to change from within. It would not surprise me to see mass emails going out to Ron Paul supporters supporting Barr for President. The Barr campaign can purchase the list and start jockeying for support immediately.
One of the more interesting developments that will come out of Barr’s candidacy is how much Ron Paul will help “raise the Barr.”
Last week an amazing 60 second promotional ad was released and reported by Liberty Maven and other sources. Since then the ad has become extremely popular. An effort is underway to get the High Tide Promo ad on the air in Pennsylvania prior to their primary on April 22nd. Donations are being accepted via a “chip-in” on the High Tide Promo web site.
I encourage everyone to support this effort to get this masterpiece on the air. Just getting it on the air in Pennsylvania will probably get Ron Paul more media attention. It is certainly unlike any other political ad you have ever seen.
To watch the promo check out the High Tide Promo site.
Sanders is utilizing a page from the Ron Paul grassroots playbook by holding a “money bomb” in order to raise money in a short period of time for his campaign. For those that believe in the ideals and positions of freedom, prosperity, and peace this is another chance to make your voices heard. Donating to “Ron Paul Republicans” is one of the most effective methods to keep those principles alive and thriving.
Liberty Maven
