Ron Paul fans steadfast for longshot presidential candidate

MARK I. JOHNSON
Daytona Beach News Journal
Saturday January 26, 2008

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- "Who is Ron Paul?"

That question, in the form of a 30-foot-tall banner, adorned the side of a blimp tethered at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport Wednesday morning. It might also be on the lips of Republican voters going to the polls Tuesday during the Florida presidential primary.

While there are those who don't give the Texas congressman a chance, that doesn't stop his enthusiastic sign-waving supporters like those in front of the airport.

J.C. Braithwaite, a New Smyrna Beach businesswoman and a Paul precinct leader, said the candidate's views attract the faithful.

Not only does he fit the mold of traditional Republican values -- fiscally conservative, socially conservative and a constitutionalist -- Paul also supports calls to eliminate the Internal Revenue Service and the federal income tax. Where Paul deviates from the party line is his vocal opposition to the war, which has marginalized the medical doctor among many mainstream GOP supporters.

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"The loyalists say if you don't support the war, then you are shunned," said Braithwaite, a lifelong Republican. "My aunt calls me a liberal because I support Ron Paul."

That is not going to dim her zeal or that of the estimated 250 other "Paul meet-up group members" throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, even though the candidate has never visited the area.

"I shook his hand after the debates in Orlando and heard him speak after the debates in St. Petersburg," Braithwaite said. That, along with what she heard during the first televised debate in April, has prompted the 36-year-old to volunteer about 20 hours a week canvassing neighborhoods, sending e-mails and waving signs. She has also opened her wallet to the tune of about $2,000.

"This is the first time I have campaigned for someone and donated money," she said.

With such support one might expect the congressman to be a front-runner. Not so.

New Smyrna Beach supporter Chris Mallegol believes the problem rests with the mainstream media, which he said has ignored the former Libertarian.

"I watched CNN for a whole day and they only mentioned him once," the 45-year-old said. Almost as if to prove his point, a truck from a local network television affiliate drove past the campaigning group twice in the space of an hour.

"I am totally convinced if everyone understood Paul's policies, he would generate an overwhelming victory," Mallegol said.

Paul backers point to their candidate's second-place finish during the Nevada Republican Caucus to show his viability. In addition, there are the fundraising efforts known as "money bombs" that have generated more than $12.4 million since October, including $1.85 million during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and a record $6.3 million on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. The campaign also has almost 11,500 workers in 10,700 voting precincts across the country.

Full article here.

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