NPR’s The Bryant Park Project, asked today in an open blog segment, “Who Are Ron Paul’s Supporters?” And the onslaught of supporters posting has been tremendous. Within a few hours, over 3,000 unique individuals responded with a wide array of reasons for supporting Dr. Paul. They make for a very interesting read and show a diverse cross-section of Americans.
In the interview with Bennett Roth of the Houston Chronicle, and he’s noted as providing the ‘home view’ for Texas, Roth naively states, “It’s hard to tell where Paul’s supporters are coming from”, but he argues the most ardent backing is not in Texas but in places like California and Florida.
But Dr. Paul’s largest Meetup.com group is from Austin, Texas and not California or Florida, as Roth suggested. This Austin Meetup group currently has 1,192 members and counting.
Roth continued, “He appeals to a certain group of people that I’m guessing are a little bit younger, a little bit more male, and certainly very disaffected, who maybe don’t get their news from the mainstream papers.”
Ron Paul supporters ‘get‘ news from the mainstream papers, but also practice seeking-out and finding non-bias news the mainstream papers obviously don’t ‘get‘. And the comments from a plethora of responders do not consider themselves disaffected from politics. In fact, the Paul fans are generally understood to be quite enlightened and enthusiastic when it comes to politics.
Pauls overwhelming popularity on the internet is in part because of it’s unfiltered, unbiased, and unregulated delivery. Mainstream media has incentives to ignore, marginalize, smear and discredit Ron Paul and his supporters. The Houston Chronicle has written several hit pieces about Ron Paul and/or his supporters.
Bennett Roth, along with much of the MSM, is missing this important social movement of historic significance. Many wonder if NPR, and others members of the press are simply ignorant, lazy or worse even, intentionally trying to derail the Ron Paul Revolution.
Who Are Ron Paul’s Supporters? They are not all young, disaffected males, as you can see below:
“I’m a 23 year old Draftsman from the midwest. I am a fiscal conservative, and social liberal… in other words, your prototypical libertarian. I believe the government should stay out of my bedroom, out of my media, and keep their hands off my paycheck. I’ve never bothered voting before, because I couldn’t stand to give my moral approval to any of the politicians I’ve encountered thus far. I will be voting in the primary, and then (if Paul wins the nomination) in the general. I wouldn’t vote for anyone else. Sent by MelissaI’m a 39 year old Network Tech, married have a house and a dog. Ron Paul is the first candidate I’ve ever donated to. I’ve never voted in a primary but you can rest assured I’ll be voting this time.
Oh, and NPR should research the history of attack pieces the Houston Chronicle publishes against Dr. Paul before they go to them. The Chronicle is shameless when it comes to smearing the good Doctors name. Sent by Frank
Warning! Listen to this feature defensively. It is clearly biased against Ron Paul. For the truth behind NPR visit :http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=13 Sent by Voter
I’m from Texas, from Tom Delay’s district, have a Ron Paul sign in my yard, and donate regularly with my big business coworkers and friends. Sent by John-Ross Cromer
I am a truck driver in El Paso, Tx. I voted for Ron paul in 1988 and will do so again. There is a crisis of economic ignorance in this country, but Dr. Paul is the only candidate that seems to recognize this. He has studied the Austrian greats like Hayek and Von Mises, but his views are not incompatible with the more modern Chicago school of thought best expressed by Nobel winner Milton Friedman. Simply put, prosperity requires freedom. Dr. Paul knows this and so do those of us who support him. Sent by Joe Allen
I am a 34 year old computer programmer living in Utah. My wife and I have four children. Although I work with computers my college career was largely humanities, literature, and languages. I’m applying to Law School for this next year.
I am an avid listener of NPR on my commute to and from work. I also appreciate the podcasts. I read the NYT, WaPo, and other mainstream papers regularly. I am an active Mormon and think Mitt Romney seems like a nice family guy but he is (as basically all the other candidates are) dead wrong on foreign policy.
I support Ron Paul because he stands against the abuses and excesses of Empire exactly as our Founding Fathers did. He speaks genuinely and resolutely of freedom, equality, respect, and liberty for *all* people. I believe his vision and action to be the most effective against the new American slavery of Chinese sweatshops, abused Immigrant populations, and the oh-so-politely-termed ‘collateral damage’ [innocent civilians murdered] of our endless military adventurism abroad. That is why I am voting Ron Paul. Hope and Liberty! Sent by Doug Bayless
“hey you guys don’t you know NPR pockets money from Israel lobbies? This list of comments is being recorded and you know what they call us Ron Paul supporters. Next thing you know there will be a drone outside your window with a laser gun just like what they do to smart people in Palestine, which NPR rarely reports, or if they do, they JUSTIFY it. I’m a home birth mama and a Muslim. I am very worried about the wars going on, especially the suffering children. I trust Ron Paul because he is a baby catcher and I understand that culture. I love Ron Paul because he is getting the Hamas treatment by the media. And it’s not because he’s an Arab but because he tells the truth like an Arab. Sent by Maria Hussain
I am a 28-year-old female college graduate. I was discouraged about this election until I found out about Ron Paul, because all of the other candidates (on both sides) are distasteful and repugnant to me. Ron Paul embodies the spirit of America, both as she was founded and as she needs to be now. If you believe in the message of liberty and justice for all, then vote for Ron Paul! P.S. I am a real person. Yes, I get my news from the Internet, not a printed newspaper. By using the Internet I am able to read a variety of perspectives from different mainstream newspapers, individual voices as well as alternative news sources. A wide range of sources enhances knowledge and understanding, rather than depending on one source. Sent by Maxine
I’m a 55 yr old small business owner. Mother of two, grandmother of two. Agree 100% with RP on foreign policy and blowback, and domestic solutions, as well. Maxed out donor. Husband, 56 YO attorney is maxed out donor. Daughter (28) and her husband (33) are fervent supporters, as well. Sent by Liz Viering
45 year old single mother (5 boys, 3 of whom are old enough to vote — all 3 RP supporters — cuz I said so! :P) IT Director, lifelong Conservative Christian Republican. RP supporter since 9-07! Go Ron Paul! Sent by Louise
74 years old. Retired and watching inflation flare up. gas now three times start of Bush term and graduating upwards. Food prices going up. War has been a ridiculous fraud on the American People and we need to cut our spending in this wastful endeavor. Ron Paul does earmarks but only after he votes against the underlying bill. He has answered this critiques many times so it would be worth while to go to google and key in Ron Paul. There are speeches, weekly letters and all types of historical voting etc. You can get a great picture of what Dr. Paul is all about and if you are like us come away a big fan Sent by Tom
I’m a Berkeley, CA local, a lesbian, a pro-gun home defense specialist, and interested in personal liberty on all counts. That’s why I’m supporting Ron Paul. Whether he agrees with my personal lifestyle or not, I KNOW he will defend my individual right to freedom. Sent by Tacy Traverso
I am a married 31 year old Texan who voted (sadly) for Bush twice. The first time precisely because he was saying things in the Foreign Policy arena that Dr. Paul is saying. The 2nd time because, i like many, we’re convinced I was hated because I was free. I’ve since changed my view on that notion. I have an active duty brother whom i do not want sent back to war. My father was a career officer in the Army and he has recently decided that he is for Ron Paul as well. I own an independent record label and am an entreprenuer and musician. Sent by Lee Brooks
I am 62 and a former teacher. I am for Ron Paul because he wants to get rid of
the Dept of Ed and make the Federal govt be responsible for only what was stated in the Constitution. I am for no Death Tax and No Capital gains tax. My husband and I have worked and saved for our own retirement. We have taken investment risks on our own and should be able to spend the little we have as we wish or give it away as we wish.The politicians are quick to give raises to themselves and to those getting entitlements-what about encouraging those who save for themselves. They forget we vote! Sent by nancy adams
I’m a bit disappointed in the amount of spin coming from usually unbiased NPR, but I’ll add my profile to your little list so can acuse of all of being fringe elements of society. Male, 35, married, no children, homeowner, post graduate degree, engineer, New Orleans, LA.
Until recently I was registered independent, although I normally voted Republican. I’m now registered Republican and have given $200 to Ron Paul’s campaign. He is the last chance to take back our government from career politicians beholden to special interests. Sent by James Orleans
I am a 65 year old mother and grandmother. I have supported Ron Paul since he was elected to office. In my entire lifetime he is the most honest, decent statesman I’ve ever known. I’m supporting him because I want a future of freedom and constitutional government for my children and grandchildren. He truly stands out from the crowd and he will not be bought. Sent by Darden Brock
My wife and I are both 26 years old currently living in Austin, Texas. She’s from Cleveland, and I am from Pittsburgh (Go Figure). She’s an artist and I am a musician (except from 9-5 when I do tech support and she works at an art store).
Freedom is a powerful message, and no one speaks truth to power better than Dr. Ron Paul. Sent by David
I’m 58 years old. I still work for a living. I am a patriot who would like to support our troops by bringing the rest of them home alive. I think the war with Iraq was not only a bad idea but also illegal. I mourn for the victims of 9/11, our honorable soldiers killed in battle and probably over 500,000 dead Iraqi citizens. I don’t call dead human beings “collateral damage.” I yearn for the America I once knew that claimed a higher moral ground. I admire men who are straight-talkers. I deplore liars and cheats. I believe that the Constitution is the highest law of the land; when leaders or military people or voters swear to defend the Constitution they should keep their word. I approve of sound fiscal policy and limited Federal government which go hand-in-hand. I admire Dr. Ron Paul as a man of honesty and integrity who has carried the burden of trying to bring America back to her guiding principles for 30 years. I am sorry it has taken me so long to become interested enough in politics to get off of my couch and do something about it. I will give my time, my effort and my money in support of Ron Paul. You should too. Sent by Charles Warren
I am 20 years old and a soldier. I support Ron Paul because he understands that we should only be put in harms way for AMERICAN interests. He is my hope. Sent by M
I am a 31 year old Engineer for Raytheon. I have worked in the defense industry for years now so I see first hand the problem with maintaining “the empire”. I am voting for Ron Paul because I believe strongly in the Constitution and still take seriously the oath I took as a soldier, to support and defend, the Constitution. And I believe that Ron Paul’s voting record supports his claim that he is the champion of the Constitution and that’s someone I can support. Sent by Charles Dixon
I’m age 26, a soldier and Iraq vet, married, and I’m currently opening my own business franchise. I plan to be politically active for the rest of my life (this is the first election I’ve been active and campaigning in, and the first I’ll be voting in). I hope to serve in my local city’s political arena soon after I get my business off the ground. I am a frustrated Republican angry about the war, about taxes, and about over spending, and I’m was looking for a candidate with integrity to represent my views. Ron Paul is that candidate. Sent by Liandro
I am a 23 year old student and am in the Nevada Army National Guard. I served in Iraq as an infantryman from Jan 2004 to Feb 2005. I am volunteering to go back as infantry in August so I can go with my brother-in-law. The MAJORITY of the men I serve with are, and always have been, against this “war”. Tons of them are for Ron Paul. I know personally over 20 soldiers who will be caucusing for Ron Paul here in Nevada, and I also personally know 30 plus soldiers from around the globe who donated to him on December the 16th.” Sent by Justin Cole Crowe
The list of freedom-loving Americans goes on and on and is growing quickly. Please read more here.
Houston Chronicles Bennett Roth also said that Ron Paul didn’t represent the district and suggested he would lose his congressional seat after losing the nomination now that everyone knows what he’s really about. Mr. Roth apparently thinks Congressman Paul won his congressional seat 10 times because of the down-home cookbooks he gives out.
Update 12/21 9:17 MST
NPR: Greetings, Ron Paul fans. You’ve been an incredibly civil, thoughtful, well-spoken and engaged crowd. Thing is, you’re also an incredible crowd — so much so that we can’t keep up with turning on all your comments. As of 8:10 or so a.m. Eastern, we’re going to turn off commenting on this thread. If time permits, we’ll circle back and post comments that were filed earlier.
And we do hope you’ll keep hanging around the Bryant Park Project. You’ve become part of the show, and we’d really miss you.
Laura
