Paul Buys Media Time in Primary States, Campaigns in New Hampshire
EmailABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf reports: Texas Rep. Ron Paul must have been a bit frustrated with his fifth-place finish at the Iowa Republican Caucus Thursday, but his campaign is showing no sign of slowing down.
Today he announced a media blitz throughout the early primary states. For starters, Paul will air a new ad in New Hampshire to cast his opposition to the war in Iraq as support for the troops. Based on similar ads he ran in Iowa, the New Hampshire ad points to a study earlier in the campaign cycle that found members of the military gave more campaign contributions to Paul than any other Republican candidate.
In South Carolina, Paul will buy time for an ad called "Defender of Freedom."
“He defends our freedom, and his record shows it… Ron Paul," intones a narrator. “Answering our country’s call, Ron Paul became a flight surgeon in the Air Force. As a doctor, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies and is a leading defender of life. In Congress, Ron Paul never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted to restrict gun rights or raise congressional pay. Protecting our God-given freedom… Ron Paul for President," it ends.
The ads seem tailored to the early primary states where war supporters like Arizona Sen. John McCain appear to be doing well and to make Paul more attractive to traditional Republican voters.
Paul bought radio advertising in Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Maine and North Dakota in anticipation of the states’ upcoming primaries and caucuses.
When Paul appeared tonight on a PBS program hosted by Bill Moyers the different tone was evident in his message. As a strict Constitutionalist, Paul has been dubbed "Dr. No" in Congress for opposing most legislation. When Moyers read a Chicago Tribune article that characterized Paul as saying "No to the federal reserve, No to the IRS…" and a litany of other federal or federally appointed agencies, Paul did not immediately agree. "I think all those no’s could be viewed as yeses," Paul said. "Yes to freedom and yes to sound money."
He will round out the week in New Hampshire, campaigning in the "Live Free or Die" state, which his campaign hopes will be a redoubt of libertarian-minded Republicans.
Paul will take part in an ABC-sponsored debate on Saturday, but may be excluded from a FOX debate on Sunday. Plans to counter Fox’s exclusion by purchasing an hour of TV time on a rival local affiliate in New Hampshire seem to have hit a snag; campaign staffers said the affiliate would not allow them to broadcast live, so they may be forced to put their forum on a public access channel and the Internet instead. But they would attempt to buy newspaper and radio ads to attract interest for it.
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Based on misinformation, I stated great disappointment in ABC NEWS excluding Ron Paul from the upcoming debate in NH. I apologize. There are so many rumours going around (Paul is stirring things up) that I reacted instead of checking out the accuracy of the rumour. I repent and will now resume watching ABC News.
Thank you, ABC NEWS, for including Ron Paul on the debate! At just 4 points behind McCain and Thompson in Iowa, Ron Paul is definitely a contender!
I had always considered Fox News more conservative than ABC NEWS. I guess I was wrong on that? I will miss Fox News.
Posted by: Paul | January 4, 2008, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
How can an affiliate refuse to broadcast live, what he hell is that about? Luckily for them people are civil enough not to stampede into their office and start demanding answers. Now I wouldnt take ABC including Paul as them being fair. You have to remind yourself that they are only doing that to protect them from what is going on with News corporation/Fox, their stock in plummeting because there is a boycott that is only in it’s infancy right now, it will get more massive.
I have a friend who works at a hotel who told me that he convinced the manager to remove Fox and CNN stations and replace them on the receiver with other stations that aren’t mass media. I know in my household I dont watch Fox and will be blocking Fox and CNN on my televisions so that my daughter once old enough wont be infected with their bs.
I liked how CNN said this “In another story from Iowa last night Giuliani narrowly competed with MCcain” completely lying. Narrow: limited in extent or space; affording little room. Giuliani did not “Narrowly” compete with MCcain. Ron Paul narrowly competed with MCcain so why did they completely lie using a statement like that?
They are willing to bet that the general population is stupid enough to listen and hang on their every word. They didn’t want to mention Ron Paul is a contender and that 10% in a very sheltered state is a very good thing because even Paul supporters did not expect even 10% from Iowa. It means his momentum is rising and they are trying to downplay it and make it seem insignificant, it’s all a bunch of bs really. Regards,
T.L.
Posted by: T.L. | January 4, 2008, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
As far as I am concerned Paul needs to quit and let the true contenders debate on the issues
Posted by: Avguste Antonov | January 5, 2008, 12:54 am 12:54 am
Ron Paul IS a true contender. He is the truest contender. Thank you ABC for not censoring him.
Posted by: Marissa | January 5, 2008, 1:03 am 1:03 am
I was pretty irritated with ABC and Fox, now I’m just irritated with Fox and slightly disappointed in ABC.
Is it too much to ask that our “FREE” press cover all the candidates through at least super Tuesday?
The media is getting as bad as government about telling us what to think and believe. They can drag up the most depressing depraved news from somewhere irrelevant, yet leave us amazinginly in the dark about the “unviable” candidates leader of the free world.
If Kunich had a billion dollars, I’m sure he could’ve polled well enough to be a contender. This is money politics at its worst.
Posted by: michael | January 5, 2008, 1:40 am 1:40 am
Dennis Kuchinich, Duncan Hunter, and Ron Paul should be included in their respective party debates. They’ve been in all the others. Several Dems have dropped out creating more time. There’s no excuse for not giving the voters one more chance to hear their pitches.
Posted by: mike | January 5, 2008, 1:51 am 1:51 am
Fox News – We Report, We Decide…what we deem is best for the American public…if you don’t like it, then obviously you’re in league with the terrorists…
Posted by: CommonSense | January 5, 2008, 2:06 am 2:06 am
I am absolutely appalled that Fox News has closed the doors to Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter by not inviting them to the debate leading to the New Hampshire primary due to the fact that their studio bus is too small. Big deal. All you have to do is to strap Duncan Hunter to the roof and order a Limo for Ron Paul. After all, He is going to be President anyway despite Fox News communist antics. The establishment must really be afraid of Ron Paul and the liberty that will be returned to their rightful owners, We the People. Ron Paul will win the New Hampshire Primary!
Posted by: Anthony | January 5, 2008, 8:43 am 8:43 am
Everytime Ron Paul speaks, he stands up against all the spoon-fed lies that the media feeds to the American people every single day. We need a true patriot and citizen politician in the White House, and Ron Paul happens to be this nation’s only hope! Thank you, from an active duty U.S. Marine, still proudly serving in the defense of our Constitution.
Posted by: John | January 5, 2008, 10:43 am 10:43 am
Fox news will never again be watched in my home unless they publicly apologize to Ron Paul.Media is owned by big business that has ties to government and will not allow freedom of the press.The news media have been bought and the truth is never spoken on the news anymore.Ron Paul has been mostly ignored and treated with disrespect.They have been very rude.Thank god for the internet!!
Posted by: Jim | January 5, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
I don’t believe the Ron Paul campaign is “a bit frustrated with his fifth-place finish at the Iowa Republican Caucus Thursday”. Beating Giuliani by almost 3x even though Rudy made more visits to the state is no trivial matter.
Personally, I am a little surprised that Thompson finished higher than both McCain and Paul, but I’m sure that won’t happen again.
As for the FOX forum excluding Paul, they are entitled to be as biased as they want and the people are entitled to watch or not watch as they please. I haven’t watched FOX in a long time.
And just in, the NHGOP has pulled its support for the FOX forum. Good for them – the other candidates should refuse to show up also , but we know that won’t happen
Posted by: Mike | January 5, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
RON PAUL IS AN AMERICAN HERO AND THE TRUEST PATRIOT IN THE BUNCH. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE OUR COUNTRY FROM RUIN. HE CAN SAVE US FROM THE WARS THE OTHERS WILL START, AND SO MUCH MORE. THANK GOD FOR RON PAUL!
Posted by: Sara | January 5, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
Funny old FOX News. I was channel flipping and caught part of O’Reilly saying the Dr. Paul should quit and doesn’t have a chance. Then a few minutes later he was talking about how amazed he was at Hucklebee who went from the same polling lows as Dr. Paul to take Iowa in a matter of weeks.
He was amazed about how quickly things can change but thinks Ron Paul should quit because he “only” finished with 10% and in 5th place??? What a political HACK. Iowa had three candidates bunched around 3rd 4th and 5th. No reason to give up now, the battle has just begun.
Also, although I was agree with one of ABC’s stories about Dr. Paul, for the most part they are the only major media outlet giving him attention. Thank you ABC.
Posted by: kerrAvon | January 5, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
You all complain about high taxes, corrupt government, too much government, the wars, too much involvment overseas, giving our jobs to foreigh countries, Duh….? Ron Paul 2008. Take a closer look and stop being influenced by the media.
Posted by: Ted | January 5, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
I also believe Ron Paul is a true contender. I think anyone who truly loves this country and studied what Ron Paul is truly about would have to vote for him as he is our last hope as the USA is starting a fall that may be impossible to stop. Kudos to ABC. Most media are scared of him. Why? Because he is for the People, not them. Open up your minds America & THINK!
Posted by: Bill | January 5, 2008, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
I seem to remember that a very short time ago many in conservative America were fed up with Republican politicians not advancing a hardline conservative agenda. Well, it looks like they have a short term memory problem in that as soon as the GOP unveiled it’s Super Duper Conservative Kandidates (minus Paul)conservative America was slavering at the bit.
“Ohh! Look at these hard core conservatives! How do we know that they are conservatives? Well, cause they say they are!”
Of course, their past actions, words, and votes show that none of them are true conservatives. Only Ron Paul has a thirty year track record of consistent conservative positions and a voting record to back those postitions up. I guess conservative America has become either extrememly gullible, or just plain stupid.
Posted by: Paul | January 5, 2008, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Thank you ABC for giving the American people a chance to see the Revolution be televised….FOX has no idea the back lash they will receive because of their narrow minded news forum for the debate in N.H. Ron Paul speaks the truth and has real answers and what better way to make an educated decision as a voter than to see the candidates sit down and discuss the issues. Again thank you ABC…but don’t think your off the hook. As the Revolution continues and the Ron Paul surge rises we the American people will be depending on you to show us more Ron Paul!
Posted by: Tawny Knight | January 5, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
I sit here and read all these comments and wonder why do we Americans put up with this garbage from our government and the press? Well, a lot of it is because we don’t know any better, and think they are telling us the truth, which is far from it. The more I read these comments, the more I realize America is waking up to the scam and the scum we have been fed by our government and their media puppets.
If you have not been bitten by the truth bug, turn off your television, and get on the internet. Seek the truth and decide for yourselves.
Ron Paul speaks the truth, and the neocons know it, that is why they have tried so hard to keep him out of the press and off of their television news, and now debates. Wake up America before it is too late. Save our Republic, give your children a better America, we can do that by getting Ron Paul into the White House and by kicking all those worthless, greedy people out of the White House once and for all. Liberty and Freedom will prevail with Ron Paul.
Posted by: terry | January 5, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Ron Paul supporters have known for months what the rest of the world has found out this week – big media is attempting exercise controlling agendas on the 2008 election. There are several things that the big media brass hats had not counted on: One, they underestimated the huge amount of Americans who are fed-up with the status quo (millions upon millions!!). Two, They underestimated the power of the internet. Three, they underestimated the appeal of Ron Paul and Four, they have forgotten who actually controls the machine -that being…fed up voters that are also the very customers for their service and sponsors. Look out big media the fallout is just starting!!
Posted by: Thomas A. O'Brien | January 5, 2008, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
Ron Paul is Lyndon LaRouche, only with more internet cowboys on his side, and just half the relevance.
Posted by: Sam | January 5, 2008, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
Dr. Paul should point out the many relationships that exist between the other candidates and the original cabal of neocons authors of the “Program For The New American Century”people like John Bolton, Norman Porhoretz, etc.(The bomb first, explain later boys.) This is our shadow government, they have led little Georgie around by his nose and now their current crop of stars are vying for the presidential crown.Wake up people!
Posted by: carolee | January 5, 2008, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm
Go Ron Paul ….. forget about the Fox non-News network, and let’s get the word out to the people in every other way that we can ….. Montanans for Ron Paul and True Freedom!! Sign up in your precincts, counties, etc and get involved. There are still plenty of chances to become precinct caucus leaders around the country !!
Posted by: james43 | January 5, 2008, 11:06 pm 11:06 pm
Fox belongs to Rupert Murdoch, who tells the people who work for him what to say. That is why Fox is not considered “real news” but brazenly biased for the trick-ponies that Murdoch favors at the moment. Whatever will get him more control over any and every media of the world. Look him up yourself on the web.
Posted by: XDem forPaul | January 6, 2008, 2:05 am 2:05 am
Ron Paul is honest fox news is afraid of him and his beliefs. They want to decide who and what you see and hear in the news. Just like the rest of major media. Ron Paul that is all I have to say do you want lies or honesty your choice.
Posted by: Randy | January 6, 2008, 2:21 am 2:21 am
Ron Paul may be one of the first people running for president who doesn’t lie or have any skeletons in the closet!
Sure, there’s some people who think everything’s “fine” and we need to have at least one war going to keep the country “safe,” but there are too many of us who are frustrated and desperately want our civil liberties back and our freedom. Ron Paul speaks for us.
We’re scared of the criminal IRS and the Patriot Act and the National ID card and the way the dollar is falling. No one can fix this country except Ron Paul and we need him as President.
Posted by: blakmira | January 6, 2008, 3:59 am 3:59 am
I am from India.
I always used to think America was a free country. But now i have come to know so many things which are infact true about the so called Oil Crisis, Federal Reserve, 9/11.
Wake Up people. Dont let media manipulate your mind.
I really love this guy Ron Paul.
Wish he wins.
Went to his site do donate a little amount of money but found out that foreigeners are not eligible to donate.
God Bless Ron Paul.
Sumit
Posted by: Sumit | January 6, 2008, 4:26 am 4:26 am
Thank you ABC for airing Dr. Paul last night. We Now Have Our Next President of These United States: “Ron Paul”.
No job or money would/should be worth ripping on the fabric of America freedom through the mass news media. Journalists need to find a real job where they can report the truth with out control. Now it appears that these reporters are just sold out to thier jobs and will do what ever is told of them; sad isn’t it?
Peace
Posted by: Kirk Roberts | January 6, 2008, 9:50 am 9:50 am
I can’t believe what a threat Ron Paul has become to the men behind the scenes. This race will prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt! “Will not air Ron Paul Live!!!” And he is paying for it?! Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture? Let alone give a peek what the future holds for Ron Pauls compaign and the obsticles?
Posted by: patina0 | January 7, 2008, 8:50 am 8:50 am