Ron Paul Is Placing Big Bets on Nevada
EmailRepublican presidential candidate Ron Paul heads west next week to campaign in the early voting states of Colorado and Nevada.
Although Nevada has been virtually ignored by his rivals, Paul has opened two offices there and unveiled his centerpiece budget plan in Las Vegas last October.
Paul did well in Nevada four years ago, placing second to Mitt Romney, who successfully leveraged his Mormon faith to draw in a sizable number of Mormon voters.
The campaign is seeking to do better with Mormon voters by explaining Paul’s fidelity to the constitution.
“The nation is ready for a Mormon president,” said James Barcia, Ron Paul’s 2012 deputy press secretary. “But the question is, do you want someone who is constitutionally observant?”
Senior campaign aides also admit they are trying to court Hispanics, who represent a quarter of the state’s population, through direct mail in both English and Spanish highlighting the congressman’s medical background, faith, and family.
The campaign has been running television ads in the state since last summer and senior aides add that they will continue to run ads in the state through the Feb. 4 caucuses.
As in Iowa and New Hampshire, Paul’s message will be delivered by utilizing a small army of mostly college-aged volunteers to help with phone banking and canvassing.
Paul’s focus on Nevada is part of a comprehensive plan to pick up delegates in caucus states where TV advertising is cheaper and independents can vote.
If Paul comes up short on winning the nomination, Campaign Manager Jesse Benton says that they could use their allotted delegates as a bargaining chip to force the Republican Party to stick to its limited government platform.
Flush with cash from a $13 million fundraising haul last quarter, Paul said this morning he’s in the race through the convention.
“We’re going to stay in and see what comes of it,” Paul said to CNN.
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I am tired of the status quo politicians; nothing ever good ever comes of it. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate that offers an alternative to status quo and that includes Obama. Actually, Obama and Romney are very similar in their views. Both support NDAA, both support mandated health care and both are big government progessives even though Romney says he’s not.
Posted by: Cam | January 29, 2012, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Here to hope for a Nevada upset. I don’t think Mormons are hive minded as people would like to believe. they will vote for who they want, not for who shares their religion. Ron Paul’s strong believe in the constitution could be as big a draw to Mormons as Romney’s religion.
Posted by: coolrepublica | January 29, 2012, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
Ron Paul and the Anti-Constitutional romeny are the only two candidates on all 50 GOP ballots. Santorum and Gingrich are not thus most likely not win the GOP…
Ron Paul can indeed win this and all the people that are in control of how American’s think (military-industrial complex & mainstream media) are freaking out!! Moreover its too late. The ideas are out of the bag and ideas are bullet proof.
Posted by: Patrick Collins | January 29, 2012, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm
Silver State for Ron Paul!
Posted by: Jay | January 29, 2012, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
This is also the latest meme use by the establishment media to marginalize the Paul campaign.
The Paul campaign is NOT settling for a pointless convention speech, worthless amendments to a meaningless platform, or a say in a powerless party hierarchy. This campaign is not a didactic exercise; it is a program for elective victory.
There are still 47 states to go and over a thousand delegates yet to be awarded.
The nomination or bust!
Posted by: Jay | January 29, 2012, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
Paul needs a win or two to stay in competition with Romney- the others (already been noted) will most likely not be able to win based on their absence from many ballots. I am hoping that RP starts articulating his policies in more detail, as I believe that his message is finally being heard in the MSM, though new scrutiny will bound to be forthcoming if he continually runs the campaign based on one or two liner rhetoric- as appealing as some of it is. Time for Paul to take it to the next level if he wants to win. He needs more articulation, especially in the Foreign Policy area- ok, war is a bad idea and bringing troops home to secure our border- these are good ideas and people are coming around now. More detail on dealing with Middle East threats.
Posted by: EPR | January 29, 2012, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
As a Mormon man in Nevada I am pleased to say I support Ron Paul. It is not even close. Harry Reid also claims my same faith, but I do not respect him or his policy views. Romney may serve well in a cabinet position, but he supports torture and empire building. Ron Paul or none at all. Feb 4th is caucus day. So get out there and vote, people. Mormons especially. If you value the rights you have, Ron Paul is the man to protect them. Go Ron.
Posted by: nick | January 29, 2012, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
Ron Paul’s Chess game :
It’s already a two-man race, no matter what the main-stream media wants you to believe. Ron’s decision to skip Florida is strategic. It’s a numbers game and Florida is a winner take all state.
Of the 2,286 total Republican delegates, 1,144 are needed to win nomination.
In five (5) States: Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois, Gingrich and Santorum are not even on the ballot. That’s 564 delegates that they cannot get.
After South Carolina, only 59 delegates have been allocated to the 4 candidates. Mitt Romney has 39 of those. This means Santorum or Gingrich has to pick up 1,144 delegates from the remaining 1,683.
Let’s say the Paul only picks up 20% of the total number of delegates–I happen to believe he will do much better–but let’s pick 20%. That’s 457 delegates for Paul. Add that to the 564 that Newt and Santorum won’t have a shot at and now there are 1,021 delegates that Santorum and Gingrich have no chance of getting.
Subtract that 1,021 from the total 2,286 and you’re left with 1,265 delegates. That means that Gingrich and Santorum, one or the other, have to pick up over 90% of the available delegates to get the nomination.
Even if Paul does not succeed in getting the Republican nomination he will have some clout at the convention and his ideas will have to be taken more seriously.
So, essentially, we’re down to Paul and Romney. The key is making people understand that. Use the numbers, show folks that a vote for Paul is not a wasted vote and may well mean that the next President of the United States will be a man that, for the last 30 years, has never broken a promise, compromised his principles or waffled his position on an issue. A man that still believes that the Constitution of the United States is THE law of the land and that the protection of our individual liberties is the primary reason for the Federal government.
I didn’t figure this out myself so Thank you to the anonymous poster for pointing this out.
Posted by: John Smith | January 29, 2012, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Probably the most honest among them. That includes Obama.
Posted by: newcountryman | January 29, 2012, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
……And just think, that should he take those delegates, lets say 24%, to a third party and gather some 6 to 8% more independents, he could force the house to choose a president [which i don't believe has ever been done before] and would then have to be the favorite. And still be least talked about for that’s what the truly scared do in times of trouble.
Posted by: RP---STAR | January 29, 2012, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
Something that should be pointed out is the 564 delegates Santorum and Gingrich aren’t eligible for?
Kind of makes it hard for him to win? He’s not even on the ballot in Virginia.
It’s going to come down to Obama winning or Ron Paul. Why?
Three elections so far clearly show:
Youth vote clearly Ron Paul wins.
Independent vote is clearly Paul’s.
Crossover democrats – only for Paul.
Toss in Paul supporters won’t vote for anyone but Paul since nobody but him is serious about fixing the economy, ending endless wars, fixing the tax code, etc.
It will be a brokered convention.
And Obama definitely doesn’t want to be up against Paul.
Posted by: kevin | January 29, 2012, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
Scenario 1: We don’t elect Ron Paul and we all suffer the further destruction of our country.
Scenario 2: We elect Ron Paul and thrive
I choose scenario 2
Posted by: Paul fan | January 29, 2012, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
In the midst of the K Street Project scandal were three well-known names: Jack Abramoff, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum.
Ron Paul will put and end to the corruption in Washington!
That’s why her is feared so much!
Posted by: C4LCNCPLS | January 29, 2012, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm
Just remember, if Paul doesn’t get the nomination, support Gary Johnson. He’s a two time governor of New Mexico, called Mr. Veto for vetoing more tax increases than all of the other governor’s combined. Pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-marijuana legalization, wants to end the wars and submit a balanced budget by 2013. His views are virtually identical to Ron Paul; personally I like Johnson better and I think he’s much more electable.
Posted by: JohnsonSupporter | January 29, 2012, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
I am a Mormon and i live in Neveda. I am proud to say that i am voting for Ron Paul.
Posted by: Tim Lemons | January 29, 2012, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
Scenario 1: We don’t elect Ron Paul and we all suffer the further destruction of our country.
Scenario 2: We elect Ron Paul and thrive I choose scenario 2 POSTED BY: PAUL FAN***
****Yeah right, LOL!!! Keep on smoking that funny tobacco.
Posted by: michael | January 29, 2012, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
Vote for Ron Paul, and let freedom rings! He’s the only candidate speaking of truth, change and common sense. Don’t let the status quo to fool you into voting for someone else. Haven’t we had enough with those status quo or those career politicians who speak only to please those who has paid the big money?
Posted by: sabaniz | January 29, 2012, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
I am a Paul supporter, and I wish people would stop passing this “564 delegates” spam business around. This line: “In five (5) States: Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois, Gingrich and Santorum are not even on the ballot.” is simply not true. Virginia=true, Missouri=half-true, Ohio=false, Tennessee=a-tiny-bit-true .
Please, please, stop spreading this stuff around. It makes all RP supporters look like they can’t do research, don’t understand the electoral process, and can’t distinguish between fact and wishful thinking.
Posted by: Neville | January 29, 2012, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
Ron Paul is probably the most electable candidate in a general election.
Crossover Democrats, independents, and physical Republicans won’t vote for an evangelical extremist like Santorum. Gingrich isn’t much better.
Romney is too liberal for a lot of Republicans and many independents. Some of his views are too liberal for a lot of Democrats! A vote for Romney or Obama will almost guarantee another Clinton gun ban.
Gingrich never read the First Amendment. Santorum thinks it only applies to his religion.
Romney understands the Second Amendment, he just doesn’t like it.
Ron Paul isn’t a religious fanatic. He’s a constitutionalist who supports the entire US Constitution. He opposes using our military to fight little unnecessary wars without a declaration. He opposes using federal funds for foreign aid when there are Americans in need. He wants to close military bases on foreign soil and use those troops to secure OUR border.
In a general election a candidate needs more than just his own party. I don’t see anyone but Ron Paul pulling enough votes from the Democrats and independents to beat Obama.
Posted by: cloud | January 29, 2012, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm
13 million for Ron Paul in the 4th quarter — good reporting. Funny that most of the media fail to mention the Q4 fundraising numbers. Supposed frontrunner Gingrich raised only 9 million, and had little in the way of a national campaign until recently, failing to make the ballot in several states including his home state of Virginia. Ron Paul meanwhile, has a true national grassroots organization and made the ballot everywhere.
Posted by: Hoops M | January 29, 2012, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm
I can’t wait ’till Congressman Ron Paul comes to Colorado. It’s going to be an amazing experience to hear him speak the words of truth, for once.
Posted by: Jared | January 30, 2012, 12:51 am 12:51 am
RON PAUL is such an amazing man it’s rare in this day and age that we can have someone with such integrity in the white house, do whatever you can to educate people about this wonderful man! RON PAUL!!
Posted by: Patrick | January 30, 2012, 2:54 am 2:54 am
Dr. Paul putting his money on Nevada where the nation places its bets is a sound plan. It is not a double or nothing state like Florida. In Nevada money only flows in one direction from the visitors pockets to the local pockets. So Romney can throw his millions they will gladly take it but not give him the state. Dr. Paul’s time has come. the field of 8 has halved and may further diminish.
Posted by: Girish | January 30, 2012, 6:29 am 6:29 am
RON PAUL is the only honest politician of our lifetime!
Posted by: DiBona4Paul | January 30, 2012, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
This is also the latest meme use by the establishment media to marginalize the Paul campaign…..There are still 47 states to go and over a thousand delegates yet to be awarded. The nomination or bust! Posted by: Jay | January 29, 2012, 5:38 pm.
OK. Bust. When will you Paul supporters get it through your immensely thick heads that YOUR PARTY will NEVER allow Paul anywhere near the White House? Mainstream Grand Old Party powers-that-be will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever allow Ron Paul to be their candidate. PERIOD!
Posted by: A Cynic | January 30, 2012, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Ron Paul is probably the most electable candidate in a general election. Posted by: cloud | January 29, 2012, 11:35 pm.
That might have been true in 1812. Certainly NOT in 2012. Paul is unelectable in this country. He has a few good ideas wrapped up in a whole boatload of crazy ones. He does NOT appeal to mainstream America or Moderates or Independents. He appeals to an extreme Right Wing fringe ONLY. This is going to be his THIRD failed presidential bid. Thank god it will be his last.
Posted by: A Cynic | January 30, 2012, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Diebold counts the votes.
Will the public be allowed to verify the vote with random samples?
Will the results be printed locally, regionally, and statewide?
If not, why? What logical reason is there to have a private company count the ballots in secret. When will Ron Paul do something about it?
Posted by: justin dignant | January 30, 2012, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Corporate media is covering up for the theft of the primary elections. Why are they counting votes in secret, on electronic voting machines that cannot be verified?
Ron Paul always has the most in attendance at his speeches, he is the one with real public support. Corporate media and diebold election engineers are working together to give us these horrible choices, actually no choice.
Ron Paul Supporters can occupy the voting booths, demand an open and fair count. Video and post the counting. Become election workers if possible.
Also, surround the TV stations and demand they report the true results, not the ones sent in by the party leaders. Show the media how much support Ron Paul has by demanding they cover the man fairly and with real facts about what he is about.
Posted by: kim J | January 30, 2012, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm