Awesome article on the bias against Ron Paul

Long Island, N.Y.) “How is Ron Paul doing?” is the question of the day. Presidential candidate Ron Paul started off his campaign slowly, but it has gained strength and momentum with time. But from where in the woodwork is the strength and support coming? Is the support really even there? Is it still just a vociferous 50,000 on the internet? Are the traditional polls reported on by the major news networks correct? Could he still be in the single digits despite the clamor? Is Ron Paul’s Presidential campaign in need of resuscitation? Come on already, people! Is this not one of the oddest, contradictory things you’ve ever witnessed? Something is going on, and I want to get to the bottom of it!

Here, we have a man running for President of the United States. He’s seems like a decent, upstanding family man, served in the military, is a medical doctor and a ten-term representative in Congress. He’s not running for President like Donald Trump was running for President. He’s not Howard Stern or Al Sharpton. He’s not some quick-quipping novelty from Texas who is just out there on a soap box to tell us what’s wrong with our country. When he goes on the radio, the telephones light up like a Christmas tree - so I am told. When he appears on television, ratings soar - relatively speaking. One would think that such a star, such a ratings booster, would get the ol’ invite more often. I’ve seen video of people holding Ron Paul signs up around Hillary and Romney and Giuliani and McCain, at functions that were supposed to be theirs. Every so often, on my way home, some man holds up a Ron Paul sign to passing cars on Merrick Road . The other day, I saw a handmade banner hanging over a bridge on the Wantagh Parkway that read “Google Ron Paul If You Love America”. We’re still a year from the election! Are these people nuts, or are they excited for a logical reason? Are they a small, vociferous swath, or are they a pervasive presence?

So, I’ve been asking my family and friends here on Long Island what they think of Ron Paul. More than half hadn’t heard of him. So, I’m thinking, maybe the polls are right. If less than half of my family and friends recognized the name Ron Paul, then it’s possible that less than half of those being polled would know him enough to vote for him in a poll. Putting this into numbers, let’s say that 1 out of every 4 people recognize his name as a candidate. Of that 25%, perhaps 1 out of every 4 people would vote for him in an election. Now we’re talking about 6.25%, and maybe that’s why he’s polling in the single digits. Some of you disagree. Some of you suggest that the polls are skewed because they are designed to marginalize Ron Paul.

All conjecture aside, now that I think I’ve shown cause for the poll numbers, let’s get to the meat of this article. Why do only 1 in 4 Americans recognize the name Ron Paul? Rep. Paul is a serious contender, and I feel that all Americans should know their choices. What? Wait. You question whether he is a contender at all? But I just explained above that he is as serious as any of the other candidates. On top of that, he has this grassroots effort to get a blimp in the air with his name all over it. He’s a top money-raiser, too, with $5 million last quarter, $11.4 million so far this quarter and some big internet fundraiser happening on December 16th to commemorate the Boston Tea Party. He’s leading the Republican pack where the dollars are concerned. Anyway, this contender should be getting more press - at least as much as his peers - and that’s the point of me writing to you today. As a journalist, I don’t give a hoot if Ron Paul wins or loses, but I demand that the choice of Americans not be impaired or diverted by media outlets. It is unethical and un-American, not to mention dangerous, for the press to have undue influence over who Americans choose to serve them in public office. Of course, I know that it happens all the time. I am not blind to that fact. But, regardless of whether those at a particular network or periodical love, hate or are indifferent toward a candidate, the candidate should still get fair coverage and fair time.

This candidate I speak of, Ron Paul, has been excepted from polls, excepted from coverage and been given fewer questions at debates. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Stop telling me that it’s not happening! He has been laughed at, ridiculed and deflated. While other candidates are treated respectfully, like contenders, in interviews, Dr. Paul is not. “What’s success for you in this campaign?” “To win,” Ron Paul answered. “That’s not going to happen,” replied George Stephanopoulos on This Week With George Stephanopoulis - 7/8/07. “You probably are not going to win, and you know that, right?” Joy Behar, The View, 12/4/07. “I think we both know that the Republican Party is not going to give you the nomination,” was part of a question asked by Mark Strauss and aired to Ron Paul at CNN’s debate on 11/28/07. Additionally, he is asked either or both of the following questions whenever televised: (1) Which of your Republican opponents would you endorse for office, and (2) Are you going to run as an independent? Are my peers trying to convince Americans that a vote for Ron Paul is a wasted vote? That’s what it sounds like to me.

Some of you may remember me as the writer who penned “Ron Paul Bears Empty Pot For Americans” in which I compared the Congressman to a character in a story who was rewarded for his truthfulness. Many questioned the title, as many will probably question the title of this article, but such titles are necessary, necessary to break the word of his candidacy through to you. In fact, many times, when you read a seemingly negative title or seemingly negative words about Ron Paul, keep in mind that it may be the only way to get Ron Paul’s name out in public and shave down some of the imbalance. One of the most obvious examples of this was when a writer named Ken Layne wrote a story that was featured on AOL’s home page on the morning of December 7th. He used words of ridicule both for Ron Paul supporters and their plan to launch a Ron Paul blimp, but in so doing, that writer greatly raised awareness that there was a deadline that very night by which $200,000 had to be raised in order for the blimp idea to fly. In fact, Mr. Layne most probably helped to save the blimp idea. There are people - hidden people - all over the place, at all levels, doing their best to ensure that Americans get a fair shake at this election process. Some of them not only want to ensure even coverage of the candidates but also are closet Ron Paul fans. For one reason or another, though, they cannot say so.

Before I conclude this interactive article, I’d like briefly to comment on the comments I received to the “Empty Pot” article. In the hours shortly after publication, I received so many accolades, I feared that I had only reached those who already knew and loved Ron Paul. Although I appreciated the sentiments, I viewed the article as a failure. However, in the ensuing days, I saw more and more comments from people who had not been familiar with the name Ron Paul. Some of those newcomers disagreed with the “Paul system” of adhering strictly to the Constitution. Some were enthralled with his concepts, and still others promised to research him more thoroughly. Also, there are two particular groups of comments that I wish to address, and it may seem like I’m being partial, but I’m willing to take that risk.

Some comments intimated and others downright shouted that Ron Paul has been an impotent legislator and therefore would make an impotent President. In response, I must point out that a congressman is just 1 of 435 representatives in the House. The House of Representatives is half of the Legislative Branch of the Federal Government. The Legislature is 1 of 3 branches. That gives any given congressman .00038 worth of a say in Washington. Now, if that congressman were elected President, he or she would then account for one-third of the Federal Government. Not only would his or her exposure be 1,000 times greater, but arguably, his or her mathematical influence is increased to .33333, and that’s 877 times more of a say than a single congressman. Therefore, the assertion that the insurmountable stone walls a congressman encounters in Congress will necessarily make him an ineffective President holds no water. The second group of comments made attempt to argue that Ron Paul would never beat Hillary Clinton because he does not have enough name recognition. Well, if it’s not obvious to you that anybody who gets the Republican Party’s nomination will be catapulted into a household name, then you don’t know much about the world.

In conclusion, we need answers. I know that those who will read this article are familiar with the opportunity to make comments at the end, but I propose that this be a first of its kind. This article is incomplete, and I am asking not that you merely comment on the article, but that you finish it with your comments. I want to read and learn. Just as I’ve shared my unique perspective on who recognizes Ron Paul in my neck of the woods called Long Island, I’d like you to share what you think his recognition level is in your area. Am I way off base with anything I’ve said? I need real answers from real people across the country because the signals out there are conflicting. I await the truth of the situation with bated breath.