LATimes.com: Ron Paul, loser again
New Hampshire was a huge blow to the Ron Paul campaign. A small state with a large group of independent voters, Ron Paul supporters were hoping to prove the polls wrong and have a strong showing in the state. But, the results are in and another 5th place finish with single digit support. About what the polls had predicted.
Ron Paul looks like a non-factor in this race, even with the amount of money that he has raised so far. The internet excitement and fundraising so far has not translated into votes at the polls. Ron Paul's rabid supporters may be a double edged sword for him- they lift him beyond from being a totally obscure candidate like Kucinich or Hunter, but keep him pressed down in the high single digits as voters avoid him as a creation of the internet. Can you take a candidate seriously with supporters who scribble his name in chalk all over sidewalks? Spamming online surveys just doesn't lend credibility to a candidate.
I like the idea of a Ron Paul running for President. It brings new ideas and topics that are seldom discussed in the political arena. But, I'm afraid that the general public is not interested or sophisticated enough to study the issues carefully and come to their own decision when voting. Otherwise, commercials and 30 second sound bites wouldn't be necessary or even work. In an environment like this, a candidate like Ron Paul will always remain on the fringe.
