Ron Paul rips off supporters for millions of dollars (FEC Report)

Thorgrim · 03-21-2008, 01:42 PM

Look at the numbers, they dont lie

REPORT FOR RON PAUL 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

During all of February, when he had close to $8 million he could have used up millions to get out the Ron Paul message, his ideological message, etc anything

He only spent $2 million

This covers up to March 1st, as we know he shut down ("suspended") his campaign then and made it official a few days later

As of March 1st, as the presidential campaign was ending, he still had approximately $5.6 million dollars

What will happen to it?

The only firm rule is that he can't go out and buy a new house, at least he can't do it very publically

However it is possible to channel the funds to use in pro-Paul methods that only affect his district, (or a PAC for other GOP friends) aka increasing his warchest...this is not what Ron Paul supporters donated for...

The other alternative? Only two, donate to some charity...probably some pro-life charity while many of his supporters were pro-choice (I've talked to RP supporters and they didn't donate to him so RP could pick some charity for them) or, which is actually seen as more likely: THE MILLIONS WILL GO TO JOHN MCCAIN TO AIR HIS MESSAGE OF 100 MORE YEARS IN IRAQ

I feel bad, I don't know who exactly donated on this board, but you all got ripped off really bad...$5.6 million so he can enjoy his personal life better without worrying about fundraising...or to John McCain...wow

TankRizzo · 03-21-2008, 01:47 PM

I don't get why he didn't do shit in terms of advertising. Couldn't he use the money for going 3rd party? You're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to evoke outrage in ron paul supporters for their lord and savior Ron Paul though

lew · 03-21-2008, 01:51 PM

Paul's Campaign was a complete and utter fucking failure. I've said that for months and months.

But if you really want to have a discussion of which candidates 'ripped off' their supporters more, you really should be looking at Obama and Hillary who have spent an ungodly amount of money frivolously.

Thorgrim · 03-21-2008, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by lew

Paul's Campaign was a complete and utter fucking failure. I've said that for months and months.

But if you really want to have a discussion of which candidates 'ripped off' their supporters more, you really should be looking at Obama and Hillary who have spent an ungodly amount of money frivolously.

I know first hand Hillary Clinton supporters wouldn't be in the slightest annoyed if she gave all her money to an upper party entity, such as the DSCC...same with Obama supporters

Ron Paul supporters did not give their moeny so he could sit on it for a warchest/whatever lucrative plans he has...or so he could give it to McCain, or try and help Jim Imhofe's re-election

lew · 03-21-2008, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

I know first hand Hillary Clinton supporters wouldn't be in the slightest annoyed if she gave all her money to an upper party entity, such as the DSCC...same with Obama supporters

Ron Paul supporters did not give their moeny so he could sit on it for a warchest/whatever lucrative plans he has...or so he could give it to McCain, or try and help Jim Imhofe's re-election

You're probably right, most supporters of Hillary wouldn't care if she gave her money to an upper party entity - but that's not what I stated.

I stated how much money she has wasted on frivolous purchases.

But you are right that we didn't give our money to Paul for it to go to McCain or the GOP in general.

But guess what? We're fucking libertarians - once Paul has the money, he can do whatever the fuck he wants with it. And when I noticed he wasn't spending it on things I would have liked him to, I stopped donating. Hard concept to grasp, huh?

TankRizzo · 03-21-2008, 02:10 PM

Seriously though.....why DIDN'T he spend the money? I don't get it at all.

lew · 03-21-2008, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by TankRizzo

Seriously though.....why DIDN'T he spend the money? I don't get it at all.

He doesn't like spending money.

He would have made an amazing President.

7960 · 03-21-2008, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by lew

He doesn't like spending money.

He would have made an amazing President.

that's what makes it so ironic....if he'd spent money there's more chance he would have become president!

the very thing that would have made him an amazing president is the thing that kept him from becoming one.

Thorgrim · 03-21-2008, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by lew

You're probably right, most supporters of Hillary wouldn't care if she gave her money to an upper party entity - but that's not what I stated.

I stated how much money she has wasted on frivolous purchases.

But you are right that we didn't give our money to Paul for it to go to McCain or the GOP in general.

But guess what? We're fucking libertarians - once Paul has the money, he can do whatever the fuck he wants with it. And when I noticed he wasn't spending it on things I would have liked him to, I stopped donating. Hard concept to grasp, huh?

What was a frivolous purchase...do you know big time hillary supporters...have they told you in large numbers what they think was a waste?

You might say consulting, but this is a very hard race against Obama, if BO's name was Mike Smith, but still the parents of a black man/white woman...and was raised an anglican protestant all his life in Wisconsin...he'd be winning GE matchups by 20 points

However, he has a name that causes swing voters to raise their eyebrows, he has muslim smears, the rev wright problem...which means everything to swing voters but very little to many Democrats

I still haven't heard an intelligent strategy for beating out a black candidate who connects with white voters and speaks constantly about hope...for votes in a democratic primary...its very very tricky and I don't think any of her money has gone to waste

the same applies to Obama

JaJae · 03-21-2008, 02:56 PM

Hillary spent like $1million on flowers among other things that her donors were pissed off about. She didn't plan to go beyond Super Tuesday and just spent all her money like a drunken sailor on wasteful things thinking she had the nomination in the bag.

Publius · 03-21-2008, 03:05 PM

as soon as i saw this thread on the preview to the Floor, I knew it was started by Thorgrim. What is with this obsession you have with Ron Paul Thor? It isn't healthy.

lew · 03-21-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

that's what makes it so ironic....if he'd spent money there's more chance he would have become president!

the very thing that would have made him an amazing president is the thing that kept him from becoming one.

lew · 03-21-2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

What was a frivolous purchase...do you know big time hillary supporters...have they told you in large numbers what they think was a waste?

You might say consulting, but this is a very hard race against Obama, if BO's name was Mike Smith, but still the parents of a black man/white woman...and was raised an anglican protestant all his life in Wisconsin...he'd be winning GE matchups by 20 points

However, he has a name that causes swing voters to raise their eyebrows, he has muslim smears, the rev wright problem...which means everything to swing voters but very little to many Democrats

I still haven't heard an intelligent strategy for beating out a black candidate who connects with white voters and speaks constantly about hope...for votes in a democratic primary...its very very tricky and I don't think any of her money has gone to waste

the same applies to Obama

Faithful Progressive: Clinton Donors Decry Mismanaged, Wasteful Spending by Campaign

NYTimes

THE NEW REPUBLIC | Blogs

That took a 3 second search which gave me about a million results.

Thorgrim · 03-21-2008, 03:30 PM

like i said, people unhappy she paid consultants when she hasn't been doing well

when she was doing the same thing in 2007, they weren't complaining

it's much like a sports fan who loves the team, and follows every game, but thinks they could have called a better play when the last one doesn't work out

Much different than taking millions of dollars spent to get out the Ron Paul message and have it going down in value due to inflation/etc and looks to be headed to McCain

Phantom · 03-21-2008, 03:34 PM

If someone who gave money to Paul has a complaint, I encourage them to voice that complaint.

If you didn't give money to Paul, you don't really have much to complain about, do you? I'm sure the donors can complain for themselves.

Thorgrim · 03-21-2008, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Phantom

If someone who gave money to Paul has a complaint, I encourage them to voice that complaint.

If you didn't give money to Paul, you don't really have much to complain about, do you? I'm sure the donors can complain for themselves.

I've had libertarians told me they're too ashamed to talk about Ron Paul anymore, I speak for them

lew · 03-21-2008, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

I've had libertarians told me they're too ashamed to talk about Ron Paul anymore, I speak for them

Right.

JaJae · 03-21-2008, 03:43 PM

Hillary Clinton spent her money during this campaign the same way she promises to spend your tax dollars. At least she's consistent with other people's money.

Ron Paul has proven to be an incompetent politician despite having some excellent ideas and a huge following of loyal supporters.

7960 · 03-21-2008, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Ron Paul ..... huge following of loyal supporters.

404 huge following not found.

Publius · 03-21-2008, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim