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Long shot’s campaign reaches high
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A group of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, supporters from throughout the country rented a blimp to publicize the long-shot presidential candidate. The blimp landed Thursday at Aldino Airport in Churchville.
One side of the blimp reads, “Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul.” On the other, it says, “Ron Paul Revolution.”
When the “revolution” hit Harford County, it attracted nearly 100 local supporters to Aldino Airport in Churchville. There, the blimp landed and onlookers got rides before cloudy skies forced it back to North Carolina instead of north to New Hampshire.
The blimp has brought together a crew of unknowns who had little interest in politics but now back Paul, the only Republican candidate who has consistently opposed the war in Iraq.
Trevor Lyman, a 37-year-old musician from Florida, came up with the blimp idea and has raised more than $10 million, and he’s never even voted, said Bryce Henderson, a spokesman for the blimp campaign.
“Four months ago, he was just sitting on his couch in Florida,” Henderson said of Lyman. “But when he heard of Ron Paul and his message, it inspired him. And that’s what we’re trying to do is try and get people to research him and look into him and his message.”
This marks the first time a blimp has carried a presidential candidate’s name, Henderson says, and since hitting the sky, the message has boosted Google searches for Paul by 40 percent.
Lyman, Henderson and about 20 others say they have raised more than $300,000 to rent the blimp, a pilot and mechanics for a month. Henderson gave up his job as a loan officer to work with the blimp campaign for $500 a week.
Those who donate $1 million to the blimp campaign get 10 weeks aboard, and $25 will get people 2.7 minutes, according to the blimp’s Web site, ronpaulblimp.com.
“It was flying all around Baltimore, and we got great feedback,” Henderson said. “So far, I’d have to say it’s a huge success.”
msilvestri@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
9:51 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 25, 2007 re: "Long shot’s campaign reaches high"
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Examiner Reader said:
If everyone looked into what Ron Paul stands for, (and has always stood for) then I beleive all would be supporters except the tyranists. Who else is fighting for our Constitution? Who else has NO lies behind them? Who else has no skeletons in the closet? An amazing man of the same stuff as our Founding Fathers. Truth & Liberty is a powerful message. Government serves the people, not the reverse. How did it get so wrong? Get the criminals out.
39 agree | 39 disagree
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Paul Smith said:
I am happy to be able to classify you and your rag as supporters of treason and tyranny- the clever way you attempt to hide the main thrust of the Ron Paul campaign is very telling. He has said over and over, that he is the champion of the constitution-you know,that document that gives you the right to publish- You cited several of his positions on various items but failed to mention that each of his positions cited were in line with the constitutional mandate- How could this be anything but intentional on your part? I wonder how you collect your part of the pie from our corrupt government-in priveleges or in money, perhaps gold. You have reduced you the writer and your yellow rrag to the status of lackey for the terrorist treasonous people now inhabiting the halls of government. Are you an American? If so, how can you use your ability and your position to help render our country into a police state? Your kids will have to live in it also- wake up!!!
77 agree | 84 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ron Paul is correct - we should return to the gold standard. The only thing backing up our dollar is peoples faith in it - nothing more. Now we are seeing that faith crumble. Recently, a supermodel demanded her pay in euros, now a pop music star is doing the same. A Saudi minister warns the dollar is collapsing. More countries and businesses are carrying on their transactions in currencies other than the dollar. The dollar's value has sunk below that of the Canadian "loon". Bush's war & welfare state and Ben "I'll throw money out a helicopter, if I have to" Bernanke are destroying the value of our life savings. Screw big business, big government and the elites. Put us back on a Gold Standard and save our savings. That's all.
82 agree | 82 disagree
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Wake Up America said:
Ron Paul is the voice of liberty for all, whether Republican or Democrat. You only get one vote - make it be for someone willing to fight for our rigths.
69 agree | 74 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Federal Reserve prints money at will. Due to this policy, the dollar has lost 50% of it's value in world markets over the last 6 years. As the cost of the war weighs on our currency a candidate who wants to end the wars and establish a currency that is backed by a physical asset, has my vote. Why this is "going back to the 1930's" needs to be explained to me. My father's family came to this country in 1638. I am descended from the first governor General of New Hampshire John Cutts and my mother's family is directly descended from Roger Williams who founded Rhode Island. I am a father of two and have been in business all of my life. I vote Republican and am not from the "fringe." The San Francisco Examiner would serve its' readers with analysis of the threat to individual liberties posed by the Patriot Act, The Warner Act and HR 1595. Newspaper people need constitutional rights too. My best to you, Tom Storey Newport, Rhode Island
74 agree | 67 disagree
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Leopard Boy said:
"Cut and Run" is a phrase dreamed up by the mouthpieces that support the military industrial complex. Seriously, why else do they want us to stay there? So they won't follow us here? How stupid is that? You think they don't have maps? Unfortunately, there are many stupid people out there who buy into this "war on terror" stupidity. Oh, and billions of dollars can't be accounted for. Yeah, let's cut and run Bush and Cheney, etc. out of town on a rail.
72 agree | 65 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I must say, the more I learn about Ron Paul's platform and think about it, he seems to make more and more sense. I'm all for abolishing the IRS and returning peoples' hard earned money to them. That would take away the bullying agency that both parties use to force their ideas on others. What's most attractive is his call to adhere to the Constitution. Something both major political parties seem to have rejected. (Democrats more so than Republicans). Mr. Paul is worthy of a serious look.
89 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
He is not for the "Cut and run team" He is for "Lets follow the Constitution team". Just think, if we actually followed our own Constitution and declared war where would we be now? It is A LOT harder to back away from a resolution you voted for that may lead to conflict than to back away and flip flop after voting to go to war... what ever you say, your the man
74 agree | 75 disagree
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AAAAANDRE said:
What's "Cut & Run"??? A stupid sound bite slogan to ridicule opposing opinions. More like "What are we wasting our time on these ungrateful Iraqis for". We already "won" this war years ago... The Iraq army is destroyed and Saddam is dead. As Bush said: "Mission Accomplished", now let's get the "heck" outta there! Ron Paul '08!!!!
73 agree | 64 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
He is not for the "Cut and run team" He is for "Lets follow the Constitution team". Just think, if we actually followed our own Constitution and declared war where would we be now? It is A LOT harder to back away from a resolution you voted for that may lead to conflict than to back away and flip flop after voting to go to war...
77 agree | 74 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Granted, the GOP and DEMS don't have the best group of candidates. But, I wouldn't vote for this moron if he were to only candidate running. The one and only point I like of his, is his view of Income tax reform. And that's not enough to join the cut and run team. The only other view I don't know where he stands is the Illegal Alien Invasion of our Sovereign Nation. And I'll research that.
73 agree | 84 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
2 months ago I was full behind Fred Thompson. The lack of leadership and any new direction from any of the "front runners" has me fed up with the politics as usual crowd. Now I am 100% for Ron Paul. The way I look at it is that he realizes the founding fathers are smarter than any current politician. I agree! Lets go back to the foundation of the best nation ever, the Constitution.
79 agree | 73 disagree
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R.J. said:
Paul looks more and more like an independent candidate every day. America is ready for an independent president that isn't owned by corporate business or the two lame parties that are responsible for all the problems this country has.
70 agree | 64 disagree
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Mike Harkin said:
"How to Write a Hit Piece - 101." First, start with some positive comments (to show your objectivity.) Quickly counter with a immediate reference to Paul being a "long shot". Follow up by presenting the half-truth on his ideas, shove in a bit of scare-mongering of immediate financial destruction, and conclude with a reference to Paul's lack of support of for "relatives of Americans who have vanished." Whatever you do, do NOT mention the context of all of Paul's decisions - a strict obedience to the Constitution. Do NOT mention that, however well meaning an action may be, Paul always considers the impact on the taxpayer first, his own political survival last. Do NOT mention that his character is impeccable, his service to our country unquestioned, his ideas well grounded in wisdom and a deep concern for our country's future. Overall, well done - to both the author and The Examiner. You have provided us a very valuable lesson in journalism ethics and fair-minded reporting.
82 agree | 56 disagree
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Ron Paul can win! said:
Ron Paul has over 30,000 registered volunteers. More than all other candidates combined. And more registering now at Meetup.com. Dr. Ron Paul has the most contributions from U.S. military personnel and veterans above all other candidates. So support the troops and vote Ron Paul! Ron Paul places 1st or 2nd in every straw poll, debate, and active participation survey. Ron Paul is 1st on YouTube, Meetup, MySpace, Technorati, Alexa, Clickz, Google, etc. The old media is just too slow to realize what is happening. Do not listen to the so called 'Scientific Polls'. Ron Paul is not included in the cleverly woven questions pollsters are asking. This has been well documented. The American people know that something is very wrong in Washington. The American people want change! Visit YouTube and search Ron Paul to learn more... Join the Revolution -- Vote Ron Paul!
96 agree | 91 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
after watching the iowa debate this morning and the primary was held today, i would place my vote for mr paul. Though i see at least two strikes against him. First he is from texas ,i do not see the american public placing back to back presidents from the same state,and two mr paul does not seem to be within the inner circle of the republican party.... It is a shame that the republican party is going to use the same old ploys fo votes ---gun-control,aborition,taxes,fear and oh yes the word liberial---come on republican party do something right for a change ---no wonder i am trying to revive the whig party--- thank you---j
94 agree | 63 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record: He has never voted to raise taxes. He has never voted for an unbalanced budget. He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership. He has never voted to raise congressional pay. He has never taken a government-paid junket. He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch. He voted against the Patriot Act. He voted against regulating the Internet. He voted against the Iraq war. He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program. He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.
110 agree | 91 disagree
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