Monday, November 12, 2007

Ron Paul Finds Fans in Cradle of Liberty

November 12, 2007

Ron Paul is on a roll. After a record-breaking online fundraising week, the libertarian Republican candidate for the presidency entertained a crowd of 5,000 in the Old City section of Philadelphia on Saturday.

"It certainly looks bigger than a few spammers," the once long-shot candidate told supporters. His campaign has been wildly popular online, but with the good turnout in Philly, it looks as though it's gaining traction outside cyberspace as well.

Surrounded by the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center, Paul said he could "feel the energy of the Founders" as he gave a speech touching on topics as diverse as how he would use the executive order to the legalization of marijuana. Paul, known as "Dr. No" in Washington for his unwillingness to vote for anything not expressly delegated to Congress in the Constitution, often cites the Founding Fathers.

Some of his supporters mimicked his rhetoric by carrying "Don't Tread on Me" and "Live Free or Die" flags and wearing tricorn hats. U.S. News's Liz Halloran sat down with the candidate last week to discuss his atypical campaign, foreign policy, and whether Paul, who ran for president on the Libertarian ticket in 1988, feels like a true Republican. Read more here.

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