If Ron Paul was the type to sit back and say "I told you so" he could be having a field day with the news right now. After being left out of a debate in New Hampshire by Fox News because his polling numbers did not meet their criteria of double-digit numbers, he took eight percent of the votes in the primary, ahead of Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter.
Even more important, his polling position at the time was ahead of those posted by John Kerry and John Edwards and everyone knows what happened to their campaign in the 2000 election. Paul says it is because he and the news organization do not see many things in the same fashion and his exclusion had little to do with his popularity in the polls.
In Michigan, where Republicans head to the primary on January 15, he is running even with Fred Thompson at four percent in a tie of fifth place. According to figures posted at usaelectionpolls.com, there remains 26 percent of the Michigan voters who haven't made up their minds for a Republican nominee. His message of putting an end to the federal income tax and allowing the states to govern themselves on most issues may not be completely in tune with the more conservative Republicans, but Paul is looking at the more liberal voters and independents for more support.
The latest Nevada primary polls have Ron Paul at 5%.
His campaign and fundraising has been a grass roots efforts, or as some supporters say a grass wire campaign as he has been boosted by internet blogs and online campaigning. His fundraising topped $18 million the fourth quarter, putting him near the top of Republicans in donations for that time period.
