http://www.FreeMe.TVBy ELISE
HUKVUE News Texas Republican
Ron Paul is considered a long
shot in the race for
president, but he's a big hit
on the Internet -- drawing
more Google searches than
Paris Hilton.Click here for
larger video And a growing hub
for the Ron Paul Internet buzz
is in Austin. 'We have the
largest meet-up gr
more

http://www.FreeMe.TVBy ELISE
HUKVUE News Texas Republican
Ron Paul is considered a long
shot in the race for
president, but he's a big hit
on the Internet -- drawing
more Google searches than
Paris Hilton.Click here for
larger video And a growing hub
for the Ron Paul Internet buzz
is in Austin. 'We have the
largest meet-up group in the
nation,' said Paul Davis, who
started the Austin online
community. The congressman
from Lake Jackson is still
considered a bottom-tier
candidate, but his online
supporters have helped him
quickly spread his simple
message. 'No government
monitoring, no government
regulation, no government
taxation,' said Paul. And no
more involvement in Iraq. The
anti-war, pro-free-market
message led Davis to start a
group that now has nearly 500
members. 'This is really
growing like crazy,' said
Davis. Even Paul says he's
surprised by the response.
'The reception has been many,
many fold greater than I have
ever dreamed,' Paul said. 'It
just seems to spread through
the Internet.' On the
Internet, Paul has been
something of a net-roots
phenomenon, topping Paris
Hilton and iPhone in Google
searches. The cyber-popularity
has helped draw fundraising
dollars, without Paul having
to appear at fundraisers to
ask for it. His second quarter
cash-on-hand exceeds that of
Republican John McCain, who's
long been considered a top
tier candidate. 'That's
important, you know. The
campaign's growing but we're
not spending our money to do
this. That's what's amazing,'
Paul said. But his support is
still dismal in most national
polls, where he registers at
only one or two percent, if he
registers at all. People like
Davis press on anyway. 'The
more people find out who he
is, and hear his message,
it'll take care of itself,'
Davis said. Hoping a message
spread in a virtual world
helps translate to real votes.

Category News & Politics

Tags debate, republican, ron, paul, giuliani, barack, obama, clinton, edwards, fred, thompson, romney, daily, show, colbert, Iraq, news, us