Photo from ronpaulblimp.com.
by Gabrielle Russon
WASHINGTON--- In political season, signs are everywhere. Candidates’ logos are plastered on television advertisements, front yard signs, T-shirts, buttons, you name it. But this week, the newest form of presidential advertising appears, this time in the sky.
Ron Paul supporters, acting independently from his official campaign, have subleased a 197-foot long blimp with the message: "Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul." Organizers plan on flying along the Eastern Seaboard, weather permitting, to South Carolina on Friday. Their goal is to remain in the air until the Jan. 8 New Hampshire primary.
“It’s really no different than a billboard; essentially, it’s a flying billboard.” said Bruce Altschuler, a political science professor at New York’s SUNY Oswego.
The $350,000 monthly cost of renting a blimp and a crew are offset by grassroots fundraising done on the Internet, where the longshot Republican presidential nominee has been successful, largely due to his loyal, spirited followers. About $235,000 has been raised so far.
Because of campaign finance laws, people can only donate up to $2,300 for a political campaign. But those rules don’t apply to the blimp’s fundraising because it’s considered an independent expenditure, said FEC spokesman Bob Biersack.
“Paying for an ad would be an independent expenditure, as long it wasn’t coordinated with the campaign,” Biersack said. “They’re very common…groups and organizations will do it, political action committees will do it.”
“It’s not really a donation; it’s a sponsorship,” added Trevor Lyman, who started a for-profit business to implement his blimp idea. “People can sponsor any amount they want.”
While Paul supporters say the presidential blimp is the first of its kind, many candidates before him have gone for less-conventional ways to attract the public’s -- and the media’s -- attention. One politician jumped into a polluted river, others hired skywriters, Altschuler said.
There’s the Illinois 1973 gubernatorial candidate, coincidentally named Daniel Walker, who walked across the entire state, almost 1,200 miles, as part of his campaign. Walker won recognition and eventually the election.
During his 1978 race for Florida governor, Bob Graham took on a different job each day. Graham became a media darling when he worked as a hotel bellhop and encountered his opponent’s wife.
“There was her husband’s rival carrying her suitcase,” Altschuler said.
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Comments
Ronbot revolution!
Posted by: Reagan Droid | December 13, 2007 1:32 PM
Other candidates' campaign are lifeless because they are scripted; and Americans have become complacent and accustomed to a passive show.
Ron Paul is other; both ancient and new.
Posted by: Klutometis | December 13, 2007 1:33 PM
Was it Denny Hastert????
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 13, 2007 1:38 PM
Thanks for the article.
"While Paul supporters say the presidential blimp is the first of its kind, many candidates before him have gone for less-conventional ways to attract the public’s -- and the media’s -- attention."
The big difference is, Ron Paul is NOT doing this. His supporters are. In your examples candidates are just using unorthodox campaign tricks. In case of Ron Paul, regular people are doing everything, without any control, advice or direction from the official campaign. Yes, we are doing the blimp, and much more. And you can, too. Don't miss the greatest political development of 21st century. Join us at
www.teaparty07.com
Posted by: Andrew | December 13, 2007 1:59 PM
Go Ron Go!
Posted by: Dave | December 13, 2007 2:08 PM
Great article, interesting read.
Posted by: Ryan from Philadelphia | December 13, 2007 2:19 PM
"Was it Denny Hastert????"
hahahahaha
I don't think that guy walks at all. Have you seen him? He's the original blimp. But he doesn't fly, unless it's out of office early due to sex scandals with underage kids and refusal to act on it.
Posted by: Illinoisian | December 13, 2007 2:24 PM
Can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the "frontrunners" when the "longshot" wins primary after primary.
Posted by: Tracker | December 13, 2007 2:24 PM
"Was it Denny Hastert????"
hahahahaha
Posted by: Illinoisian | December 13, 2007 2:24 PM
Very funny!!! He eats at a friend of mines Mexican place. He's a fat f%ck!!!
What a dirtbag.
"Can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the "frontrunners" when the "longshot" wins primary after primary."
Posted by: Tracker | December 13, 2007 2:24 PM
Don't hold your breath.
Posted by: Dave (the blaster) Alvin | December 13, 2007 2:37 PM
*******
"Can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the "frontrunners" when the "longshot" wins primary after primary."
Don't hold your breath.
Posted by: Dave (the blaster) Alvin | December 13, 2007 2:37 PM
*******
Thanks Dave. Be sure to tell all your friends that he "doesn't have a chance".
Posted by: Tracker | December 13, 2007 2:53 PM
Dave, Tracker, Are you blind!? Ron Paul WILL win there's no doubt about it. Get involved. Don't let the isolationist neo cons win.
Posted by: Derek | December 13, 2007 3:07 PM
I don't think that guy walks at all. Have you seen him? He's the original blimp. But he doesn't fly, unless it's out of office early due to sex scandals with underage kids and refusal to act on it.
Posted by: Illinoisian | December 13, 2007 2:24 PM
Those republicans love their sordid sex and food in fatboy Denny's case. I sure hope that blimp isn't Denny. He could take out a stadium!
Posted by: brutus | December 13, 2007 3:36 PM
The Ron Paul Campaign is made up of tens of thousands of Americans who are working on their own to restore limited constitutional government back to the USA.
Read President Ron Paul – Could He Really Win?
Learn how outside economic and foreign policy events just might elect Ron Paul.
http://www.ronaldholland.com/presidentronpaul.htm in a two part article on how current events outside the political process could elect Ron Paul as President.
Posted by: Ron Holland | December 13, 2007 3:55 PM
That's pretty creative.
i hope that's going to help his candidacy, cuz he's an honest guy.
Posted by: Nick | December 13, 2007 3:58 PM
Support for The Blimp, the millions pouring into Ron Paul's campaign; are examples of the revolution building within this country. Individual citizens are yelling from their rooftops to any American who will listen. TRILLIONS in fraud, this time called "sub-prime" from the moneyed cartels, while your savings are destroyed by inflation... Why do we fall into the trap of empty promises EVERY 4 years? Aren't you sick and tired of being told who's "mainstream", "electable", etc? Why are we bombarded daily by "polls" that seem to consistently marginalize or ignore any support for Ron Paul? Yet you discover overwhelming support from real people everywhere you look? Many ARE waking up, discovering WHY our country is in deep trouble...please find out why Ron Paul supporters seem so motivated! For example; please google: "CFR 2008 Presidential candidates". Why do the "front runners" all play for the same team? Please do your own research. Our dollar crumbles;(by design); while another batch of hand picked "Dems" and "Reps" pander and distract you from the root causes behind their inaction... so "the game" can continue for another 4 years. Please wake up before it is too late... the "Patriot Act" is not for YOUR protection, it is for THEIRS... Vote for Ron Paul, and start planning for the REAL fight for America starting next January... Millions of people just like you are ready to take our country back, restore the rule of law and respect for our constitution, but you won't see them on TV! This year, you CAN vote for and support a REAL President!!!
www.ronpaul2008.com
Study, please!!!
Posted by: Mark from NH | December 13, 2007 4:03 PM
www.aChangeIsGonnaCome.info
Posted by: David | December 13, 2007 4:14 PM
Don't let the isolationist neo cons win.
Posted by: Derek | December 13, 2007 3:07 PM
Huh? Isolationist neocons?
Posted by: Luke | December 13, 2007 4:42 PM
wait - i thought it was just me and 2 other geek kids in our mother's basement, spamming polls and message boards - now we are taking over blimps in the real world, what next, choosing the leader of the free world?
Posted by: brettrix | December 13, 2007 5:05 PM
Hope floats...
Go Ron Paul!
Posted by: Eric N. | December 13, 2007 5:38 PM
Luke, it's kind of an inside joke among Ron Paul fans. Turning the tables, you see?
Posted by: Matt | December 13, 2007 5:45 PM
Blimp or no blimp due to bad weather in Boston on the 16th, here's why I am going to dump the contents of my wallet via a BIG credit card donation into Paul's campaign.
Over the years, the Preamble of the Constitution has decayed to this:
"We the Politicians of the United States, in order to form a more perfect advantage, handicap justice, insure domestic futility, provide for the common pretense, promote the general incumbent, and secure the blessings of power to ourselves and our posterity, do disdain and therefore revise this Constitution for the United States of America whenever we feel like it."
WHOA, I SAY WHOA NOW, WHATCHYALL THINK YOU'RE DOING!!!!
(I'm typing at the top of my voice here.)
Time to hire Dr. NO to put a stop to this arrogance and restore it to "WE THE PEOPLE..." You all know how the original goes.....otherwise get yourself a copy of the Constitution to find out.
Ron Paul 2008
Honest Abe won in 1860,
Honest Ron wins in 2008
Posted by: Kash | December 13, 2007 6:31 PM
Don't let the isolationist neo cons win.
Posted by: Derek | December 13, 2007 3:07 PM
Huh? Isolationist neocons?
Posted by: Luke | December 13, 2007 4:42 PM
The neocons do have us isolated from most of the world now.
Posted by: Al Dove | December 13, 2007 6:40 PM
I'll vote for Ron Paul.
Posted by: rncbs | December 13, 2007 7:00 PM
aaahhhaaahhaa,my youtube account was just cancelled for the second time for spamming ron Paul news and links.
Now I'm back at it again,
haha...NICE TRY yOuTuBe!
Posted by: _-Steel-_ | December 13, 2007 7:04 PM
If Ron Paul Supporters don't become delegates for their respective States, game over.
Posted by: David | December 13, 2007 9:44 PM
David is right. None of this matters if Ron Paul doesn't get enough delegates.
I've registered Republican and will attend my state's caucuses. Have you?
Posted by: Akston | December 13, 2007 10:09 PM
I think it is so cool that Ron Paul has a blimp.
The next best thing is that Huckleberry has decided to inflate himself to his normal size and battle the 'Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man' for intellectual supremacy.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | December 13, 2007 10:33 PM
Want change? Tired of political dynasties?
www.ronpaul2008.com
Want to be part of the single biggest fundraiser in history? This will be a December to remember!
www.TeaParty07.com
Posted by: maxwell105 | December 13, 2007 11:05 PM
I'm voting for Dr. Paul so I can have my damn country back ... It's disgusting the way our gvt is being run by criminals right now. I'm embarrassed to say I'm American... I want to be a PROUD American again.
Posted by: Mark | December 13, 2007 11:10 PM
Ron Paul is only a pawn for the Republican party to try to steal votes from the Demacrats. Most people don't even know who he is... We've already had 7 years of a Texas Republican and look what that got us. High gas prices, along with everything else and a war that never should have happened.
Posted by: Linda | December 14, 2007 12:52 AM
What other candidate has the courage to speak the truth about what this nation has come to? FOR LIBERTY! FOR PEACE! GOD BLESS RON PAUL!
Stay armed, stay free!
Posted by: Matt Garrison | December 14, 2007 2:26 AM
Now we have air superiority (along with idea superiority). Unfortunately it took segregationist Governor Wallace to reveal the truth that “there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between” Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats willingly went along with the War in Iraq, suspension of Habeas Corpus, detaining protesters, banning books like “America Deceived’ from Amazon, stealing private lands (Kelo decision), warrant-less wiretapping and refusing to investigate 9/11 properly. They are both guilty of treason.
Support Dr. Ron Paul and save this great nation.
Last link (before Google Books bends to gov’t Will and drops the title):
America Deceived (book)
Posted by: Reggie H | December 14, 2007 7:36 AM
blimp is up in the air. www.ronpaulblimp.com
Posted by: hasan | December 14, 2007 12:38 PM
The blimp is really there to shoot down the black helicopters and to block the satellites from broadcasting messages to peoples dental fillings.
You can never be to careful with these worldwide conspiracies!
Posted by: RP | December 14, 2007 12:53 PM
Thanks Gabrielle for the article. It was nice of you to stay objective and not marginalize Ron Paul like many others do. All we ask is for fairness and respect as fellow Americans. Thanks again.
Posted by: Matt | December 14, 2007 2:35 PM
RON PAUL? Yes i've heard of him but his supporters has some ISSUES. Many of these people live their life believing in conspiracy theories. If he's been dominating these debates, why don't the numbers reflect this? Yes I know, IT'S probably MEDIA BLACKOUT. Why then if his numbers are so high, NOBODY I KNOW IS VOTING FOR HIM? The law of averages tell me that if nobody in my circle of friends is voting for him, then it's obvious to me that the RON PAUL MILITANT INTERNET SPAMMERS, have fabricated these national numbers.He's a smart mad and a physicial that can spot nutcases when he sees it. This is the REAL reason he's running. He believes he can rid this country of it's nutjobs. ha ha I think his campaign is a way to collect all of the radical conspiracy theorist and BAKER ACT THEM AS A WHOLE. This would prove to be more effective than HIM ACTUALLY WINNING! Our government is not the problem, it's the PEOPLE in this COUNTRY that are. GO MITT ROMNEY. NO worry RP supporters, you will have plenty of time to keep the fantasy going in the loonie bin. They will give you all the attention you deserve. EVER HEARD OF A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
Posted by: LBN | December 14, 2007 4:43 PM
Linda said: "Ron Paul is only a pawn for the Republican party to try to steal votes from the Demacrats. Most people don't even know who he is... We've already had 7 years of a Texas Republican and look what that got us. High gas prices, along with everything else and a war that never should have happened."
Being from Texas and running on the Republican ticket are the only two things Ron Paul has with Bush. If you're going to shill for your RepubliCrat of choice, at least give us more than that lame assertion. It shows that you're uneducated about and/or incapable of discussing the issues. You won't win many hearts and minds with that strategy.
Posted by: USAF Vet Dan | December 14, 2007 8:19 PM
a friend of mine actually quite his job to campaign for RP. That's really sad. He'll have great difficult finding another job. Then again, he never actually held a respectable job anyway. He told me that a job means nothing without our freedom. I told him if he didn't like living her, LEAVE. If we lock down the borders, as RP believes we should do, my friend will have a very difficult time GETTING BACK IN. He claims a national ID card violates our constitutional right to freedom. No it doesn't. We have a SOCIAL SECURITY CARD don't we. Isn't this a form of national identification? He has great ideas but offers very little in the way of a REALISTIC solution. Therefore, he caters to those that are just complex enough to believe the government is our ENEMY. Just what I want, a conspiracy theorist PHYSICIAN elected for president. THAT"LL SOLVE ALL OF THIS NATION'S PROBLEMS.
Posted by: lbn | December 14, 2007 9:26 PM
Google or YouTube: "Ron Paul".
If you belive in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, donate to Ron Paul 2008 this Sunday 12/16 on line at Ron Paul 2008 which is expected to break all records that day for online-fundraising - the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Google: "Ron Paul Boston Tea Party"
Posted by: Jeff S. | December 14, 2007 10:19 PM
Poor ibn. I read his rant twice, which is way more than it merits. He clearly has no clue whatsoever, a common thread among people who seethe with hatred for a candidate that simply wants to restore the Constitution and our liberties. Why does that frighten some people so much?
Posted by: Simon9 | December 16, 2007 5:10 AM
Thank you for letting us visit the ' swamp. And a special message to blogger
RP ; about sending the 'messages to fillings' , it's all true. At least we try to laugh about it !
Ron Paul Revolution
Angel ( family pre 1776)
Posted by: nan | December 21, 2007 12:52 AM