RonTube and the Internet Generation: The Case for a Dark Horse Republican

Published November 6, 2007

By Alex Pinto

Do a Youtube search for “presidential debate” and you’ll be surprised to see which candidate rises to the top. Seven of the first 20 search results specifically feature one candidate. Of the other 13, there are no repeat appearances, and they all seem to bathe their respective candidates in a positive, even devoted light.

Who is this man claiming the internet video spotlight? It’s Republican nominee Ron Paul. Okay, he’s popular. But why does the third place Republican candidate have more internet buzz than Mitt, Rudy, Hillary, and Barack combined?

This is an apt question as we approach presidential primary season. Members of internet forums for entirely non-political things (think mountain biking and music) have avatars and profiles devoted to RP ‘08. They even encourage you to “Google Ron Paul.” This “Googling” tactic doesn’t seem to appeal to any other candidates’ following; the youthful Barack Obama comes in a distant second to Paul’s google numbers.

“Ron Paul ‘08″ is chalked on the side of a building on the central campus of UVM, one of the most liberal campuses around. Paul’s Youtube videos are tagged with titles like, “Once again Ron Paul speaks the truth…”. Sounds pretty devoted for this stage in the race, right?

One reason for such cyberspace devotion: Paul’s campaign focuses on the internet as a grassroots political medium. Clearly, not all of those videos were made by excited bloggers. However, the fact that Paul faces no competition at all from other campaigns (on the internet video circuit) is important. Paul doesn’t seem to be jumping at the youth demographic (As Obama, who has a trendy, decked-out Facebook page, appears to be)- but things are not always as they seem. “The
key
to Paul’s
overcoming these obstacles
and finding
success is in
his message.”

As a Libertarian, the Wild-West-like freedom of the internet is central to Paul’s platform. Perhaps Paul’s campaign workers know how to use the internet better than the other candidates’ campaign workers. To be honest, I don’t know. I do know that Paul got my attention, and I don’t think I’m the only one.

Why, of all the candidates, is the youth demographic giving Paul a chance? Internet buzz can only go so far. If Mitt Romney tried to pull off a big YouTube campaign, he would get smoked. After all, Ron Paul is a Republican, the perennial “bad guys” for the past eight years (see Iraq) and also, “strictly constitutional,” which brings to mind reactionaries in a time when Christian conservatives have been labeled by Dems as heartless neo-cons and viewed as warmongering bumpkins by many of our generation.

The key to Paul’s overcoming these obstacles and finding success is in his message. Instead of his stick-to-the-constitution shtick sounding like old hat, he makes it sound like a refreshing change by emphasizing the concept of isolationism. Isolationism is something our generation has only knownn in history books. The last time isolationism characterized foreign policy in the White House was the post-WWI era (1921-1933).

In short, Americans are generally tired of the war and and Ron Paul opposes war on all fronts. Paul’s stance makes the Democratic candidates’ stance seem accommodating. His adamant policy of non-intervention feels right. It is fresh and, to be blunt, doesn’t appear to be bullshit.

Ron Paul also seems to be someone whom social liberals are willing to sacrifice for. Having grown up in Massachusetts and gone to college in Vermont, virtually everyone I know is a social liberal. The high volume of people I know supporting Ron Paul tells me they can forgive his conservative social ideas. He is pro-life and does not want to restrict gun ownership. Those points aside, voting against the Iraq war and the Patriot Act may give him enough brownie points to push unsure voters right of center. Paul’s candidacy is also drawing college-age kids to Libertarianism. He is approachable (and on YouTube), believes in low taxes, and his last name isn’t Bush. I have discovered that during college, kids realize that they might not want most of their paycheck taken by the government, especially when they’re trying to scrape up rent post-graduation. Paul’s campaign will only serve to increase that feeling as the primaries near.

It’s unclear whether Paul will make the ballot - right now, he’s still in third. But at the very least, the great efforts his campaign has made will last in the minds of those who noticed. The “grass-rootsy” feel to his efforts gives hope for similarly exciting political campaigning in the future.

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