Ron Paul: The real $6 million man

USA TODAY termed our Favorite Son's money-raising effort yesterday "astounding."

He beat US Sen. John Kerry's one-day record by pulling in $6.02 million in a single day.

...24,940 new donors contributed during the Dec. 16 haul.

It was timed for the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a day meant to resonant with the Libertarian sensibilities of his supporters.

The Washington Post blog called The Trail says Congressman Paul has attained "rock star status."

"Impressive," says TheAtlantic.com's political blog.

There's no question that Ron Paul has tapped into a unique, hitherto hidden vein in the Republican body politic...What's great, in one sense, about the Ron Paul phenom is that we don't know where it's going to end. We don't know how it's going to scramble the order of finish in the early states. And while we don't think Paul is going to win the nomination, we dismiss his impact at our peril.

In Freeport, the Favorite Son participated in the local re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party, which attracted 600 spectators, some of whom drove from as far away as Tennessee, reported the local Clute paper.

“You all have removed my apathy and my skepticism,” Paul said to his adoring audience. “I am much more optimistic than I was 12 years ago.”

....

After autographing anything and everything thrust at him by his supporters, Paul went over to the docks to toss a barrel from the shrimp boat.

Picking up the “IRAQ WAR” barrel and holding it above his head, Paul gave a “heave ho” and it went into the river.