Because I Said So…

Paul’s luck from Nevada must have followed him into this week.  The underdog GOP candidate collected $1.85 million on Monday.  Most of the money came in the form of small donations (anything under $50) which means his popularity may be on the rise.  This brings Paul’s 2008 fund-raising total to more than $2.6 million, most of it from the Internet, heading into the Florida primary and Super Tuesday.  He and I need to take a trip to Vegas and hit the craps tables.

It should be noted that Paul beat the top two Republican contenders.  A Tuesday NYC fundraiser by Sen. John McCain, gathered about $1 million, and former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s Sunday trip to Chuck Norris’s ranch, which Campaign Manager Chip Saltsman says brought in about $330,000. 

And while the money keeps pouring in people are stepping up to endorse Paul.  Monday the former Republican governor of New Mexico said,“I am endorsing Ron Paul for the Republican nomination for president because of his commitment to less government, greater liberty, and lasting prosperity for America….Ron Paul has my support, respect, and vote.”

And Tuesday, on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling, Norma McCorvey–a.k.a. “Jane Roe”–gave Paul her official endorsement: “I support Ron Paul for president because we share the same goal, that of overturning Roe v. Wade. He has never wavered on the issue of being pro-life and has a voting record to prove it.”

But, like the late Notorious B.I.G said, “Mo’ money, mo’ problems.”  At the same time Paul is celebrating his boost in contributions and endorsements, he is being criticized for disparaging comments made in a newsletter bearing his name, about slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the national holiday that honors him.

A New Republic article earlier this month outed a 1990 newsletter called the Ron Paul Political Report in which either Paul or ghost writers called King an adulterer and seducer of young children.  The article also questioned honoring him with a national holiday.

“We are supposed to honor this ‘Christian minister’ and lying socialist satyr with a holiday that puts him on a par with George Washington?” 

 Paul refuted allegations that he wrote or believes the messages in the article.  He said in a statement issued by his campaign that “several writers contributed to the project” and he has taken “moral responsibility for not paying closer attention to what went out under my name.”

Actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson dropped out of the Republican presidential contest Tuesday afternoon.  Duh.

The inevitable withdrawal comes after a late entrance into the crowded Republican presidential field.  Some considered his September jump into the ring too late. 

Still, Thompson continued his uphill struggle until a disappointing third place finish in the South Carolina primary on Saturday.  Since then, it has been a matter of when, not if, Thompson would announce his withdrawal.

Thompson chose to bow out quietly.  There were no media conferences or formal releases to the press.  Instead, the “Law & Order” alum opted to post a statement on his website:

“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people.”

 Arthur Branch fans might be mourning his early exit, but Mike Huckabee probably hasn’t been this happy since he lost all that weight.  Huckabee said “he expects Thompson’s withdrawal will boost his support among conservatives.”  Thompson and the former governor of Arkansas both competed for the same conservative voters. 

“Mr. Huckabee said Tuesday that he might have come in second in South Carolina precisely because Mr. Thompson had siphoned off much of his support, permitting Senator John McCain of Arizona to win.”

With more elbow room in the Republican presidential field Huckabee can afford to have a slice of pie before his next jog.

R.I.P. Thompson campaign:  September 2007-January 2008