The Ron Paul grassroots network is making extensive use of the Internet to drive straw poll delegates to Fort Worth this weekend. It could be the decisive factor in his favor.
Paul is the most popular presidential candidate at Meetup.com, and his Texas supporters are making use of the site to organize and motivate delegates in Texas. Check out http://ronpaul.meetup.com/about/
Supporters across Texas are offering rides and exchanging information in an effort to get more delegates to the Straw Poll.
Here is a free concert in Fort Worth for Ron Paul's Texas delegates featuring Jimmie Vaughn. I found this on Eventful, http://www.eventful.com, a great tool for activists to use to demand an event or list an event on a public calendar.
I'll admit that Ron Paul has other factors going for him that may lead to victory on Saturday. Nonetheless, his supporters are creatively using these online tools and that should help.
Comments
View from the Staw Poll
Unless, the Texas GOP conducts a voice vote, I'm not sure Paul can win the Straw Poll. He just may not have enough votes among the delegates.
Given my earlier prediction, I'll continue to follow the Ron Paul contingent until the final votes are counted. They're loud and proud and here by the hundreds. However, I see only a handful of delegates openly wearing their support for Paul.
Support for candidates is spread evenly across the delegates who are here. We see a lot of Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and Huckabee supporters among the delegates.
Paul does have a lot of popular support from a wide spectrum of folks - hippies, conservatives and populists. All of them are handing out handbills by the dozen and carrying large signs outside the convention. This gives the appearance of support but it probably does not sway the convention delegates.
The Paul campaign deserves credit for using the Internet for mobilization. However, I think they ultimately won't sway the vote.
Continuing the Ron Paul Watch
I saw a hippie and cowboy hug. I saw a Paul supporter escorted out for loudly booing other candidates - while they were speaking to the delegates. And I saw a shouting match between a Fred Head and a bearded man who was wearing a bedazzled denim vest.
Straw poll voting is underway, and the Paul supporters are here in force - walking the halls with signs, asking delegates for a minute to talk about Paul and generally being an obvious and visible bunch.
Before he went to podium to speak to the delegates, Paul was backstage talking with other candidates and VIPs about his visible, rowdy contingent. He credits the Internet and the Meetup users with generating so much interest and support.
I am dubious as to whether this vocal presence will convince these traditional Republicans to support get behind him. Then again, I did see a hippie and a cowboy hug and both were wearing Ron Paul for president gear.