Crazy Is Not Taking Ron Paul Seriously

In fact, Paul's fundraising has improved every quarter. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, he raised more than $500,000 in the first quarter, $2.5 million in the second and $5.2 million in the third quarter. The campaign is expected to double its third-quarter earnings by the end of this quarter. Paul's campaign Web site shows more than $9.3 million already, and more than a month remains before the end of the quarter.

The campaign's fourth-quarter goal is $12 million. If the campaign hits this number, it would exceed anything gained by any of the Republicans in all of the third quarter (I'm excluding Mitt Romney because of his personal donations to his own campaign). Paul's total for the year would then exceed $20 million, almost exclusively from individuals. How can anyone say with a straight face he doesn't have support?

This money will greatly help the campaign. Paul has been adding staff members and buying more political ads in early states. Paul's poll numbers have been going up in New Hampshire and will be helped by the fact that voters can cross party lines. Paul will have more cash on hand to run ads than either Mike Huckabee or John McCain. I wouldn't even be surprised if he surpasses the amount of money raised by Fred Thompson.

Paul has also done quite well in straw polls across the country. You can check his record on his campaign Web site. Rothenberg criticizes Paul for doing poorly in the polls in both Iowa and Texas, but this is cherry-picking. Paul had only visited Iowa three times before the poll there in August -- the least of any candidate -- yet he still finished fifth, with many voters switching to vote for him. Paul has won many other straw polls.