I arrived at the Ron Paul watch party at around 9:30 to find a group of about 20 supporters having a few beers and watching the election results. Just across the wall, a table of college girls were celebrating a 21st birthday. It was an interesting contrast.
The group seems to be really familiar with each other. People’s belongings are left unattended around the room, and people move around pretty frequently to change conversation partners.
I was a little surprised to find them in pretty high spirits. I talked to two men who are part of the campaign from different walks of life. One is a father of three who works in the Columbia Public School District, and the other is a realtor in his 20s. They share strong convictions about Ron Paul, and ending the Iraq war immediately and they both hope to elect a president who they say will maintan conservative values and spending habits.
Their reason for holding out hope is one I would not have thought of: Ron Paul is still financially solvent. They quoted to me that he still has $11.5 million in the bank, unlike many of his competitors (they also cited how Huckabee has “run out of money,” and how his campaign workers are working for free). They say this will be a big deal come the national convention.
I have to admit, it’s a view I had not considered. And they do have a point that when it comes to electing a president, we’ve got a heck of a long way to go. It’s going to be an exciting year.
Filed under: Elections, National Politics, Politics | Tagged: 2008, election, Heidelberg, president, Republican, Ron Paul
