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Paul's one-day haul a record

By Stephen Dinan
December 17, 2007

Associated Press On NBC's "Meet the Press," former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican presidential hopeful, yesterday submitted to brisk questioning from moderator Tim Russert about policy reversals on a number of major issues.

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Rep. Ron Paul of Texas yesterday broke the single-day Republican presidential-campaign fundraising record he set last month, raising about $6 million and giving him almost $18 million for the fourth quarter.

His new record came on a day in which former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney found himself on the defensive on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee took shots at the rest of the field on CBS' "Face the Nation" and Sen. John McCain of Arizona prepared to accept today the endorsement of Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Democrat-turned-independent.

Mr. Paul's campaign shattered its goal of raising $12 million this fundraising quarter — the amount his campaign had said it needed to run the necessary ads in Iowa and New Hampshire to raise his name recognition.

"Americans are rallying to Dr. Paul's message, and showing that they want a government that respects their rights and protects their freedoms," said Lew Moore, Mr. Paul's campaign manager.

As with last month's previous record haul of $4.2 million, yesterday's event was conceived by his supporters and timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which took place on Dec. 16, 1773.

Mr. Paul is putting together a unique campaign that heavily relies on new voters, the majority of whom weren't active in Republican politics until now.

Drew Ivers, chairman of Mr. Paul's Iowa campaign, said he finds that only between one-fourth and one-third of supporters who show up at events for Mr. Paul in that state are registered Republicans. Mr. Paul posts the state-by-state deadlines for switching parties before the primaries on his Web site.

Meanwhile, Mr. Romney had to explain his flip-flops on four issues dear to conservatives, including immigration and abortion.

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