Political Briefs: Ron Paul Ad Blitz in New Hampshire, Fred Thompson "Lazy" and More...The New York Times reported on Friday that 2008 US Presidential candidate Ron Paul (odds to win at 6/1) has managed to raise an amazing $5.4 million over the third quarter of 2007. He's preparing to spend just under $2 million of that in the state of New Hampshire over the next six weeks leading up to the primary.
In contrast, the New York Times points out, Rudolph W. Giuliani has yet to commit to any spending for television advertisements.
Recent polls show Ron Paul running 4th in New Hampshire with almost 8% of the vote. Paul comes in just behind Senator John McCain of Arizona (15 percent), Mr. Giuliani (22 percent) and Mitt Romney (32 percent), the former governor of Massachusetts.
“It’s striking to me that he’s at 7 percent without running a single TV ad in New Hampshire,” commented Dante J. Scala, an associate professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire. “If he starts to attract significant support among independents, then he could start to hurt Giuliani or McCain.”
For oddsmakers, the ad blitz and its expected media attention is bound to cause further fluctuations in his numbers. At 6/1 odds there remains tremendous value. A $100 bet pays out $600. Gambling911.com Political Analyst (and might we add October's FHM Magazine "Babe of the Month"), Carrie Stroup, has already forecast Sportsbook.com to slash Ron Paul odds down to 4/1.
Up until recently, Paul has managed his money wisely. Much of the buzz surrounding his campaign has come from a massive Internet grassroots support base. He is also becoming the candidate of choice among poker players and other gamblers. Estimates suggest that one out of every four individuals living in the US could fall into this group.
Ron Paul was the only US Presidential candidate to meet with members of the 800,000 members strong Poker Players Alliance this week in Washington DC.
Some members of the online gambling community have come up with the idea to wear Ron Paul gear (shirts, hats) and wave signs at pro-poker/pool events.
"What a great show of support from the online poker and gambling community to see pros wearing Ron Paul shirts at the final table on ESPN," commented Gambling911.com reader Mark Stromberg. Granted, they'll have to forego one article of clothing featuring their poker sponsor name.
Alas, the first Ron Paul for President sign has popped up in Miami Beach on Friday heading South on Harding.
....Speaking of Miami Beach, congratulations to our friend and Mayoral candidate Matti Bower, who was officially endorsed by one of the nation's top 10 newspapers, The Miami Herald.
This website's parent company, Costigan Media, operates out of Miami Beach and has been visibly supportive of Matti Bower's bid to become the next city Mayor.
Publisher, Christopher Costigan, has been quite active in helping to revitalize the North Beach section of Miami Beach.
"Matti Bower has been extremely supportive of our efforts here (in North Beach)," Costigan said. "She's met with community groups in this area on a regular basis."
Bower's initiatives include lowering property taxes, historic preservation, increasing green space, decreasing traffic congestion, improved education and continued development of the arts and cultural scene in Miami Beach.
There is somewhat of a comical element present in the Miami Beach race.
While Bower is running against a formidable and respected candidate in fellow Commissioner and international banker Simon Cruz, she's also up against 76-year Bill Smatt, who claims he's a messenger from God. Smatt has received five code violations for hanging a huge banner denouncing same-sex marriage outside his Miami Beach home. Even stranger is that we recently observed an obvious transvestite and two others carrying an election sign that read "Vote Smart, Vote Smatt" down Collins Avenue during the late night hours. Apparently they got tired and dropped the sign on the sidewalk.
Her other opponent is a former Israeli commando who has vowed to replace Miami Beach's City Manager.
''Look at that guy,'' candidate Raphael Herman said to City Manager Jorge Gonzalez, as he held up a life-sized photo of himself. ''You're going to follow my instructions or you will be fired. In 2 ½ weeks, I will be mayor!'' he said.
Political insiders consider Herman, 60, a fringe candidate. The Nov. 6 election is the fifth mayoral run for the ex-Israeli commando, who promises to fight terrorism and indict corrupt city officials.
....And while some might consider Fred Thompson a "fringe candidate", he's also the favorite among Republicans of becoming the next US President with 4 to 1 odds. Compare that with Hillary Clinton at 1 to 3 odds.
One time Thompson supporter, Joe Carter of the evangelical outpost has withdrawn his support for the Republican candidate:
It's almost like Thompson isn't campaigning at all. Defending his campaign work schedule on Monday he said, "I'm going to do it the way I want to do it." That's precisely the problem, doing it "Fred's Way" means not doing much at all.
Still, I hung on until this past weekend. After seeing his sloppy, lackluster, uninspiring speech at the Washington Briefing I realized I couldn't do it anymore.
In other words, Carter no longer supports Fred because he thinks he's lazy, according to Joshua Claybourn of In the Agora.
"No issues or positions appear to have impacted Carter's decision. He simply decided Fred wasn't working hard enough."
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Payton O'Brien, Gambling911.com Senior Editor
Originally published October 26, 2007 3:05 pm ET
