Clips from the October 9th CNBC-MSNBC debate

How Ron Paul Can Win it All
Murray Sabrin

Last week, the Ron Paul for President Campaign (RPPC) announced it raised more than $5 million in the third quarter ending September 30, more than double what it raised in the second quarter. The Paul campaign also announced it has $5 million cash on hand.

The RPPC set the fundraising bar to $12 million for the fourth quarter, and has a counter on its website to monitor the pace of the fundraising campaign. By setting a goal more than double the torrid third quarter pace, is the RPPC campaign setting itself up for a great disappointment? Or, is the $12 million goal a low-ball figure that will be easily exceeded?

If the average Paul for President contribution is $40, then more than 100,000 individuals contributed during the third quarter. In other words, "small" contributors are the backbone of the RPPC, and they usually make several contributions during the course of a campaign. Thus, if virtually all current contributors make additional contributions during each month until the end of the year, then the campaign will raise at least $15 million.

Moreover, this extrapolation does not include new contributors to the campaign. If another 100,000 contributors make their first contribution averaging $40 to the RPPC during the fourth quarter, then another $4 million will be raised, potentially bringing the fourth quarter total to $19-$20 million.

But wait, there is more. There must be at least 100,000 American who have not yet contributed to the RPPC campaign across the political spectrum who want to end the Iraq War ASAP, pay fewer taxes to fund the welfare-warfare state and can contribute at least $100 to the campaign. That means there could be another $10 million waiting to be tapped by the RPPC.

There is even more. What if there are at least 10,000 Americans who could contribute $1,000 to the campaign for the first time. Another $10,000,000 would be raised. And if another 1,000 individuals contribute the maximum allowed by law, $2.3 million would be raised.

In short, there is potentially $42.3 million that could be contributed to the RPPC by December 31.

Given the grassroots success so far of the Paul for President Campaign, if 500,000 Americans make an average contribution of $40-$80 between October 1 and December 31, they would contribute between $20 million to $40 million to the RPPC.

If the RPCC raises anywhere these amounts in the fourth quarter and then wins or comes in second or third in the early caucuses and primaries, then Rep. Paul will have the momentum going into Super Tuesday. In a crowded field of pro-war Republicans who sound like Ron Paul on some domestic issues, the ten term congressman from Texas is shining like a beacon of hope for a free America.

By winning the GOP nomination, Rep. Paul would be the anti-war, pro-liberty candidate in the race against Hilary Clinton, unless she stumbles so badly that one of her opponents gets traction to mount a huge upset.

In the general election, the American people would learn from Dr. Paul what the Founders fought for in 1776 and how we must return to our philosophical and constitutional roots if we are to survive as a free country. The freedom philosophy would be intoxicating, and Hillary would be sound like an old time leftist extolling the virtues of big government and "shared prosperity."

In the meantime, Ron Paul's message of limited government and a noninterventionist foreign policy is resonating in big cities, suburbs and rural towns across America. The next few months will reveal if the Second American Revolution is alive and well or if Ron Paul's "impossible dream" presidential campaign ends in disappointment.