Texas congressman Paul doubles funding in presidential bid
Renegade Texas Congressman Ron Paul raised nearly $5.1 million during the summer and had $5.3 million in cash to spend at the end of last month, his campaign announced yesterday.
His haul is more than double the $2.4 million he brought in during the second quarter and bucks the typical slowdown during July, August, and September. His campaign also noted that Republican rivals, including Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and John McCain, appear to have raised less during the third quarter.
Paul's success is eye-opening, given he is barely registering in the national polls. His campaign, however, is benefiting from an unusual cadre of young people, who are supporting him online and increasingly in rallies. Paul espouses a libertarian strain of Republican views and is the only GOP presidential candidate who opposes the war in Iraq.
"Dr. Paul's message is freedom, peace, and prosperity," Paul campaign manager Kent Snyder said in a statement. "As these fund- raising numbers show, more Americans each day are embracing Dr. Paul's message."
FOON RHEE
Giuliani radio ad hits N.H.
Rudy Giuliani launched a new radio ad yesterday in New Hampshire, where polls show he is closing the gap on Mitt Romney in the Republican primary race.
The former New York City mayor hits on familiar themes in the 60-second spot: that he was tested in the fight against terrorism on Sept. 11, 2001, and the aftermath of the horrific attack on his city, and that he is the strongest GOP candidate for the November 2008 election.
"I've been tested in a way in which the American people can look to me. They're not going to find perfection, but they're going to find somebody who's dealt with crisis almost on a regular basis and has had results, results people thought were impossible," Giuliani says in the ad.
In a CNN/WMUR poll released last week, Giuliani's support among likely Republican primary voters rose to 22 percent, just behind the 23 percent for Romney, whose support dropped 10 percentage points since July despite a barrage of TV ads. Giuliani is leading in national polls.
STAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Teachers back Clinton
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Teachers backed Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign yesterday and said it would immediately begin to mobilize voters in support of her across the country.
The 1.4 million-member union represents school employees including teachers in prekindergarten through 12th grade and has more than 3,000 local affiliates and 43 state affiliates. It is affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO. The union's executive council chose the New York senator after meeting with seven Democratic candidates. No Republican candidates accepted the union's invitation to participate in the process.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thompson on ethanol
NEVADA, Iowa - Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson acknowledged yesterday that he's reversed his position on ethanol subsidies, saying his new stand is based on changes in energy prices and security issues.
Thompson spoke about the issue after touring an ethanol plant, one of dozens in Iowa, which leads the nation in ethanol production. "I have voted against subsidies in the Senate," he said. "But I think it's a matter now of national security, and we've got to avail ourselves of a lot of different resources, and I think renewable has to be a part of that picture."
Thompson also pointed out the difference in oil prices today compared to when he was a senator from 1994 to 2002. "When I was in the Senate, I think oil was at $23 a barrel," said Thompson. Oil now is about $80 a barrel.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Archbishop has new target
ST. LOUIS - Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Burke, who made headlines in the last presidential campaign by saying he'd refuse Holy Communion to John F. Kerry, has his eye on Rudy Giuliani this year.
Burke, the archbishop of St. Louis, was asked by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch if he would deny Communion to Giuliani if the former mayor approached him for the sacrament. "If the question is about a Catholic who is publicly espousing positions contrary to the moral law, and I know that person knows it, yes I would," he was quoted as saying.
Burke has said of Giuliani: "I can't imagine that as a Catholic he doesn't know that his stance on the protection of human life is wrong. If someone is publicly sinning, they should not approach to receive Holy Communion."
Asked about it yesterday, Giuliani said: "There's freedom of religion in this country. Archbishops have a right to their opinion."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
