Paul sets one-day fund-raising mark

Ron Paul ended up smashing the record for money raised in one day by a Republican presidential hopeful.

Through an ambitious online push on Monday, his campaign brought in more than $4 million, surpassing the $3.1 million that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney raised on Jan. 8.

As of 10 a.m. today, Paul's website reported that he had collected nearly $7.3 million of the $12 million goal he has set for the last three months of this year to help him compete in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, and South Carolina, the first four nominating contests.

Paul, the only Republican candidate to oppose the Iraq war and a libertarian on economic and social issues, has been an Internet sensation and is now trying to translate that popularity into support in the polls and votes on the ground.

"If someone is willing to send you money and invest all this time and energy, you would think they would invest the energy necessary to register and come and vote," Paul told MSNBC.

Paul noted that many of his supporters are independents and that some states make it easier than others for independents to vote in Republican primaries.

"I think it does depend on the state, it depends on how we spend the money now that we have it in the bank, and how we advertise, and how we motivate the people to come out," he said.