鈥�Ron Paul has a proven ability to raise money, he is well known within the Republican Party, and he has a core of enthusiastic supporters,鈥� says Peter Hanson, a political scientist at the University of Denver.
Indeed, during the fourth quarter of 2007, Paul outraised all of his GOP contenders in the 2008 race, bringing in about $20 million. He has also set the GOP record for the greatest 24-hour fundraising drive, raising $4.2 million in a November 2007 鈥渕oney bomb.鈥�
鈥淗is fundraising mojo is strong and proven,鈥� says Doherty.
That鈥檚 thanks in part to a legion of loyal and zealous followers, says Wes Benedict. 鈥淗is motivated activist base is a big strength for him,鈥� says Mr. Benedict, executive director of the Libertarian National Committee in Washington. 鈥淧eople who like Ron Paul like him a whole lot.鈥�
Paul also comes across as authentic and unwavering in his beliefs, says Benedict. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been consistent for 40 years, even his detractors say that he tells the truth the way he sees it and he sticks to his principles.鈥�
