YouTube Gives Voice to Third Party
Update: D’oh! I confused Paul’s “limited government” take and maverick position for that of the Libertarian Party. As multiple commenters have pointed out, he’s actually a member of the Grand Old Party. This is what I get for missing the primary debates. Though this doesn’t change the fact that he’s more popular on YouTube than any other Republican candidate. Hopefully YouTube will choose to include third party candidates in the future.
Libertarian Republican Party presidential candidate and Texan Congressman Ron Paul has gotten more channel views than Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani combined. A quick search for “Ron Paul” also shows tons of non-campaign videos getting significant views (for instance, an interview with dorm room pundit James Kotecki).
Here’s the latest from Ron Paul campaign, “Freedom is Popular” where he rhetorically explains his online appeal. The “unbelievably fleet-footed” Barack Obama has twice again as many views as Paul, however (Obama is at least surprisingly fleet-footed).
Jokes aside, the fact that he’s listed alongside Democrats and Republicans on their “YouChoose ‘08” page certainly shows the site isn’t wedded to the two-party system the way networks are — though he’s the lone third-party candidate represented. One hopes they’ll eventually include everyone from the Greens to the Reds.
There’s no guarantee that online popularity will translate into campaign contributions, mainstream media exposure, a place at the podium in debates or, ultimately, votes. After all, YouTube’s demographic skews young, and in the 2004 election, while voter turnout for 18- to 24-year-olds surged 37 percent over 2000 [PDF], the turnout was still below the national average and accounted for fewer than 10 percent of ballots cast.
Thanks to Mark Day for the tip. Update: Sorry to readers and Day for my less than astute follow-up research.
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Ron Paul is running as a Republican, not as a Libertarian. If, like me and many many others, you want to see him in the general election, you should register as a Republican and nominate him in the primaries. Disclaimer: I believe he is like ice water against a hell of corrupt politicians.
Simon Katz on July 3rd, 2007 at 9:48 am - Permalink
You are mistaken. Ron Paul is running for the Republican Nomination. The Libertarian Party’s candidate will not be chosen until the 2008 Convention in Denver.
Many libertarians are supporting Dr. Paul, in part because Paul is a libertarian, and was the Libertarian Party candidate in 1988.
He is not a 3rd party candidate, and the only reason he’s getting any press is because he’s a qualified Republican candidate.
Brad F on July 3rd, 2007 at 9:56 am - Permalink
Thanks for mentioning me in this post.
Unlike his previous run for President (in ‘88, I believe), Ron Paul is currently running as a Republican, not a Libertarian. So far, I’ve not seen any third-party candidates on YouChoose ‘08.
James Kotecki on July 3rd, 2007 at 9:58 am - Permalink
Whether they label him as a Libertarian or a Republican, it doesn’t matter, what matters is that his third party ideas are being heard by a global audience.
How the internet plays out with politics will be interesting, but it’s ability to fragment and also attract mind share has created a way for a lot of “fringe” canidates to not only be heard, but also raise financing. Watching the changes that the web 2.0 technology has had on the campaign process is exciting, even if you don’t care about the politics.
Our two party system may require Dr. Paul to run as a Republican, but the issues that he supports and doesn’t support are more important than any political classifications. Some of the details in the post may not have been perfect, but I think you got the spirit of the movement right. Ideas that have always been surpressed by the deep pocket lobbies, are now seeing the light of day, because consumers can make their voices heard collectively.
Davis Freeberg on July 3rd, 2007 at 2:01 pm - Permalink
I have sent money to Ron Pau l in the past and plan to do so in he future. I agree with all he says unless he means that goods bought off the internet should not be subject to local sales tax. This puts local brick and mortar at a distinct severe diadvantage and is very hurtful to local merchants and deprives local government of th money needed to run the day to day business. I wish he would explain his position on this more fully.
Julius on July 4th, 2007 at 8:00 am - Permalink