Boston Daily Loves Ron Paul. There, We Said It

In every political campaign we fall in love with an outsider who doesn’t have much of a shot at winning. Because he or she isn’t micromanaged by a fussy staff, and thus can make jokes off the cuff and run advertisements that amuse us. While critics of this blog probably think we’re going to endorse Dennis Kucinich for the position, they’re wrong.

That’s why we’re for Ron Paul as Fringe Candidate for President.*

After an online push timed to coincide with Guy Fawkes Day, Paul beat the one-day fundraising record for Republicans by raising $4 million yesterday to beat Mitt Romney’s old record of $3.1 million. Paul still trails the $6.2 million Hillary Clinton raised in one day, but his numbers show he has significant grassroots support. Which we already knew.

We also like that Paul actually says something instead of trying to have it both ways. For example, he wants to be a conservative in fiscal sense as well as morally:

Working Americans like lower taxes. So do I. Lower taxes benefit all of us, creating jobs and allowing us to make more decisions for ourselves about our lives. . . . Real conservatives have always supported low taxes and low spending.

It’s like he read our minds. We can’t stand the conservatives who claim they want small government but then tax the bejesus out of us. Paul also tells us about things we didn’t even know we should be upset about, like limits to our “Health Freedom.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in order to comply with standards dictated by supra-national organizations such as the UN‘s World Food Code (CODEX), NAFTA, and CAFTA, has been assuming greater control over nutrients, vitamins and natural health care providers to restrict your right to choose the manner in which you manage your health and nutritional needs.

Hmm. We didn’t hear Barack Obama say anything about the FDA tinkering with our One-A-Days. It’s nice to know someone in Washington cares about our supplements.

Paul’s gruff demeanor has endeared him to us further. In this era of politicians who never leave the house without a flag on their lapel, and who perform in Vaseline-smeared television spots, it’s nice to have a grizzled old man talking tough. His YouTube channel is full of low-budget radio and television spots that make us giggle. This spot that aired in New Hampshire is particularly great. It features all the stereotypes of New Hampshire residents, from two bearded guys sitting on a porch to a group of stoner college students, talking about Paul’s deep understanding of the issues.

We hope that the Paul campaign’s increased war chest doesn’t change the things we like about him most. Keep talking about less sexy issues like home schooling and health freedom in your cheesy advertisements. It’s what we and the rest of your supporters love about you, Ron.

*This pronouncement does not reflect the opinions of the editorial staff of Boston magazine. In fact, we’re pretty sure we’re going to get a talking-to about this.