Which presidential candidate receives the most contributions from the military?

[SpeedRacer 1]

http://thespinfactor.com/thetruth/2007/07/16/military-support-for-the-republican-candidates

hmmm, why would so many people in the military be supporting Ron Paul? any thoughts?

edited to add: the article only looks at republican candidates. Here's how it breaks down for all candidates:

Military contributions for Q2

Ron Paul 26.23%
Barack Obama 24.02%
John McCain 18.31%
Hillary Clinton 11.08%
Bill Richardson 5.59%
Mitt Romney 4.05%
John Edwards 2.63%
Rudy Giuliani 2.44%
Mike Huckabee 1.84%
Tom Tancredo 1.63%
Duncan Hunter 1.05%
Joe Biden 0.84%
Mike Gravel 0.16%
Sam Brownback 0.07%
Dennis Kucinich 0.05%
Tommy Thompson 0%
Chris Dodd 0%
Jim Gilmore 0%
John Cox 0%

source http://thespinfactor.com/thetruth/2007/07/17/ron-paul-leads-all-08-candidates-with-one-third-of-military-contributions-for-q2/

Speed Racer
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[quade 4]

It's a prety deceptive stat to begin with and I really dont' think any real conclusions could be wrung out of that data.

As an example take a look at the contributions given when broken down by employer for Ron Paul.

http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q2/C00432914/A_EMPLOYER_C00432914.html

Under Air Force you'll see a total of $100, which could be a single airman or general. Even if you look at U.S. Air Force you'll see piddling numbers; $1000.

So, it could be 100 airmen each donating $10 or 1 general donating $1000 but in either case it's not overwhelming numbers.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Gawain 0]

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It's a prety deceptive stat to begin with and I really dont' think any real conclusions could be wrung out of that data.

As an example take a look at the contributions given when broken down by employer for Ron Paul.

http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q2/C00432914/A_EMPLOYER_C00432914.html

Under Air Force you'll see a total of $100, which could be a single airman or general. Even if you look at U.S. Air Force you'll see piddling numbers; $1000.

So, it could be 100 airmen each donating $10 or 1 general donating $1000 but in either case it's not overwhelming numbers.

Look further down his listing at "U.S. Army, Navy" etc. That's where the numbers add up.

As to the fund raising part, I suspect this could be localized to specific fund raising areas.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[quade 4]

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Look further down his listing at "U.S. Army, Navy" etc. That's where the numbers add up.

As to the fund raising part, I suspect this could be localized to specific fund raising areas.

Oh I did, but I still don't think this represents any huge and significant number.

Add it all up and what's the total? I again think that could be covered by just a few generals covering their backsides on the freekish off chance he wins.

Early money IS like yeast, but I still think the amounts we're talking about are insignificant as far as any trend goes, other than the rather obvious "military generally backs Republicans."

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Gawain 0]

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Look further down his listing at "U.S. Army, Navy" etc. That's where the numbers add up.

As to the fund raising part, I suspect this could be localized to specific fund raising areas.

Oh I did, but I still don't think this represents any huge and significant number.

Add it all up and what's the total? I again think that could be covered by just a few generals covering their backsides on the freekish off chance he wins.

Early money IS like yeast, but I still think the amounts we're talking about are insignificant as far as any trend goes, other than the rather obvious "military generally backs Republicans."

I wasn't saying it was significant either. Just the total listed on that site, that's all (roughly $24K).

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Lefty 0]

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hmmm, why would so many people in the military be supporting Ron Paul? any thoughts?

'Cause Ron Paul rules.

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful.
-Calvin

[nanook 1]

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hmmm, why would so many people in the military be supporting Ron Paul?

I wouldn't say "so many". Those numbers are derived from total contributions from the military which is still very low to meet enough a population slice to be considered relevant. If every military person who donated gave 10 dollars, it still would be less than one percent of the military. for all we know, there probably was only 50 total contributors.

The guy is at the bottom of the polls. At least he's not popular here in my bubble in the Navy. His ideas and politics are just too radical and foolish for a lot of people.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[ryoder 1,590]

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[His ideas and politics are just too radical and foolish for a lot of people.

If you think Ron Paul's ideas are too radical, then what would you say about someone who would to run the country by ignoring the Constitution, and bankrupting the country by starting war after war on the opposite side of the globe, some under false pretenses? How can anything Ron Paul has said compare to that for being foolish and radical?

It is a sad state of affairs when someone whose platform is based on observing the Constitution is considered "too radical and foolish".

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[nanook 1]

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If you think Ron Paul's ideas are too radical, then what would you say about someone who would to run the country by ignoring the Constitution, and bankrupting the country by starting war after war on the opposite side of the globe, some under false pretenses?

The norm. Just like every other president that has started a war in American history and has had the exact same thing said about them.

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How can anything Ron Paul has said compare to that for being foolish and radical?

He has to dangle stuff like "fair-tax" and display belief in the "gold standard" and isolationism in world affairs to garner support. That's all he has on his plate, folks. He's kin to those anti-social types who runs for student body president in college and didn't have a real way to relate to the majority so he sprouted out idealistic non-practical dredge he would instill and promised to be "fresh alternative to those two suit-and-ties type". He would get only 5 percent of the total vote.

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It is a sad state of affairs when someone whose platform is based on observing the Constitution is considered "too radical and foolish".

It is a sad state of affairs if one believes He would because he said so. Nobody believes anything these policians say, why this guy? Belief in this fresh start, new regime, ect, ect. . . to the point one is hanging on his ideas like a life raft in a realm of possibility, requires a lot larger belief coming out of a politician's mouth than the norm of the other politicians. This guy has nothing but a small group of followers who are searching for pure ideals, not practical real-world realities.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[Lefty 0]

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It is a sad state of affairs if one believes He would because he said so. Nobody believes anything these policians say, why this guy? Belief in this fresh start, new regime, ect, ect. . . to the point one is hanging on his ideas like a life raft in a realm of possibility, requires a lot larger belief coming out of a politician's mouth than the norm of the other politicians. This guy has nothing but a small group of followers who are searching for pure ideals, not practical real-world realities.

Heh, I see you don't know much about Mr. Paul. In his decades in Congress, he's actually stuck to his principles and has done what he says he will do...which is probably why he keeps getting reelected by his "small group of followers". For example, he has never once voted to raise taxes. That alone makes almost any politician worth voting for in my book.

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful.
-Calvin

[nanook 1]

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For example, he has never once voted to raise taxes. That alone makes almost any politician worth voting for in my book.

True. Not raising taxes is also a good reason for me to vote for a politician also. But promises of not raising taxes may be a red herring as a platform if principles persued generally doesn't require the need for tax increases in the first place. Especially if he's a Senator. Governors tend to have the need of raising taxes as a job requirement vs. a Senator anyways. A politician can safely run his term without raising taxes if he picks the right fights to participate in. He can also achieve this by shifting fundings. In the Presidency though, this may not be possible when you are dealing with the rest of he world vs. inner runnings of a state.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[Lefty 0]

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For example, he has never once voted to raise taxes. That alone makes almost any politician worth voting for in my book.

True. Not raising taxes is also a good reason for me to vote for a politician also. But promises of not raising taxes may be a red herring as a platform if principles persued generally doesn't require the need for tax increases in the first place. Especially if he's a Senator. Governors tend to have the need of raising taxes as a job requirement vs. a Senator anyways. A politician can safely run his term without raising taxes if he picks the right fights to participate in. He can also achieve this by shifting fundings. In the Presidency though, this may not be possible when you are dealing with the rest of he world vs. inner runnings of a state.

Perhaps. But as things stand right now, based on stated principles plus track record, I think Ron Paul is definitely the least likely candidate to abuse the taxing power of the government and the most likely to exercise fiscal responsibility. I don't think any of the other candidates can even pretend to stand for similar values.

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful.
-Calvin

[ExAFO 0]

I like kittens. They say meow and attack feet. They also have tails.

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[Lefty 0]

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I like kittens. They say meow and attack feet. They also have tails.

Ummm...well said?

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful.
-Calvin