Local Paul backers not giving up fight

ANDREW M. SEDER

aseder@timesleader.com

In a 7 �-minute video message released on his Web site Thursday night, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul acknowledged to supporters that his long-shot campaign for the presidency is virtually over. Local supporters, however, aren’t giving up the fight and say Paul’s platform is more important than the campaign itself.

Joshua Rosenblatt, of Mountain Top, one of the local organizers of a Ron Paul Meetup.com group, said the fight will go on for local supporters up to the April 22 Pennsylvania primary and beyond.

He said he’s watched Paul’s video, which can be found at: http://www.ronpaul2008.com/video-network, and he’s more encouraged than ever to continue the fight and to spread Paul’s message that the country needs a severe change.

A sign-waving event is still scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. this morning at the intersection of Mundy and Kidder streets in Wilkes-Barre Township.

A fundraiser for Paul will be held March 30 at the Jazz Caf� on River Street. Proceeds will be used for local Ron Paul 2008 advertising efforts.

In his video message to supporters Paul said, “Although victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race, many victories have been achieved due to your hard work and enthusiasm.”

To Rosenblatt, the biggest victory is the way thousands of supporters disenfranchised with the mainstream candidates came together to support a candidate and their shared ideals.

“His campaign has been a catalyst that has united like-minded people,” Rosenblatt said.

Kingston resident Edward Punt, a Paul supporter, watched the video on his laptop Friday afternoon.

He said that even though some might take Paul’s video to mean he’s dropping out and conceding the race to Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, he’s not among them.

“I don’t see it that way. I’ve watched the video. I think he’s being realistic, but he’s not stopping the fight. He’s going to bring it all the way to Minnesota (where the GOP convention will be held Sept. 1-4),” Rosenblatt said.

Paul, a Pittsburgh native who serves as a congressman representing Texas’ 14th district, will have delegates at the convention. That which will enable him to speak to those gathered and further spread his message, Rosenblatt said.

GOP DELEGATES

John McCain – 1,207

Mike Huckabee – 264

Mitt Romney – 255

Ron Paul – 21

* 1,191 required to win nomination

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.