Ron Paul’s Internet Director and Finance Director spoke to George Washington University students about online fundraising.  Ron Paul’s campaign has provided a excellent case studies in raising money and organizing people online.  But has yet to translate the digital success into the real world. 

Paul has broken online fund-raising records without media support in a field of more prominent candidates.  He wins almost every online poll and even had a rally in the multiplayer video game World of Warcraft.  For all his successes, Paul’s candidacy has failed to translate into votes.  While he did beat out once front-runner Rudy Giuliani, Paul’s fourth place finishes in early primary states kept him out of serious consideration.

Paul has raised $28 million to Mike Huckabee’s $9 million.  Both are still in the race, but Huckabee has won several states and Paul barely registers.  His online models should be studied, but viewed in the context of how successful his campaign actually was - and remember money doesn’t win elections.

The GWU speakers criticized Barack Obama’s online strategy for its top-down operation.  The candidate’s official website has links to grassroots efforts.  In theory this sounds like a good criticism, but the reality is Obama is winning votes and raising tons of money (online especially), so what exactly is he doing wrong?  He’s not adhering to the strict definition of grassroots?  Who cares? 

The truth is maybe Obama has taken Paul’s internet efforts the step farther by guiding the grassroots efforts so they help the campaign.  Obama continues to attract thousands of supporters to rallies and clobbers Hillary Clinton in caucuses because of his enhanced organization.  While Paul has proven he could win President of Digg, he can’t even get news networks to take him seriously.  Maybe the next lecture can talk about how to get beaten by a candidate with a third of the resources - Religion trumps Technology could be the title.