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Bradley in DC
01-08-2008, 08:54 AM
http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=a00d9bc0998be15d

Ron Paul supporters optimistic in N.H.

By John Tompkins
Special to The Daily News
Published January 8, 2008

GOFFSTOWN, N.H. — Zipping down country roads in rural New England, Shelly Roche tries to find homes of Ron Paul supporters through the feet of snow that cover the ground.

It’s not easy. Many of the roads don’t have street signs and Roche struggles to make her four-wheel drive Dodge Durango stop on the slick roads.

Roche is an artist, Web developer and a water taxi driver from Cambridge, Md., who took time off from her job to campaign Monday for the Republican congressman from Lake Jackson.

“There’s a lot of support,” she said as she turned a sharp curve in the road. “We want to make sure it gets counted.”

On the last day of campaigning before today’s New Hampshire primary, Roche joined a group of women who call themselves Females For Freedom to canvass the southern part of the Granite State and make sure Paul’s supporters get out and vote today.

The women waved flags and heckled supporters of Democratic candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, who camped out at a street corner in downtown Manchester, N.H.

“Hillary!,” the senator’s supporters chanted.

“Hitlary!,” Paul’s supporters cried back.

“That’s why we ride and we scream for Ron Paul,” said Nicole Quinn, another Female for Freedom from Lancaster, Pa. “I want my freedom.”

Paul, a Lake Jackson obstetrician and gynecologist before being elected to Congress, is seeking the Republican nomination for president and, although his supporters were out in force all day Monday in New Hampshire, he was not. Paul was in Los Angeles getting ready to tape a segment for NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

“Leno wanted to talk to Ron about being snubbed from the Fox debate” Sunday night, said Kent Snyder, Paul’s campaign manager.

Fox did not invite Paul for the forum Sunday night, stating in media reports there was not enough space.

“That’s about as silly as you can get,” Snyder said.

Paul has campaigned on a platform of limited government spending and taxation and has called for the abolishment of the federal income tax and several federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the CIA and the Internal Revenue Service. Paul also is the only Republican candidate who advocates pulling U.S. troops from the Iraq War.

Paul’s small Concord, N.H., campaign headquarters bustled with volunteers and paid staff who phoned voters and dispatched volunteers to track down supporters, put up campaign signs and to give out CDs with an introductory video by Paul as well as pocket-sized versions of the U.S. Constitution.

Chris Hebert, the New Hampshire campaign office manager, huddled a large group of supporters wrapped in heavy jackets, scarves and knitted hats, all clutching campaign signs. He told them to talk to undecided voters about voting for Paul as well as those with Paul campaign signs already posted in their yards.

Taped on a door near the entrance was a charcoal sketch of Paul in doctor’s garb, clutching a newborn in an American flag. His son, Rand Paul, sat near the back and watched as the volunteers placed one phone call after another.

“It’s been exciting,” Rand Paul said of the New Hampshire campaign. “I’ve done it since I was a kid.”

Rand Paul came up from Bowling Green, Ky., to help do interviews all day Monday because his father was out of town. Also doing radio interviews at headquarters was Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former Arizona senator and 1964 Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater Sr., an icon of the conservative movement.

Goldwater Jr., a former Congressman, stayed locked in a room at Paul’s campaign headquarters doing interviews in support of Paul’s candidacy. He has been a friend to the Paul family for years and is endorsing Paul for president, Rand Paul said.

“A lot of the people are fascinated by the historical connection with his father,” he said. “He has an independent streak. If you’re a conventional party hack, you’re not going to support Ron Paul.”

Much of New Hampshire was embroiled in political campaigning Monday as several presidential candidates campaigned hard throughout the state before the start of the primaries.

Paul’s supporters in New Hampshire were so fervent they joined volunteers of other campaigns and climbed piles of snow to jeer at a rally by Republican candidate John McCain in front of the state capitol in Concord.

Some political analysts have said Paul could place as high as third in the state’s Republican primary today and with Monday’s show of volunteer support for his campaign, his staff feels good about his chances.

“We’re very optimistic about it,” Snyder said. “I don’t think we could have a more enthusiastic support group. It’s really overwhelming when you think about it.”

The libertarian-leaning Paul has a lot of support in the independent-minded state and could do very well, said Ivan Beliveau, a Paul supporter living in Goffstown, N.H.

Beliveau talked with Roche and fellow volunteer Katy Hamilton, of Fort Worth.

“This is the ‘Live Free or Die’ state,” said Beliveau, a cable access television host and sled dog breeder. “He should do well here if anywhere.”

The (Brazosport) Facts is a sister newspaper to The Daily News.