What difference does it make if you are invited to the debates, but not permitted anything close to equal time and equal questions?
People like you put the cart before the horse. Apparently he is supposed to become popular when he is ignored in the debates.
Why is it that he is so popular on the internet? The place where MORE free thinkers tend to gravitate...
Ron, talks about specifics and he talks about problems that are not easy to fix, the monetary system is one that NOBODY talks about.
He does not talk to the American public like they are Children. Is that your idea of "selling?"
When is the last time anyone on TV has talked about the inflation tax, or challenge the existence of the Federal Reserve?
No wonder we have the government we do when people like you discourage intelligent discussion from intelligent and honest candidates, because they are "not popular"
Uh . . . no. I'm not talking about discouraging discussion. I'm just stating the facts. A person running for public office has to sell both their ideas and themselves. Ron Paul has some good ideas but is a poor salesmen. You can argue with that all you want, but I'll just refer you to the voting results.
Why do you think we're even talking about Obama? He gave a great convention speech, which catapulted him into the race. That's it. Not much substance, but he sure sounds good. Ron Paul doesn't have that kind of charisma. He doesn't have a good speaking voice, doesn't have good stage presence, and sounds like he is either whining or grumpy most of the time. Hard to sell that kind of package on a national stage.
Same goes for Huckabee. Very engaging. Presents himself much better than Ron Paul. Paul is probably more conservative than Huckabee, but it's all in the delivery. I think that's mainly why Huckabee left Paul in the dust: presentation.
And no I'm not putting the cart before the horse regarding the debates. He was lucky to get invited period, so the fact he was asked any questions at all is a bonus for him. The fact he was on the stage in front of millions of people was a huge service to him.
The internet success doesn't mean a whole when it comes to the election. It is impossible to say how many of his internet supporters are likely voters and having that 911 following couldn't help.