Google Ron Paul : Connecting with Searchers

January 6th, 2008 by Loren Baker, Editor | 23 Comments

I admit, I have not been following the Ron Paul campaign much besides the mobilization of Digg users and some of the ads I’ve seen on sites which normally do not host political advertising, like v7n Forums.

But today I was exposed to the “Google Ron Paul” campaign for the first time, when an early model Ford Explorer, probably driven by University of South Florida students, aggressively passed me on the highway.

Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me, but did come home, ‘Googled’ Ron Paul, then Flickr’d ‘Google Ron Paul‘, and found some examples of the campaign via rooftops, signs and sidewalk chalkings.

I’m not sure if this grassroots campaign will help Ron Paul win the race for the Presidency, but it is an excellent thought provoking and educational initiative, especially in its usage of Google as a verb.

By the way, Google is the top contributor to the Ron Paul campaign, with $22,250 donated by the search company, but given Google’s own campaign to not use ‘Google’ as a verb for ’search’, it is entirely doubtful that this ‘Google Ron Paul’ movement was an official Google brainchild.

If the car passing me on the road said ‘Search for Ron Paul’ or ‘Yahoo Ron Paul’, I would never probably open up my laptop when coming home to perform the action. But asking me to ‘Google Ron Paul’ hit a nerve, what are the Google results for Ron Paul and are any of the candidates taking advantage of this campaign?

After a search on Google for Ron Paul, I found it a nice example of Google Universal search in action, with results from Google News, YouTube and Google Maps added to the mix.

In addition, no candidates or anti-Ron Paul sites are ranking in the top ten or really taking advantage of Google AdWords.

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Comments

23 responses so far ↓

Ron Paul Supporter! on Jan 6, 2008 at 6:25 pm

RON PAUL 2008 or SUFFER THE FATE!!!

PLEASE GOOGLE RON PAUL!
Ron Paul Supporter! on Jan 6, 2008 at 6:25 pm

RON PAUL 08
John on Jan 6, 2008 at 7:07 pm

Hi Loren,
Nice to read about your research of Ron Paul. He is the real deal - no flip flops. Strict Constitutional rule of law, which means your rights are yours.

Most of what you see is grassroots and not affliated with the campaign. In Florida, keep an eye to the sky for the blimp that a few supporters put together. Really nice use of GPS and Google Maps! http://ronpaulblimp.com/

Maybe you can do some research on Ron Paul’s ideas such as limited federal government and less taxes, and let us know what you think about his solutions to our monetary, military, and spending issues.

Thank you.
truther on Jan 6, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Ron Paul is bad for America!!!!!11one
DRH on Jan 6, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Hmm… how ’bout :

GOOGLE Ron Paul white power
Leala on Jan 6, 2008 at 9:36 pm

Is this the car??

http://shesko.com/temp
Steve on Jan 6, 2008 at 11:36 pm

Ron Paul puts the U.S.A FIRST
I’ve read most of Dr.Paul’s writings
for the last 10 years–if you would you
could better understand what he believes in!
Do you really care about your freedoms?
Sound money? Do you think the safety
of our country is guaranteed by bombing
other countries and then paying to rebuild
them?
ronpaul2008.com
PLEASE do you homework on this!
You will never regret it!
THANKS Loren for a well written article!
Thomas A. O'Brien on Jan 6, 2008 at 11:53 pm

Thanks Loren for the cool photo and nice article! Ron Paul supporters overall are probably the most heterogeneous motivated support group in American politics. We come from all races, origins, ethnicities, religions, party affiliations and economic levels and region…. Everyone is welcome, for the most part the unifying thread is that we all value individual liberty and demand our government adhere to the U.S. Constitution.
daniel on Jan 7, 2008 at 3:31 am

Very good videos from the townhall meeting in New Hampshire resulting in today’s exclusion of Ron Paul from the FOX roundtable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxldrCsVByA # ron paul town hall pt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VQcpmfT0f4 # ron paul town hall pt 2
domthegood on Jan 7, 2008 at 7:16 am

free America from the Israeli lobby,help ron paul.
Jaan Kanellis on Jan 7, 2008 at 12:21 pm

I love how Fox news didn’t even have Ron Paul on for the New Hampshire Forum they had.
Jive Dadson on Jan 7, 2008 at 2:02 pm

Hey, “Google Ron Paul” was my brain storm. My one and only claim to fame.

Anyone who would like to work for the cause should visit ronpaul2008.com/join and ronpaul.meetup.com.

Don’t miss Ron Paul on the Leno show Monday, Jan. 7. He’s first up. The Revolution is occasionally televised. Just not on Fox.
Jive Dadson on Jan 7, 2008 at 2:12 pm

P.s. I am not associated with the campaign - just one volunteer among 80,000.
Michael on Jan 7, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Do you support our troops in Iraq? Does a Ron Paul presidency freak you out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI0keH8sKHs

Now you’ll know “the rest of the story”.
Izabal on Jan 7, 2008 at 5:37 pm

If I had to vote Republican I would say he is probably the best choice. Because he has such a tiny campaign budget and is running innovative campaigns such as this one, I do hope he does well on the Republican side. I love underdogs, what can I say.
daniel on Jan 7, 2008 at 5:41 pm

Tiny campaign budget? He’s raised more than any of the other Republicans this quarter. Why don’t you want to vote for him in the primaries?
Jive Dadson on Jan 7, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Izabal, Ron Paul raised almost $20 million this quarter. That’s likely to be more than any other republican raised (unless Romney was writing himself more checks), and not much less than Hillary’s haul. Please study up on Ron Paul and consider switching to Republican for the primary at least. You can switch back later.
greg on Jan 7, 2008 at 10:48 pm

Thanks Loren! Great Job!
This is one way to show people how connected It is an outrage that waiters, waitresses, and other service-sector employees have to pay taxes on the tips they earn. The IRS makes an estimate of how much service-sector workers will make in tips, and taxes them on it even if the taxpayer did not actually earn as much as the IRS’ estimate!

Tips provide a substantial portion of the income of many service-sector employees, many of whom are young people just trying to make a few extra dollars to get through school, or single parents often balancing two jobs while trying to make enough to raise a family. This tax amounts to nothing more than the federal government punishing these employees for working hard and doing their jobs well.

I have introduced H.R. 3664 in Congress to end this problem. The Tax Free Tips Act of 2007 will exempt tips from federal income and payroll taxes. Ending taxes on tips will give workers an immediate pay raise, letting them keep more money to put toward things like a house or car payment, their retirement, or their own and/or their children’s education.

When you give someone a tip, you should not have to simultaneously tip the federal government.
Ron is to the problems we face:
Michael on Jan 7, 2008 at 11:24 pm

Congressman Ron Paul intoduced the bill on Tax Free Tips! He is a man of truth and a man of his word. He can back it up with a 20+ year impeccable congressional voting record. He is also the ONLY candidate to argue and vote against BOTH wars in Iraq! I could go on and on about this good mans message. I am a Democrat that has not voted in years because of my voter apathy until I hear this mans true message. Just take the time to give the guy a listen. See why the corporate media keeps him buried in the news, see why his supporters are growing and so crazy about this man. Think for your selves! Do not let the media pick your president for you. www.RonPaul2008.com and for some excellent links to learn even more, www.WWRPD.org Join our rEVOLution and take back America to the People, where the Founding Fathers meant it to be. Thanks, RP08!
domthegood on Jan 8, 2008 at 2:56 am

Ron Paul is the only hope for America
ArmaniAce on Jan 8, 2008 at 9:51 am

I sincerely wish more people could hear his message. His allies on the major news outlets are now probably being told to hush about their support for him. I watched Buchanan bring him up during a panel talk about the primaries and Joe scarbourough himself instantly said, “let’s get back to new Hampshire.” and then everyone else started talking about McCain. Last I checked, Ron Paul was New Hampshire. And here I thought MSNBC would be the last decent national news station.
Jason on Jan 8, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Jay Leno had Ron Paul on his show last night, it was a good showing for Ron Paul. Jay told Ron Paul he should be “kicking Faux News’ ass” for not letting him in on the New Hampshire debate. Think for yourselves folks. The corporate mainstream mdedia is spoonfeeding us all bullcrap. I am just learning about this guy and he has a great message and a record to back it up! www.RonPaul2008.com & www.WWRPD.org No wonder I see these Ron Paul signs all over the place. Being ignorant of ones ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.
Minermike on Jan 8, 2008 at 5:04 pm

I would like to point out that the donations are from Google employees not Google the company.
Just like the Army and Navy Donations are from soldiers who see him as a defender of the Constitution and the only candidate who has actullay upheld his Congressional oath to defend the Constitution.