Ron Paul blimp takes to the skies!

[archerships]

"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."

-- Thomas Paine

Comments

[mary919.livejournal.com]

I really don't understand, and I took calls about this today, so I'm honestly trying to understand. What does the blimp tell people about Ron Paul? Does the blimp represent some principle or message that Ron Paul stands for? Honestly, a blimp seems sort of frivilous to me-- it's how they advertise tires and insurance at football games. Are Ron Paul supporters trying to court those Americans will vote for someone just because they have a bitchin' cool blimp? Is that it?

[crasch.livejournal.com]

What better way to advertise for a politician than a giant gas bag? :>

There at least three newsworthy aspects to the blimp story. 1. To my knowledge, a blimp has never been used to advertise for a Presidential campaign before. 2. The blimp project was also organized spontaneously by Paul supporters with no input from the campaign. 3. Finally, the blimp was financed via a novel legal mechanism designed to circumvent FEC restrictions on political speech.

All of these factors give reporters a reason to talk about Ron Paul. The blimp itself is also photogenic, which gives TV and news programs a reason to film it.

This media attention, we hope, will cause viewers/readers to wonder "Why does Ron Paul generate such enthusiasm?" And perhaps they will...Google Ron Paul.

Had we paid for equivalent political advertisements, it would've cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and would've been delivered in a fashion that most people would ignore (TV, radio, and print commercials).

Moreover, the blimp could be used as a striking visual presence at events leading up to the primary. When the blimp project was planned, the expectation was that it would make it to Boston in time for the Boston Tea Party. We had planned to offer reporters a ride in the blimp, which would've given them yet another reason to talk about Ron Paul, as well as allow the reporters to get great visuals of the size of the crowd we expect to be at the Boston Tea Party Rally.

Due to bad weather, the blimp won't make it to the rally, unfortunately. However, we do expect it to make it up to New Hampshire in time to make the rounds at events and rallies there, as well in New York City and Washington, D.C. During that time, I expect they will take a lot of reporters up in the blimp.

Finally, the blimp is frivolous. Who says politics must be all dour seriousness? Even if they mock us, it brings new supporters. Wonkette has probably posted more about the blimp than the DailyPaul. Many of their readers will become Paul supporters.