Is Mario Lopez A Registered Republican?

The Ron Paul Effect

Republican congressman keeps the Internet buzzing in White Business firm bid.

May 7, 2007 — -- Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who barely registers in public opinion polls of the Republican presidential field, won last Th night's argue.

That was the unmistakable conclusion of the online poll posted by argue sponsor MSNBC, which registered Paul with higher positive ratings and lower negative numbers than any of the other 9 candidates on the phase.

ABC's mail service-debate Cyberspace survey showed an even clearer victory for Paul, with the congressman taking more than 9,400 of 11,000 votes every bit of 12:30 p.m. Mon. (Rudy Giuliani is the next ranked candidate, with barely 150 votes.)

And then are the polls missing a Paul boomlet? Is the famously contrarian ob-gyn -- a libertarian nicknamed "Dr. No" considering of his propensity to vote against anything he believes contradicts the Constitution's original intent -- poised to surge into contention in the GOP field?

Not probable. What's more likely, based on Spider web traffic over the past calendar week, is that Paul supporters have mastered the art of "viral marketing," using Cyberspace savvy and blog postings to create at least the perception of momentum for his long-shot presidential bid.

The Ron Paul Effect

Since online polls aren't scientific -- people cull to take them, and many people vote multiple times -- doing well in them doesn't necessarily mean a campaign is on the move.

But Internet buzz can take a carry-over effect, said Peter Greenberger, an online strategist at New Media Strategies and a former Autonomous political operative.

"It's evidence of something -- either passionate supporters, active supporters, or but one very savvy supporter who'due south able to vote several yard times," Greenberger said. "If it leads to one or ii stories in the mainstream media, that could lead to a bounce online, and could lead to some fundraising successes."

With stiff support amidst libertarians who are unhappy with the top-tier Republican contenders, Paul has a robust online presence.

His MySpace profile boasts nearly 12,000 "friends." Today, his proper noun ranks in the Elevation x among blog search terms at Technorati.com, backside Paris Hilton only ahead of Mario Lopez.

After Thursday night's debate, the comment sections of several major news organizations -- including ABC's -- were inundated with pro-Paul messages.

Viewers raved near Paul's commitment to abolishing the IRS, his steadfast opposition to a national ID menu, and a forthright tone that bloggers said set him apart from the other candidates onstage.

The Paul campaign did not immediately respond to a telephone call and e-mail message seeking comment.