Its an impressive one day total, but will it move him off his last place flatline:
http://www.pollster.com/08-US-Rep-Pres-Primary.php
I think its more likely he will flameout like the last internet candidate, Howard Dean, who set all kinds of internet fundraising records in 04. And Dean also had a very respectable showing in the national polls going into the primaries in 04
Paul's national and state (
Iowa,
NH,
SC) polls numbers are abysmal, indicative of the fact that his internet support still has not extended to the vast majority of likely republican primary voters in any measurable number.
And his contributors are overwhelming male (like over 80%)...which also doesnt translate well to general primary voters.
Much will also depend on how deep the voters dig beyond his surface appeal now that he is gaining some recognition.
Will his basic ad message of "end the war/bring the troops home, shut down the IRS" be enough for the non-internet mom and pops?
Or will primary voters want to know more...economic (jobs) poilcy, health care policy, energy and environmental policy..social policy. Do you really think most voters know or care about the Federal Reserve? Do you think there is widespread support to shut down EPA, DOE, Dept of Ed. (Reagan failed because there was not enough public support)? to end social security (Bush failed because there was not enough public support)and medicare?
If the other Republican candidates really perceive him as a threat (and they dont at this point), they will be licking their chops at raising the specter of Dr NO.....like his votes against NIH funding for medical research...against funding for Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect our kids from dangerous toys....against federal funding for alternative energy R&D, against federally-backed college loans....
His voting record against so many popular and/or (perceived) essential programs, once more widely known, will be his final death knoll.
BTW, Barack Obama is the big internet winner this year, with about 1/3 of his $80+ million from well over 100,000 small internet donors.