The most visual example of Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s unusual campaign style in his bid for the Republican presidential nod flew over the Baltimore area Thursday in the form of a 200-foot-long airship adorned with the candidate’s name and a simple request: Google Ron Paul.
After reading about the blimp’s flight plans online, some Paul supporters drove hours to the Harford County Airport near Churchville, Md., to witness two launches of its multi-state promotional tour.
The Online NewsHour rode along as the blimp took to the skies for three hours to promote Paul’s candidacy and his small-government platform. The dirigible drifted over the Charm City’s skyline and suburbs, displaying its gigantic “Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul” and ‘Ron Paul Revolution’ banners. The blimp rides like a boat, tipping and rolling with the wind. It is also unpressurized. With easily (and safely) opened sliding windows, the blimp offers a chilly ride in the December air.
Paul blimp operatives broadcast streaming video from the aircraft, while a Paul-supporting lobbyist hosted live interviews for a Ron Paul Internet radio station. Hundreds of feet beneath the blimp, traffic slowed to a crawl as the craft went into hover mode above the freeway during afternoon rush hour for maximum exposure.
The blimp is a result of the entrepreneurial and creative endeavors of Paul’s passionate and Web-savvy supporters who, unsatisfied with their underdog candidate’s showing in the national media and polls, created a company outside of the campaign to rent and fly the blimp, which costs $350,000 a month to operate, across the East Coast as the primary elections near.
Paul supporters Trevor Lyman and Elijah Lynn hashed out the blimp idea on a Ron Paul Web forum over the past several months. They then created Liberty Political Advertising as the vehicle for funneling unrestricted cash donations into funding a flying billboard for the Paul campaign.
Lyman also helped mastermind the two ‘money bomb’ fundraising days that raised more than $10 million for the Paul campaign in the fourth quarter. The Dec. 16 “Tea Party” fundraising push hauled in $6 million, the most money raised in a single day in American political campaign history.
Lyman’s unconventional, grassroots approach to promoting Paul outside the auspices of his national campaign has defined the anti-war Republican’s bid for the presidency. Despite his back-of-the-pack showing in every poll during the primary campaign, his supporters will spread Paul’s message to anyone who will listen.
The inventive, somewhat decentralized strategies that Paul supports have been used to spread his message are tied to Paul’s libertarian, market-based political ideology.
“He wants the markets to come up with the ideas and to feed the needs that are out there … so he let it alone and provided the message and focused on that,” Lyman said during an interview aboard the blimp. “We took that message and amplified it through our efforts. I think it has been a great illustration of allowing the markets to do it, (to let) the entrepreneurial spirit to take over.”
The ride for the sometimes-derided blimp project hasn’t always gone smoothly. The fickle winter weather dictates the areas where it can fly. On Friday, a planned northbound trip toward New York was scuttled when three cords that secured a massive banner broke, forcing the zeppelin back to Elizabeth City, N.C., for repairs.
Very well written Quinn and David, and nice video of Blimp organizer Trevor Lyman. In the hours up there above Baltimore, and in the airport lounge awaiting our flight, I enjoyed getting to know you. Broadcasting live for www.RonPaulRadio.com, I had a thrill up there, and NewsHour readers are welcome to check out my blog about the Ride Above the Home of Mencken, at www.CommonInterest.info.
YEAH!!!!! ty you Mr. paul ...
finally someone who believes on what this country was founded on our ancestors would be proud of you and im am very proud to fight the good fight with you..freedom..bless you all ..and peace..
Learn about this future president by watching Ron Paul videos here. Once you have learned about this great man, then it is your duty to educate others.
LOL!!! I LOVE THE BLIMP!! This is great. I am still waiting on my phone call to tell me I have won a ride. I hope it stays up there for New Hampshire. Thanks, Trevor, Great job!
We have lived in Galveston and surrounding area on and off for 24 years. Yes, Neo based SugarLand, Tx as well(25 miles from Gal-Tom Delays old district)
We have watched Ron Take these neoconservatives down EVERY TIME here in our district. The Neos spent a million dollars one year to unseat him!
They had a corrupt Dem jumpship and join them against Dr. Paul.
The Neos promised the Democrat he would run unopposed.
Only thing was, Ron never agreed to this.
He won that race with 65% of the vote, placing both parties in the corner for years to come.
The biggest mistake that is made with Ron is they tend to underestimate him and treat him as an underdog.
He has used this against them and won EVERY TIME he has run for the House seat.
He is shrewd.
He practices what he preaches(fiscal cons. socially lib.)
and he uses the only power he deems ABSLOUTE.
The Power of We The People.
He would be right.
Wait till our true power is uncovered.
Ron has been winning for years here.
They did not see him coming and his life is at risk.
He choses to go ALONE aginst these corrupted officials and corporations.
People would be surprised how many WILL NOT let him walk alone.
We are many.
Our whole family now eagerly awaits the next great fundraising day for Ron Paul. Lets all plan our next new year's revolution now. Grass roots swell we are waiting for you.
Great article and a Great Bunch of People!! This is a wonderful spot cause many times in the past weeks the microphone is stuck in Trevor’s face or he gains the focus on prime time, but he always stresses the team effort. That type of selfless person is why this movement will not fail.
We all know the value of the entire team, but it is really nice to hear the kudos going forth. Trevor is obviously a humble and sincere person. He gives credit where credit is due and spotlights the contributions of his comrades in arms - key individuals whom so MUCH is OWED by so MANY for conceiving and orchestrating these fabulous PR and fund raising efforts!! We owe them all a great debt for there creative genius and hard work. Thank you one and all!! Let’s keep the Blimp flying!! Cheers from northern Alaska
I'm a CPA, never voted in a presidential election, neither have my three sons. I saw the two parties as two wings of the same bird and I don't have time waste on niceties. At the end of the day, our elected representatives of both parties go into a room, close the door and divide the spoils. I wanted no part of that, so I opted out of politics, but then I discovered Ron Paul. My wife and three sons are in Meet Up groups, have donated to the Paul campaign, are canvassing for him and will turn up to vote - you betcha! Ron Paul supporters were in the woodwork, hiding in the shadows, the independents, the disaffected among the Republicans and Democrats, the crazy ones, the ones the pollsters and pundits know nothing about and hence ignore. We are the silent majority. We are �the people.� The pundits are wrong, terribly wrong. You cannot categorize us the Houston Chronicle tried to do. We are everywhere, from every corner of the country and indistinguishable from the general population. We have found a genuine American hero in Ron Paul, a man of integrity, principled, humble, consistent and caring only for the good of us and the country.
Here is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fight for truth, freedom, and justice and to restore good be defeating evil. Join Ron Paul rLOVEution like millions around the country have done.
Time to protect the future for our children and grand children.
Republican Ron Paul is once again in the race for president. He ran earlier in 1988, and managed to garner almost 400,000 votes. Paul enjoys a wide support base, including libertarians, conservative Republicans, and some anti-war Democrats. The former flight surgeon has built up a reputation for integrity. He is believed to always cast his vote to uphold the constitution, something that is rare in today's politics.
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Very well written Quinn and David, and nice video of Blimp organizer Trevor Lyman. In the hours up there above Baltimore, and in the airport lounge awaiting our flight, I enjoyed getting to know you. Broadcasting live for www.RonPaulRadio.com, I had a thrill up there, and NewsHour readers are welcome to check out my blog about the Ride Above the Home of Mencken, at www.CommonInterest.info.
Blessings and happy holidays,
Charlie
I like his honesty for Nov 5th money bomb not being his idea. He gives credit where it is due for that as well as for the blimp project. Great guy.
Can I get a ride? :D
I'm a blimp convert!
Rock On Ron Paul !!!
I Vote For Virtue ; I Vote For Ron Paul !!!
YEAH!!!!! ty you Mr. paul ...
finally someone who believes on what this country was founded on our ancestors would be proud of you and im am very proud to fight the good fight with you..freedom..bless you all ..and peace..
Ron Paul is leading in the national polls! 33%
http://www.nolanchart.com/article615.html
It is nice to read about so many humble people doing great things - Trevor, Ron Paul, other supporters.
We all owe our freedoms to those who created our Constitution and then fought for freedom.
Ummm, so is this what real journalism is? Boy I haven't seen this in a long time. Great Job!
Very good article. I get so sick ofreading articles without facts or even basic knowledge of Ron Paul. This is a very good one.
Join the R3VOLUTION.
Learn about this future president by watching Ron Paul videos here. Once you have learned about this great man, then it is your duty to educate others.
LOL!!! I LOVE THE BLIMP!! This is great. I am still waiting on my phone call to tell me I have won a ride. I hope it stays up there for New Hampshire. Thanks, Trevor, Great job!
Ron Paul is a wonderful individual, and probably the only chance this country has of getting back on track.......Dr. Sly Z-Bop
We have lived in Galveston and surrounding area on and off for 24 years. Yes, Neo based SugarLand, Tx as well(25 miles from Gal-Tom Delays old district)
We have watched Ron Take these neoconservatives down EVERY TIME here in our district. The Neos spent a million dollars one year to unseat him!
They had a corrupt Dem jumpship and join them against Dr. Paul.
The Neos promised the Democrat he would run unopposed.
Only thing was, Ron never agreed to this.
He won that race with 65% of the vote, placing both parties in the corner for years to come.
The biggest mistake that is made with Ron is they tend to underestimate him and treat him as an underdog.
He has used this against them and won EVERY TIME he has run for the House seat.
He is shrewd.
He practices what he preaches(fiscal cons. socially lib.)
and he uses the only power he deems ABSLOUTE.
The Power of We The People.
He would be right.
Wait till our true power is uncovered.
Ron has been winning for years here.
They did not see him coming and his life is at risk.
He choses to go ALONE aginst these corrupted officials and corporations.
People would be surprised how many WILL NOT let him walk alone.
We are many.
Our whole family now eagerly awaits the next great fundraising day for Ron Paul. Lets all plan our next new year's revolution now. Grass roots swell we are waiting for you.
That blimp looks awesome! I'd love to see it in person.
Great article and a Great Bunch of People!! This is a wonderful spot cause many times in the past weeks the microphone is stuck in Trevor’s face or he gains the focus on prime time, but he always stresses the team effort. That type of selfless person is why this movement will not fail.
We all know the value of the entire team, but it is really nice to hear the kudos going forth. Trevor is obviously a humble and sincere person. He gives credit where credit is due and spotlights the contributions of his comrades in arms - key individuals whom so MUCH is OWED by so MANY for conceiving and orchestrating these fabulous PR and fund raising efforts!! We owe them all a great debt for there creative genius and hard work. Thank you one and all!! Let’s keep the Blimp flying!! Cheers from northern Alaska
Tell everybody about why you love Ron Paul. At Christams on New Years, whenever. Ron Paul will win! Go Ron Paul!!
RonPaul2008.com
I'm a CPA, never voted in a presidential election, neither have my three sons. I saw the two parties as two wings of the same bird and I don't have time waste on niceties. At the end of the day, our elected representatives of both parties go into a room, close the door and divide the spoils. I wanted no part of that, so I opted out of politics, but then I discovered Ron Paul. My wife and three sons are in Meet Up groups, have donated to the Paul campaign, are canvassing for him and will turn up to vote - you betcha! Ron Paul supporters were in the woodwork, hiding in the shadows, the independents, the disaffected among the Republicans and Democrats, the crazy ones, the ones the pollsters and pundits know nothing about and hence ignore. We are the silent majority. We are �the people.� The pundits are wrong, terribly wrong. You cannot categorize us the Houston Chronicle tried to do. We are everywhere, from every corner of the country and indistinguishable from the general population. We have found a genuine American hero in Ron Paul, a man of integrity, principled, humble, consistent and caring only for the good of us and the country.
If you keep on voting like you're voting, you're going to keep on getting what you're getting.
Here is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fight for truth, freedom, and justice and to restore good be defeating evil. Join Ron Paul rLOVEution like millions around the country have done.
Time to protect the future for our children and grand children.
Republican Ron Paul is once again in the race for president. He ran earlier in 1988, and managed to garner almost 400,000 votes. Paul enjoys a wide support base, including libertarians, conservative Republicans, and some anti-war Democrats. The former flight surgeon has built up a reputation for integrity. He is believed to always cast his vote to uphold the constitution, something that is rare in today's politics.