Star-like life for low-key congressman

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Shifting through a crowd chanting his name at the Radisson hotel, presidential hopeful Ron Paul eventually made it to his interview with MSNBC, after several snapshots, hand shakes and a plethora of microphones and camera lights hovering near his face.

Paul gave countless interviews Tuesday during the New Hampshire primary after missing a day of campaigning while in Los Angeles for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

It is a star-like existence that has taken some getting used to for the gynecologist-turned Republican Congressman from Lake Jackson.

Riding down a New Hampshire Interstate in a minivan with his campaign spokesman, a security guard and a granddaughter on his way to Concord, the presidential hopeful said he loves the enthusiasm supporters show.

“In Lake Jackson, I can still go out and ride my bike,” he said. “I’ve been living there for 40 years, so I can’t be exciting for them.”

By the time results were counted, Paul was fifth in the Republican field with 8 percent, close behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Paul started his day campaigning at locations in Manchester, where the snow was starting to melt from unseasonably warm weather that brought temperatures up around the 50s.

Making his way to the Radisson, Paul entered the “Radio Room” and started a barrage of radio interviews with independent and nationally syndicated talk radio hosts including conservative Laura Ingraham.

Several of the hosts pulled at Paul’s campaign spokesman Jess Benton, asking to interview the congressman amid a sea of tables covered in laptops, microphones, cables and audio equipment.

“He talks about things talk radio listeners are very interested in,” said Marc Bernier, a radio host who airs a political show in Florida. “People are starving for a return to the fundamental values of the constitution. We have a fondness for him. We have more calls for him than anyone.”

After leaving a television interview, Paul cheerfully greeted throngs of visitors and reporters as he walked out of the hotel to a waiting van. He granted most every request for a photograph or a handshake, also talking to college students about foreign policy and economics.

“People here never seem to get tired of politics,” he said. “I’m impressed with how much people know about what’s going on.”

As supporters eagerly waited outside, Paul walked up to the Ward 4 polling location at a Concord church Tuesday night.

Not passing up an opportunity to talk to a child, Paul took time to explain to a young Rami Hanna that America wants to be friends with other countries, including Lebanon, which Rami asked him about.

“Stay at home. No nation building,” Paul told a local TV reporter about his foreign policy.

Paul also laid out his plans for returning U.S. currency to the gold standard as two economic reporters arrived, noting the U.S. dollar used to be worth 1⁄20 of an ounce of gold and it’s worth 1⁄900 today.

“The Constitution says gold and silver should be legal tender,” he said.

Paul told a crowd of supporters Tuesday night’s results were no reason to stop campaigning.

Faces on many of the supporters turned a little sour as the results came in, only to be uplifted as the Lake Jackson congressman emerged on stage in a ballroom filled with about 500 supporters.

“I’m just wondering what it’s going to be like when we come in first place,” he said in response to thunderous applause. “There’s no reason for us to really let up. This is only the beginning.”

The (Brazosport) Facts is a sister newspaper to The Daily News.