Are Dodd and Biden Still Running? (Or, On Ron Paul’s Fundraising)

You have to think that it’s time to reconsider your candidacy when a “fringe” candidate is out-fundraising you. From Washington Wire:

The antiwar libertarian raised more than $3 million in the third quarter, up from $2.4 million in the second quarter and $641,000 in the first three months of the year.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, Paul out-raised old Washington hands including Democrats Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, who took in $1.5 million, and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, who raised just under $2 million.

The flip side of the story is, of course, that Ron Paul is having such financial success and that he’s been particularly effective with the funds he has raised.

I’m glad that in the (albeit limited) press exposure he’s received, Dr. Paul has come across far less shrill than he did a few months ago, and I can’t help but wonder if his support is more from Libertarians donning Republican clothing. However, it’s still encouraging to see that someone preaching fiscal discipline and smaller government appears to be in the race for a good while longer.