Ron Paul Says He Will Raise More Than $12 Million in the Fourth Quarter

Judging from the (lack of) activity we see outside our window here in downtown DC, the High Sheriffs seem to be the only employers other than retailers who make their serfs come to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. There also appears to be precious little going on in the political world, when the New York Times is reduced to giving front-page treatment to the caloric intake of the presidential field. (And none of them have been forced to try my own least favorite local delicacy, St. Louis's fried ravioli,* which seemed to find its way onto the menu wherever Dick Gephardt traveled in 2004. Maybe it tastes better in St. Louis than it does in Manchester.)

One thing that did catch my attention on this sleepy day was this report from Bloomberg:

Nov. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Presidential candidate Ron Paul said he has raised more than $9 million in the past two months and he predicted his campaign will exceed its $12 million fourth-quarter goal.

``It looks like we can't stay under it,'' Paul, a long-shot candidate for the Republican nomination, said in an interview on Bloomberg Television's ``Political Capital with Al Hunt,'' scheduled to air today. Paul said organizers expect a Dec. 16 fundraising blitz to bring in more than the $4.2 million a similar event raised on Nov. 5, an ``astounding'' amount.

Paul said he has begun ``spending generously'' in key early- primary states. He is competing in New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada, and said he expects to have money to campaign through Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, when at least 22 states may hold primaries and decide the nomination.

The fourth quarter is generally considered a slow one for political fundraising, given the holidays. A $12-million-plus quarter--more than double his impressive third-quarter tally--would be a truly remarkable accomplishment.

*Jonathan Martin over at Politico reminds me that the proper name for this dish is "Toasted Ravioli."