From Staff Reports

A Ron Paul Meetup Group organized on an ad-hoc basis drew about a dozen people to an initial meeting Dec. 18 at an art studio in Asheville’s River Arts District.

The group, targeting Buncombe and Henderson counties, agreed to offer and provide help to any groups in the nearby Spartanburg-Greenville, S.C., area in their efforts to promote Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, for the U.S. presidency.

Several attendees noted that South Carolina holds its Republican presidential caucus much earlier than does North Carolina, so the Buncombe-Henderson group could be more helpful to Paul’s efforts by also supporting his South Carolina efforts.

“Hopefully, if Ron Paul does really well in the first three caucuses, it could look good for him,” Bernard Carman said. Carman is a former chairman of the now-defunct Buncombe County Liberterian Party.

Notwithstanding, Robert Malt emphasized, “This is not a Ron Paul discussion group. This is about ‘getting it done.’ This is about activity, not talk.” Malt is a former chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party.

Malt added that “we’re fortunate to live near the third primary,” which is in South Carolina on Jan. 21. (The earlier primaries were held in Iowa and New Hampshire.)

Further, Malt said, “If Ron Paul wins Iowa, it’s ‘game on.’ It’s the GOP nightmare if he wins.” (Paul finished a close third in the Iowa primary on Jan. 3.)

Since North Carolina’s primary will not be held for many months, Malt asserted, “I’d be in favor of doing” whatever is possible in South Carolina to help Paul. “Anything in Greenville-Spartanburg, I’m up for doing it.” Others at the meeting agreed with Malt’s suggestion.

Carman added, “We could do both” — promote Paul’s candidacy “in both South Carolina and in North Carolina.” At that point, the group agreed to contact any pro-Paul groups in Greenville-Spartanburg to see if they have any needs the local group could meet.

Carman triggered laughter from the crowd when he quipped, “Yeah, this is ‘the revolution’” and it “‘will not be televised.’” However, he added that it would be reported because the Daily Planet had a staff member covering the meeting.

Alan  Rosenthal emphasized that he would like to see the group function on an “ad-hoc” basis, with the specific task of helping get Paul elected president.

During the group’s discussion of Paul’s prospects, Malt noted, “Things are shifting ... in Ron Paul’s favor. Plus, he’s got the money to keep this going for a while.”

On another matter, the group agreed to rent a house at the corner of Sweeten Creek and Airport roads to serve as its Buncombe-Hendersonville Ron Paul Headquarters. The location is a high-traffic area, from which the members could wave signs.

The house also is accessible from both Buncombe and Henderson — the two largest-population counties in Western North Carolina — from which the group hopes to draw members and contributions.

Malt noted that the house “doesn’t have heat,” but that it does have electricity and that the owner told him the group could use space heaters there.

Later, he added, “The only guy with (big) money (in the GOP presidential campaign) is (Mitt) Romney.” However, in Malt’s estimation, “the people here represent at least $100,000 in money” to Paul, through their potenial efforts.

Carman added, “This time, he (Paul) is known. Now we need to get people out to vote.”

Gary Shoemaker asserted, “I think we could at least quadruple the (size of the) group.”

Carman asserted “Unfortunately, the primary is the only important election ... If you wait, you’re voting for a statist” for president.

Afterward, Shoemaker sent a summary of the meeting — from his viewpoint — to the Planet, noting, “I was very impressed with the young people” at the meeting. “Several of them have stepped up to the plate to do actual work — phone-banking, putting out yard signs, setting up social networking all over the Internet and writing press releases.”