Supporters Rally Behind 'Honest' Ron Paul at Debate Watch Party

The sporadic cheers of Ron Paul supporters that rang throughout the Red Ox Tavern during the Republican debate Wednesday were nothing compared to the overwhelming applause, whistles and chants of "President Paul" that ensued when Paul himself arrived later that night. 

“It is a real delight – I know we haven't been in Michigan much, there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm," Paul said. "We are facing some major, major problems ... the true answer is found in liberty and limited government."

Prior to the debate, hundreds of Paul supporters lined the entrance to Oakland University in Rochester to greet their candidate and those who didn’t have tickets to watch the debate on campus flooded the Red Ox Tavern and nearby Buddy’s Pizza.

It was standing room only at the Red Ox in Auburn Hills, with supporters adding their own cheers, taunts and general commentary throughout the debate.

References to the Federal Reserve brought chants of “End the Fed” among guests, with applause and cheers accompanying Paul’s promises to cut $1 trillion from the national budget.  

“The national debt scares me,” said New Boston resident Matt Otter, 36. “I’m a history buff. I see the nation crumbling, thinking we can live in a deficit.”

Otter, who brought his immediate and extended family to the debate, said he is new to politics, but Paul’s “honesty” and ideas have piqued his interest and are  the reason he will vote in 2012.

“I’ve never heard anyone talk like him,” Otter said. “I’ve never been into politics before, but I got in because of him. He gives details. I don’t want slogans.”

When asked “why Paul?,” other watch party guests noted this same belief in Paul’s “honesty.”

“I believe Ron Paul, not the other candidates,” Bryan Kems, 29, of Rochester Hills said.

“He’s getting his message out and it’s consistent,” said Frank Cusumano Jr. of Macomb Township. "He’s honest about what he believes.”

The message, from sound money to small taxes, is one Robert Mason, 40, of Farmington Hills, said he can get behind.  

“Ron Paul may not be the perfect messenger, but his message is 100 percent perfect,” Mason said. “An educated voter is his best friend.”

Paul supporters are determined to see that every voter is an "educated voter," with the next step in the campaign focusing on reaching out to voters directly, Paul campaign organizers announced Wedesday night.