Ron Paul's fundraising gives campaign hope

LAKE JACKSON, Texas, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- GOP presidential hopeful U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas raised $6 million in one day and is sure to eclipse his challengers' fourth quarter totals, a report says.

Paul raised more than $6 million in campaign contributions Sunday, beating the former $5.7 million record held by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in 2004.

Paul's notably libertarian stance on politics places him in the lower third tier of GOP candidates, but his ability to garner contributions from disenchanted voters creates the classic underdog scenario among his supporters, USA Today said Monday.

"We have a lot of time to close in the polls," said campaign spokesman Jesse Benton.

Benton and others say the low support for Paul in polls does not reflect the voters that moved away from mainstream retail politics.

"The outpouring of support shows what a powerful message freedom is," said campaign chairman Kent Snyder in a statement on Ron Paul's Web site. "Americans are tired of the same old Washington, and they are rallying around Dr. Paul's message of freedom, peace and prosperity."