Ron Paul Blimp Turns Heads on Route 29

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Updated: 12:03 AM Dec 25, 2007 Ron Paul Blimp Turns Heads on Route 29 2008 is an election year and even though Tuesday is Christmas Day, there's no break for presidential politics. That's why one local man is breaking the bank this holiday season for the candidate he supports. Posted: 10:14 PM Dec 24, 2007 Reporter: Matt Holmes Email Address: matt.holmes@wcav.tv

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Monday December 24, 2007

If you drove down Route 29 toward Fashion Square Mall this weekend, you probably saw it.

Floating high in the sky was a blimp supporting GOP presidential outsider Ron Paul.

The man behind the blimp says he's glad it's caught some eyes.

"Here in Virginia we haven't gotten the name recognition for Dr. Paul," says Charlottesville resident Jack Faw. "We want people to get literature, take a look at his principals."

Faw is a retired goat farmer who says he hasn't actively supported a presidential candidate in over 40 years. But he says after seeing Ron Paul in one of the early debates he knew what he had to do.

"He's been in Congress 35 years for the principles that I believe in and I felt real bad that I didn't even know it. I said 'I'm going to dedicate myself.'"

So a couple phone calls to California and $3,400 later, Faw put up the blimp. But its position on Route 29 is only for the pre-Christmas rush. Faw says Central Virginia's going to see a lot of that blimp.

"Staunton has already asked. Harrisonburg has asked. Lynchburg's interested. Richmond is interested. I-64 in Fluvanna County, some of our members down that way would like to have it."

The 72-year-old Paul has raised $19 million so far this quarter and he won the Virginia Straw Poll earlier this month. Still, the Texas congressman lags significantly in the national polls.

So if he's not the GOP nominee, what will his supporters do?

"I would write his name in," Faw explains. "I will never again vote for the lesser of two evils as I have done so much in my life."

Virginia's primary will take place on February 12th, just a week after Super Tuesday.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Kim Location: North Garden,Va. on Jan 12, 2008 at 10:01 PM

I know this man, Jack Faw,personally! The love Jack has for Ron Paul is enormous! Jack studies hours on end, trying to figure a way to have Ron Paul nominated for a War-Free Nation! A way to go Jack! A way to go RonPaul!

Posted by: Chaz Location: Sandpoint, Idaho on Jan 5, 2008 at 04:13 PM

We had a similar event here in N. Idaho. While a recent rally was in progress on a main thoroughfare we were buzzed several time by a single engine airplane with huge lettering, RON on one wing and PAUL on the other Hey, we have our own Air Force!!!

Posted by: Beau Location: Canada on Jan 5, 2008 at 03:50 PM

I don't think the U.S. needs Ron Paul for president... The WORLD needs Ron Paul for president!!! I sure hope you guys can get him elected.

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