Tue., March 6, 2012 11:59pm (EST)

Paul Supporters Will Fight On
By Jeanne Bonner
Updated: 1 year ago

ATLANTA  —  
Ron Paul supporters gathered at Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta where the atmosphere remained upbeat despite Paul's fourth-place finish. That's because supporters say they are starting a movement that extends beyond one primary or even the November election. (Photo: Tiffany Larkin)
Ron Paul supporters gathered at Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta where the atmosphere remained upbeat despite Paul's fourth-place finish. That's because supporters say they are starting a movement that extends beyond one primary or even the November election. (Photo: Tiffany Larkin)
Former Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich handily won his home state on Super Tuesday with about 50 percent of the vote. That left Mitt Romney in second, Rick Santorum a close third, and Ron Paul last. All four candidates’ campaigns held parties in Georgia, and supporters at Paul’s event said they see no end in sight for the campaign.

Some of Ron Paul’s Georgia supporters are Republicans. Others have voted for Democrats and Libertarians.

But in November they say they’ll be voting for Paul even if they have to write his name on the ballot.

They’re setting their sights on changing how politics work.

Sean Wheeler is a supporter from Marietta. He said it’s not about one primary or even the November election.

“It’s more than kind of a movement," he said at Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta.

"This is the only campaign that’s continued without interruption since 2008. We know that it’s going to take some time before this message spreads to where it needs to spread, to the level it needs to spread. We are very aware that it’s a long haul.”

Campaign officials say they’ll take the fight to the Republican National Convention in August to press for changes in the party’s platform.

Beyond that, supporters spoke about electing candidates on the local level who believe Paul's credo of fiscal responsibility and limited foreign policy.