NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Presidential Hopeful Draws Big Nashville Crowd

Presidential Hopeful Draws Big Nashville Crowd

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A huge crowd came out Saturday afternoon to the War Memorial Auditorium to see Ron Paul speak.  The crowd of 1500 included about 300 people who support the Texas congressman through an internet group.

Dave Perry is part of that online group of friends. The group, based in Nashville, recently decided to ask presidential candidate Ron Paul to visit them. 

"We contacted them and they said sure, ‘We'd love to come to Nashville,'" said Perry.

Actually, that is exactly how the Republican congressman is building his campaign. He listens to online supporters across the country and meets them.

"Well it looks like I have a lot of support here. I'm delighted to receive such a welcome," said Paul.

While Paul still trails heavily in national polls, the Republican is making waves for his anti-war, limited government positions and also his fundraising. Paul pulled in $5 million last quarter shocking most political experts.

Perhaps to most, Ron Paul is still an unfamiliar presidential candidate, but to this crowd he is their only one.

The group of Ron Paul backers that helped bring him to Nashville is part of a website called "Meet Up."  Supporters across the country have set up nearly a thousand "Meet Up" groups dedicated to making Ron Paul the next President, showing proof that the internet is playing a bigger and bigger role in politics.

In addition to Saturday's rally, Paul also held a private meet and greet fundraising event.

Paul's campaign officials said more than 70 percent, of the $5 million they raised last quarter came from online donations.