The Daily O’Collegian

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Presidential candidate Ron Paul has earned a sort of cult following, especially among college students.

Although Ron Paul might not have created a revolution at the polls Tuesday, he has created a revolution among his followers.

Some supporters weren’t disappointed with the 3 percent of votes Paul took in the Oklahoma Primary — they were encouraged.

Chris McLaughlin, a graphic design senior, said Tuesday’s results show Paul started a political revolution, and he doesn’t plan to stop supporting him.

“Even if he loses the election, we have still won,” McLaughlin said. “He has gotten so many people involved and has brought awareness to issues other politicians won’t bring to the table. “

Paul’s support stems from his genuine character, McLaughlin said.

“He isn’t just spewing stuff out of his mouth to get votes like other candidates,” McLaughlin said. “He is the only one telling the truth on issues that no one else will dare talk about.”

Jenny Clem, a history junior and former College Republicans president, also believes Paul’s political agenda is different from other candidates.

“I think he stands out because he doesn’t say things for the sake of saying them,” Clem said. “He still speaks his message, and he’s not afraid of what people are saying about him. It’s the sign of a true leader.”

McLaughlin runs a radio talk show, which started from the political revolution the disc jockeys saw Paul starting in voters. Along with James Price, a public relations senior, and Kyle Steverson, a physiology senior, he runs a weekly talk show focused on politics.

Although the station supports Paul, McLaughlin said airtime is devoted to news students won’t hear other places.

“We attempt to try to wake up the people here on campus,” McLaughlin said. “We want to get rid of the apathy in the young people. If all the young people got informed, we could run this country.”

Revolution Radio airs Thursday nights from 10 to midnight on KXZY. To tune in, visit http://kxzy.okstate.edu.

McLaughlin said the station will do everything it can to keep the “revolution” going.

“The people who are into Ron Paul will keep the momentum going, and I believe there is really going to be change.”

Not only are Paul supporters broadcasting their views on the air but also on street corners.

Alex Diamond, a mechanical engineering junior, passed out 1400 pieces of literature, donated money and participated in weekly street corner rallies to promote Paul’s campaign.

Diamond said he hoped his efforts created interest in the Republican candidate who isn’t heavily covered by the news media.

“We’ve gone out and held sign rallies to try to get his name,” Diamond said. “People don’t really understand him because TV likes to portray him as extreme and having no support.”

Diamond also said Paul is responsible for “curing his apathy.”

“Most of his supporters weren’t into politics before, but he inspires them and explains things so well and makes so much logical sense that people can’t help but spread his message,” Diamond said.

Diamond also said he isn’t letting Tuesday’s results get him down. He said it’s discouraging, but he still plans to campaign for Paul.

“Even if he doesn’t win the race, what he stand for will go on, “ Diamond said. “We found something that we believe in so much that we are willing to look crazy for it.”