Reaction to the Times’ profile of long-shot GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul was swift Monday. And relentless.

It can make for a long day if you’re on the wrong side of the Ron Paul grassroots Internet machine. One e-mailer, in two separate messages, called the author of the story a piece of garbage and a child molester. Their anger is at the way they believe the mainstream media, and the Times in this case, are treating their candidate.

“Ron Paul is not a nutcase,” wrote Mike Toles, of Colorado, responding to the comments of a former aide, Eric Dondero. “(Paul) is the only one speaking truth with a record of integrity to back him up. Maybe you are the nutcase for wanting more of the same from government, and continuing the media's libelous campaign against the good doctor.”

In about 100 e-mails so far and 20 or so phone calls, most called the profile a hit piece (it’s a phrase Paul supporters commonly use for stories they don’t like). They particularly did not like the list of some of the people supporting Paul’s campaign. About half of the calls and e-mails appeared to come from Florida. About half came from places outside of the state.

In the larger context, Paul’s candidacy is tough to pin down. Paul is simultaneously raising money for his congressional campaign while he’s campaigning for president, but his own followers say he has a shot to win. Most national polls have him in the back of the pack, but supporters point to much different results on the Internet, and at state straw polls.

Here’s some more of what folks had to say.

“Gee, don't hold back - tell us how you really feel about Ron Paul. Maybe you can find and report on a convicted pederast who supports him but, like the Fla. white supremacist, has no connection whatsoever to him or to his campaign. Reporting used to be objective gathering and dissemination of news. Find a new job or report to Fox News.” -- Bill Faust, Philadelphia, PA

“Supporters of Ron Paul in Clearwater, St.Pete, Tampa, and half dozen area MeetUp Groups are planning protest rallies right now. WE ARE FURIOUS. WE demand a retraction of hearsay and slander. We demand coverage WORTHY of such a principled man of integrity and outstanding public service to our country and our Constitution.” Stan Carter

“Read you article and it makes me wonder if you feel Dr. Paul is so irrelevant why waste valuable newspaper space and your time writing about him?  I think we both know the answer. You don't care for his policies and fear they could actually come to fruition.  Fair enough.  Problem with your article is that its tone is the type that most voters are now getting very tired and suspicious of.” Mark Caredda

“Your biased hit piece on Ron Paul is not appreciated. It is because of people like you, that our country is in the state of decay that it's in. You and uninformed, apathetic people like you deserve to suffer the ravages of inflation. People in construction trades deserve to be unemployed. People deserve to lose their homes in foreclosure. This state of Florida deserves what it gets, because we choose to do nothing about it. Have a nice day.” Michael Norton

“I haven't read such a shallow superficial and inaccurate hit piece on Ron Paul in months. Isn't amazing that this grumpy old man has a huge youth following that cuts across party lines ? You really seemed to miss who the man really is and what he stands for. Its called Freedom.  Did you do this on purpose?”  Len

“Your story lacked the facts with regards to every aspect covered in your article. It lacked integrity, truth, honesty, and frankly was so misleading to the public, you ought to be sued for such mis representation of one of the finest Americans in this land. But, you are among the un-informed, and it is just shameful that you are in a position to inform. Get the facts or get a job somewhere else.”
Sydney Walsh