By By Michael Krebs Oct 16, 2011 in Politics Among the Republican presidential candidates, Ron Paul, the Libertarian-leaning firebrand that has galvanized many followers nationwide, has received the least amount of coverage time over the course of the last three GOP debates. But it is an entirely different matter when the media appears to be assembled in a coordinated manner to ignore the underpinnings and the overarching themes of your message, even if you are polling in a competitive top tier manner. This appears to be the nagging case with Republican presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul. "18 minutes, 47 seconds," the Paul campaign wrote to me in a fund-raising email delivered on Saturday. "That’s how much time I’ve been given total during the last three Republican debates to explain my message of liberty to the voters." While this exposure might seem like a somewhat standard length of time across three consecutive GOP debates, the total is not reflective of Paul's competitive polling figures. "But since poll after poll has shown me in third place nationally over these past few months, surely that amount of time left me in the middle of the pack when compared to my establishment opponents . . . right? Wrong," the Paul email continued. "Out of all the candidates, my speaking time was dead last – even behind candidates I’ve been beating in the polls for months!" The Paul campaign has struggled for media attention since the Texas congressman initially inserted himself onto the national stage. Paul has had notable and unusual accomplishments for a Republican presidential candidate, such as selling out New York City's largest nightclub, "Ron Paul continues to inspire a movement that no other campaign can duplicate in its conviction and broadness,” said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton in comments posted on the Ron Paul 2012 campaign web site. The media blackout, as Paul sees it, is nothing short of questionable. But the Libertarian-minded candidate does not appear willing to give up the fight. "As much as I hate to say it, despite the polls, despite my campaign’s success, and despite the fund-raising numbers we consistently put up - the national media continues to pretend I don’t exist," the Paul campaign concluded in their email communication. "Well, I’m determined to break through their blackout and talk straight to the voters." It is one thing to flame out during a presidential debate cycle, as it appears Texas Governor Rick Perry has managed over the course of a few short weeks. This is the kind of weeding out that is to be expected in the democratic process and in the theater of public opinion that often defines the tone and perspective of American politics. It is natural and it is acceptable, whether or not one believes in the attributes of a given candidate.But it is an entirely different matter when the media appears to be assembled in a coordinated manner to ignore the underpinnings and the overarching themes of your message, even if you are polling in a competitive top tier manner. This appears to be the nagging case with Republican presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul."18 minutes, 47 seconds," the Paul campaign wrote to me in a fund-raising email delivered on Saturday. "That’s how much time I’ve been given total during the last three Republican debates to explain my message of liberty to the voters."While this exposure might seem like a somewhat standard length of time across three consecutive GOP debates, the total is not reflective of Paul's competitive polling figures."But since poll after poll has shown me in third place nationally over these past few months, surely that amount of time left me in the middle of the pack when compared to my establishment opponents . . . right? Wrong," the Paul email continued. "Out of all the candidates, my speaking time was dead last – even behind candidates I’ve been beating in the polls for months!"The Paul campaign has struggled for media attention since the Texas congressman initially inserted himself onto the national stage. Paul has had notable and unusual accomplishments for a Republican presidential candidate, such as selling out New York City's largest nightclub, as his campaign's web property detailed in late September."Ron Paul continues to inspire a movement that no other campaign can duplicate in its conviction and broadness,” said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton in comments posted on the Ron Paul 2012 campaign web site.The media blackout, as Paul sees it, is nothing short of questionable. But the Libertarian-minded candidate does not appear willing to give up the fight."As much as I hate to say it, despite the polls, despite my campaign’s success, and despite the fund-raising numbers we consistently put up - the national media continues to pretend I don’t exist," the Paul campaign concluded in their email communication. "Well, I’m determined to break through their blackout and talk straight to the voters." This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com More about Ron paul, Gop debate, Republican party, 2012 presidential election, 2012 elections More news from Ron paul Gop debate Republican party 2012 presidential el... 2012 elections Libertarian