An interesting story from Thomas B. Edsall at the Huffington Post which claims neo-nazi groups are flocking to the Paul campaign as a recruitment tool.

Through no fault of his own, Rep. Ron Paul’s anti-globalist, anti-government campaign for the Republican presidential nomination has become a magnet in neo-Nazi networks, pulling in activists and supporters from the fringe white nationalist community where anti-Semitism, anti-black and anti-immigrant views are commonplace.

In some cases, these internet-based activists acknowledge that even though the Paul campaign does not have a racist or anti-Semitic agenda, it can serve as a vehicle to find sympathizers and to recruit new loyalists drawn to the Republican congressman’s opposition to international trade agreements, federal police authority and to the income tax.

Such web-based organizations as Stormfront (motto: “White Pride, World Wide”), Vanguard News Network (”No Jews. Just Right.”) and the Nationalist Coalition (”working to create the relationships that will lay the foundation for the White community that is necessary to our survival”) have become sources of support for Paul’s bid for the Republican nomination, and in some cases have set up separate Ron Paul discussion groups.

It makes sense with Paul’s anti-government, anti-IRS, anti-trade messages. Though the campaign doesn’t seem happy with the support.

The Paul campaign dismissed the pro-Paul activities among these groups. “We don’t know who these people are,” said Jesse Benton, Paul’s communications director. Their support has “nothing to do with Ron Paul, and what he stands for….His message of freedom, peace and prosperity - that’s why people support him.”

The problem is, it seems like the campaign has been more than happy to welcome outsiders to spread its message online. That might seem like a great idea at first but when messages are not vetted by an official source, it is only a matter of time before some people rise up and exploit them.

I have been skeptical that there is any real support for Paul beside a small contingent of libertarians who are going around fixing online polls and sending in a couple of bucks to the campaign. Now I guess this is evidence that the campaign is growing.

Below is a white supremacist ad for Paul from the group Stormfront.