Let it never be said that supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul don't know their history, or that they aren't trying to carve a place out for themselves. Paul's campaign has raised an astonishing $2.9 million in online contributions since midnight from about 21,000 donors.

That, according to campaign spokesman Jesse Benton, breaks the record for a one-day online fundraiser. And the pace -- more than $170,000 an hour -- would make even Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton jealous.

Benton said scheduling the event today was the brainchild of a group of supporters, who are well aware that November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day. The day marks the attempt, in 1605, of a group of Roman Catholics to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the King of England in hopes of taking down England's Protestant rulers. Fawkes was caught before the bombs exploded, and for his troubles he was hanged.

Those readers who have seen the excellent "V For Vendetta" will find the lyrics familiar: "Remember, remember, the fifth of November / The gunpowder, treason and plot / I know of no reason / Why gunpowder treason / Should ever be forgot."

So what are Paul supporters going for here? One can assume they hope the analogy is metaphorical, and that they hope to blow up the system they don't like, as opposed to any actual buildings.

Guy Fawkes Day or not, $2.9 million is an impressive haul for an incumbent Senator in a quarter. For a presidential candidate to pick up that kind of money in just 17 hours is, as Paul's people point out, unheard of.