I admit to being one of the Ron Paul supporters who has searched out online polls to vote for him. His message is so aligned with the principles upon which this nation was founded, individual liberty, fiscal and moral responsibility, and national independence, among others, that it can only be seen as a threat by the authoritarian corporate globalist elite. So his campaign is ignored, marginalized, and berated by the corporate controlled media, which pushes candidates compliant with its agenda forward with free publicity, anointing them as "front runners".

Dr. Paul's ideas on foreign policy are very much like those promoted by Howard Dean, seeking to build genuine friendships with other nations rather than bribing them with "foreign aid" or punishing them with "preemptive attacks". He is honest about the reasons so many around the world have come to see America as a threatening, selfish bully rather than a beacon of freedom.

Without the millions of dollars pouring into his campaign from corporate sources, he relies on the efforts ordinary people who have heard and understood his program. The Big Money party leadership is frightened when regular citizens become so inspired by a candidate so at odds with authoritarian globalization, who gives voice to the American ideals we learned in school. They freak out when thousands of people are willing to take the time to express their disgust with the mire of corruption and waste that the federal government has become.

One need not agree with Ron Paul on every issue to applaud his David-like assault on the Goliath of corporate power, with simple reason as his stones and the Constitution as his sling. Every truth and freedom loving American can rejoice to see the fear and trembling he inspires among those who think their monopoly on political power is absolute and eternal.

Among my daughter's friends, twenty-somethings, the libertarian-leaning Paul is quite popular and the war is extremely unpopular.

Why is this? The "War" is going so badly and the extended tours and second and third tours of our troops make it clear that the "War" cannot go on much longer without some fresh blood. So far, the focus of the left has been on ending the "War" but what does that really mean? Chances are it means that the "War" will continue as occupation on another level.

We are probably one more Mideast crisis away from the reactivation of the draft.

People of my daughter's generation who support Paul like his libertarian stance on free choice social issues. This is a generation which does not see marijuana or even X as utter evil. Ever been to a rave?

One other thing: They also don't want to be the fresh blood for the war engine.

I bet if you analyse where much of Paul's support is coming from you will find that much of it comes from very tech saavy young people.

...because Ron Paul was the only true republican on the stage.

has been running for or holding office in my neck of the woods since the mid-70s at least. He ran as a Libertarian for years until he decided to win instead of just run. Then he became a Republican.

The thing about Paul is that he is that rarest of political birds, a principled man. He's smart and really believes his fundamentally libertarian political philosophy. So of course he'd oppose this administration's interventionist foreign policy.

He's far too honest and principled to ever be elected president, but those are just the qualities that have the current crop of candidates so bent out of shape. With Paul, you can make book that there'll be more of the same, and it'll be interesting to see what the media and other candidates do to marginalize him. It's already beginning.

kickstarts, you hit it spot on.

And not only does he represent the only more traditional (also see endangered) Republican but he is also a considerable threat to all of their campaigns with more exposure. While personally not a Republican, I do have to admit a certain glee at watching the other candidates get all frothy at the contrast.

The last thing that the fear & loathing party wants is a candidate that has any semblance of ration or reason. That's contrary to all the regress they've made over the last decade or so. And the more that Republican voters are exposed to him the more dangerous he will become. He's most dangerous because in some cases he is saying what Americans REALLY think and feel and not what the paid pundits and Washington politicians SAY they think and feel. And as any new-fangled Republican worth his salt will tell you, they just can't have that!

My hope is that Ron Paul will either cause the implosion of the current GOP (worst case) or force the GOP to put up at least two real candidates who have appeal to independents and not just the wack jobs on the far right (best case).

I fail to see how promoting torture, pre-emptive war, secret domestic spying with no meaningful oversight, no habaeus corpus, and obscene deficits fit into the world view of the average Republican. They don't. Only the Kool-Aid drinkers on the far right subscribe to those views, at least with the Republicans I know. I don't know any totalitarian Republicans yet the GOP candidates running (minus Ron Paul, of course) tailor their positions that way.

No matter your party affiliation, this country desperately needs real alternatives when it comes time to elect a President next year. I'm not 100% sure the Democrats have viable candidates. Candidates like Richardson at least have the requisite experience and clear positions and a track record to evaluate. Democratic positions (so far) are more reasonable, more diverse, and more true to our Constitution and American values than the Republican crop save Ron Paul.

Racing a lame duck President to the bottom of the barrel seems like a losing proposition. Especially when the majority of the public is in the middle or even left-leaning given the severity of the problems we face (e.g. Iraq, health care, immigration). I suspect the majority of people are apalled the GOP promotes torture, spying, deficits, and the rest rather than engage these problems.

Here's hoping the GOP wakes up to reality. And that we have a real Presidential election next year with good options. Failing that, I hope the current GOP implodes so that real Republicans can reclaim their party and put up candidates who reflect Republican values, not totalitarian values. We need real choices in 2008.