The problem is that most people vote for charisma as proven in the last election. America got the government it deserves. Simply put very few Americans could follow Paul's arguments no matter how brilliant. We simply do not have the civic or historical background anymore. That is why we vote for 'The guy we would have a beer with' - GWB, 'The guy that gives us hope' - BHO, or a Charmer - BC.
The only politically viable option for conservatives is to find someone with Paul's commitment to a constitutionally limited government but with the charisma of Reagan, Clinton, or Obama. Reagan was great because he 1) Believed in America - Gave us hope, 2) Knew how to speak and hold your attention - Charisma, and 3) Believed in limited government and Constitutional principles which for the most part he held to. If you want to look for a successful candidate in 2012 look for these qualities. Oh one more thing - Make sure his/her record backs up the rhetoric if you want to avoid a surprise.

I respect Ron Paul's stance against the central banks and his collaboration with different folks, like Bernie Sanders. I would listen to his views, although I might bale if he got weird and started drabbling about the conspiracy of fluoride in our water...

He's a seemingly honest man. I remember watching him in the debates and say, "Wow, that guy brought up a good point." Don't think he can win the GOP primary.

Ron Paul is a good, honest man. He is right on about most issues, particularly most financial issues. I personally supported Ron Paul in both 1988 and 2008. What bothers me about Ron Paul now, is that I do not see him as having enough personal drive and determination to be a serious contender in 2012.

Don't blame me I voted for Ron Paul in 2008! When a candidate is hated and ignored that much by the MSM, you know he had some truth to tell.

Freedom, ftw!!!

Ron Paul is true statesman and a founding father incarnate of our time.

in my opinion, ron paul hung the moon!!!

Ron Paul said all the right things last time, but no one was listening (at least, not at first). He is the only former candidate with any credibility.

Ron Paul supports civil liberties, the Constitution, free markets, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. While the mainstream politicians continue to write bills for lobbyists and vote in favor of them, Ron Paul has consistently kept his principles of limited government.

Ron Paul 2012!

Liberty Candidate 2012!!!

Considered voting for him in '08, should he run I may consider Voting for him in '12. Three years is a long time though and too much can Happen to try to think about it now.

There's no denying that Dr. No is an American asset to have in Washington for years to come.

When bailouts, entitlements, wars, domestic spying, and printing money don't work....

There's always the constitution!

Married to one woman for 50 years, has five upstanding children and 18 grandchildren. Speaks his mind on every issue and is not a political robot.

When people criticize Paul for his unconventional policy proposals, I only wish they would stop and think where the more "conventional" thinking has gotten us. How much evidence does one need before realizing that "more of the same" doesn't cut it anymore. When will you stop allowing the media's talking heads and political pundits to frame the argument. When will you awaken and see that those who paint Paul as "quixotic" have a vested interest in doing so. The current state of this country should be enough to convince you that it's time to think "out of the box".

And, for those who sympathize with his ideas but withhold your support only because you find him to be a less than viable and electable candidate, please understand that it is largely YOU and YOUR opinion that give this argument any credence. The old adage, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem", was never more true.

Ron Paul and the politicians he endorses are the only ones not bought out by big business (GOP country clubbers) or social engineering special interests loved by progressives. He is simultaneously intelligent and earnest without a hint of arrogance.

True free market defenders need to prevail.


The Federalist

He isn't a Reagan Conservative that we need to follow Jimmy Carter's 2nd term (Obama's first). He is, however, a libertarian, and as such he could be a welcomed counter-balance to a socialist agenda. While I would not support this mane today, and publicly argued with one of his supporters in the 2008 election, 4 years of Obama may change some of us.

We need someone who sees the unborn as humans, worth protecting as a matter of morality and wants to amend the constitution to do just that - something Paul has never supported. Homosexual marriage and unions are also just not going to fly with real conservatives - something Paul is fine with, and wants left to each state.

In the same way that slavery - a matter of moral absolute - could not be left to federalism, so too we much act nationally on guns, gay marriage and abortion. Federalism is however a very good things for most everything else.

Ron Paul is the right man for the job. He has the experience, the knowledge, and the ability, if the MSM gives him 1/2 a chance, he'll be our next president.

He has a 30 year record proving where he stands on the issues so when he says he stands for something, you can verify it and believe it.

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted to raise Congressional pay.
He has never taken a government paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
He does NOT participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.

He voted against regulating the internet.

He has been repeatedly named "The Taxpayers Best Friend". He wants you to keep your money in your pocket, not give it to the gov to spend for you!

He wants to end the IRS and has a good plan to make it work.
He wants to stop the central bankers "inflation tax".
He wants to stop unconstitutional spending that is leading the country into bankruptcy.
He wants to stop our financial dependency on China, Saudi Arabia, and other foreign governments.
He wants to protect our privacy.
He opposes trade deals that threaten our independence (including: the UN, GATT, NAFTA, NAU, WTO, CAFTA, ICC).
He wants to end the Patriot Act.
He wants to secure our borders and stop illegal immigration.
He wants to end "birthright" citizenship for illegal aliens.

He's what the country needs if we are to remain a great nation. How can anyone not support him once they know what he stands for?

Yes he wants to end medicad, medicare, SS, and other programs, but he has a plan to do it slowly so the people who depend on the programs won't be hurt. It will guide the young people into providing their own retirement instead of trusting the government to take care of it for them.

He wants to put us back on the gold standard, which will protect our money from being eaten up with inflation and devaluation.

Ron Paul would make an excellent candidate because he is loyal to just three things: The Constitution/rule of law; the ideas of freedom & peace; the interests of the American People. He's not loyal to any particular party or partisanship, nor is he loyal to special interests. Ron Paul has principles and integrity. I'd cry tears of joy if he ran for the Presidency in 2012.

Any possible run for the White House would be over at the first mention of "The Ron Paul Report". I read them and that news letter really plays into the stereo type of Republicans and Republican ways of thinking.

In my opinion Ron Paul may have the secret to some difficult challenges that face our country. I think its too early to tell but don't count him out.

If the Mainstream Media will give Ron a chance, he will be the POTUS. He is highly intelligent and stands for the people and some of his predictions about Obama are starting to come true. We need him in office more than he needs us but I am sure glad he cares enough to help us when we need it the most!

I think he may be our best candidate! He's got some great ideas and is a real conservative!!

He answered my mail! I got his autograph. He real is the only politician today that speaks the truth.

He stands up for my rights, and my liberty!

He is the constitutionalist. VOTE FOR HIM!

Awesome

Ron Paul is the only true Constitutionalist in the group. He will lead by Rule of Law and not out of reactionary tendencies be them right or left leaning.

The only candidate that can fix our broken country, excuse me, empire.

He has some very odd ideas.

Those of us in the working classes who depend on programs like Medicare, unemployment insurance, workmen's comp, Social Security, etc. can appreciate some of Ron Paul's criticisms of the powers-that-be, but we can't afford to vote for him.

I personally think Ron Paul is the only national candidate out there worth half a squat about. He's earnest, honest, straightforward. Basically an anti-politician in Washington, it's actually interesting to hear him speak. I don't agree with all of his political positions necessarily, but I really admire his principled stand against the Federal Reserve and it's loose money policies. I did find him to be a compelling enough candidate that I cast my vote for him in the last primary season.

It would be fascinating to see what he would do should he even reach the Presidency, although I doubt that will ever happen. Polls now suggest him getting about 7-10% of the vote in a primary, but I doubt he would ever get such a high percentage. Although he has a strong following, many of them can't vote in the Republican primaries due to closed primaries. Also there is what I like to call the "wasted vote" effect. People don't vote for candidates that they don't feel have half a chance--or at least whom the media claims don't have a chance! One of the bigger fallacies out there is that there is such thing as a wasted vote. You waste it only when you vote for a candidate who might not be the best, but might be the "winner" due to some preordained criteria set by the party people or the media. How many winners have started out as underdogs before they won anything. Look at President Obama: he was behind by about 25 percentage points in polls just four months before the primaries, and he took off at the last minute and made it a race for Hillary.

The lesson? Don't underestimate the power of your vote.

I like some of his views. He is not too aggressive a person and that is fine with me. However, I don't think he has a chance of becoming the President.

This is an excellent candidate. No one else here speaks about true free markets, founding traditions, the constitution, sound money, and non-interventionism. This man is a DREAM!

There's no nice way to say this - the Ron Paul express has left the station with all 345 of his fans who will vote for his corpse in 2012. . .

Ron Paul is a true conservative and has excellent economic views.

Ron Paul is the cure for our nations sickness. He is a constitutionalist who wants small government run by the people for the people (the way most of our forefathers intended). He is the only candidate that is wanting the presidential spot to help our corrupted country, NOT for the money and fame. We need to eliminate the puppets 'they' have run our nation. The only chance he has of winning (if he runs in 2012), is if the press will actually give him air time and allow him in the debates like he deserves! The people of America deserve to hear the truth! Not be hidden behind what they are told to be true. What party he has been associated with would/will not be a problem if you listen to what he believes and what he wants for the U.S. The color of his party should not matter. Only the ignorant vote based on party and title.

No one who has run on the Libertarian Party ticket will ever be accepted by the Republican establishment in a national election. Also, a lot of people find him odd and many think him an old fool.

He'll run. And he'll do it again later. He's sort of the Republicans' Nader.

Has extremely loyal and devoted fans, but about as electable as Cher. Maybe less so.

Ron Paul has all the answers and none of the ill association that McCain and Obama had yet the apathy of the American citizen does not allow one to look beyond the TV news Media and the National Rags and think for yourself and pick a candidate who would adhere to the principles this country was founded on.

no

Paul is a great guy and his supporters are violently loyal to him but there just aren't enough of them.  Not the party-wide appeal that is needed and getting a bit long in the tooth.

Ron Paul - the only man who makes sense and can bring solutions to our economic problems