Ron Paul, born August 20, 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Representative from Texas. On January 11, 2007, Paul filed papers to form an exploratory committee for a presidential run in 2008. This will increase his fundraising opportunities until his presumed eventual anouncement. This first step of running for the Republican nomination is significant because he is not running as a Libertarian like he did nearly two decades ago.
Paul has the distinction of being opposed to the Iraq War and the interventionist nature of US foreign policy. He is one of 7 Republican congressman who voted against Iraq War authorization in 2003. He has also opposed George W. Bush and the majority of Republican congressmen on many other issues, including the PATRIOT Act. His maverick record on these issues means he may draw support from some surprising circles, including antiwar activists and paleoconservatives.
