I clearly think that Ron Paul is an extremist nutball with extremist nutball supporters, but that doesn’t deny the fact that I’m positively giddy at the prospect he could come in placing unusually high in the NH primary. NH has this history of unusual primary results that gets an obscure candidate the national spotlight. Mitt Romney’s pre-ordained win there (he’s spent more than anyone else and is from the neighboring state) makes the jockeying for #2 even more pivotal, and those independent voters will kneejerk love Paul’s idiotic anti-government positions.
Also, it’s clear that most of the liberal supporters for someone like Dennis Kucinich come into the fold of the Democratic party once Kucinich bows out (and like last time, I’m sure he’ll hold on until the convention) but do you see Ron Paul supporters lining up like good like 9/11 Truthers behind the eventual GOP candidate? Heck, no. This guy is tailor made for an independent presidential run.
“This guy is tailor made for an independent presidential run.”
Of course he’s running as a Libertarian candidate. This whole campaign has been about getting him the national press needed to overcome the third party status. (It is sad that many of his supporters can’t see this.) And, he does take more away from the Republicans than from the Democrats. Perhaps enough to swing a couple of close states.
However, Democrats will need to point out his craziness in a way that doesn’t make him seem like a martyr. Talk about how he is against universal health care. Talk about how he is against federally funded education. Etc.