Who is Ron Paul?

When it comes to American Presidential primaries and the Internet the God Father of the NetRoots is probably Howard Dean who ramped up a challenge in 2003-04 online. However, his dreams were shattered at the now infamous Iowa Caucas where he gave a "speech" which became legendary. There might be some who would say what Dean showed was that the Internet, for all its positives in a campaign can never really replace not making a complete idiot of yourself on screen, and yet, this time round the Internet is at the forefront of the campaign across the board.

I imagine too that when most UK politico-type people think of the Republican nominations (when you've pulled yourself away from Obama and Hillary) you think of two people, Giuliani and McCain, maybe Mitt Romney as well simply because of the coverage he's received as a result of him being a Mormon. But do you think of Ron Paul? Do you even know who he is?

Ron Paul is, according to the Guardian (which is disparaging of every Republican candidate would you believe?!), "barely even a Republican except in name" who "supports various crazy ideas, like abolishing tax." This said though, when it comes to online support, it at least appears like the man has the momentum of Dean and could cause some shockwaves. Whether that means he will make it all the way remains to be seen (it's unlikely), but Ron Paul is a name we may start to hear more in the UK coverage of the primaries.

Currently he's riding high online. He's the second most searched term on Technorati after "YouTube", and he's more popular than the rest if in the Facebook stakes, as well as big section of the Republican blogs. He is, at the moment it seems, the one Republican candidate that is the hot ticket to talk up. So who is he? And what does he stand for? Well, it seems, if you ask a lot of his supporters he is the man that is standing up for traditional conservatives position on taxing and spending and challenge what it sees as a betrayal by the Bush Administration of those principles. He is, they say, the heir to the forefathers of the US Constitution.

The strength of his Internet support has not gone unnoticed either. This weekend the Washington Post ran a piece on it (requires free registration) and it's clear from watching some of things that Paul says, and comparing it with his record that, dare I say it, he's a politician with a conviction who really does seem to mean it - although High Office often changes people as good old fashioned realism comes into play.

One of his more obsessive supporters, who is quoted in the Wasington Post, is actually a friend of mine called Brad, who blogs at Crossed Pond, what I find most interesting are the reason he gave the Post for his avid support,

I'm not supporting him because I think he could get the nomination. I'm supporting him because I think he can influence the national conversation about what the role of government is, how much power should government have over our lives, how much liberty should we give up for security. These are important issues, and frankly, no one's thinking about them as seriously and sincerely as Ron Paul."

I think it's true to say that It's very unlikely that Ron Paul will win the nomination, but, like any leadership campaign, the journey to the end is one of debate, and there is no doubt that Paul is asking BIG questions in that debate. Whilst I don't fully agree with him on the issue of Iraq (and to be honest I think he would change his tune when faced with the realism of making the decision) the questions he's asking about the role of Government, the role of spending, the role of taxation, whilst importantly doing it all from a GOP platform is certainly sparking interest and support.

The question of course remains - as I think John Cruddas has pointed out in the Labour Deputy Leadership contest - how well Internet support actually translates into votes. But still, as we watch from this side of the pond, the race for the Republican nomination is by no means over, and Ron Paul's influence on what positions the front runners advocate in the coming months will probably be far more significant than many realise.