Libertarian candidate in '88, Paul eyes GOP nomination

By BENJAMIN KEPPLE
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
Monday, Feb. 26, 2007

CONCORD – U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, brought his anti-war and limited government message to a gathering of largely like-minded activists here yesterday, and condemned the Republican establishment for forsaking principles it claims to uphold.

Paul, who ran as the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate in 1988, is now exploring a run for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Should he decide to enter the race, he would prove a long shot at best, and run at a considerable disadvantage in terms of fundraising. The Texas congressman said yesterday he believed his message would garner support from those upset about how the nation is now run.

"The message is always the same - government intrusion into our lives is way too much," said Paul prior to his talk. "I think the Republicans have failed to live up to their commitments to smaller government."

On the national scene, Paul, a physician, largely toils in obscurity, although The Washington Post last year wrote a profile which mentioned his nickname, "Dr. No." This sobriquet referred to Paul's general opposition to spending proposals and other measures he considers outside the government's Constitutional scope.

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