It is not significant because candidates do not change policy, only elected officials do that.
Adults understand that ideological purity works in NeverNever Land, but in the real world there are alternatives to Ron Paul that are worse to varying degrees, and some are a whole order of magnitude worse. If the Republic doesn't survive long enough for the Ron Paul Wave to arrive that sweeps him into power because purists stay home or vote for 0bama, the game's over.
Get it?
You’re decrying purism here? At FR?
That’s funny.