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2. The currently “leftist” young supporters will hear his message of limited government and it will stick with them for life

I'm not sure I agree with your first premise, as I think there are many more Republicans (probably 3 or 4:1 margin) that support him than Democrats, but I definitely agree with the above statement and think, regardless of how things turn out, this education of the American public on the virtues of a liberty is a worthy endevour that will have lasting consequences.

I think it is also true it will force the rest of the republican field to shift to the right in a positive manner.

I'm not sure I agree with your first premise, as I think there are many more Republicans (probably 3 or 4:1 margin) that support him than Democrats, but I definitely agree with the above statement and think, regardless of how things turn out, this education of the American public on the virtues of a liberty is a worthy endevour that will have lasting consequences. I think it is also true it will force the rest of the republican field to shift to the right in a positive manner.

That's exactly it. Some people define "winning" in the traditional sense, which is understandable. Winning = You get sworn into office and get more votes than the other guy. And you gain power.

If any candidate, Ron Paul happens to be the topic du jour, were able to scare the crap out of BOTH parties even while going down in a blaze of glory...that would be priceless. That's what I want to see.

Between me, you and everyone else who reads this I will tell you honestly and directly...if I thought he could actually win for real in the traditional sense, I would be terrified. We can't surrender to the islamofascists.

Since that is not the case, Ron Paul can do what Goldwater did in 64. "Lose" an election but change the political discourse for the next 40 years. He has to run on the LP ticket to do that after gaining some relevance with a respectable showing in the GOP primary. Otherwise tx is right and he is just doing all of this to enrich himself on the lecture circuit and get a bigger bonus for his book deal.