[C210N]

the last thing I would want to do is run as a Dem or Rep...

This is very hard to do, since congress/state-office candidates must rely on grass-roots pubs/dems as a source of volunteers. The volunteers that help a campaign are the most active, and probably also active in the local pub/dem committees.

[PastorTony]

This is very hard to do, since congress/state-office candidates must rely on grass-roots pubs/dems as a source of volunteers. The volunteers that help a campaign are the most active, and probably also active in the local pub/dem committees.

Agreed, but there is a nice network of Ron Paul supporters out there in various Meetup groups. They are hardworking people too - PA was littered with Paul signs despite McCain having locked up the nomination. Perfect crowd for an outsider candidate to approach for support.