[jmc813]

Ron Paul couldn't get come close to getting elected as a libertarian candidate. It was only when he became a Republican that he could get elected.

Agreed, but with one minor nitpick. Paul still is a libertarian (note the small l) politician. Had you capitalized the L, I'd have agreed with you 100%.

[CWOJackson]

As long as it says (R) on the ballot he's a Republican. Maybe a Republican in name only but if he puts (L) or (l) on the ballot he's an ex-Congressman.