“Paul’s opposition to big government is not a distinguishing feature.”

Paul actually voted against an amazing number of government programs. None of the other candidates can claim as much. Have any come out against the Bush ethanol schemes.

“Paul’s opposition to the war is founded on conspiracy theories, over-the-top isolationism, and an unhealthy dose of hostility to Israel.”

You should be more specific. I personally think you are exaggerating, or just imagining things. BTW, what is a healthy dose of hostility to Israel? Ron Paul is not hostile to Israel. The war in Iraq is likely going to be a disaster for Israel. Israel’s defeat in Lebanon II is probably just the start of the problems for Israel caused by the Iraq war.

As far as Paul bringing Iraq up over and over. You are right it is his primary issue. He would not be running or attracting money were it not for the war in Iraq. The war in Iraq is a domestic issue as it will prevent the US government from spending on many domestic issues. The war in Iraq may also cause the loss of Afghanistan, not to mention Sudan, Somalia, Kosovo, and others.

A better criticism is that Ron Paul has never been a governor or even a mayor. I suspect that the correct comparison is with Barry Goldwater who took the republican party in a new direction, but also lost.

And far from the kind of scary lunatic you project him to be, Paul’s grandfatherly demeanor is quite endearing. Even though I disagreed with the majority of his message, it was hard not to like the guy. The more people see of Ron Paul…the MORE they will like him….at least until one of the major-party candidates take him seriously enough to run attack ads against him highlighting his more outrageous policy positions. But if Romney/Giuliani/Thompson and his sycophants are forced to finance ads attacking Ron Paul AND Hillary Clinton next fall, they got a big problem on their hands.