Paul, who recently moved up as one of the leading GOP presidential candidates of the 2012 election, has had previous experience with the roller coaster of campaigning in his run in 2008.

Paul has the same views he did four years ago, but they are attracting attention this time around and setting his campaign apart from other candidates.

Paul could have an advantage in the race, because he knows what to expect during his early stages of campaigning. He knows what the people want because many of the issues he built his campaign on in 2008 are more crucial from four years ago and are vital in the 2012 election.

He stated in Iowa, “I believe there are literally millions of more people now concerned about the very things I talked about four years ago. The excessive spending, the entitlement system, the foreign policy, as well as the monetary system.”

People who are fed up with the government’s excessive spending and involvement in our daily lives will most likely turn to a candidate who promotes more freedom and small government along with other libertarian views. Paul is answering the tough questions that some other candidates haven’t focused much attention on, which may be beneficial in the end.

Taking second place in the Ames straw poll may have been because of his bold statements that set him apart from other candidates.

In one response he stated, “I believe in a very limited role for government. But the prime reason that government exists in a free society is to protect liberty, but also to protect life. And I mean all life.”

In response to the second place win at the straw poll, Ron Paul’s campaign chairman Jesse Benton stated, “Our message was the same in 2007 as it is now in 2011, but this time we have quadrupled our support. That means our message is spreading, our support is surging and people are taking notice.”

Paul is gaining support from college students, libertarians, as well as other conservatives that have seen many of his predictions become realities.  He is sparking a new movement and attracting not just followers, but dedicated supporters who believe in his vision.

Even though Ron Paul’s ideology is not always the most mainstream or agreeable, such as his views on military spending and the federal reserve, he has been a candidate who has stayed true to his remarks. He has had a continuous message that has resonated not only in this election but also for the past four years since his campaign in 2008.

It will be interesting to see if Paul’s libertarian ideals will continue to gain support, or if they will distract voters into voting for a more mainstream candidate such as Bachmann, Perry, or Romney.

Image Courtesy of  R. DeYoung [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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About the author

Samantha Steinberg
A Junior at Rutgers University studying political science and communication. Interests include writing, international affairs, and travel. I hope to make a difference in the world and raise awareness through my writing.

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