Ron Paul May Not Endorse Republican Frontrunner, Still Rallying Supporters

Republican cult-favorite Ron Paul- arguably the most compelling candidate and certainly the one with the most fervent fan base- isn’t giving up on his White House bid just yet.

As a small-L libertarian who caucuses with liberals and thinks that what America needs more than anything right now (besides to get the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan) is universal health care, I have to say, Ron Paul is a terribly compelling candidate nonetheless. Paul is whip smart (albeit a bit ostrichy on some issues, like socialized medicine for instance), brave as hell and fair in his brutality, seemingly refusing to pander on issues where the big donors have interests.

However, Paul’s vision of America is one I am disappointed to admit could never work in the real world. Would that all the poor and infirm were cared for by churches and private charity- I’ve said before that Paul’s rhetoric (which I would guess he actually believes) is kind of like sweet talking America’s conservatives into bed. And were Paul elected, America would be broke, alone, pregnant and living in the backseat of a Pinto within months.

Paul’s fracturous effect on the GOP cannot be ignored- a third party run by Paul would decimate the party’s already long long shot at the White House in 2012. Still, it almost seems criminal that the most honest candidate won’t get a shot at the presidency due to the two party system we all admit sucks.

And Paul hasn’t thrown in the towel yet- when asked who he would endorse (which seems like a very rude question, I might add) among the sad crop of remaining GOP contenders, Paul said Monday:

“I haven’t decided… I want us to stand for something… Why do it now in the middle of a race? I have a lot of campaign events… It’s tough in a Republican base where many don’t have concerns about civil liberties.”

Civil liberties, woo! (This is where liberals and moderates cheer along at Paul.) Paul also spoke more encouragingly about a third party run, basically saying he hasn’t ruled it out. And while a Ron Paul run would undoubtedly have a Nader effect on the 2012 election, it also might be a much needed slap in the face to the GOP to get back to the party’s less meddling and more noble traditional platform.