Don't Forget the Unsung Candidates

I spoke to Jesse Burton, Paul's communications director. He believes Paul's message resounds with the base of conservative voters. The Paul campaign plans to continue using every available means to reach out, including old-school TV spots -- including prior appearances on Real Time With Bill Maher, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report -- and newer electronic methods of networking on the Internet, such as Eventful.com, where he has been in high demand.

Paul's campaign does have something working for it. Many conservative voters remain unaware of the social positions of the front-runners, which may present a hurdle for them. A significant number of GOP voters are also undecided, as in New Hampshire, where the number is 57% undecided. Conservative defectors and the undecided voters will be looking to support a candidate as the primaries loom larger. It is possible they might move toward Ron Paul.

Paul did start a controversy during one of the GOP debates, which led to some harsh criticism. He stated: "They attack us because we've been over there; we have been bombing in Iraq for 10 years." Giuliani retorted immediately by calling it an "extraordinary statement" and saying, "I don't think I've heard that before."

Others followed, including Paul Anuzis, GOP chairman of Michigan, who called him "out of whack." Anuzis threatened to start a petition with Republican National Committee to have Paul barred from further GOP debates. It never materialized. The reaction demonstrates how hard it is to have real debate on Iraq. Rep. Paul has a long way to go. He sits at a lowly position in the polls and has been less charismatic than former Gov. Mike Huckabee. I may be "out of whack" for suggesting Rep. Paul has a chance, but I enjoy his genuine character.

One other lesson from history, Rep. Paul and other potential long shots, may want to consider. Long shot candidates who become President often lack the political gravitas for re-election. Carter was defeated by Reagan in 1980, while Pierce has the distinction as the nation's only sitting president to lose the re-nomination of his party.