He may bit in better shape than McCain, but Dr. Ron Paul will be 76 on Election Day 2012. It is highly unlikely he will mount another presidential bid. However, with the Republican Party in disarray and Sarah Palin sure to face enormous opposition from within if she makes a power move, the GOP could benefit in a major way by embracing Paul's economic messages.
Full column:
Ron Paul supporters well-positioned in battle for soul of the GOP
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/1488834-ron-paulExcerpt from analysis:
As for 2009 and beyond, look for the battle for the soul of the post-Bush Republican Party to move in one of three basic directions. It could simply try to maintain the status quo in terms of overall brand and image -- but with a few focus group-tested bells and whistles added in to make it seem fresh and rejuvenated. That would be bad enough, but not nearly as bad a second possibility.
In this scenario, the GOP would move toward an unapologetic, quasi-fascist party that encourages a kind of ongoing clampdown, an Americanized version of life in Burma. Rather than armies in the street, however, fear and control would become the ultimate political tools through shows of force and deft media management. By repeatedly decrying Big Government even as it pushes and passes more Patriot Acts, more wiretapping, more military involvement on foreign soil, more NAFTAs, more "bailouts," the Orwellian concept of doublespeak would flourish at the expense of freedom, liberty and justice.
A third, more hopeful – and I daresay realistic – possibility is that out of the financial darkness now besetting America and the world, a better way can be forged. At its best, the Republican Party has been a beacon for fiscal responsibility, a strong, smart military, individual liberty and real, honest-to-goodness free enterprise, not the government subsidized version crippling us today. The Ron Paul Revolution is poised to lead the way.
Full column:
Ron Paul supporters well-positioned in battle for soul of the GOP
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/1488834-ron-paul