Ron Paul hardly mentioned in statistical tie with Romney at SRLC

Lost in the vast majority of articles regarding the Southern Republican Leadership Conference poll over the weekend was how close Ron Paul was to winning. Following up his exceptional victory in the CPAC straw poll earlier this spring, Ron Paul nearly won this one as well (Romney and Paul each polled at 24%). The final tally had Romney with 439 votes to Paul's 438. The third place finisher, Sarah Palin, finished more than 100 votes behind these two (330 votes). Yet most articles about the event gave him a token line, if that.

Ron Paul, who the mainstream media has worked diligently to paint as an outsider incapable of winning the 2012 primary received rousing applause during his entire speech before the packed conference. The question about Paul's electability has been answered by his repeated victories for his house seat, which has not happened in a vacuum. Even in his most recent primary, he had competent challengers within his own party. Passionate tea party candidates ran unsuccessfully against the man known for his fiscal policies and his desire to return America to its Constitutional roots (Paul won approximately 80% of the vote).

It is time to dismiss the idea that Paul is a fringe outsider. The vast majority of his views are shared throughout the Republican base and the Tea Party movement (which his 2008 presidential campaign is largely responsible for forming). For the future of this country, the next president must not be someone who compromises in order to please people. The next american president must be a person who will cut spending in every area possible beginning day one in office. The only republican on the SRLC slate who would do that immediately is Ron Paul.

Ron Paul deserves credit. His mainstream media labeled "fringe movement" has turned out to be anything but. He will continue to be a formidable force in American politics until he chooses to hang up his hat. The American people can only hope that he chooses to do that after the 2012 election which he has the definite potential to win.