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{{Infobox_Congressman
| name =Ron Paul
| image name =Ron paul.jpg
| date of birth= {{birth date and age|1935|8|20}}
| place of birth= {{flagicon|USA}} [[Green Tree, Pennsylvania]]
| state = [[Texas]]
| district = [[Texas's 14th congressional district|14th]]
| term_start =[[January 3]] [[1997]]
| state2 = [[Texas]]
| district2 = [[Texas's 22nd congressional district|22nd]]
| term_start2 = [[January 3]] [[1979]]
| term_end2 = [[January 3]] [[1985]]
| preceded = [[Greg Laughlin]]
| succeeded = Incumbent
| party = [[Republican Party (US)|Republican]]
| spouse = Carol Paul
| children = Ronnie Paul<br/>Lori Pyeatt<br/>Rand Paul<br/>Robert Paul<br/>Joy Paul-LeBlanc
| profession = [[Flight surgeon]], [[Physician]]
| religion = [[Christianity|Christian]] ([[Baptist]])
}}
'''Ronald Ernest Paul''' (born [[August 20]] [[1935]]) is a 10th-term [[United States Congress|Congressman]], [[physician]] ([[Doctor of Medicine|M.D.]]) and a [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential candidate]] from the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]], seeking the [[2008 Republican presidential candidates|nomination of the Republican Party]].
As a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he has represented [[Texas's 14th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] since 1997 and represented [[Texas's 22nd congressional district|Texas's 22nd district]] in 1976 and from 1979 to 1985. He has earned the nickname "Dr. No" because he is a medical doctor who votes against any bill he believes violates the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.com.com/They+call+him+Dr.+No+for+good+reason/2010-1071_3-940767.html|title= Perspective: They call him Dr. No for good reason|author= McCullagh, Declan|date= 2002-07-01|publisher= CNET News}}</ref>
In the words of former [[Treasury Secretary]] [[William E. Simon|William Simon]], Paul is the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on [[Capitol Hill]].<ref name="officialbio">{{cite web |url= http://www.house.gov/paul/bio.shtml|title= Congressman Ron Paul|accessdate= 2007-05-20|publisher= United States House of Representatives}}</ref> He has never voted to raise taxes or congressional pay and refuses to participate in the [[Congressional pension|congressional pension system]] or take government-paid junkets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press97/prjan30.htm |title=Paul refuses to participate in "immoral" pension system|date=1997-01-30| Publisher=Congressman Ron Paul's office}}</ref><ref name="officialbio"/> He voted against the [[USA PATRIOT Act]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul114.html|title= The Unpatriot Act|accessdate= 2007-06-10|publisher= Congressman Ron Paul's office}}</ref> the [[Military Commissions Act of 2006]], and the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.antiwar.com/paul/paul51.html|title= Opposing the Use of Military Force Against Iraq|accessdate= 2007-06-10|publisher= Antiwar.com}}</ref>
==Early life and education==
Paul was born in [[Green Tree, Pennsylvania|Green Tree]], [[Pennsylvania]] (southwest of [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]]), to Howard Caspar Paul (1904–1997), the son of a [[Germany|German]] [[immigrant]], and Margaret Paul (1908–2001), who owned a dairy farm outside Pittsburgh.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wargs.com/political/paul.html|title= The Ancestors of Ron Paul|accessdate= 2007-05-20|author= Reitwiesner, William Addams|publisher= Wargs.com}}</ref> He was the third of five sons born during seven years in the [[Great Depression]]. Paul's father had an eighth-grade education and was co-owner, along with his father's siblings, Lewis and Arthur, of Green Tree Dairy. In his early years, Paul began working at the dairy at age five. Later he delivered newspapers and worked in a drugstore and became a [[milkman]] when he was old enough to drive.
He graduated from Dormont High School in [[Dormont, Pennsylvania]], in 1953 with honors. He excelled in [[track and field]], winning the Pennsylvania state championship in the 220-yard dash and coming in second in the 440-yard dash as a junior. He once beat a young man who eventually went to the Olympics. He was also on the [[wrestling]] team and president of the student council.
Paul paid for his first year at [[Gettysburg College]] with saved newspaper-delivery and lawn-mowing money. Paul delivered mail and laundry on the side while in Gettysburg; for one year, he managed the college coffee shop. He gave up track after a knee injury, but joined the college swimming team instead after taking it up as therapy. He had been offered a full [[scholarship]] to run for the track team but declined it, worried that he wouldn't regain his previous speed. Paul was inducted into [[Lambda Chi Alpha]] fraternity,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fraternalcaucus.org/greeks_congress|title= Greeks in Congress|accessdate=2007-07-08 |publisher= Capital Fraternal Caucus}}</ref> and he served as steward and house manager of the fraternity. He received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] [[Academic degree|degree]] in 1957.
He was then accepted to [[Duke University School of Medicine]], where he received his [[Doctor of Medicine]] (M.D.) in 1961. He did his [[internship]] and a year of [[residency]] training, both in [[internal medicine]], at [[Henry Ford Hospital]] in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] from 1961 to 1962 and [[Residency (medicine)|residency]] in [[obstetrics]]/[[gynecology]] at the [[University of Pittsburgh]] from 1965 to 1968.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000583|title= PAUL, Ronald Ernest|accessdate= 2007-05-20|publisher= United States Congress}}</ref>
Paul is well-versed in the economic philosophy of the [[Austrian school of economics]], and has authored several books (see below) on the subject. He has pictures of [[Friedrich von Hayek]], [[Ludwig von Mises]], and [[Murray Rothbard]] hanging on his office wall.<ref>[http://www.amconmag.com/2007/2007_06_18/cover.html "Lone Star"]American Conservative Magazine, June 18, 2007. Michael Brendan Doughtery</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://photos-184.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v77/31/32/153800184/n153800184_30173281_6346.jpg |title="Screenshot.''[[America: From Freedom to Fascism]]''}}</ref>
==Military service==
Paul was [[Conscription in the United States|drafted]] during the [[Vietnam War]] into the [[United States Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://chbn.com/Clip.aspx?key=1CD9E3A0397BCBEC|title= Congressman Ron Paul Announces Presidential Run while taking LIVE calls on C-SPAN!|accessdate=2007-07-08 |publisher= Capital Hill Broadcasting Network |format= Flash video |quote= (11:26) I was drafted in the '60s. I went into the air force. I stayed in for five years in active duty and reserves.}}</ref> He served as a [[flight surgeon]] at [[Kelly Air Force Base]] in [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Texas]] from 1963 to 1965. He then served in the [[Air National Guard]] from 1965 to 1968 while completing his medical residency in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ronpaulforcongress.com/html/veterans.html |title=Congressman Ron Paul - "Fighting For Our Country" |accessdate= 2007-07-08}}</ref>
==Medical career==
Paul began his medical practice in [[Lake Jackson, Texas]], as a specialist in [[obstetrics]] and [[gynecology]], delivering more than 4,000 babies. He took over the practice of a retiring doctor and was busy as the only obstetrician and gynecologist in [[Brazoria County, Texas|Brazoria County]]. Paul said of his time as a doctor, "I delivered forty to fifty babies a month and did a lot of surgery."<ref name="texasmonthly2001">{{cite web |url= http://www.texasmonthly.com/2001-10-01/feature7.php|title= Dr. No|author= Gwynne, S.C.|date= 2001-10-01|publisher= ''[[Texas Monthly]]''}}</ref>
Dr. Paul did not accept [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] or [[Medicaid]] as a physician; instead, he would do the work [[Pro bono publico|for free]] or work at a greatly lowered payment or payment plan for needy patients.<ref name="paulfacts">{{cite web |url= http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070323/23paulfacts.htm|title= 10 Things You Didn't Know About Ron Paul|author= Burton, Danielle|date= 2007-03-23|publisher= ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''}}</ref><ref name="paulsneery">{{cite web |url= http://calbears.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3827/is_199806/ai_n8799789|title= Paul vs. Sneery|date= 1998-06-26|publisher= ''Human Events''}}</ref>
==Family==
Paul and his wife, Carol Wells, were married on February 1, 1957. Carol asked Ron to their first date at a [[Sadie Hawkins]] dance.<ref name="dailypaul1">{{cite web |url= http://dailypaul.com/node/53|title= The American Dream - Through the Eyes of Mrs. Ron Paul|author= Paul, Carol|date= 2007-03-16|publisher= Daily Paul}}</ref> They went to colleges in different states but kept in touch and married in Ron's senior year at [[Gettysburg College]].<ref name="dailypaul1"/>
They have five children: Ronnie, Lori, Rand, Robert, and Joy. They also have eighteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.<ref name="firstfamily">{{cite web |url= http://www.dailypaul.com/node/185 |title= The First Family ???|author= Pyeatt, Matt|date= May 24, 2007|publisher= Daily Paul}}</ref> While they lived in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] for his residency, Carol ran a dance school in their basement.<ref name="dailypaul1"/> Three of the children, Robert, Rand, and Joy also became medical doctors. Rand specializes in [[ophthalmology]] and Robert specializes in [[family practice]]. Like Congressman Paul, his daughter Joy specializes in [[obstetrics]]/[[gynecology]].<ref name="firstfamily"/> Paul supported his children during their undergraduate and medical school years, not allowing them to take part in [[subsidy|subsidized]] federal [[student loan]] programs. He has not signed up for a [[congressional pension]] for the same reason.<ref name="paulfacts"/>
==Political positions==
{{main|Political positions of Ron Paul}}
In his [[Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2008|2008 presidential campaign]], Paul has stated that he would like to "reinstate the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] and restore the [[Republic]]." He believes in restoring and defending civil liberties.<ref name="patriotism">{{cite web | title=Patriotism | url=http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul388.html | work=House of Representatives |publisher= Lew Rockwell | date=2007-05-22 | accessdate=2007-06-08}} </ref> His voting record is consistent with his advocacy of a [[non-interventionism|non-interventionist]] [[foreign policy]] and the rejection of a [[welfare state]] role for the federal government.
Ron Paul links his strong [[pro-life]] position to his libertarian principles. Dr. Paul introduced H.R. 776 titled "Sanctity of Life Act of 2005" which would have defined life to begin at conception and would prohibit the federal government from regulating or funding abortions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-776 |title=H.R. 776 [109th]: Sanctity of Life Act of 2005}}</ref>. Paul believes that [[abortion rights]] would be in the jurisdiction of the States citing that it is not an enumerated power of the federal government.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Ron_Paul.htm|title= Ron Paul on the Issues|accessdate=2007-06-24 |publisher=On the Issues}}</ref> Accordingly, he has challenged [[Roe v. Wade]] for its unconstitutionality.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul98.html|title= The Partial Birth Abortion Ban|accessdate=2007-06-24 |date=2003-06-04 |author= Ron Paul}}</ref>
Dr. Paul is a staunch defender of one's natural right to self defense, a proponent of individual Second Amendment rights and is the only 2008 Presidential candidate with a voting record rated A+ by [[Gun Owners of America]].
In the May 3, 2007, GOP Debate, Paul stated that as President, he would immediately seek the abolition of the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) and the abolition of the income tax specifically. As Congressman, he has long fought for the [[Article One of the United States Constitution#Section 9: Limits on Congress|prohibition of federal individual income taxes]] by repeal of the [[16th Amendment to the United States Constitution|16th Amendment]]. Paul has been named "The Taxpayer's Best Friend" by the [[National Taxpayers Union]] every year he has been in Congress, indicating a fiscal conservative voting record on spending of taxpayer dollars.<ref name="ntu2008">{{cite web |url= http://www.ntu.org/main/page.php?PageID=97|title= NTU's Fiscal "Snapshot" of the 2008 Presidential Race|accessdate= 2007-06-10|publisher= National Taxpayers Union}}</ref>
Paul is the only [[2008 Republican presidential candidates|2008 Republican presidential candidate]] to have voted against the [[Iraq Resolution|Iraq War Resolution]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2002/cr090402.htm|title= Arguments Against a War in Iraq|accessdate=2007-07-07 |date = 2002-09-04|author= Paul, Ron}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2002/cr100802.htm|title= Statement Opposing the use of Military Force against Iraq|accessdate=2007-07-07 |author= Paul, Ron|date= 2002-09-08}}</ref> Paul believes in a strong national defense and voted for the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] in 2001,<ref>{{cite web | title=TRANSCRIPT: Moyers hosts RON PAUL (R, Tx) on PBS's "NOW" | url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/763331/posts | work=PBS |publisher= Free Republic | date=2002-10-04 | accessdate=2007-06-07}} </ref> but suggested alternatives including giving the President authority to grant [[Letters of Marque and Reprisal]], which would allow war to be carried out against individuals rather than foreign countries and allow local bounty hunters familiar with the Afghanistani terrain to be hired to capture [[Osama bin Laden]] and his co-conspirators. Paul stated that the bill "would allow Congress to authorize the President to specifically target Bin Laden and his associates using non-government armed forces. Since it is nearly impossible for U.S. intelligence teams to get close to Bin Laden, the marque and reprisal approach creates an incentive for people in Afghanistan or elsewhere to turn him over to the U.S."<ref>{{cite web | title=Paul Offers President New Tool in the War on Terrorism | author=Ron Paul | url=http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press2001/pr101101.htm | publisher= Rep. Ron Paul, official website | date=2001-10-11 | accessdate=2007-05-21}} </ref> In 2002 Paul also voted for the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act that would create a program where commercial airline [[Aviator|pilots]] would be deputized as federal law enforcement officers and would then be permitted to carry guns aboard airlines,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll292.xml |title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 292 |publisher=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |accessdate=2007-06-30 }}</ref> the bill was eventually amended to the [[Homeland Security Act]] of 2002 which Ron Paul voted against.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=296 |title=Representative Paul's Voting Record |publisher=Project Vote Smart |accessdate=2007-06-30 |format= |work= }}</ref>
Paul has opposed U.S. involvement in opposing [[Sudan]]'s [[human rights]] violations in [[Darfur]]. On November 19, 2004, Paul, speaking on the floor of the House, opposed intervention in what he described as a "civil war with nothing to do with us," asking "(w)hy does it always seem that when we hear urgent clamor for the United States to intervene, oil or some other valuable commodity just happens to be present?"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=582|title= Stay out of Sudan's Civil War|accessdate=2007-07-08 |date=2004-11-19}}</ref>
Paul's desire to secure U.S. borders remains a key topic in his 2008 presidential campaign. He opposes the [[Independent Task Force on North America|North American Union]] proposition and its proposed integration of [[Mexico]], the United States of America, and [[Canada]]. Paul voted "yes" on the [[Secure Fence Act of 2006]], which authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico. Paul opposes [[illegal immigration]] as well as [[amnesty]] for illegal immigrants. He also introduced legislation that would amend the Constitution to stop giving automatic citizenship to babies who are born in the United States to non-citizen parents, which has been in effect since the [[14th Amendment to the United States Constitution|14th Amendment]] was ratified in 1868.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rethinking Birthright Citizenship | author=Ron Paul | url=http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2006/tst100206.htm | publisher= Rep. Ron Paul, official website | date=2006-10-02 | accessdate=2007-05-20}} </ref>
He supports the U.S. converting to a free market health care system, saying in an interview on New Hampshire NPR that the present system is akin to a "[[corporatism|corporatist-fascist]]" system which keeps prices high. He contends that prices decrease in industries with free markets due to technological innovation. He opposes the [[Socialized medicine|socialized health care]] alternative offered by Democrats as being harmful as well.<ref name="npr-2007-06-05">{{cite web | title=Republican Representative Ron Paul of Texas | url=http://www.nhpr.org/node/13016 | publisher= New Hampshire National Public Radio | date=2007-06-05 | accessdate=2007-06-08}} </ref>
Paul says that he is for the rights of individuals over both corporate and social special interests and has stated that "There is but one special interest that we should be working for, and that would solve just about all of our problems, and that is our Liberty."{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
==Early congressional career==
A prominent physician in his district when he went into politics, Paul became a [[delegate]] to the Texas state Republican [[Political convention|convention]] in 1974. He had decided to enter politics on August 15, 1971, when President [[Richard Nixon]] went off the [[gold standard]] completely. He said, "After that day, all money would be political money rather than money of real value. I was astounded."<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/>
Paul was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congressman from the 22nd District of Texas in 1974, an election where Democratic candidates won heavily, against the incumbent Democrat [[Robert R. Casey]]. When President [[Gerald R. Ford]] appointed Casey as head of the [[Federal Maritime Commission]], a [[special election]] was held in [[April]] [[1976]] to choose a new congressperson. Paul won that election but lost six months later in the [[general election]] to Democrat [[Robert Gammage|Robert A. Gammage]]. The vote was close: fewer than 300 votes out of 180,000. He then defeated Gammage in a 1978 rematch. Paul won new terms in 1980 and 1982. Paul was the first Republican to represent the area in the House of Representatives.<ref name="campaigncom">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgF-s1voM_Y The Ron Paul Story] on YouTube accessed on [[June 14]] [[2007]]</ref> He was one of only four Republican congressmen to endorse [[Ronald Reagan]] for president against [[Gerald Ford]] in 1976,<ref name="2008bio"/> when Dr. Paul led the Texas delegation in support of Reagan at the national Republican convention.<ref name="campaigncom"/>
Paul delivered babies on Mondays and Saturdays during his entire term as the 22nd District representative.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> During this time, he began to gain his reputation as "Dr. No", with his refusal to vote for laws he felt to be unconstitutional called "legendary" by the ''Wall Street Journal''.<ref name="campaigncom"/>
Paul was the first congressman, in the 1970s,<ref name="wsj1997">[http://www.seedship.com/politics/ronpaul1.html The Libertarian Congressman Is Back] from ''The Wall Street Journal'' accessed on [[June 15]] [[2007]]</ref> to propose [[term limit]] legislation for the House of Representatives, where he declined to attend junkets or register for a congressional pension while serving four terms.<ref name="campaign1996">{{cite web |url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2519/is_n6_v17/ai_18535311|title= Paul vs. Laughlin - Ron Paul's campaign against Representative Greg Laughlin|author= Beiler, David|date= 1996-06|publisher= Campaigns and Elections}}</ref> He proposed legislation to decrease congressional pay at the rate of inflation.<ref name="wsj1997"/> In 1980, when a majority of Republicans favored President Carter's proposal to reinstate [[Selective Service|draft registration]], he told them that they were inconsistent in their views: they were more eager to register their children than they were to register their guns.<ref name="wsj1997"/>
Paul served on the [[United States House Committee on Financial Services|House Banking Committee]] during this time, where he spoke against the inflation he saw as being caused by the Federal Reserve.<ref name="2008bio">[http://www.ronpaul2008.com/about/ About Ron Paul] on Ronpaul2008.com accessed on [[June 9]] [[2007]]</ref> The US Gold Commission created by Congress in 1982 was his idea, and his conclusions from the commission were published by the [[Cato Institute]] as the book ''The Case for Gold''.<ref name="gold">{{cite web |work= J Taylor's Gold & Technology Stocks|date= 2000-05-11 |title= In Defense of our "Unalienable Rights" |url= http://www.usagold.com/gildedopinion/taylorpaulintrvw.html}}</ref> Paul's chief of staff from 1978 to 1982 was [[Lew Rockwell]].<ref name="insight1997">{{Citation |journal= Insight on the News |date= 1997-01-10|author= Berlau, John}}</ref> Paul was a regular participant in the annual Congressional baseball game.<ref name="campaigncom"/>
In the 1980 election, despite spending half of what his Democratic opponent did, he won a tight contest.<ref name="wsj1997"/> Paul was an unsuccessful candidate for the [[U.S. Senate]] in the 1984 [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] primary against [[Phil Gramm]]. In 1985, Paul voluntarily left his seat to return to full-time medical practice<ref name="2008bio"/> and was succeeded by [[Tom DeLay]], then a member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legis/members/roster.cfm?leg=68|title= Members and leaders of the Texas Legislature|accessdate=2007-07-08 |publisher= Legislative Reference Library of Texas}}</ref> In a farewell address on the House floor, Paul said, "Special interests have replaced the concern that the Founders had for general welfare. Vote trading is seen as good politics. The errand-boy mentality is ordinary, the defender of liberty is seen as bizarre. It's difficult for one who loves true liberty and utterly detests the power of the state to come to Washington for a period of time and not leave a true cynic."<ref name="insight1997"/>
==1988 presidential campaign==
In the [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988 presidential election]], despite having no previous affiliation with the [[United States Libertarian Party|Libertarian Party]], Paul won that party's nomination for the [[President of the United States|U.S. Presidency]]. Appearing on the ballot in 46 states and the [[District of Columbia]],<ref name="1988nytimes">{{cite web |url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0712FB3E5C0C748DDDA90994D0484D81|title= Now for a Real Underdog: Ron Paul, Libertarian, for President|date= 1988-10-17|publisher= ''[[The New York Times]]''}}</ref> he placed third in the [[popular vote]] (with 431,750 votes - 0.47%), behind Republican [[George H. W. Bush]] and Democrat [[Michael Dukakis]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEEDB103AF93AA15751C1A96E948260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fP%2fPaul%2c%20Ron|title= 1988 VOTE: The Final Word|date= 1988-12-29|publisher= ''[[The New York Times]]''}}</ref> Although he had been an early supporter of [[Ronald Reagan]], Paul was critical of the unprecedented [[deficits]] incurred by Reagan's administration, for which his opponent George H.W. Bush had been [[Vice President of the United States|vice-president]].<ref name="campaign1996"/>
Paul said that he was doing more during his presidential run than reach office: he was trying to spread his liberty-minded ideas and would often talk to school groups that weren't old enough to vote. "We're just as interested in the future generation as this election. These kids will vote eventually, and maybe, just maybe, they'll go home and talk to their parents."<ref name="1988nytimes"/>
During his time as a Libertarian candidate, Paul gained supporters nationwide who agreed with him on many of his positions—on gun rights, [[fiscal conservatism]], [[home-schooling]], right-to-lifers, and others who thought the federal government was heading in the wrong direction. These supporters formed a nationwide support base that encouraged him to return to office and supported his campaigns financially.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/>
After the election, Paul had a coin business<ref name="spectator1999">{{citation|title= A principled maverick|date= 1999-11|publisher= ''The American Spectator''}}</ref> and worked at his own [[think tank]] until returning to Congress.<ref name="spectator1999"/>
==Later congressional career==
===Campaigns===
In 1996, Paul returned to Congress after a tougher battle than he had faced in the 1970s. He thought that he could get more accomplished in Congress after the Republicans took over both houses of Congress in the 1994 election.<ref name="paulsneery"/> His Republican primary opponent, [[Greg Laughlin]], had support from leaders within the Republican Party, including House Speaker [[Newt Gingrich]] and Texas Governor [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="campaign1996"/> Incumbent Laughlin had switched from the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] to the Republican side the year before, but despite efforts by the national party, challenger Paul won the primary by a large margin. While Gingrich and other Republican leaders visited the district stumping for Laughlin, Paul ran newspaper ads quoting Gingrich's harsh criticisms of Laughlin's voting record 14 months earlier, before Laughlin switched parties.<ref name="campaign1996"/> Baseball player [[Nolan Ryan]] served as Paul's honorary campaign chairman.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> Paul was elected for the coastal 14th Congressional District rather than the 22nd District he had previously represented. The change in district was a result of the borders of redistricting<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ao.nictusa.com/ao/no/900023.html|title= Federal Election Commission Advisory Opinion Number 1990-23|accessdate= 2007-05-26|author= Elliott, Lee Ann|date= 1990-11-05|publisher= }}</ref> as Paul continued to maintain his home in Lake Jackson.
His Democratic opponent in the fall election, [[lawyer]] Charles "Lefty" Morris, lost in a close margin despite running numerous attacks on Paul, including his past votes to repeal federal drug laws in favor of state legislation and portions of old newsletters, assisted by the [[AFL-CIO]]. Paul in turn labeled Morris a pawn of trial lawyers and big labor. He raised more money than Morris, with the help of his national network of donors: $1.2 million to Morris' $472,153. Ken Bryan, a Democratic consultant to some of Paul's opponents, has said, "He has one of the largest contributor bases in Congress, outside of the leadership." Most of Paul's contributions are given in small amounts by individuals.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> That year, he had the third-highest amount of individual contributions of any House member, behind Speaker [[Newt Gingrich]] and [[Bob Dornan]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.reason.com/news/show/118086.html|title= Paul for President?:The maverick libertarian Republican talks on war, immigration, and presidential ambition.|accessdate= 2007-05-28|author= Doherty, Brian|date= 2007-01-22|publisher= Reason Magazine }}</ref>
In 1998 he again won the primary and the election and outraised his opponent by a large margin, $2.1 million to $734,000. Opposing a Democratic rice farmer and former [[Matagorda County, Texas|Matagorda County]] judge, Loy Sneary, Paul won by 11 percentage points; he ran ads warning voters to be "leery of Sneary."<ref name="saynot"/> Paul accused Judge Sneary of voting to raise his pay by 5%, increasing his judge's travel budget by 400% in one year, and creating more government bureaucracy by starting a new government agency to handle a license plate fee he enacted. Sneary's aides said he had voted to raise all county employees' pay by 5% in a "cost of living" increase. Paul countered that he had never voted to raise congressional pay.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.chron.com/cgi-bin/auth/story.mpl/content/chronicle/metropolitan/98/08/15/notebook.2-0.html|title= Foes lock horns over Paul's radio ads|accessdate= 2007-05-26|author= |date= 1998-08-14|work= Campaign Notebook|publisher= Houston Chronicle}}</ref><ref name="paulsneery"/>
In 2000, Sneary ran against Paul again, with Paul winning 60% to 40%. He raised $2.4 million to Sneary's $1.1 million in that campaign.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> Paul was re-elected in 2002. Unopposed in 2004, he was re-elected to his ninth term in the Congress, and he was re-elected again in 2006 for his 10th term by a 20-point margin,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/TX/index.html|title= State Races: Texas|accessdate= 2007-03-04|work= Elections 2006|publisher= CNN}}</ref> outraising his opponent $1.2 million to $600,000.<ref name="nosklar">{{cite web |url= http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/330/story/72352.html|title= Shane Sklar won't run against Paul in 2008|accessdate= 2007-06-14|work= Elections 2008|publisher= ''The Victoria Advocate''}}</ref>
Paul has said that when he has money left over from campaigns, he either transfers it to his next campaign fund or donates it to charity.<ref name="nosklar"/>
He has drawn two primary challengers in the next election: Eric Dondero, a former aid to Ron Paul,
[http://libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com/2007/05/ron-paul-challenger-eric-dondero-picks.html]
and Chris Peden, Friendswood city councilman. [http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/stories/MYSA052207.EN.PAUL.94898f61.html]
===Principles===
''Texas Monthly'', calling Paul "both deeply principled and wholly uncompromised," wrote in 2001 that he does not take money from [[political action committee]]s (PACs), is not swayed by Congressional lobbyists, only votes on his "deeply held beliefs" and does not cut "backroom deals." They write, "The phrase 'honest politician' is an oxymoron; yet in the sense that Paul never, ever votes against his stated principles... the phrase describes him." Along with not signing up for a Congressional pension, Paul's Congressional office returns money to the government each year; in 2000, the sum returned was $50,000.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/>
However, records from the Federal Election Commission show that he does take money from PACs, although much less than most of his counterparts in Congress. Dr. Paul consistently received PAC money during the 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2006 congressional electoral cycles.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/memberprofile.asp?cid=N00005906&Cycle=2006&CollapseAll=TRUE|title= PAC Contributions to Paul, Ron (R-TX)|accessdate= 2007-06-04|publisher= OpenSecrets.org}}</ref>
In a special report, the group Clean Up Washington listed Paul as taking the seventh-least amount of money from PACs of all members of the House, as well as one of the members of Congress accepting the least amount of money from lobbyists and as ranking fourth in taking the most percentage of contributions from small donors. Their data studied contributions from the 2000 election cycle to midway through 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cleanupwashington.org/sii/pdfs/factsheet.pdf|title= Under the Influence: Highlights from Public Citizen's Special Interest Index|accessdate= 2007-06-04|date= |year= 2006|month= 10|format= |work= |publisher= [[Public Citizen]]|pages= }}</ref> Of the 2008 Republican presidential candidates, he has accepted the least percentage of PAC money.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00005906&cycle=2008|title= 2008 Presidential Election: Ron Paul Campaign Money|accessdate= 2007-06-04|publisher= OpenSecrets.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp|title= 2008 Presidential Election: Banking on Becoming President|accessdate= 2007-06-04|publisher= OpenSecrets.org}}</ref>
"Dr. No" can be "maddeningly uncooperative" to his Republican colleagues because he will not give in to pressure to vote for bills that he views as spending taxpayers' money in a wasteful manner or for bills that he feels violate the Constitution.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> Once when former House Speaker [[Newt Gingrich]] exhorted every Republican to vote the party line, he invoked a "Ron Paul exemption," saying Paul could vote as he pleased.<ref name="spectator1999"/> Fellow fiscal conservative [[Jeff Flake]] said in 2006, "When I'm the only no vote, I can usually rest assured he's on a plane somewhere." Paul recounts that once, a bill passed 432-3. He thought the bill was based on a bad principle, and he had convinced the two members of the House sitting next to him to join him in casting a "No" vote while they waited.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rlc.org/?p=FAQ|title= Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=2007-06-24 |publisher= Republican Liberty Caucus}}</ref>
Paul has said that when current [[South Carolina]] governor [[Mark Sanford]] was in Congress with him from 1996 to 2002, he and Sanford often had voted together as the only "no" votes on bills that created more spending.<ref>''The State'', Columbia, South Carolina, May 16, 2007, Knight Ridder Business Service, written by Wayne Washington, "Great expectations and gamesmanship: Signs, photo-ops, chitchat: It's all part of pre-debate spin for candidates"</ref> ''[[The American Spectator]]'' noted that Paul's lone dissents garner him more respect than mockery among his colleagues.<ref name="spectator1999"/>
===Relationship with district===
Paul continued to work as an [[obstetrician]] in [[Brazoria County, Texas]], even while serving in [[United States Congress|Congress]], delivering many constituents' babies. As of 2001, he was one of few doctors in the House (eight, including dentists) and part of an even smaller group that continued to practice while in office. Journalists have reported that it is not unusual for younger people in his home district to approach him and say that he delivered them.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/>
Paul is against some legislation that coastal or rural members of Congress usually are not. Paul's district in Texas borders the [[Gulf of Mexico]] with 675 miles of coastline and also includes suburbs of [[Houston]]; it was redistricted prior to the 2004 election. Paul is opposed to federally funded [[flood insurance]] because it requires those who do not live near [[flood]] zones to subsidize those who choose to live in an area that is prone to flooding and does not allow those in flood zones to choose their own insurer. In an "overwhelmingly rural region," Paul opposes farm subsidies because they go to big corporations rather than small farmers. Despite voting against bills with large support in Congress, such as the farm bill, the congressman's "contrarian nature" and devotion to lowering taxes has appealed to voters in the 14th District.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/>
While some politicians would find it unthinkable to vote against bringing "[[pork barrel spending|pork]]" to their home district, Paul diverts funds that already exist within bills away from other members' districts to his district.<ref name="wsj2003">{{cite web |url= http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB104725224693862700.html|title= A Far-Right Texan Inspires Antiwar Left|accessdate= 2007-06-15|author= SHAILAGH MURRAY|date= 2003-03-10|year= 2003|publisher= ''Wall Street Journal''}}</ref> Paul spends time in the district to compensate for "violat[ing] almost every rule of political survival you can think of."<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> He sometimes spends three to four days a week in his district addressing constituents' concerns, often accompanied by one of his 17 grandchildren. He attends graduations, civic ceremonies, and [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scout]] honor ceremonies. In an expansive district, it is not unusual for him to log more than 300 miles per day visiting [[constituents]] or handling their concerns. He is particularly effective at reaching 14th District voters on veterans' issues, such as procuring medals for war veterans who lost or never received their medals; he holds medal ceremonies for those whose medals are being presented. He has helped senior citizens of the district get free or low-cost prescription drugs through a little-known drug company program. His staff sends out birthday cards to constituents, as well as [[condolence]] cards on the deaths of family members.<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/>
===Sponsored legislation and affiliations===
Paul sponsors many bills in Congress, many of which, like ones that would abolish the [[income tax]] or the [[Federal Reserve]], do not get out of committee. Nevertheless, he has been named one of the "50 Most Effective Members of Congress" by ''Congressional Quarterly''.<ref name="ronpaulis">{{cite web |url= http://www.ronpaulforcongress.com/html/ronpaulis.html |title= Ron Paul Is… | accessdate= 2007-06-15|publisher= Ron Paul for Congress}}</ref> He has sponsored successful legislation to prevent the [[Department of Housing and Urban Development]] from seizing a church in New York state through [[eminent ___domain]] and a bill transferring ownership of the [[Lake Texana]] dam project from the federal government to [[Texas]].<ref name="texasmonthly2001"/> Paul has also sponsored legislation to end the [[Bank Secrecy Act]].<ref name="bankact">{{cite web |url= http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press99/pr060999h.htm|title= Henry Hyde cosponsors Bank Secrecy Sunset Act|accessdate= 2007-06-13|author= Ron Paul congressional office|date= 1999-06-09|year= 1999|publisher= US House of Representatives homepage}}</ref> Paul said in 2004 that he had refused to vote for more than 700 bills creating a larger government over his previous two terms in office.<ref name="scspeech">{{cite web |url= http://www.lewrockwell.com/yates/yates92.html|title= An Evening With Dr. Ron Paul|accessdate= 2007-06-13|author= Steven Yates|date= 2004-04-07|year= 2004|publisher= Lew Rockwell}}</ref> In March 2001, Paul introduced the "Constitutional War Powers Resolution of 2001" which would repeal the War Powers Resolution and not allow presidents to go to war without a formal declaration of war from Congress, except in cases of an attack on the US.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=22022|title= Bill would restore Congress' war powers|accessdate= 2007-06-13|author= Jon Dougherty|date= 2001-03-13|year= 2001|publisher= World Net Daily}}</ref>
Congressman Paul serves on the [[United States House Committee on Financial Services|Committee on Financial Services]], [[United States House Committee on International Relations|International Relations Committee]], and the Joint Economic Committee. He is vice-chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee and also serves on the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, Technology, and Economic Growth. Under the Committee on International Relations, he serves on the Western Hemisphere and Asia and the Pacific subcommittees.<ref name="officialbio"/>
Paul was one of 17 members of a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress who filed a lawsuit against President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1999 over his conduct of the war in Kosovo. In the filing, they accused Clinton of not reporting to Congress within 48 hours on the status of the action as required by the 1973 [[War Powers Resolution]] and not first obtaining a declaration of war from Congress as required in the Constitution. Congress had voted 427 to 2 against a declaration of war with [[Yugoslavia]] and had voted to deny support for the air campaign in Kosovo. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that since Congress had voted for funding after the US was actively engaged in the war with Kosovo, legislators had sent a confusing message about whether they approved of the war. Paul said that the judge's decision was an attempt to circumvent the Constitution and make it legal for the president to conduct a war without approval from Congress.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press99/pr060999.htm|title= Judge sides with Clinton|accessdate= 2007-06-12|author= Ron Paul's Congressional office|date= 1999-06-09|year= 1999|publisher= US House of Representatives homepage}}</ref>
Paul introduced legislation to declare war on Iraq in October 2002. He said he would not vote for his own bill, but if his fellow members of Congress wished to go to war in Iraq, they should follow the Constitution and declare war. In a hearing on the resolution, Republican Rep. [[Henry Hyde]] said, "There are things in the Constitution that have been overtaken by events, by time. Declaration of war is one of them. There are things no longer relevant to a modern society. Why declare war if you don’t have to? We are saying to the President, use your judgment. So, to demand that we declare war is to strengthen something to death. You have got a hammerlock on this situation, and it is not called for. Inappropriate, anachronistic, it isn’t done anymore."<ref name="scspeech"/> As one of five Republicans to vote against the Iraq War Resolution, Paul inspired the founding of a group called the National Peace Lobby Project to promote a resolution he and Oregon representative [[Peter DeFazio]] sponsored to repeal the war authorization in February 2003. His column "35 Questions That Won't Be Asked About Iraq" was translated and published in German, French, Russian, Italian and Swiss publications before the Iraq War began.<ref name="wsj2003"/>
Paul has asserted that his fellow members of Congress passed the [[USA PATRIOT Act|PATRIOT Act]] without actually reading it and examining how it infringed on ordinary Americans' civil liberties, as a reaction to September 11.<ref name="scspeech"/> Paul has said his fellow members of Congress have increased domestic spending by 33% since Bush came into office. After introduction of a 2005 bill that was touted as "slashing" government programs, he wrote that the bill only decreased spending by less than a fraction of 1% and that "Congress couldn't slash spending if the members' lives depended on it."<ref name="budgetslashing">{{cite web |url= http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul287.html|title= Too Little Too Late|accessdate= 2007-06-13|author= Ron Paul|date= 2005-11-15|year= 2005|publisher= Lew Rockwell}}</ref>
Paul served as honorary chairman and is a current member of the [[Republican Liberty Caucus]], a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://fl.rlc.org/|title= RLC of Florida|accessdate= 2007-03-04|author= |date= |year= |work= |publisher= Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida}}</ref> He also serves on the Liberty Committee, a group of liberty-minded congresspeople from both sides of the aisle.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thelibertycommittee.org/|title= The Liberty Committee|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> He is a founding member of the Congressional Rural Caucus, which deals with agricultural and rural issues.<ref name="ronpaulis"/>
Unlike many political candidates, Paul receives the overwhelming majority of his campaign contributions (96.8% in 2005–2006) from individuals.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00005906&cycle=2006|title= Contributions|accessdate= 2007-05-25|work= Ron Paul: Campaign Finance/Money|publisher= OpenSecrets.org}}</ref>
Paul remains on good terms with the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] and addressed its [[Libertarian National Convention|national convention]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator/vol-09-num-10.htm|title= President's Corner|accessdate= 2007-05-28|date= 2004-06-09|work= Liberator Online, Volume 9, Number 10|publisher= Advocates for Self-Government}}</ref>
==2008 presidential campaign==
{{future election candidate|Paul, Ron}}
{{main|Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2008}}
[[Image:ronpaul2008.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Ron Paul 2008]]
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Ron Paul formally declared his candidacy for the 2008 Republican nomination on [[March 12]], [[2007]], as a guest on ''[[Washington Journal]]'' on [[C-SPAN]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA031207.paul2008.EN.74141d9.html | title = Paul formally launches presidential bid | first = Gary | last = Martin | work = San Antonio Express-News | date = 2007-03-12 | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://chbn.com/Clip.aspx?key=1CD9E3A0397BCBEC|title= Congressman Ron Paul Announces Presidential Run while taking LIVE calls on C-SPAN!|accessdate=2007-07-08 |publisher= Capital Hill Broadcasting Network |format= Flash video}}</ref>
Paul came in second in fundraising in [[New Hampshire]] during first quarter fundraising, trailing only [[Mitt Romney]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ronpaul2008.typepad.com/ron_paul_2008/2007/04/press_release_2.html|title= Ron Paul Second in New Hampshire Fundraising|accessdate= 2007-06-08|date= 2007-04-19|publisher= Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign}}</ref> Since he did not declare his candidacy until March, he had less time to raise money than other candidates who had declared earlier in the quarter.
Paul has participated in all three nationally-televised candidate debates held thus far. His most prominent moment came during the May 15 GOP Presidential debate when the following exchange occurred with fellow Republican hopeful [[Rudy Giuliani]]:
<blockquote>PAUL: They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years. We've been in the Middle East [for years]. I think [Ronald] Reagan was right. We don't understand the irrationality of Middle Eastern politics. Right now, we're building an embassy in Iraq that is bigger than the [[Vatican City|Vatican]]. We're building 14 permanent bases. What would we say here if [[People's Republic of China|China]] was doing this in our country or in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]? We would be objecting.</blockquote>
<blockquote>GIULIANI: That's really an extraordinary statement. That's an extraordinary statement, as someone who lived through the attack of September 11, that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq. I don't think I've heard that before, and I've heard some pretty absurd explanations for September 11th. And I would ask the congressman to withdraw that comment and tell us that he didn't really mean that.</blockquote>
<blockquote>PAUL: I believe very sincerely that the CIA is correct when they teach and talk about [[blowback (intelligence)|blowback]]. When we went into Iran in 1953 and installed the Shah, yes there was blowback. The reaction to that was the taking of our hostages, and that persists. And if we ignore that, we ignore that at our own risk. If we think we can do what we want around the world and not incite hatred, then we have a problem. They don't come here to attack us because we're rich and we're free, they come and attack us because we're over there.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7d_e9lrcZ8</ref></blockquote>
<!--***Commented Out - How is "The confrontation was largely seen as a win for Giuliani" supported? Please leave this commented out until you can support your opinions.***
The confrontation was largely seen as a win for Giuliani,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.amconmag.com/2007/2007_06_18/cover.html|title= Lone Star|accessdate= 2007-06-24|author= Brendan Dougherty, Michael|date= 2007-06-18|publisher= ''[[The American Conservative]]''}}</ref> though Paul's statements were supported by Former [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] analyst [[Michael Scheuer]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2007/05/19/former-head-of-cias-osama-unit-backs-up-rep-ron-paul/|title= Antiwar Radio: Scott Horton Interviews Michael Scheuer|accessdate= 2007-05-29|author= Horton, Scott|date= 2007-05-19|publisher= Antiwar.com Blog}}</ref> the [[9/11 Commission Report]], and [[Osama bin Laden]]'s 1996 [[fatwa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/terrorism/international/fatwa_1996.html | title= Bin Laden's Fatwa|accessdate= 2007-05-20|author= bin Laden, Osama|publisher= PBS}}</ref>-->
Paul drew three percent support in [[New Hampshire]] in a Zogby poll, fifth place among possible Republican contenders.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1302|title= Zogby: Romney Widens Lead in New Hampshire|accessdate= 2007-06-08|date= 2007-05-17|publisher= Zogby International}}</ref> In a CNN telephone poll conducted in February 2007, he was the candidate with the least name recognition besides [[John Cox]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/articles/ron-paul-unknown-in-new-hampshire.html|title= CNN / WMUR Granite State Poll, New Hampshire Primary Poll (February 2007)|accessdate= 2007-06-08|date= 2007-05-18|publisher= USA Election Polls}}</ref> Paul also came in second in fundraising in [[Montana]] and at the head of the pack of "second-tier" candidates in 14 other states.<ref name="apstorypaul">{{cite web |url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273302,00.html|title= Texas Congressman Ron Paul Hopes to Garner Support for Presidential Bid with Internet, Debates|author= AP|date= 2007-05-17|work= Associated Press|publisher= Fox News.com}}</ref> In polling conducted at the Utah GOP convention on June 9, Paul placed second behind Mitt Romney.<ref name="slctrib">{{cite web |url= http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6106279|title= http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6106279|author= Matt Canham|date= 2007-06-10|publisher= ''Salt Lake City Tribune''}}</ref>
Despite current national polls showing Paul to be favored by only three percent of Republican-leaning voters,<ref name="usapoll">{{cite web |url= http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/candidates/Ron-Paul.html|title= Ron Paul Election Polls Stat Sheet|date= 2007-06-08|publisher= USA Election Polls}}</ref> Paul is receiving strong support on the Internet. He continues to rank highly in online indicators such as [[Technorati]],<ref name="onlinerise">{{cite web |url= http://www.usnews.com/usnews/blogs/news_blog/070509/ron_pauls_online_rise.htm|title= Ron Paul's Online Rise|author= Wilson, Chris|date= 2007-05-09|work= |publisher= USNews.com}}</ref> [[YouTube]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.techpresident.com/youtube|title= YouTube Stats|accessdate=2007-07-08 |publisher=techPresident.com}}</ref> [[Facebook]],<ref name="fbookpoll">{{cite web |url= http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/06/the_youth_vote.html|title= The Youth Vote|accessdate= 2007-06-08|accessmonthday= 08|accessdaymonth = 06|accessyear= 2008 |author= Sullivan, Andrew|date= 2007-06-06|publisher= The Atlantic Online}}</ref> [[MySpace]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.freecentury.com/2007/06/10/update-ron-paul-fastest-growing-myspace-candidate/|title= UPDATE: Ron Paul fastest growing MySpace candidate|accessdate=2007-06-24 |publisher=Free Century}}</ref> [[Meetup.com]], and online polls conducted by news networks.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18436681|title= Vote on the California Republican debate|accessdate=2007-07-07 |publisher= MSNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/08/the-ron-paul-%e2%80%98phenom%e2%80%99/|title= The Ron Paul phenomenon?|accessdate=2007-07-07 |date= 2007-06-08|publisher= CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18661804|title= May 3, 2007 Republican debate vote|accessdate=2007-07-07 |publisher= MSNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18963531|title= May 15, 2007 Republican debate vote|accessdate=2007-07-07 |publisher= MSNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?site0=ronpaul2008.com&site1=joinrudy2008.com&site2=mittromney.com&site3=johnmccain.com&site4=brownback.com&y=r&z=1&h=300&w=610&range=3m&size=Medium&url=gigglesugar.com|title= Traffic Graph |accessdate=2007-07-07 |publisher= Alexa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18963731|title= Vote on the New Hampshire Republican debate|accessdate=2007-07-07 |publisher= MSNBC}}</ref>
Analyst David Terr of USAElectionPolls.com has predicted that Paul will have more than one million online supporters by 2008 at his current rate of growth.<ref name="1million">{{cite web |url= http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/06/prweb531748.htm|title= Analyst Predicts One Million Ron Paul Supporters Online by 2008|accessdate= 2007-06-11|accessmonthday=11 |accessdaymonth =06 |accessyear=2007 |date= 2007-06-10|publisher= PRWeb}}</ref>
As of July 6, Ron Paul had the third most cash on hand of the Republican candidates, putting him ahead of [[John McCain]] with $2.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/ron-paul-tops-m.html|title= Ron Paul Tops McCain in Cash on Hand|accessdate=2007-07-07 |publisher= ABC News |date=2007-07-06}}</ref>
==Response to newsletter remarks on race==
A 1996 article in the ''Houston Chronicle''<ref name=HoustonChronicle>{{cite news | title=CAMPAIGN '96 U.S. HOUSE Newsletter excerpts offer ammunition to Paul's opponent | url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1996_1343749 | author=Alan Bernstein | publisher=Houston Chronicle | date=1996-05-23 | accessdate=2007-05-20}} also accessible [http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/aol-metropolitan/96/05/23/paul.html here]</ref> alleges that Ron Paul made comments about race in a 1992 edition of his ''Ron Paul Survival Report'' (a newsletter that he had published from 1985), including disparaging remarks about fellow congressperson [[Barbara Jordan]].<ref>The 1996 ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' article {{{cite news | title=CAMPAIGN '96 U.S. HOUSE Newsletter excerpts offer ammunition to Paul's opponent | url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1996_1343749 | author=Alan Bernstein | publisher=Houston Chronicle | date=1996-05-23 | accessdate=2007-05-20}} also accessible [http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/aol-metropolitan/96/05/23/paul.html here]) quoted the newsletter as stating that government should lower the legal age for prosecuting youths as adults, saying, "We don't think a child of 13 should be held responsible as a man of 23. That's true for most people, but black males age 13 who have been raised on the streets and who have joined criminal gangs are as big, strong, tough, scary and culpable as any adult and should be treated as such."
The ''Houston Chronicle'' article also quotes the newsletter as saying, "Opinion polls consistently show that only about 5 percent of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e. support the free market, individual liberty and the end of welfare and affirmative action." And, "Given the inefficiencies of what D.C. laughingly calls the 'criminal justice system', I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal." ... [although] "we are constantly told that it is evil to be afraid of black men, it is hardly irrational. Black men commit murders, rapes, robberies, muggings and burglaries all out of proportion to their numbers."</ref>
In a 2001 interview with ''Texas Monthly'' magazine, Paul acknowledged that the comments were printed in his newsletter under his name, but explained that they did not represent his views and that they were written by a ghostwriter. He further stated that he felt some moral responsibility to stand by the words that had been attributed to him, despite the fact that they did not represent his way of thinking:
<blockquote>"They were never my words, but I had some moral responsibility for them...I actually really wanted to try to explain that it doesn't come from me directly, but they [campaign aides] said that's too confusing. 'It appeared in your letter and your name was on that letter and therefore you have to live with it.'"</blockquote>
He further stated:
<blockquote>"I could never say this in the campaign, but those words weren't really written by me. It wasn't my language at all. Other people help me with my newsletter as I travel around. I think the one on Barbara Jordan was the saddest thing, because Barbara and I served together and actually she was a delightful lady... we wanted to do something on affirmative action, and it ended up in the newsletter and became personalized. I never personalize anything."<ref name=texasmonthly2001/></blockquote>
''Texas Monthly'' wrote at the time they printed the denial, "What made the statements in the publication even more puzzling was that, in four terms as a U. S. congressman and one presidential race, Paul had never uttered anything remotely like this." They state that it would have been easier for him to deny the accusations at the time, because the controversy would have destroyed most politicians.<ref name=texasmonthly2001/>
==Books authored==
* ''Challenge to Liberty''. Lake Jackson, TX: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education
* ''Gold, Peace, and Prosperity: The Birth of a New Economy''. Lake Jackson, TX: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, 1981.([http://www.mises.org/books/goldpeace.pdf])
* ''Ten Myths About Paper Money''. Lake Jackson, TX: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education
* ''The Case for Gold''. With Lewis Lehrman. Reprinted by Cato Institute, 1982; Ludwig von Mises Institute, 2007. ISBN 0-932790-31-3. ([http://www.mises.org/books/caseforgold.pdf])
* ''A Republic, If You Can Keep It''
* ''Mises and Austrian Economics: A Personal View''. Auburn, AL: [[Ludwig von Mises Institute]], 1984.
* ''Freedom Under Siege: The U.S. Constitution After 200 Years''. Lake Jackson, TX: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, 1987. ([http://www.dailypaul.com/freedom-under-siege/Freedom-Under-Siege-complete.pdf] Book distributed with permission from Ron Paul)
* ''A Foreign Policy of Freedom''. Lake Jackson, TX: Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, 2007. ISBN 0-912453-00-1
==Awards and honors==
* Groseclose Prize and Leadership Award from the [[Mises Institute]] for monetary writing<ref name="awardsbio">{{cite web | url=http://www.free-nefl.com/html/bio.html | title=Mises Institute Awards | accessdate=2007-06-15| publisher=Foundation for Rational Economics and Education}}</ref>
* Mises Institute's $10,000 Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize (2003) for "lifetime defense of liberty"<ref name="schlarbaum">{{cite web | url=http://www.mises.org/classroom/awards.asp | title=A Biography of The Honorable Ron Paul | accessdate=2007-06-15| publisher= Mises Institute}}</ref>
* Leadership Award of the [[American Security Council Foundation]] for the Coalition of Peace Through Strength ("a bipartisan alliance of 177 national organizations, 230 members of Congress, and other pro-defense leaders across the country")<ref name="awardsbio"/><ref name="jumpcut">{{cite web | url=http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC26folder/AttackonAmericas.html | title=Attack on the Americas! Counterrevolution | accessdate=2007-06-15| publisher=JumpCut}}</ref>
* Distinguished Service Award from [[Americans for Constitutional Action]]<ref name="awardsbio"/>
* The Guardian of Freedom Award from the [[Young Americans for Freedom]]<ref name="awardsbio"/>
* The Torch of Freedom Award from the [[Young Conservatives of Texas]]<ref name="awardsbio"/>
* The highest rating ever given by the [[Council for a Competitive Economy]]<ref name="awardsbio"/>
* Named "The Taxpayers' Best Friend Ever" by the [[National Taxpayers Union]]<ref name="ronpaulis"/>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikisource author}}
<!--
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;Official sites
*[http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ 2008 Presidential Campaign Website]
** [http://ronpaul.meetup.com/ Link to 400+ Local Active Meetup Groups Nationwide]
** [http://www.youtube.com/RonPaul2008dotcom YouTube Page Subscriptions]
** [http://www.myspace.com/ronpaul2008 MySpace Page Friends]
** [http://facebook.com/person.php?id=2330333861 Facebook Page Supporters]
** [http://eventful.com/performers/P0-001-000016544-9 Eventful Demands]
* [http://www.house.gov/paul U.S. House of Representatives Office of Ron Paul]
;Topic pages and databases
* {{CongBio2|P000583}}
* [http://www.ronpaullibrary.org Ron Paul Library], more than 800 articles and speeches by Ron Paul
* [http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul-arch.html Archives of Ron Paul articles] on [[LewRockwell.com]]
* [http://senate.ontheissues.org/Ron_Paul.htm On the Issues - Ron Paul] issue positions and quotes
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?cid=N00005906 OpenSecrets.org Congress] and [http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00005906&cycle=2008 Presidential] campaign contributions (from the Center for Responsive Politics)
* [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/candidates/paul.html PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer - Vote 2008: Ron Paul]
*{{VoteSmart|BC031929}}
* [http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/ron-paul/ Washington Post - Presidential Candidates: Ron Paul] profile, finance, events
;Video
* [http://www.FreeME.tv FreeME.tv] Ron Paul Internet television station
* [http://www.RonPaulTV.com RonPaulTV.com] Ron Paul Internet television station
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173 Ron Paul in "''America: Freedom to Fascism''"]
{{Ron Paul}}
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| after= [[Robert Gammage|Robert A. Gammage]]
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| district= 22
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| after= [[Tom DeLay]]
| years= 1979 – 1985}}
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{{2008 U.S. presidential election}}
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME= Paul, Ron
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Paul, Ronald Ernest
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=[[United States Congress|Congressman]], [[Obstetrics|obstetrician]] ([[Doctor of Medicine|M.D.]])
|DATE OF BIRTH= [[August 20]] [[1935]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paul, Ron}}
[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American anti Iraq War activists]]
[[Category:American libertarians]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American Christians]]
[[Category:Duke University alumni]]
[[Category:Libertarian Party (United States) presidential nominees]]
[[Category:Libertarian theorists]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas]]
[[Category:Paleolibertarians]]
[[Category:Physicians in the United States Congress]]
[[Category:Politicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Texas Republicans]]
[[Category:University of Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:United States presidential candidates]]
[[Category:People from Texas]]
[[Category:Texas politicians]]
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