"WASHINGTON -- When Ron Paul, the relatively unknown libertarian-leaning congressman from Lake Jackson, declared this year that he was entering the Republican presidential race, his announcement was greeted with yawns.
But Paul, the only GOP candidate to oppose the Iraq war, created a splash recently when he clashed during a debate with the much better-known Rudy Giuliani, who took issue with the Texan's remarks that past U.S. involvement in the Middle East fueled terrorist attacks in America.
Since then, Paul has been roasted by critics who have questioned his Republican credentials and whether he should even be allowed to participate in future debates. But he has also become a hero to others who have flooded Web sites with praise for his honesty and anti-war stance. Tonight, Paul is scheduled to appear on Real Time with Bill Maher, the HBO show with a provocative libertarian host.
The Republican candidates are scheduled to debate again June 5 in New Hampshire, and Paul made it clear that he won't shy away from his controversial stands on Iraq and the national security strategy.
"I'm pleased we are discussing the issue. That is the issue of the day," he said. As for the criticism, he said that it is "part of the territory if you rock the boat."
This election cycle, cable television and the Internet have provided much-needed visibility for candidates like Paul who do not have the resources for expensive advertising or extensive travel.
It was the May 15 debate sponsored by Fox News in Columbia, S.C., that thrust Paul into the spotlight.
But despite the recent attention, Paul remains removed from the top tier of candidates. In a Diego/Hotline poll released this week, he garnered only 1 percent support among Republican primary voters.
While Paul is suddenly being discovered by some voters, particularly those too young to remember his unsuccessful 1988 bid for president on the Libertarian ticket, he has long held unorthodox views.
The 71-year old obstetrician-gynecologist regularly opposes appropriations bills, even those that benefit his 14th Congressional District, which runs along the Gulf Coast and includes Galveston and part of Brazoria County. He has also opposed the Patriot Act and has advocated returning to the gold standard."
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