Why is there a Ron Paul Revolution?

Ron Paul is a 72 year old Republican Congressman from Texas and his bid for the presidency has sparked a revolution. Outside of a few libertarian circles, the Congressman was relatively unknown, but now he's the trendiest and hippest thing to appear on the political scene in quite some time. He isn't a particularly able speaker, nor does he possess much charisma, but he always speaks from conviction and doesn't kowtow to establishment opinion.

He first broke into the national headlines in the first GOP debate when Rudy Giuliani assailed him for suggesting America's policy in the Middle East was partly to blame for the 9/11 terrorist attack. "We've been bombing Iraq for ten years," exclaimed Congressman Paul and he went on to say that "they attacked us because we're over there." Needless to say this sent all of the hardcore Bush Republicans into orbit. Not even a Democrat had dare say anything so bold or confrontational, but here was a Republican saying it -- without apology.

Few people probably know, but Ron Paul did run for the presidency back in 1988, as a Libertarian, and didn't come close to generating the kind of support he's generating in this election cycle. But Ron Paul's message really hasn't changed. He's been a defender of limited government his entire public life, and besides Libertarians run candidates every election cycle, so why is the message just now catching fire?

Perhaps it's not the message so much as the times. American politics still lingers in the shadow of 9/11 -- its wars and security measures -- and many Americans have grown weary of the Bush Administration's bellicosity and over zealous use of executive privilege. In 2006 the Democrats regained control of Congress and the Senate but have been little more than rubber stamps for Bush's agenda. Democrats have shown no leadership in standing up to President Bush and are all too happy to make a big ruckus but eventually cave and give the president what he wants. The American people are disgusted with Democrats, and rightfully so.

Ron Paul is the only candidate who isn't giving this Administration one inch of compromise. He wants to overturn all -- every last bit -- of the post 9/11 Bush agenda. He wants us to pull our troops out of Iraq, to repeal both Patriot Acts and the Military Commissions Act. He wants to end illegal wiretapping, torture, and all other "security" measures not allowed by the Constitution.

Americans who oppose much, if not all, of the post 9/11 agenda have not had a voice in either party, and many feel that this Administration is not just abusive, but dangerous, and desires more "security" measures as well as an expanded war in the Middle East, including both Syria and Iran. But this agenda has faced few political obstacles. Ron Paul has become the iconic leader of the opposition, and his grassroots support is spreading like wildfire.

Today, Ron Paul's supporters hope to outdo their November cash bomb of 4.2 million, and surpass 6 million. It's a high hurdle, but it can be done. Despite Ron Paul's energized support he probably will not win the Republican nomination, but maybe the Ron Paul revolution will outlive Paul's candidacy and new leaders will emerge and the revolution will transform into an unstoppable juggernaut that will halt and reverse the disastrous effects of the Bush presidency.