>>"if nothing else, Ron Paul's candidacy is opening eyes "

There's a long way to go, but this is precisely why he needs to run as a 3rd party candidate if the GOP wusses nominate one of the usual suspects.

If anything, his message needs to stay in the limelight to continue the revolution for future years, or at the very least influence those candidates who end up running. If RP should fail to be nominated, there is enough of a mandate and intrigue already to force the mainstream candidates to pander to RP's support base for votes. Imagine if he stayed in the fray throughout the 08 election year? Weeeeeeeeee!