I’m not surprised that Ron Paul has done well thus far this primary season. The voters are cranky and who better to, uh, crank them up than a crank like Ron Paul. I am, however, surprised at how many people think he’ll bolt the GOP and run as a 3rd, 4th or even 5th party candidate. (Just had to prove that I can count that high.) Why? His son, Senator Rand Paul.
Unless Dr. Ron is the world’s worst father, it’s hard to see him ruining his son’s chances in the GOP. Rand could be Ron’s ultimate revenge on the GOP establishment. He’s young, vigorous and holds views every bit as nutty as Papa Paul. It’s easy to foresee the artist formerly known as Aqua Buddha making a creditable run for the GOP nomination. He’s a hardcore Paultard but has learned to smooth over his father’s rough edges to sound more like a conventional wingnut.
Dr. Ron’s ideologically crazed followers may not like it (and neither do I as someone who wished the GOP ill) but if he runs as a third party candidate I will eat my least favorite veggie: Cauliflower. I suspect he won’t endorse Romney to retain his purity even though he does like vulture capitalism. But he likes the Crown Prince more.