Political Minute: Why is Ron Paul Still Running?

As the primaries begin to wind down, many of us are wondering why Dr. Ron Paul is still running for the nomination. Well here's the reasons why.

Ron is quoted in saying, "Politicians don't amount to much, but ideas do." In other words, for Paul, it's about the message, not the office, says Ford O'Connell, chairman of the conservative Civic Forum PAC in Washington, D.C. "His intent is not to seek further office. He's trying to start a conversation about the direction of the country and the GOP."

It's the "Ron Paul Revolution". He doesn't want the nomination, per se, he wants to see a change in America. A change that we quite possibly could use. Maybe not quite as radical as his views, but his views are radical enough to leave a small impression on the younger crowd he has attained.

 It wouldn't be the first time an upstart candidate has helped rechart the direction of the GOP. Until the 1960s, the Republican Party was largely an Eastern elitist organization. Though Barry Goldwater lost badly to incumbent Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential election, he used his campaign to strengthen the resurgence of the conservative political movement throughout the 1960s.

 It may be a long shot, but Paul backers hope that as acceptance grows for Paul's "revolution," so does the chance that a similar candidate – perhaps Rand Paul, whose views are much more electable – might one day win the White House.