Paul rises from GOP unknown to 'sleeper'

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Aides helping Rep. Ron Paul of Texas with his long-shot run for the Republican presidential nomination never thought they would need more than the corner of a one-bedroom apartment.

They were wrong. The campaign has outgrown its second headquarters, a 348-square-foot office.

Mr. Paul has more campaign cash available than former Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Federal Election Commission records show, and the antiwar conservative has become an Internet sensation.

Though political pros say Mr. Paul's chances of moving into the White House are between slim and none, some expect him to have an effect on the Republican race.

"I watched the Republican presidential debates with neighbors, and two of the five people in the room said, 'Who is that guy? I really like him,' " said Republican media consultant Tom Edmonds. "My gut tells me he's a sleeper and will indeed have an impact on the Republican race."

The Texas obstetrician — whose habit of opposing measures he deems unconstitutional won him the sobriquet "Dr. No" — is admired as a man of principle by many conservative leaders and has won attention from voters across the land, including Democrats.

Iowan Alex Gabis attended an event for Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois Democrat, in the Fairfield town square last week, but another presidential candidate was on his mind.

"There is a Republican I like — he's from Texas," Mr. Gabis volunteered. "I don't look at the label. I listen to what he says. I think his name is Ron Paul. I like him. I'd vote for him."

Mr. Paul, who raised most of his campaign dollars in the past quarter on the Internet and has $2.4 million cash on hand, wowed young voters across the country last month when he appeared on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report."

When host Stephen Colbert introduced Mr. Paul as having voted against the USA Patriot Act and the Iraq war, the liberal audience went wild with cheers. Mr. Colbert asked, "Are you a Republican or are you not a Republican?" Mr. Paul responded: "You're confused because I'm a constitutionalist. ... It's not that unusual to put those together if you believe in the rule of law, and you believe in the American tradition, and believe in limited government and you believe in liberty."