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Paul supporters vow to fight

Likely to present challenges for McCain in tight contests

By ASSOCIATED PRESS | Tuesday, August 5, 2008

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LAS VEGAS | Dueling delegations pitting Ron Paul's Nevada supporters against those of John McCain vow to take their fight to the Republican National Convention.

That's just one sign that the outsider, Internet-fueled movement led by the feisty Republican congressman from Texas remains afloat in the wake of the Arizona senator's victory in the Republican primaries.

In the libertarian-leaning West, where Mr. Paul's message of distrust of the federal government and ardent individualism played particularly well, there is talk of Republicans straying from Mr. McCain. Libertarian candidate Bob Barr has emerged as a favorite alternative for Paul activists, followed by Constitutional Party candidate Chuck Baldwin.

Even if the numbers of such dissenters are small, they could spoil Mr. McCain's chances in tight contests in key Western states, experts say.

"In Nevada, there's absolutely enough to have an effect on the election," said Chuck Muth, a leading conservative activist in a state where early polls show Mr. McCain and Democratic candidate Barack Obama in a statistical tie.

"I think that you will see not just Libertarians, who always vote for the Libertarian candidate, but conservative Republicans saying we've had it, we've had enough, and they're going to go ahead and vote Libertarian," Mr. Muth said.

Mr. Paul ran as the Libertarian Party nominee for president in 1988, but this year he carved out a following as an anti-establishment Republican. His campaign won more than 1 million votes and became a catchall for antiwar, anti-government voters and disaffected Republicans.

The eclectic coalition racked up significant numbers. Mr. Paul placed second - ahead of Mr. McCain - in Republican caucuses in Nevada and Montana. He posted strong showings in nominating contests in Colorado, Washington and Oregon. In early June, he pulled away 14 percent of the vote from the already certain nominee in the New Mexico primary.

This is the West Mr. McCain must win.

The interior West generally has been friendly territory for Republicans seeking the White House. Nevada, Montana and Colorado voted for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.