I wrote last week about the historical
reasons to believe Ron Paul’s revolution within the Republican
Party may have a future. Today the Associated Press
via Huffington Post takes a
close look at two states where Paul people are running the show
within the Republican Party, Iowa and Nevada. 

Excerpts:

Iowa’s state Republican governing body this month voted to
re-elect as chairman and vice chairman two of Paul’s top 2012 Iowa
caucus campaign aides. Last year, Nevada Republicans similarly
elected top Paul supporters to its two spots on the Republican
National Committee…..

Paul backers also have made inroads into Colorado, Florida,
Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, in part vestiges of his 2012
presidential campaign.

Indeed, across the country, thousands of Paul’s followers, many
disillusioned after fighting in vain for his failed bid of 2008,
regrouped in 2012 and dove head-first into the behind-the-scenes
Republican Party delegate elections, fighting tooth and nail with
old-guard GOP establishment activists for national convention
seats.

And while Paul retired from Congress this month, his disciples
picked up House seats in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan and
Texas last year.

The AP story points out the various areas where Paulite
libertarianism rubs up against the mainstream GOP, but also points
out that some of Paul’s more right-populist supporters can be even
more socially conservative than the GOP mainstream, like on gay
marriage (where Paul ended up talking a “get state out of it
entirely” stance, but which some, mostly older, Paul fans are
against).

And although Maine Paul delegate Mark Willis is
fighting to oust him, AP write that “Republican National
Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, elected in 2011 to resuscitate
the RNC’s fundraising, has sought out Paul supporters as he seeks
re-election.” And some within the GOP are noticing Paul and Paulism
seem their best attempt to win younger supporters. 

But who knows what a Paul fan will do?

Paul’s network could give son Rand a readymade platform on which
to run, although former aides note it’s not a guarantee he, or any
Ron Paul protege, would automatically inherit his supporters.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also get mentions
from Ron Paul supporters as philosophical heirs to the former Texas
congressman.

“Whether it’s Rand Paul or someone else, I have allegiance not
to them, but to their ideals,” said Drew Ivers, Ron Paul’s 2012
Iowa campaign chairman and now finance chairman for the Iowa GOP.
“Whoever steps forward to lead that charge is the kind of leader we
should champion.”

My book on the roots of this movement,
Ron Paul’s Revolution: The Man and the Movement He
Inspired.