Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Eric Sutch/WSN LIBERTARIAN LEADER? | Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) has been an internet phenomenon.

In a dance-club-turned-political headquarters, a young adult crowd mingles around the bar as music fills the room. They fall silent as a man comes onstage - a makeshift wooden coffee table - to announce the main attraction: presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Jumping on the "stage," Paul asks the crowd, "Does anybody here love freedom?" and they go wild.

Presidential candidate and Texas Congressional representative Paul spoke at a number of events this weekend, ranging from a question-and-answer session with a $1,000 entry fee per person to a $25 student rally on Friday. Paul also made an appearance at Grand Central Station on Saturday.

At his new New York City campaign headquarters in Chelsea, the candidate spoke about his political platform, which emphasizes individual and economic liberties. His priorities include immediate withdrawal of American troops from all foreign countries, abolishment of the federal income tax and tying the dollar back to the gold standard - making every dollar worth a fixed amount of gold.

Though Paul usually refrains from talking about his contenders, he had some pointed words for fellow Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani in his speech on Friday.

"We don't need somebody who used to be a mayor to be President of the United States," Paul said, to which the audience reacted with huge applause.

Paul's political platform, though labeled as Republican, has been compared to libertarianism. But Paul regards himself as a constitutionalist.

Paul described the turnout at his events as "some Republicans, some Democrats, some Libertarians and even a few Anarchists."

One of the most interesting aspects of Paul's campaign is his unique base of support.

Paul works to appeal to young people, emphasizing the effect current economic policies will have on their futures. Paul does well in internet polls despite trailing far behind other Republican candidates in other polls.

Alex Skozen, a CAS sophomore, said that while he has heard a lot about Paul, most of the information concerns his unorthodox stances.

"Every time people talk about him, it seems to start with 'Oh God, did you hear what Ron Paul said?' "

Andrew Breiner is a staff writer. E-mail him at news@nyunews.com.

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