One Republican I Could Vote For

Despite my constant criticism of the GOP, I will be the first to admit that not all Republican politicians are greedy, hypocritical, power-hungry publicity whores. There is still a conservative remnant within the party - three or four people who have actually read the Constitution, have understood it, and really try to put into practice the principles of limited government and individual liberty they espouse.

One such Republican is Rep. Ron Paul from Texas. He has been a staunch defender of the Constitution and has never been afraid to stand up to the party leaders on tough issues, like the president's illegal war in Iraq.

So, you can imagine my delight when I heard that he is planning on making a run for the White House. From the AP:

Ron Paul, the iconoclastic nine-term congressman from southeast Texas, took the first step Thursday toward launching a second presidential bid in 2008, this time as a Republican.

Paul filed incorporation papers in Texas on Thursday to create a presidential exploratory committee that allows him and his supporters to collect money on behalf of his bid. This will be Paul's second try for the White House; he was the Libertarian nominee for president in 1988.

Since Ron Paul is a liberty-loving nonconformist, it's a pretty sure bet that he won't win the GOP nomination in 2008. But anything's possible. And if that does happen, I just might have to reconsider my decision to never vote Republican again.

By the way, you can read Rep. Paul's weekly column at EverVigilant.net.