By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Disgruntled failed Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul appeared on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno amid some internet speculation that he would announce a third party candidacy for President, perhaps on a Libertarian ticket with former Republican Governor Gary Johnson from New Mexico.
The 76 year old Texas Congresswoman told Jay Leno said that there was “not much” chance that he would launch a late third party run for President. Rep. Paul said that he doubted that he would have had as great an impact if he had been a third party candidate rather than a Republican.
Rep. Paul said that he was denied a speaking opportunity at the Republican National Convention because he did not endorse Governor Mitt Romney’s candidacy for President.
Congressman Paul said of Romney’s convention speech, “It was nice. It was pleasant. It was not the speech I would have given I would have talked more about foreign policy.”
Paul said that it is his opinion that the peace candidate or the one that is perceived as the peace candidate usually wins in American politics. Paul said that he felt that peace is a very important issue
Rep. Paul joked, “I have to take a rest and prepare for 2016.” Rep. Paul said that he was going to continue to talk about issues like the Federal Reserve System and said that he and his supporters still had a lot of work to do. Paul said, “I recognize how hard a job that we have. We are taking on a lot of special interests: the military-industrial complex, the banking system…..”
Rep. Paul said that he will vote; but he declined to endorse anyone for President. Rep. Paul said he has “no clue” who he will vote for.
Congresman Paul disputed Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s record as a budget cutter. Rep. Paul said, “I voted against the Ryan budget.” Paul said, “It is all a fake….a fraud.” Rep Paul said if you cut baseline budgeting people call it a “cut” when all you really did was cut the amount of money that a program increases by. Paul said that Ryan reputation as a “budget hawk” is more a creation of the Democrats than it is reality.
Paul finished a distant fourth in the 2012 Republican Primary and performed poorly in the Alabama Republican Primary. Paul’s son, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has endorsed Mitt Romney and did get a speaking assignment at the Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay.
