Texas Rep. Ron Paul will return to the early primary state next month.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Will Ron Paul give it another go in 2012?

The Texas congressman and hero of limited government advocates will visit the key early primary state of South Carolina on Nov. 9 to deliver a speech "on the future of individual liberty and the importance of the U.S. Constitution" at the University of South Carolina, student groups said Tuesday. The announcement comes a week after Paul scheduled a visit to Iowa on Nov. 13 to speak to students at Iowa State University.

The onetime Republican presidential hopeful finished in fifth place in last year's South Carolina primary, behind Mitt Romney but ahead of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Other potential 2012 candidates - including Mike Pence, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee - have already visited South Carolina this year or have made plans to do so.

Paul's appearance was organized by the University of South Carolina Honors College, the Carolina Debate Union and Young Americans for Liberty, a student group of Paul supporters.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will speak at the conference on Friday evening.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Conservatives will descend upon the nation's capital Friday for the 2009 "Values Voter Summit," the fourth annual gathering of like-minded political activists who will plot 2010 strategy and hear several potential presidential prospects discuss the GOP's future.

In-between speeches, attendees will also participate in forums with titles ranging from “Thugocracy: Fighting The Vast Left Wing Conspiracy” to “Global Warming Hysteria.”

Perhaps the most anticipated event of the weekend will be "2012 Presidential Straw Poll," the results of which are scheduled to be announced Saturday.

The potential Republican candidates on the ballot are: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Romney won a similar straw poll in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held at the same hotel and featured many of the same speakers. Romney also won the last Values Voter straw poll - in October 2007 - when he narrowly defeated Huckabee in a vote that was open to both attendees and people who signed up to vote on the internet. This year’s survey will only be open to conference-goers.

Just four of the Republicans on the ballot will actually attend the event. Pence, Huckabee and Pawlenty will address the conference on Friday morning, while Romney will deliver remarks on Saturday.

Palin was invited to the event, but according to organizers, the former GOP vice presidential nominee never confirmed she would attend.

Among the other conservative luminaries slated to speak: Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Georgia Rep. Tom Price, New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Miss California Carrie Prejean.

George and Jeb Bush are the only sons of a president to make it to the governor's mansion.

(CNN) - For some families, like the Kennedys, the Bushes and the Roosevelts, politics runs in the blood. But as history shows, coming from a powerful political family doesn't mean a free ride to the top.

"It does help, and it hurts. It's a two-edged sword," said Doug Wead, a presidential historian and former adviser to President George H.W. Bush. "It initially helps the candidate with name recognition and more importantly with fundraising ... but many vote against the child as well."

The children of political families inherit a treasure chest of contacts, campaign workers and often endorsements, but the benefits have their limits.

Only two presidential sons have followed their fathers to the White House (John Quincy Adams and George W. Bush), and just one presidential family - the Bushes - has sent sons to the governor's mansion (Jeb Bush in Florida and George Bush in Texas).

"I conclude that a brand name - a famous family name - is typically worth one step up on the political ladder," said Stephen Hess, a senior fellow emeritus in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, who has researched and written about political dynasties dating back to colonial times. "They get one step up - and they are on their own."

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(CNN) - The phrase "like father, like son" is ringing true for Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

His son, Rand Paul, announced this week he's set his sights on the Kentucky Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Jim Bunning.

"I'm very worried about our country; I'm worried about the debt. I'm worried about what the debt will lead to," Paul told CNN when asked why he's jumping into the political arena. "Both sides of the aisle - Republican and Democrat - have been unwilling and afraid to address the deficit, and someone's got to."

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(CNN) - Former GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul told CNN what he thinks about "Ron Paul Singles" - the recently-launched dating site where fans of the Texas congressman can connect over life, love and the merits of the gold standard.

"Where are medical decisions going to be made?" he asked reporters on a conference call.

There is little evidence veto power over medical decision-making has been an element of the current plans being discussed on Capitol Hill, but Price said that element would be a consequence, intended or not, of a new public option. "Any plan that results in a government takeover of any portion of it will push the crowd out, those in the plan who have personal private health insurance, into that government-run program," he said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke at the South Carolina Republican convention on Saturday.

(CNN) – A combative Lindsey Graham got into a sharp back-and-forth with some audience members at the South Carolina GOP convention on Saturday as he made the case for an open-tent Republican party.

According to The State newspaper and video posted on YouTube, the South Carolina senator told the convention he wants to build a party that can compete in Pennsylvania and Connecticut as well as in his home state.

“You’re a hypocrite!,” one man in the audience yelled.

“I’m a winner, pal,” Graham retorted. Moments later, after saying he wants to the party to reach out to independent voters, he said: “Winning matters to me. If it doesn’t matter to you, there’s the exit sign.”

The crowd in Columbia also featured some Ron Paul supporters who offered several libertarian resolutions during the convention that were rejected by the state party.

During his speech, Graham told the audience, "Ron Paul is not the leader of this party." That remark drew a few jeers, with several people yelling, "Yes he is!"

“I’m not going to give this party over to people who can’t win,” Graham responded.

Dr. Rand Paul, the son of Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul, told CNN Monday that he is seriously considering a run for the Senate.

(CNN) – The son of former Republican presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul said Monday that he is primed to mount a bid for the Kentucky Senate seat currently occupied by GOP Sen. Jim Bunning.

"I am very serious about running for Sen. Bunning's seat if he decides not to run," 46-year-old Rand Paul told CNN.
"Until he makes a final pronouncement, I'm trying not to do anything formally but I'm very close to making a decision."

The younger Paul's views closely resemble those of his conservative father.

"I think the bank bailout was a huge mistake," Rand Paul said Monday. "We should not have the U.S. government buying stock in American industries – the financial industry or any other industry. Most of that money could have probably been burned in a furnace for all the good it's done." The Bowling Green, Kentucky ophthalmologist pointed to the federal government's support of embattled global insurance giant AIG, calling the company's "worthless" despite the billions in aid given to it since last fall.

Like his father, the son also favors notions of limited government. "Libertarian would be a good description," Rand Paul told CNN, "because libertarians believe in freedom in all aspects of your life – your economic life as well as your social life as well as your personal life."

The younger Paul also joked about growing up immersed in his father's political career. "I think I've heard about 10,000 of his speeches. I think he needs some help up there, ya know."

Should he decide to run, Rand Paul said he intends to tap the vast network of loyal supporters that backed his father's 2008 presidential bid.

Bunning spokesman Mike Reynard tells CNN that the Kentucky senator is planning to seek re-election in 2010.

Tim Kaine, left, and Michael Steele are the heads of the DNC and RNC respectively.

(CNN) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry took heat last week after appearing to leave open the possibility of secession, but fellow Texas Republican Ron Paul says the notion is "very American."

"It is very American to talk about secession. That's how we came in being. Thirteen colonies seceded from the British and established a new country. So secession is a very much American principle," Paul said in a video posted on YouTube.

The self-professed libertarian, who garnered a substantial grassroots following when he ran for president last year, stopped short of endorsing secession for his home state, but said the idea is "worth a discussion."

"What about all the strong endorsements we have give the past decade or two to all the republics that seceded from the Soviet system? We were delighted about it," Paul also said.

A Missouri official apologized to Rep. Ron Paul for a report linking him to a militia group.

(CNN) - The head of the Missouri Department of Public Safety has apologized to U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and two other former presidential candidates for a state law enforcement report linking militia groups to the candidates. State officials killed the report late Wednesday.

The report connected the three to often-armed militia groups by saying militia members are "usually supporters of former presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin and Bob Barr."

Paul, a Republican congressman from Texas, unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for president then announced his support for other third-party presidential candidates. Baldwin ran for president on the Constitution Party ticket, and Barr was the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate.

The report, prepared by the state's Information Analysis Center, was sent to police departments around the state. Public Safety Director John Britt said the intelligence report, was intended to "identify certain traits that are sometimes shared by members of militia groups."

But it generated controversy when a copy of the report was leaked publicly.

Page 7 of the report said "militia members most commonly associate with third party political groups. It is not uncommon for militia members to display Constitution Party, Campaign for Liberty or Libertarian material. These members are usually supporters of former presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin and Bob Barr."

In a letter of apology to the former candidates, Britt wrote that "portions of that report may be easily misconstrued by readers as offensive to supporters of certain political candidates or to those candidates themselves. I regret that those components were ultimately included in the final report."

"This report was too easily misinterpreted as suggesting that militia members may be identified by no other indicator than support for a particular candidates or political organization," Britt said. "This is an undesired and unwarranted outcome."

Britt told the candidates the "mistaken inclusion of this information" would be edited out of the "offending report." He said the updated report would drop all references to political parties or candidates' names.

But late Wednesday, state officials decided to kill the entire report.

State Highway Patrol Superintendent James Keathley said, "Law enforcement officers require intelligence of the highest quality and the report in question does not meet that standard. For that reason, I have ordered (the agency) to permanently cease distribution of the report."

Keathley ordered a new process for overseeing intelligence reports, requiring the superintendent and director to review the content before they are sent to department.

A spokeswoman for Paul, Rachel Mills, told CNN the congressman considered the original report a "grave infraction, but was pleased to receive the retraction."

Missouri Libertarian Party spokesman Mike Ferguson said, "This is a case where the government has responded to the public's objection, re-evaluated a controversial practice and responded by addressing the problem."

He said the report's intentions were proper, saying the party "shares the Department of Public Safety's goal to keep our highway patrol troopers safe as they perform the important and dangerous work of law enforcement. The party stands ready and willing to be part of any discussion that will help avoid conflicts like this in the future."

Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder called Wednesday for Britt to be put on immediate administrative leave while the report is investigated. He supported calls for the director to be subpoenaed by the Missouri legislature to answer questions about it.

Kinder questioned the report also including references to anti-immigration and anti-abortion organizations. A spokesman for Kinder said, "We're not juvenile enough to believe there are not extremists in any organization," but he said other groups with radical fringes were not included. He said the types of groups mentioned were supportive of conservative causes.

The spokesman, Gary McElyea, said the updated report would still include references of those type of organizations, saying, "This doesn't do anything to alleviate the concern of conservatives."

Kinder also expressed concern Britt had not read the report before it was sent to the departments.

Paul's spokesperson would not comment on whether Paul wanted any action taken against the director.

Ron Paul was a GOP presidential candidate in the 2008 campaign cycle.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Ron Paul says he may not make a third run for the White House.

The Republican congressman from Texas was asked by CNN American Morning anchor John Roberts if he plans to make another bid for the presidency in 2012. "I don't think so,” said Paul. “I'm not planning on that. It's a long way off. I hardly can visualize what the country is going to be like then."

Paul was a GOP presidential candidate in the 2008 campaign cycle. He also ran for the White House as a Libertarian candidate in 1988.

He tied for third place with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in a presidential preference straw poll of conservatives attending the annual Conservative Action Political Conference this past weekend in Washington. Former Massachusetts governor and 2008 GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney came in first in the straw poll, followed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

While Paul was non committal on running again, the 11-term Congressman said his political organization continues to grow.

"The Campaign for Liberty has been geared up, and it's going to continue to grow, so it's going to be alive and well. And I think we will have a presence,” he told CNN. “Exactly how that translates into my personal activity and all that remains to be seen."

Paul formed the Campaign for Liberty last June, when he suspended his presidential bid, as a way of continuing to foster the grassroots support he received during his campaign for the White House.

Ron Paul is a Republican congressman from Texas who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for president.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (CNN) - Former presidential candidate Ron Paul criticized President Obama's economic recovery proposal, but said Saturday that blame for the financial crisis is deep-seated and includes Republicans who failed to hold the line on spending during the Bush administration.

He also offered a harsh critique of the three Republican senators who have said they will vote for the economic recovery proposal. A vote is scheduled for early next week.

Paul, a Republican congressman from Texas who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for president, said that while some people call Obama's plan to jumpstart the economy a "stimulus package" he thinks it is a "pure spending package,"in a new video message posted on YouTube.

Paul did praise his fellow House Republicans for unanimously voting against the plan, but expressed disappointment that three Senate Republicans "caved in and went with the Democrats."

He didn't mention the GOP senators by name, but was referring to Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both of Maine, and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

In the video, which lasted six minutes and 36 seconds, Paul said he wondered if Republican opposition to the spending is "too little too late.

"It is like they're born-again budget conservatives," Paul said. "Where were we in the past eight years when we could have done something? And you see our last eight years that has set this situation up. So we can't blame the Democrats for the conditions we have.

"We have to blame both parties and presidents of the last several decades to have generated this huge government."

Paul said he agrees that the economy needs to be stimulated, but he doesn't think the federal government should be doing it.

"Sure we want more spending," Paul said. "We need a lot more spending in the economy, but it has to be done by market forces, by individuals, by businesses making proper decisions."

The stimulus package, which is expected to come in at about $827 billion when the Senate votes, includes tax cuts and credits and spending on infrastructure, education and other projects supporters say will create and save jobs.

Watch Paul and Nader sound off on the two-party system.

(CNN) - Watch Rep. Ron Paul and Ralph Nader as they discuss what they think is wrong with the two-party political system and why they think third parties should get more attention in political dialogue.

Related: Paul urges voters to skip McCain, Obama

Watch Ron Paul address the National Press Club.

(CNN) - Republican Ron Paul is bucking his own party and urging his supporters to vote for third party candidates, at an event at the National Press Club.

Watch Ron Paul's event on CNN.com/live

Earlier: Ron Paul to announce presidential endorsement plans

UPDATE: This event has ended, but stay with CNN.com/live for all the day's events on the campaign trail.

Ron Paul is urging his supporters to pick a third party candidate.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul will call on supporters to back a third party candidate for president Wednesday, rejecting his own party’s nominee and offering equally harsh words for the Democratic candidate.

Paul, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination, will tell supporters he is not endorsing GOP nominee John McCain or Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and will instead give his seal of approval to four candidates: Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney, Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr, independent candidate Ralph Nader, and Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin, according to a senior Paul aide.

The announcement will take place in the morning at the National Press Club in the nation’s capital.

While Paul failed in his bid for the Republican nomination, he found a large, diverse audience for his anti-war and anti-tax messages. The Texas congressman’s campaign was fueled by a successful on-line grassroots fundraising operation. Throughout the campaign, Paul supporters called on others to join the “Ron Paul Revolution.”

Paul will offer this open endorsement to the four candidates because each has signed onto a policy statement that calls for “balancing budgets, bring troops home, personal liberties and investigating the Federal Reserve,” the Paul aide said.

Watch Ventura discuss the Constitution on American Morning with John Roberts.

(CNN) – Rep. Ron Paul may have one more foot soldier in his "revolution" to protect the Constitution - former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura.

Ventura on Tuesday spoke at a "counter convention" for the Texas congressmen and libertarian presidential candidate in St. Paul, Minnesota, the site of the Republican National Convention.

"There were about 14,000 to 15,000 people there," Ventura told CNN's John Roberts on American Morning Wednesday. "That bodes well for the people who believe our Constitution has been violated too long." The former marine and pro wrestler accused both Democrats and Republicans of violating the Constitution "whenever the need serves them to do so."

"Revolution's in the air," Ventura said, a reference his book "Don't Start the Revolution Without Me."

Although Paul's new political action committee is trying to attract like-minded candidates for Congress, Ventura told Roberts he plans to remain in the private sector and try to carry out his own "revolution" from there.

While Republican delegates rallied in St. Paul, thousands of Ron Paul supporters cheered him on in Minneapolis. Photo credit: Jeremy Freeman/CNN

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Watch Ron Paul on American Morning Tuesday.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Texas Rep. Ron Paul said Tuesday that he was told he could go to the Republican convention floor under restricted conditions, but he'd have to pick up his pass at the gate and he couldn't have any guests.

"Republican congressmen should have a pass to the floor but they said, 'Your pass will be at the gate and we'll pick it up when you leave and you can't take anybody with you," Paul said on CNN's "American Morning."

Supporters of the former Republican presidential candidate are holding their own counter convention in Minneapolis. The "Rally for the Republic" marks the official start of Paul's new political action group, the "Campaign for Liberty."

More than 10,000 tickets to the rally have been sold. Tucker Carlson, Jesse Ventura and Grover Norquist are among the speakers who will appear before Paul, who is scheduled to address the rally at 8:05 p.m. ET.

Paul said his rally will be a positive event that focuses on the issues he thinks other Republicans ignore -"the spending problems, the deficit, our foreign policy, our national defense, our monetary policy."

"We're Republicans – we believe in limited government and personal liberties. We ought to be talking about these things," he said.
Paul has been critical of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain and Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee.

Asked if there is anything to like about the presidential contenders, Paul said "not a heck of a lot."

"I like it when they shift their positions, but then you don't know where they are," he said sarcastically. "John McCain used to be for taxes – now he's against taxes. Obama talks about less military intervention, but he's the first one to say we should increase the troops in Afghanistan."
Paul did have kind words for Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick. He said he was "delighted" to hear she said positive things about him in a recent interview.

"I hope she puts the right kind of pressure on our platform," he said.

Ron Paul's rally will go on as scheduled, his campaign said.

St. Paul, MINNESOTA (CNN) - The convention for former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will go on as planned, the campaign said Sunday, despite the RNC’s decision to truncate their program.

With Hurricane Gustav approaching the Gulf Coast, Republicans announced that they would hold an abbreviated session Monday and determine the rest of the week’s schedule on a day-by-day basis.

Paul’s campaign said it decided to stick with their schedule because it didn’t want to have to turn down the 10,000 people expected to attend the three-day event.

The “Rally for the Republic” kicked off Sunday with a training class for those interested in learning the skills needed to be an activist, according to the convention’s Web site.

Monday’s schedule includes musical performances from Rockie Lynne‚ Aimee Allen‚ Mark Scibilia and Rick Ellis, and late-night speech by Paul.

The main event takes place Tuesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. When planning for the event began earlier this year, it was originally scheduled to take place at the University of Minnesota, but due to a “strong initial response,” it was moved to The Target in Minneapolis, which can house up to 18,000 people.

Speakers Tuesday include NBC’s Tucker Carlson, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse and another appearance by Paul.

The rally will officially launch Paul’s new political action group: the “Campaign for Liberty.”

"The Rally for the Republic will send a powerful, positive message to the Republican Party that there is an army of grassroots activists across the country ready to work with them if steer back to their traditions of limited government and personal liberty," said Campaign for Liberty spokesman Jesse Benton.

Ron Paul's wife was taken to the hospital Monday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Rep. Ron Paul's wife was hospitalized Monday at a Houston-area hospital, a spokesman for the Texas Republican confirms to CNN.

"Carol Paul has been taken ill and is currently in the Critical Care Unit at a Houston area hospital," Jesse Benton, Paul's spokesman, said in an email statement to CNN. "She has had several abdominal surgeries and remains in serious but stable condition. Dr. Paul appreciates the outpouring of concern and good wishes during this difficult time."

Benton did not name the hospital or provide further details about the hospitalization.

Paul unsuccessfully sought the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, developing a loyal following among people who support limited government as well as among anti-war activists. Paul was the only Republican presidential candidate who opposed the Iraq war.

A plane carrying Ron Paul and six other congressmen made an emergency landing Tuesday.

(CNN)— A plane carrying Texas Rep. Ron Paul and six other members of Congress was forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday due to mechanical issues.

According to the Federal Avaiation Administration (FAA), Continental Airlines flight 458, a Boeing 737 en route to Washington, DC from Houston made a rapid decent in New Orleans when the pilot reported pressurization problems.

Reps. Ted Poe, Nick Lampson, and Henry Cuellar, Solomon P. Ortiz, John Carter, and Ciro Rodriguez were among those aboard the flight. The FAA says the plane had a safe landing in New Orleans with no injuries.

Update: Trevor Kincaid, a spokesman for Rep. Nick Lampson, tells CNN the congressmen are being rebooked on two different flights from New Orleans to Washington, D.C.

Kincaid said Lampson told him, "there was a minor technical failure with the pressure" and there was "a slow gradual descent, no nosedive." Lampson told him in a phone conversation that, "some people didn't realize there was a problem until the gas masks came down." Lampson said there was no panic on the plane and praised Continental Airlines for their handling of the situation.

Ron Paul will hold his own Rally August 31 through September 1.

(CNN)— Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is moving forward with plans for his own rally during the Republican National Convention —and is moving his location to a larger arena to accommodate the unprecedented response.

The three day event called ‘Rally for the Republic’ will officially launch Paul’s new political action group: the ‘Campaign for Liberty.’ When planning for the event began earlier this year, it was originally scheduled to take place at the University of Minnesota, but due to a “strong initial response,” it was moved to The Target in Minneapolis, which can house up to 18,000 people.

"The Rally for the Republic will send a powerful, positive message to the Republican Party that there is an army of grassroots activists across the country ready to work with them if steer back to their traditions of limited government and personal liberty," said Campaign for Liberty spokesman Jesse Benton.

Paul, who has often voiced his differing policy views from presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, has made it clear in past interviews with CNN his supporters won’t be in Minneapolis to interfere or cause problems for the Republican Party.

“We’re not going to disrupt them,” Paul told CNN last month. “We’re not going to demonstrate as much as present a positive case for values that we believe should be the Republican values.”

From August 31 through September 1, the former presidential dark horse will hold a series of grassroots leadership and training events culminating with a “celebration of traditional Republican values,” where Grover Norquist, Tucker Carlson, Gov. Gary Johnson, Barry Goldwater Jr. and Bruce Fein are expected to speak.

Ron Paul is suspending his presidential campaign.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Texas Rep. Ron Paul announced Thursday he is suspending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination to focus his time on building an organization to help recruit and elect “limited government Republicans.”

“We want to elect constitutionalists, limited government Republicans across the country at the state and federal level,” said Paul spokesman Jesse Benton.

The congressman will speak about his political plans at the Texas Republican State Convention being held in Houston. Late Thursday afternoon, Paul launched a Web site for his new organization where he explained the decision to suspend his presidential campaign and form “Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty.”

“With the primary season now over, the presidential campaign is at an end,” Paul said in the letter. “But the larger campaign for freedom is just getting started.”

Arizona Sen. John McCain locked up the GOP nomination back in March, but unlike his fellow Republicans running for president, Paul never abandoned his White House bid.

Paul’s decision to leave the race is an acknowledgment he had no chance of winning the GOP nomination. But even in loss, Paul is one of a handful of candidates who walked away from this presidential contest a winner. His presidential campaign had a broad base of support that included traditionally fiscal and socially conservative Republicans to young people who were angry about the U.S. decision to wage war against Iraq.

The Internet helped to tie together his group of supporters who joined the “Ron Paul Revolution.”

“The work of the Campaign for Liberty will take many forms,” Paul wrote in the letter posted on his Web site. “We will educate our fellow Americans in freedom, sound money, non-interventionism, and free markets. We’ll have our own commentaries and videos on the news of the day. I’ll work with friends I respect to design materials for homeschoolers."

He added, “Politically, we’ll expand the great work of our precinct leader program. We’ll make our presence felt at every level of government, where just a few people with our level of enthusiasm can make a world of difference. We’ll keep an eye on Congress and lobby against legislation that threatens us. We’ll identify and support political candidates who champion our great ideas against the empty suits the party establishments offer the public.”

Paul will not endorse McCain, unless the Arizona senator “wants to change some of his positions,” Benton said. But Benton added that this effort in no way is intended to hurt McCain in November.

Watch Ron Paul's interview Thursday.

(CNN)— Rep. Ron Paul had some words of praise for recently declared Libertarian presidential nominee Bob Barr Thursday, calling him a ‘very positive’ influence on the presidential race.

Paul, who never officially ended his own Republican presidential bid, told American Morning Anchor John Roberts, “[Barr] talks our language, so I do really believe that he can have a very positive effect in this campaign and let the people know that limited government is a very, very important message.”

Echoing the principals he based his own presidential run on, the Texas congressman said Americans’ voices will be heard with Barr, and he “gives everybody a choice in the matter.”

Barr, who was a former four-term Republican congressman from Georgia, left the GOP to join the Libertarian Party in 2006 and officially won the its presidential nomination late last month.

Asked of speculation surrounding the creation of his own convention in September, Paul said he and his supporters won’t be there to cause problems for the Republican Party.

“We’re not going to disrupt them,” he said. “We’re not going to demonstrate as much as present a positive case for values that we believe should be the Republican values.”

Paul, who has made it clear in past interviews he will not support John McCain because of their differing views, said again Thursday he disagrees with the Arizona senator on foreign policy and economic relief.

“I would say [McCain] does not represent limited government values, and the republicans deserve to hear the other side of the story.”

Programming Note: Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will be in “The Situation Room” Friday. What would you like to ask him? Put your question on video and you could be featured on CNN.

What would you ask Ron Paul?

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will be in “The Situation Room” Friday. What would you like to ask him? Put your question on video and you could be featured on CNN.

(CNN) - Ron Paul, the Republican presidential candidate who has said he does not plan on backing John McCain, is planning on holding a day-long rally at the University of Minnesota during the same week the Republican Party is set to hold its convention in Minneapolis.

The news was first reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. A spokesman for the university confirmed to CNN that Paul has “tentatively” booked the venue.

Paul and his legion of supporters disagree with McCain's support of the Iraq war.

Paul on his presidential run: 'The race is still on'.

(CNN) - Even though Rep. Ron Paul has never officially ended his long shot presidential bid, he’s ready to weigh in on the three remaining major candidates for the White House.

In an interview on The Situation Room, Paul told Wolf Blitzer that endorsing Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, “would really confuse” his supporters “because they know we have a precise program and we have to defend that program.”

Having a Republican win the upcoming presidential election is “secondary” for Paul who is more interested in defending the Constitution, having the country go in what he considers the right direction, having a sound currency, and achieving balanced budgets. Paul parts ways with McCain over McCain’s support for the Iraq war, his approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and his willingness to spend federal dollars to support military operations in Iraq.

Instead, Paul favors Sen. Barack Obama because of positions on foreign policy. “But that’s doesn’t mean that’s an endorsement,” Paul quickly added.

Paul recently released a new book titled “The Revolution: a Manifesto.” “Unfortunately, it is revolutionary to talk about obeying the Constitution,” Paul said of the book’s title.

Paul's book is No. 1 on Amazon.com

(CNN) - Ron Paul’s loyal supporters helped him set campaign fundraising records and capture more delegates during his presidential run than some of his high-profile Republican rivals. They even managed to briefly shut down Nevada’s GOP convention earlier this month over a rules change controversy.

Now they’ve taken his latest book to the top of the Amazon.com bestseller list.

“The Revolution: A Manifesto”, released earlier this month, is currently No. 1 on the Web site’s list of top sellers, besting even Oprah’s latest Book Club selection.

“Despite a media blackout, this septuagenarian physician-turned-congressman sparked a movement that has attracted a legion of young, dedicated, enthusiastic supporters . . . a phenomenon that has amazed veteran political observers and made more than one political rival envious,” boasts the book’s product description, adding: “Candidates across America are already running as ‘Ron Paul Republicans.’”

Watch Ron Paul's interview with CNN's John Roberts.

(CNN)— Texas Congressman Ron Paul said Monday his revolution is still alive, and he will not be shut out of the presidential race by the Republican Party.

“We’re trying to say we have a right to argue our case that Republicans ought to stand for something,” Paul told CNN Monday morning. Adding, the need for change is vital, but all three candidates, including John McCain, represent a continuation of the same policy.

A large group of Paul’s supporters managed to bring Nevada’s Republican Convention to a standstill over the weekend after the party tried to exclude The Texas congressman from delegate allocations.

Paul, who never officially dropped out of the Republican presidential race, said he continues to gain support from delegates. “What’s the sense of having a convention if everything is decided?” He did not give any details as to who he might be referring to, or where this new support was coming from.

The congressman has 21 delegates in the latest CNN count. Arizona senator John McCain has 1,331 total delegates, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has 267, and Mitt Romney has 255.

Paul said his views are “very much in tune with being a good Republican,” and traditional GOP values.

Asked if he would encourage his supporters to back McCain, Paul reiterated his views that the two differ on fundamental issues, namely bringing troops home from Iraq.

Paul has said he will use his remaining campaign war chest of roughly $4 million to support candidates who share his vision.

Watch Ron Paul on CNN's American Morning.

(CNN)— John McCain may have clinched the Republican presidential nomination last week, but rival Ron Paul told CNN Monday his fight isn't over just yet.

Given the dwindling number of primaries, “It is certainly winding down,” Paul said of his campaign in an interview Monday. However, “If you’re in a campaign for only gaining power, that’s one thing. If you’re in a campaign to influence ideas and future of the country, the campaign is never over,” said Paul who explained he has every intention of participating in the upcoming April 22 primary in Pennsylvania.

Although his campaign has largely been considered a long shot, Paul garnered a legion of enthusiastic supporters and was able to raise more money than many better known candidates in the field.

The Texas congressman also said he is not likely to support McCain because he disagrees with the Arizona senator on several issues. Paul acknowledged his party's unity is vital right now, but said he can’t reject what he’s talked about and supported for 30 years.

Ron Paul is the only Republican Presidential candidate to call for a speedy withdrawal of troops from Iraq. He also opposes the federal income tax and supports limiting federal spending.

- CNN’s Emily Sherman

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN)— The troubled economy took center stage Friday, with news of employers cutting 63,000 jobs in February alone. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, White House correspondent Elaine Quijano reports on how President Bush is reacting to the news.

It’s no surprise that appearing strong on economic policy has become a campaign trail priority. CNN’s Dana Bash explains what Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is doing to address voter concerns.

Democrats are headed full force into Saturday’s primary in Wyoming. Jessica Yellin reports from Wyoming on the latest twists and turns in that primary process.

Finally: what happens if neither Democratic candidate gets enough delegates to ensure the nomination? Special Correspondent Frank Sesno takes a look at why the party may be in for the long haul.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily

–CNN’s Emily Sherman

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) ran for president as a Libertarian in 1988.

(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is hinting that his run for the White House is about to end, saying the "presidential campaign will soon wind down."

His comments came two days after Sen. John McCain became the presumptive GOP nominee.

"Though victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race, many victories have been achieved due to your hard work and enthusiasm," the Texas congressman said in a video to supporters posted by his campaign on YouTube on Thursday.

Full story 

Watch Ron Paul on American Morning Wednesday.

(CNN) – Despite single digit showings in the Wisconsin and Washington State primaries Tuesday night, Ron Paul told CNN Wednesday he has no plans to drop his presidential bid.

"I will stay in as long as my supporters want me to," the Texas congressman said on American Morning Wednesday. "I was very reluctant to enter the race, didn't think it would last more than a month or two, but to my amazement, we literally got hundreds of thousands of supporters and millions of dollars, and they are still very enthusiastic. And I say as long as the number of volunteers continues to grow, and the money comes in, and there are primaries out there, and they want me to be involved, I am going to stay involved."

Paul, who won 5 percent of the vote in Wisconsin and 7 percent in Washington State, also said he believes his unlikely candidacy has attracted like-minded individuals who want to run for Congress.

"One of my problems now is that I am being overwhelmed with individuals who want to [run] and I have the responsibility of sorting it out because we are capable of raising funds," he said. "So it is a responsibly that will be a significant one for me to make sure I help the candidates that are true believes and not just the ones who want to be in Congress."

Paul announced earlier this month he was scaling back his presidential run to focus on his Texas district and the reelection race he faces there. He also categorically ruled out a third party bid in the future.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) – In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Jessica Yellin covers the escalating fight between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

And bigger battles continue to loom ahead as top Democrats face off over the role of Michigan and Florida. Both states were stripped of their delegates after moving up their primaries in violation of DNC rules. Now, the campaign of Hillary Clinton – who came up the winner in both states – is calling for them to be seated at the party’s summer convention after all. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider explains what this means for the Democratic nomination.

For the Republicans, the flood of McCain endorsements continues. CNN has learned former President George H. W. Bush is set to endorse the Arizona senator next week in Texas. Candy Crowley gives a weekend wrap on the Republican candidates from Chicago.

Plus: The presidential candidate with the biggest military fundraising haul is also the one with the most hard-line stand against U.S. involvement in Iraq. Brian Todd divulges who tops the field when it comes to military donations.

Finally, CNN’s Jenifer Mikell serves up trail mix—the most memorable moments from the campaign trail this week.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily

–CNN’s Emily Sherman

Paul said he likely won't vote for McCain.

(CNN) – John McCain is lining up quite a few major endorsements now that he’s the GOP’s likely nominee - but at least one Republican said Monday he won’t be backing the Arizona senator.

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, Ron Paul said he'd only support McCain for president if the Arizona senator "has a lot of change of heart" on his Iraq war stands.

“I can not support anybody with the foreign policy he advocates - you know, perpetual war…I think it’s un-American, unconstitutional, immoral, and not Republican," Paul said.

The comments come two days after the Texas congressman definitely ruled out running as a third party candidate, and said he was phasing back his presidential bid to focus on his home district and the re-election race he faces.

"If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen," Paul wrote on his Web site Saturday.

Paul also acknowledged he was cutting back his presidential campaign staff, but said he will not formally bow out of the race before the convention.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Rep. Ron Paul speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday.

(CNN) - It's perhaps the most Shermanesque statement Ron Paul has ever issued concerning the potential he'll run as a third party candidate.

"I am a Republican, and I will remain a Republican," Paul wrote in a letter to supporters posted on his Web site. "I am committed to fighting for our ideas within the Republican Party, so there will be no third party run."

But the Texas congressman, who has shocked the political world with his grassroots fundraising success and army of devoted supporters, vowed to press on with his campaign, while acknowledging the chances of a brokered convention are "nearly zero."

"But that does not affect my determination to fight on, in every caucus and primary remaining, and at the convention for our ideas, with just as many delegates as I can get," her wrote.

But Paul, who has had trouble converting his grassroots energy into support at the ballot box, revealed he's making cuts to his field staff, and indicated he will shift much of his attention to his home district and the reelection race he faces there.

"If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen," he said.

– CNN Producer Alexander Mooney

Ron Paul is in a close battle for second place in Nevada.

(CNN) - Ron Paul is currently battling for second with his Republican rivals in the party's Nevada caucuses in early returns, at 12 percent of the vote with about two-fifths of the ballots counted.

Mitt Romney is projected to win the Republican caucuses there, thanks in part to unusually high turnout among the state’s sizeable Mormon minority. He currently has 55 percent of the vote.

Most of the GOP candidates, with the exception of Romney and Paul, did not campaign in Nevada, focusing instead on South Carolina’s first-in-the-South vote, also on Saturday.

Paul, who has amassed an enormous campaign war chest and a vocal group of passionate supporters, has beaten Rudy Giuliani in Michigan and Fred Thompson in New Hampshire - and has so far, according to a count released by his campaign, drawn 30,000 more primary votes in total than either man.

The Paul campaign had warned Friday of potential “chaos” in the Nevada caucus process – including rule changes, location shifts, and potential ballot shortages – and had called on the state party to consider postponing the event. In a statement, they warned of potential voter disenfranchisement, and vote fraud.

“The inconsistencies, errors and multiple changes in the rules reek of playing politics with what should be a neutral process,” said campaign manager Lew Moore. “The people of Nevada deserve to know exactly what the rules are and to know that those rules are being fairly enforced. This has not happened up to this point, and the caucus appears to be in chaos.”

View results as they come in here

–CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

This is a copy of one of the Ron Paul Political Report newsletters, which has stirred controversy.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A series of newsletters in the name of GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul contain several racist remarks - including one that says order was restored to Los Angeles after the 1992 riots when blacks went "to pick up their welfare checks."

CNN recently obtained the newsletters - written in the 1990s and one from the late 1980s - after a report was published about their existence in the New Republic.

None of the newsletters CNN found says who wrote them, but each was published under Paul's name between his stints as a U.S. congressman from Texas.

Related video: Paul: 'I'm not a racist'

Full story

– CNN's Brian Todd

Watch Ron Paul on CNN's American Morning Monday.

(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is striking back at Fox News for excluding him from Sunday’s Republican primary debate in New Hampshire.

“I think this is an awful embarrassment for Fox to do something like this,” says Paul. “I think they are making a mockery of the whole situation and I think they are going to suffer for it quite frankly because they’ve lost all credibility.”

Paul registered 10 percent support in the CNN/WMUR poll of the state’s GOP voters released this weekend – putting him in a statistical tie for third with Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani – and says this support should have secured him a spot in the debate, along with the fact that his campaign “raised more money than any other candidate on the Republican side in the last quarter.”

American Morning anchor Kiran Chetry gave Ron Paul a chance Monday morning to respond to some of the issues raised in Sunday night’s debate.

– CNN’s Emily Sherman

(CNN) – Ron Paul is stealing a page from Mike Huckabee’s winning campaign playbook.

The Republican presidential candidate will be a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno Monday night, just hours before New Hampshire’s primary voters head to the polls. The Texas congressman will chat with the late night host about his recent snub from the planned FOX debate in the Granite State, according to spokesman Jesse Benton.

Huckabee appeared on the Tonight Show the day before last Thursday's Iowa caucuses, despite warnings from some that the former Arkansas governor couldn’t afford to take valuable time away from the trail for a taping at the show's Burbank, California studios. Hours after his visit, he won the state’s GOP caucuses.

–CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) - The New Hampshire Republican Party announced Saturday that it was withdrawing as a partner of Sunday’s primary debate on FOX because of the exclusion of two GOP presidential hopefuls.

"The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level playing field. Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national figures,” New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen said in a statement.

“The New Hampshire Republican Party believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in the FOX forum on Sunday evening. Our mutual efforts to resolve this difference have failed."

Supporters of presidential candidates Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter had complained over the exclusion of both men from Sunday night’s debate, the final faceoff before Tuesday’s primary.

–CNN's Sareena Dalla and Rebecca Sinderbrand

(CNN) – A new poll suggests that the Democratic and Republican presidential contests both appear to be dead heats - tied at the top with just over a week to go until the New Hampshire primary.

Among likely Republican primary voters, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain of Arizona are tied at 30 percent in the American Research Group survey released Sunday. Romney had long been the frontrunner in most surveys of New Hampshire Republicans, but McCain has made a steady climb in the polls in there the past few weeks.

McCain, the early national frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination, but he was left for dead by much of the political establishment in August, after a money shortage forced his campaign to trim staff. But times have changed for McCain, thanks in part to positive debate performances and some key major media endorsements in New Hampshire and Iowa.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is in third place among likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters, at 11 percent, with Rudy Giuliani two points back. Most other recent polls in the Granite State put the former New York City mayor in third place, in double digits. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas follows with 7 percent, with support for the remaining Republican White House hopefuls all in the lower single digits.

Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois are in a statistical dead heat in the battle for the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire, with 31 percent of likely primary voters supporting Clinton and 27 percent backing Obama. But if you take into account the survey’s sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, it’s a virtual tie at the top. Clinton had enjoyed a lead in most New Hampshire polls the past few months, but the race has tightened recently, with Obama and Clinton basically tied in some surveys.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards is in third place at 21 percent. The remaining Democratic candidates are all in single digits.

The phone survey of 600 likely Democratic primary votes and 600 likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire was conducted December 27-29.

Paul is up with a new ad in New Hampshire.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Ron Paul launched a new ad in Iowa and New Hampshire Wednesday that highlights the Texas congressman's biography.

"Answering our country’s call, Ron Paul became a flight surgeon in the Air Force," the narrator states in the 30-second spot, titled 'Defender of Freedom.' "As a doctor, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies and is a leading defender of life. In Congress, Ron Paul never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted to restrict gun rights or raise congressional pay."

The ad comes a week before Iowa holds its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, and roughly two weeks before New Hampshire voters head to the polls for the first primary of the 2008 campaign. The Texas congressman - whose libertarian message seems well-tailored for the Granite State – is registering single-digit support in most recent polls of GOP primary voters.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

GOP hopeful Ron Paul on NBC's Meet The Press Sunday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Texas Rep. Ron Paul refused to rule out a third party bid Sunday if he fails to win the Republican Party presidential nomination.

When Tim Russert of NBC’s 'Meet the Press' asked the Texas congressman if he’d consider an independent bid, he replied: "I have no intention of doing that."

When pressed by Russert to state unequivocally that he would not, Paul demurred. "I deserve one weasel wiggle now and then, Tim!"

Paul lost to Phil Gramm in the 1984 Texas Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Four years later, he ran for president as the Libertarian Party nominee.

The Republican presidential contender - who has an intensely loyal national following - is pulling in record fundraising sums, prompting speculation that he may continue his White House bid even if he does not fare well among Republican primary voters.

Paul is currently averaging single-digit showings in most recent surveys of GOP voters nationally and in early-voting states.

During the Sunday interview, Paul criticized the Civil Rights Act, pointing out that Barry Goldwater opposed it. But he would not say he whether would vote against the legislation today. "I get more support from black people than any other Republican candidate, according to some statistics," he added.

Paul also contended that the Civil War had been unnecessary because the United States would have gotten rid of slavery eventually.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Things are heating up on the campaign trail, with a litte more than two weeks until the Iowa caucuses.

In Tuesday's The Best Political Podcast, Suzanne Malveaux reports from the Hawkeye State about some magical help Sen. Hillary Clinton got on the campaign trail.

Some Republicans are asking "where's Rudy Giuliani?" Bill Schneider takes a look at the former New York City Mayor's late primary, large state strategy for winning the Republican presidential nomination.

Mary Snow spent some time with Rep. Ron Paul's campaign in New Hampshire. She reports on what Paul's supporters are doing to translate the Texas Republican's online support and recordbreaking fundraising into votes in the Granite State's crucial primary.

Plus, it's been a banner day on the CNN Political Ticker. John King shares with you some of the Ticker posts garnering reader attention and commentary.

Click here to subscribe to The Best Political Podcast

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul said Monday that his campaign has raised a sum of money so vast he isn't even sure how to spend it yet - but his advisers have already gotten to work on the top items on their wish list.

A spokesman for the Texas congressman's campaign told CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand that they are in the process of adding staff in Florida and in several of the states that head to the polls February 5. He also said they were buying airtime in the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

At a Monday press conference touting the fact his campaign raised more than $6 million the day before, Paul said that even his most optimistic supporters were "pleasantly surprised" by the massive haul.

"Towards the end it was difficult to keep up with all the accounting," Paul said.

He also drew a distinction between himself and other candidates in the GOP field by adding that his funds did not come from "powerful special interests."

"In our case it came from individuals who were concerned about what was happening," Paul added, "and I have offered an alternative both economically speaking, monetarily, as well as in foreign policy."

"I believe this is the reason they have come and joined the campaign."

Paul spoke to a room where members of the press outnumbered the few supporters gathered, but that didn't stop him for criticizing the media for focusing on candidates with money.

"Its disappointing to me personally," Paul said, "because it looks to me like money talks, and I like to say ideas talk…[and that it's] my position on foreign policy and the monetary system that should have gotten the attention of the media."

Related video: Paul touts fundraising

–CNN's Chris Welch and Rebecca Sinderbrand

CNN's Mary Snow takes a look Ron Paul's "Boston Tea Party" over the weekend.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The campaign of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Monday that it had raised more than $6 million on Sunday – a sum that may be the largest single-day fundraising total in U.S. history.

The haul pads an already-massive campaign war chest. The Texas congressman has pulled in roughly $16 million for the fourth quarter, according to his campaign.

The congressman, the only outspokenly anti-war GOP presidential candidate, has garnered a major following online, and consistently pulled in healthy fundraising totals, but has had trouble converting that support into higher poll showings. He appears to have single-digit support in most recent polls of Republicans nationwide, and in early-voting states.

Earlier this year, Mitt Romney’s presidential exploratory committee said it had pulled in around $6.5 million in a 24-hour period, though that haul included both actual donations and pledges for future donations. The current record belongs to Democrat John Kerry, whose campaign received $5.7 million in a single day during the 2004 presidential race.

– CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

Watch Abbi Tatton's report about Mike Huckabee's online popularity.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Not only is Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee surging in the polls, but the former Arkansas governor is also a rising star on the web, something the campaign is calling a "Huckaboom."

Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton takes a look at MikeHuckabee.com, which for the first time has taken the lead as the most-visited candidate Web site.

– CNN Associate Producer Eric Weisbrod

All planes have been grounded at the Des Moines airport, causing havoc on the campaign trail.

(CNN) –- Snow and ice shut down campaign season in Iowa Tuesday, as politics took a back seat to safety concerns and travel headaches.

On the Democratic side, former President Bill Clinton has canceled planned stops on behalf of his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. The events were to take him to In West Branch, Wapello, and Burlington, Iowa.

John Edwards canceled his first event of the day in Clinton, though the campaign hoped the former North Carolina senator would be able to make it to planned evening in events the eastern part of the state.

As for Republicans, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee – the leader in recent Hawkeye State polls – has canceled two appearances. But the weather couldn’t stop the latest round of an increasingly bitter between Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney over immigration.

On a day when both campaigns are on the air with new ads attacking his past stands on immigration policy, Huckabee went ahead with a Council Bluffs event where he received an endorsement from Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the anti-immigration group Minuteman Project.

Romney is planning to go forward with a midday event in Des Moines, but his wife Ann has canceled her campaign appearances.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul has several stops in Iowa planned starting Tuesday afternoon. His campaign said the events will go forward as scheduled, though they are continuing to assess the travel situation.

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Abbi Tatton takes a look at Ron Paul supporters' latest effort.

The same Ron Paul supporters who hauled in four million dollars in one day online to the Paul campaign have a new plan to boost the Republican candidate – a giant blimp nearly two hundred feet long. Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton takes a look.

– CNN Associate Producer Eric Weisbrod