Mr. Lambert......you need to do the research again. While Congressman Paul is a nominal Republican, he was the Libertarian candidate for President not long ago. He used to tell people he is a Republican congressman because that was the only way he could win the seat.

Joshua, Buckeye, Az/USA

Mr. Romney is the Best Candidate out there and would support him whether he wins or lose in this election. His personal life is a lifelong witness of his strong personal values. I admire him greatly. I wish all husbands and fathers are like him. Women deserve to be treated the way that Mr. Romney treats his sweetheart. His rivals has no business attacking this great man. They attack him because he is surging and being known by more people now whereas before nobody knows who Mr. Mitt Romney is. Mr. Romney is my HERO. I have his bumper sticker on the back of my van and I have to clean my van more often now to be worthy of his name on there.

CAROLINE, Redlands, CA

Marc, John since the days of FDR and all his social programs we have had a national debt with few exceptions. Given that we have created a very polarised america over the past four decades, we are so busy with democrats looking for the second coming of" Water Gate" (they make the jews look like pikers in comparison) The republicans couldn't handle success after their resurgance,....The USA like it or not are the main stabilising force on this planet. All that being said we as a nation have denigraded into a nation who has outspent our resources, taken up a defeatest attitude, allowed too many illegals,continue to give away too much to other countries in graft, foriegn aid and, sticking our noses in other countries business. Even our countrys own Budget Office has stated we are on the brink of insolvency, so as we progress towards the inevitable melt down and the disdain we have for our elected officials, we will overlook you comment on the surplus as simply a matter of exotic account

John Christen..., Salt Lake City, Utah

Forget the distinction between Libertarians and Republicans, most Ron Paul supporters are what I would call Contrarians. They like Paul because he's the anti-candidate. They don't care about politics. They like being able to say they're for somebody different. They really don't care what Paul says as long as he says it. I doubt most of them will even vote.

On another topic, I don't see why any of the candidates would consider dropping out after Iowa or New Hampshire. To what end? To be polite? Most have invested a year or better seeking their nominations, what have they got to lose by hanging in a while? If money gets tight, just cut back on ads and staff. McCain did that earlier and survived, and is now looking like a real contender again.

Frankly, I'd like to see ALL of the major candidates stay in the race regardless of what happens in the next week. Give this phony hoopla surrounding Iowa and New Hampshire a collective nose-thumbing!

gb, Austin, USA

Errm Marc, the only reason Ron Paul has been able to raise so much money is because people like his message so much. A lot of the money he has raised has been from small, individual donations to "money bombs" NOT organised by his campaign!

Also, Paul has never voted for an unbalenced budget in his 10 years at Congress, and is one of the strongest fiscal conservatives is the race.

Alastair, London, UK

You have to laugh. So many people have posted, supportive, comments about Ron Paul and these comments are all based upon how much MONEY he can raise.

Oh dear, America, get your act together.

I visit America frequently, I live with an intelligent American. America is a nation of wonderful people who care about far more than money. However, there are some idiots, who seem to bay at the moon.

So, here are some simple facts:: at the end of Clinton's reign, America had a wonderful financial surplus. Now, arriving at the end of Bush's reign, America is incredibly in debt and facing a financial meltdown. This is not good for anyone! However the old, oft repeated, adage still rings true, "Clinton did it to Lewinsky and Bush did it to America.

Ron Paul may be able to raise money for himself but can he make money for America - I think not!

Marc, St. Barths,

Er, could I just point out to the other posters that the article described Ron Paul as a 'libertarian' not a 'Libertarian'? The small 'l' makes a big difference, at least to those of us who know how the English langauge works....

Danny, London,

Ron Paul is a Republican, why are MSM journalists so thick they can't after all this time get it right? Please, do the basic research before you publish because you would learn Ron Paul has been elected as a Republican for 10 terms.

Louis Lambert, Sydney, Australia

I don't think people appreciate the odds that Mr Romney is up against. There are a large number of evangelacles who are just prejudice against his religion (witness every six months larg loud protests at the Mormon general confrence) There are a larg number of secular humanist who are passionate agains any people beliving in a moral value system. These two goups, do no need to be courted they will resist Mr. Romney's efforts to be elected, they will preach to all who will here.

blaine Clayton, Salt Lake, Salt Lake

Let me get this straight - Thompson, who we haven't heard or seen boo about pretty much for the entire campaign has a chance at winning the nomination - but Paul, who the article claims raised more money in the 4th quarter than any other candidate does not? Please.

Need I also mention that Ron Paul is a REPUBLICAN not a Libertarian.

Mary, Hampden, ME

Um, Ron Paul DID raise $19 mill so far this quarter, with a drive on to push it over the $20 mill mark before New Year's day. This figure not only exceeds ALL of his Republican opponents, it is almost double the amount of the second place holder, Rudy Giuliani.

Not only does Ron Paul have a fervent net following, his rallies draw many times more real-life supporters than those of his opponents, often in the thousands. Huckabee, in comparison, had one successful rally that drew 200 - 300. Rudy, McCain, and Fred are lucky to find a dozen or more people somewhere, who are interested in them, and who don't work for one of the media outlets...

If the ballots are counted honestly and accurately, Ron Paul will likely win New Hampshire, and easily place in the top 3 in Iowa. In this video clip, John McCain's campaign co-chair mentions that Ron Paul will likely place higher than the polls might suggest, due to polling limitation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62UiKr_YAmI

Paul, Tempe, AZ, US