 "Photo: Karl McDonald")
More than 4,000 supporters gathered on the Main Mall Saturday to rally for and listen to Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul's self-described revolutionary message of liberty.
His proposals for lowering taxes, limiting the government's power and focusing on the Constitution has earned him enthusiastic supporters. He addressed the roaring crowd, yelling, "This is indeed a revolution!"
The 10-term congressman from Texas said the U.S. Constitution allows for personal liberty by restraining government. He said the current administration is abusing the law by expanding its power and violating civil liberties.
"It is harmful and unnecessary to ever give up any liberty for the sake of safety and security," he said.
Paul called for economic reform, the abolition of the income tax, the disbandment of the Federal Reserve System and a return to the gold standard - ideas that were met with loud cheers at the rally.
He also criticized the conflict in Iraq - a war, he noted, that he did not vote for - saying he wants to bring the troops home immediately.
"He's the only true anti-war candidate," said journalism freshman Benjamin Wermund.
Throughout the duration of the speech, the crowd reacted with loud cheering, clapping, shouting, chants and boos, where appropriate.
"This is only the beginning and not the end of this revolution," Paul said. "The message is out there. Nobody is
going to put this message to sleep again."
At a press conference before the rally, Paul said he raised more money than any other candidate last quarter, with donations totaling more than $6 million.
Despite his monetary support, Paul has only garnered 16 delegates as opposed to John McCain's 918 delegates and Mike Huckabee's 217.
"The enthusiasm is out of proportion to the number of people actually voting," Paul said at the press conference.
He said the enthusiasm has not translated into votes because his campaign has not been able to reach the 80 percent of people who get their news from the major media outlets - a place where Paul said he is never recognized.
The "Ron Paul Revolution" has relied on grassroots support and the Internet to communicate its message, he said.
The UT chapter of Students for Ron Paul, the organization that hosted the rally, is one such grassroots support system. Chris Robertson, a civil engineering graduate student and the event's coordinator, said Paul's message will resonate regardless of the election results.
"No matter the outcome of this election, the campaign for a Ron Paul presidency in 2008 has made momentous advances in the cause and ideas of liberty," Robertson said. "So many more are awakening to it, and from this they are all getting more and more involved."
Robertson also said the Republican nomination is not "completely wrapped up" and that a majority of Americans could embrace Paul's message if they were given a chance to hear it and have it explained.
Paul said he will keep running as long as there is enthusiasm for his message and donors who support his campaign financially. He said if he does not receive the Republican Party's nomination, he will not enter the race as an independent, but will instead run for Congress.
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