By Mark Wiggins | KVUE News | Apr. 10, 2012
COLLEGE STATION -- One of just three candidates remaining in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, Rep. Ron Paul's arrival in Texas came just hours after fellow candidate Rick Santorum's announcement that the former senator from Pennsylvania was suspending his campaign.
"I imagine a lot of people were surprised, but in thinking about it there's not a lot I'll change," Paul told KVUE Tuesday. "I think the other two will continue to advocate more government, so I would guess it's going to help me but only time will tell."
Paul continues to draw crowds wherever he goes. At Tuesday's town hall appearance at Texas A&M University, supporters watched from the hallways as the 2,500 seat rudder auditorium was filled to capacity.
"I feel like he's the best choice of the three," Texas A&M student Tim Mills told KVUE. "It seems like when Ron Paul speaks to you, he's really speaking to you," added fellow student Wyatt Jameson.
Despite the turnout, Paul reminds last in delegates among the three remaining candidates and has yet to win a primary, a result the congressman from Texas still finds difficult to explain.
"I'm not really sure," said Paul. "There's a lot of theories on this but it looks like we don't get enough people to the polls, but there's always encouragement. The crowds come out, they're enthusiastic, they love the message, they send the money, but there seems to be a disconnect."
Vowing to continue his campaign as long as turnout and donations remain steady, Paul's three day swing through Texas kicked off with a new ad aimed to attrack Texas voters.
The trip comes at the same time state party leaders are considering changing the primary to "winner-take-all." Hoped by some to help Santorum should he win the state, Paul says he's not a fan of the idea.
"If I win I'm all for it!" joked Paul. "No, I think it's fairer to let it do proportional."
"I didn't do anything in Florida because Romney had so much money and you compete real hard and spend millions," explained Paul. "I get a lot of donations, but they're small donations and if you don't win it you lose all that money. So proportional representation is much better."
Paul admits his chances of winning the Republican nomination are a long-shot and stands by his refusal to consider running as a third-party candidate. The congressman says by staying in the race he hopes to continue to spread his messages on issues such as foreign policy and the Federal Reserve.
"Now it looks more likely that Romney would win, but up until now I kept thinking that there could be a brokered convention," said Paul. "If you don't win, you might have an influence, and maybe we can do something with the platform."