I’m at work on my lunch break, so I don’t have time to write anything of substance. Instead, I’m going to post some interviews of congressman and presidential candiate Dr. Ron Paul (R – Texas). He should, at the very least, cause you to rethink the current state of the American political system.

I do implore you, the reader, to not pass judgement on Ron Paul based solely on the fact he is a Republican from Texas. I am well aware that America’s presidential track record of men with such credentials has ranged from less than stellar (see GHWB) to complete and utter incompetency (though no parenthetical statement is needed, here’s one for nostalgia’s sake).

Does Ron Paul have what it takes to beat the front runners? That would depend on what it takes to beat the front runners. Presidential campaigns have always been about pleasing the masses. If you want to become president, you make as many politically correct statements as possible, side-step controversy, and memorize your lines so you’re never caught off guard. In my objective observations of Ron Paul, I don’t see him as a traditional candidate. After his well-publicized altercation with Frmr. Mayor Rudy Guiliani during June’s Republican debate, it’s clear Paul is not afraid to go against the grain in his political views or in the fights he chooses.

Though it is unlikely political pundits will include Ron Paul in the “top tier” of candidates any time soon, it is clear Dr. Paul is making a name for himself. At present, still 5 1/2 months before the first primary election, Ron Paul has twice as many viewers and subscribers on YouTube.com as any other candidate (yes, more than Obama, Clinton, Guilliani, etc.). And while YouTube subcriptions don’t translate into votes, this phenomenon could be an indicator as to how Americans will vote, come primary season.

Let me know what you think of Ron Paul. Until next time, this has been my own personal detour.