From the Austin, Texas, Chronicle:

NOVEMBER 30, 2007
Austin Loves Paul
BY JACOB COTTINGHAM

“[Rudy] Giuliani is probably the most evil person in the race. … He’s a frightening, fascist warmonger.”

That isn’t the latest bulletin from Dennis Kucinich 2008 or from the desk of Howard Dean. It’s the voice of a recent, local Ron Paul convert and newly minted Republican voter. Ten years ago, Jamie (she declines to provide her last name) worked “in liberal politics, let’s just leave it at that.” Now she’s marching the street, “Ron Paul Revolution” sign in hand, cheering on the only candidate she thinks can succeed in saving the country. But does Paul’s idiosyncratic blend of activist spirit, libertarian leanings, and Republican affiliation really carry weight across the political spectrum?

Out of 1,000-plus national Ron Paul Meetups, Austin’s is the largest, and its organizer, Paul Davis, thinks converted Dems are emigrating directly from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, based upon their positions on the Iraq war. “They … are just against the way the Bush regime has gone about it,” Davis says. “Both have left war with Iran ‘on the table,’ and that does not sit well with the people who have talked with me.”

At a Ron Paul “Freedom March” earlier this month, more than one pickup truck with a “Texas Democrat” sticker honked in support of the marchers. Paul’s lively rebukes of Republican candidates have made for some great YouTube footage, and his ardent opposition to the USA PATRIOT Act and the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay certainly endear him to liberals. But other issues also seem to be fueling Paul’s support.

READ THE REST and thanks to Scott Horton.