I personally did not enjoy the Romney barbs, they were obviously targeted at reducing him personally and made both mcCain and Guilianni seem petty to me. This used to be funny but now its so contrite and artificial. The same thing happened in the Democrat debate with Edwards and Obama teaming against Clinton. I thought both candidates kept their cool better than the average human would when being ganged up upon. I personally thought Romney held his head high and tried to remain on issue and I gained respect for him. As I head into my fifties edging towards hopeful retirement , I am sure my view on Social Security will change-- I have seen many people before me that have complained about it, unitl it was time for them to get theirs not they are not getting enough even though they have far exceeded what they put into the program! I have worked since I was 15, served time in the military, have 2 kids in college , What I want a President that can run this country more like a Business, cut costs, let me keep more of waht I work for not less,make hard calls, stand up under pressure and I am sorry but change his opinion if the facts change and further information is provided that warrants the change. If the American people demand changes-then change- heck doesn't he work for us? I change my mind on issues both personal and professional as my life situation changes or as I gain more insight into issues. There is so much hellaballoo on flipflopping-- all of them have done it-- we have all done it. lets get away from so much time on flipflopping and talk about how we are going to move forward and keep this country a place my children want to live,work and raise their children in.

Ron Paul doesn't flip-flop. Even the moderator could find no weather-vane change in his position over his long career. He was for liberty yesterday, is today, and there's no reason at all to think he won't be tomorrow.

I really, really like Ron Paul, but to pose another point: George Bush doesn't flip flop either. Look where that's got us. Into one major war with Iraq that should have never happened, and if he had his way, another major war with Iran. The problem with people who are incapable of flip flopping is that facts don't dissuade them at all from the course they have chosen to take. Holding firm on a policy is only a good idea if you are right. Many, many policies right now need to be modified or abandoned because they are not good: healtchare, medicare, social security, the war. Take your pick.

Further, these candidates are not "candidates of change." Nearly all of them arose through the current system and represent the status quo. As a result they have all flipped and flopped at some point. The characterization of any change of opinion by the republicans as incompetent in 2004 was one of the stupidest things they have ever done.

I think your point is well taken, but I do have a few issues with it.

Ron Paul hasn't gotten where he is by playing the game. Given how far his positions are from the imperialistic Republican party line, I think its obvious he's capable of compromise or he wouldn't have lasted this long in the House.

Bush flip-flopped on Osama bin Laden. I would say he flip-flopped on nation building, but it doesn't appear to be so--it seems he still doesn't believe in nation building, but just didn't bother to mention that he's always been all for tearing down nations.

If Dr. Paul isn't the one candidate of change on the G.O.P. side, why are the agents of the status quo trying to characterize him as too radical to be taken seriously?

They are demonizing him precisely because he is the candidate of change. If he receives the nomination, he will fracture the existing alliance among evangelicals, social conservatives, fiscal conservatives and libertarians that forms the core of the republican party.

Personally, I would love to see that happen. I also want to see the Democratic party fracture. Both are decrepit and corrupt. If the fiscal conservatives, social moderates from both parties split and alligned in a thir party, I think that would be a fantastic conclusion to the 2008 election. It will likely not happen, but I for one would not mourn the death the modern Republican Party.

The powers that be are trying very hard to prevent this same sort of meltdown. Ron Paul is doing everything he can to hasten it.