According to the Associated Press' projected delegate count, which includes both super delegates and pledged delegates, Sen.,”Most politicians can't say they've delivered a single baby in their career. Presidential hopeful U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) can, however. In fact, Paul can say he's delivered more than 4,000 babies.
As an obstetrics and gynecology specialist, Paul began his medical career in 1968 when he moved to Brazoria County, Texas, with his wife Carol.
The Rev. David Paul, the congressman's older brother and pastor at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., said growing up with four other brothers in Pittsburgh, Ron was the "scientific one."
"When we were little, he always wanted to be a (veterinarian)," David Paul said.
His brother followed that scientific personality and graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1961 after attaining his undergraduate degree at Gettysburg College.
It wasn't until the late 1970s that Paul, now 72, first got into politics as a U.S. representative from Texas. In 1984 he went back to practicing medicine and in 1997, returned to Congress as a representative for the 14th Congressional district of Texas, where he still serves.
Although it may take a miracle for Paul to actually win the Republican nomination, supporters say that's not all there is to his campaign.
"A vote for Ron Paul is still a strong statement that you don't support where the Republican Party is heading and that there needs to be a change," said Andy Marshall, sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and head of Marquette's Students for Ron Paul.
David Paul said his brother has loved the U.S. Constitution for as long as he can remember.
According to his Web site, Paul always used his Congressional seat to advocate the "return of government to its proper Constitutional levels."
David Paul said his brother would make a good candidate because he is trustworthy and honorable.
"He is one of the only politicians who never criticizes other candidates, instead he only talks about his message," David Paul said. "That really shows his integrity."
Marshall said he was drawn to Paul's campaign, among other things, because of the candidate's consistency on issues.
"The core of his philosophy has always stayed the same," Marshall said. "Something rare in politics."
In a letter to supporters released Feb. 8 on his campaign Web site, Paul said he will stay in the race because he believes it's important to continue fighting for his ideas. Paul also put an end to many political pundit theories that he would be dropping out of the Republican race and run as an independent.
"I am committed to fighting for our ideas within the Republican Party, so there will be no third party run," Paul said. "I am a Republican, and I will remain a Republican."
Paul ran for president as the Libertarian Party's nominee in 1988.
Patrick Semmens, national spokesman for Paul's campaign, said the congressman has generated a lot of enthusiasm through his attractive message of freedom, which is one reason Paul won't drop out of the race.
"We continue to stay in the race to make sure Republicans can choose a candidate who holds the traditional Republican values of limited government, individual rights, non-interventionism and strictly following the Constitution," Semmens said. "Plus, you never know what can happen in politics."
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