Ron Paul has absolutely no chance in a million years of becoming the next President of the United States of America. None. I site, as my source for this wild claim, the fact that he has not won a single state primary. Add to this the fact that his popularity is more a media infatuation with a certain inexplicable fervor unique to his supporters, and you basically can see how Ron Paul has built his castle out of sand. The realities of politics in America will wash the campaign into the wide oceans of time and memory.

Ron Paul, without doubt, will join the Ralph Naders and Ross Perots of the world. His will be a testament, however, to a new sort of campaign hype. After all, Nader was never able to raise the funds Paul managed online. Perot never gained the ardent, nearly fanatical support that Paul was able to rally.

Indeed, Ron Paul’s supporters have been a very unique breed. Paul is granted a near messianic place in their political discourse. They spam the blogs and news sites, taking over such notable watering holes as Digg, and making their presence online felt in many ways. At times, it’s hard to believe that the Paulistas aren’t the dominant political movement in the United States. They are everywhere–online. As such, they encourage each other (online) to believe that they are of greater numbers and political influence than is actually the case. It is a mass-delusion in a sense, that I think Mr. Paul himself is party to.

Accompanying this delusion of political numbers is the more important delusion of political sanity. That Paul’s positions on the economy make any sense whatsoever is utterly unfathomable. The Gold Standard Ron Paul is so quick to praise, is first among many ludicrous proposals.

The isolationist idealism of the Ron Paul campaign is perhaps its most appealing force. Here is a conservative politician (sort-of) who would gladly pull all troops from Iraq! Finally a GOP nominee against the War! Casting all reason aside, as well as any sense of humanitarian obligation to restoring order in Iraq, the anti-war Paulistas are only too happy to follow his calls for peace. Of course, along with a desire to exit Iraq is Paul’s vision of a completely dismantled US military presence across the globe. If only we could wish away Globalism, the Chinese threat, etc. then perhaps this line of reasoning (or shall we term it wishful thinking?) would make sense. If we could wish about world peace we wouldn’t need a military at all.

Alas, China does pose a real threat. And globalism is here to stay, no matter how much we wish we could isolate ourselves in the comfortable naivety of Paulisms. Iraq is an important battle that we must win not simply for American security, but because it’s a mess we made and that we are obligated to clean up.

This is all beside the point, however. Fortunately for America, Ron Paul is nothing more than an internet darling, a fad for those who are justifiably upset with both Parties, the system, the Government at large. Ron Paul, for all his shortcomings, represents a real diversion from politics as usual. Even for someone who disagrees with his policies, I find myself drawn to his candor, his “outsiderness” if you will. The online Paul majority may be an illusion. His campaign in general may be an illusion. But at least we may be on the road toward a three (or four) Party system which might, possibly, better represent the diversity of political views in this Country just a tiny bit better.

Until that is viable, we are left with the flawed two-Party candidates. But that is another story, for another time…

Kain's major subjects of focus at NeoConstant are international strategy; support of Israel; the failure of the international community to stop genocide; the spread of American power and democracy; historical analysis; and current events both domestically and abroad. He writes here, Newsvine and his blog, IndiePundit.