Ron Paul stumps in Minnesota
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Paul will bring his anti-tax, anti-war message to the U of M's Northrup Auditorium. He's scheduled to speak at 7 p.m.
In a morning meeting with reporters, Paul said he decided to hold the Minnesota rally because of strong support in the state.
"We've been impressed with the spontaneous enthusiasm," said Paul. "You know the old saying how sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease?"
Paul said he was mostly worried about the middle class. He said the best way to improve the economy is by strengthening the dollar. He said cutting government spending, as well as bringing all U.S. troops home, is the best way to do that.
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"Nobody is really talking about troops coming home," said Paul. "They tinker around with moving the troops in the Middle East, but I want to bring the troops home from Korea, Japan and Europe because we're broke. The empire is coming unglued and the dollar is going down. The only way you can restore confidence in the monetary system is by changing these policies."
Paul also said he would characterize his policies as "non-intervention," saying most people support personal liberties and don't want government in their lives.
Paul's supporters have been some of the most enthusiastic about their candidate. He has raised more money than any other GOP candidate in the fourth quarter, and some supporters were seen last week holding campaign signs over highway interpasses in below zero temperatures.
Paul's Minnesota campaign director, Marianne Stebbens, said she's hoping for a big turnout at Tuesday's caucuses.
"They're not going to be switching sides when they go in there tomorrow night. They know who they're voting for, and if we have two feet of snow tomorrow night, they'll still show up," she said.
Stebbins said Paul's core supporters are mostly in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, but she says there is also a strong showing coming from Clay County.
Paul is hoping to score a victory at Minnesota's GOP straw poll. The results are non-binding, but he said a strong showing could bring more attention to his campaign.
Paul's visit will cap off a weekend of presidential campaigning in Minnesota. Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney held Saturday events in the Twin Cities metro area. Democrat Hillary Clinton held a Sunday event in Minneapolis.
