WHAT THE OTHER REPUBLICANS can learn from Ron Paul. “One shame of this race is that for all the enthusiasm the Texan has generated among voters, he hasn’t managed to pressure the front-runners toward his positions. His more kooky views (say, his belief in a conspiracy to create a ‘North American Union’) and his violent antiwar talk have allowed the other aspirants to dismiss him. They shouldn’t dismiss the passion he’s tapped. If Mr. Paul has shown anything, it’s that many conservative voters continue to doubt there’s anything ‘heroic’ or ‘compassionate’ in a ballooning government that sucks up their dollars to aid a dysfunctional state. When Mr. Paul gracefully exits this race, his followers will be looking for an alternative to take up that cause. Any takers?”

I see more on-the-ground energy for Ron Paul in my neck of the woods than for any other Republican candidate except Fred Thompson, who has a local advantage — and who, interestingly, is more of a small-government type than any of the other GOP candidates himself.