Ron Paul Expected To Announce White House Bid

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is expected to announce Tuesday that he will be setting up an exploratory committee during an appearance in Iowa, according to the Des Moines Register.

Paul, well known for his libertarian views, ran a dark horse campaign in 2008, wherein he gathered a small, but enthusiastic support base.

The Des Moines Register also reports that Paul plans to appoint “top Iowa Republican insiders” for leadership positions in his campaign, a clear attempt to win the state’s primary, the first in the 2012 cycle.

Paul’s candidacy is widely considered to be a long-shot. Although he is a member of the GOP and partly inspired the tea party movement, his stances on numerous social and foreign policy issues will likely alienate the bulk of the Republican Party. He will also be running against former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, who shares Paul’s libertarian leanings and could siphon some of Paul’s 2008 base.

The Texas Republican’s entrance in the race ends speculation of a possible run from his son, freshman Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who when asked about his 2012 plans by the South Carolina Post and Courier replied “the only decision I’ve made is I won’t run against my dad.”