My only response is, of course the liberals at the Times will be featuring Rep. Paul.  They’re undoubtedly hoping to whip up just enough support for this guy from conservative cranks who believe conspiracy theories about the Federal Reserve to launch him on an independent run in 2008, thus eroding some of the support for whoever the GOP nominee is.  The same sort of tactic many on the right took when they encouraged Ralph Nader in 2000 and 2004.

Given that he’s a small-government guy who is also anti-abortion, the Times wouldn’t normally give this guy the time of day.  But as a potential spoiler for the Republicans?  They love him.

The only way this could possibly backfire is if Paul manages to bring enough of the Democrats’ 9/11 truther base along with him for the ride to offset the conservative cranks he’ll take away from the Republicans.