Paul Revels in GOP Rebel Role

Fox relented and let GOP maverick Ron Paul join in last night’s South Carolina presidential debate, and the excitable libertarian made the most of the opportunity, the Los Angeles Times notes. Paul provided his characteristic stark contrast with the mainstream candidates and several of the evening's high points, as he witheringly cataloged the party's failings over the last 8 years to live up to what he considers conservative standards.

When Fox's Carl Cameron challenged his electability, an irate Paul responded with a sarcastic attack on the inability to take seriously a candidate who supports fiscal conservatism and opposes the war: "Let me see if I get this right," Paul said, "We need to borrow $10 billion from China and then we give it to Musharraf, who is a military dictator, who overthrew an elected government. And then we go to war, we lose all these lives promoting democracy in Iraq. I mean, what's going on here?" The tirade drew a sustained ovation.