I think this video from Ron Paul in 2008 will clear up your question. The question was about electability, but the question arose basically asking
"if you are at odds with the other republican nominees, why continue to run as a republican and not run as an independent.
Probably my favorite question. Everyone laughs at this guy, but he won't let it bother him. He acts just as a president should. Even though it
would be very easy for him to take offense to the question, and cry, he doesn't. He mans up and answers the question better than I think anyone could
have under the circumstance.
I think his main point, is that he feels the republicans have lost their way. He runs as a republican to restore what being a republican is about.
It doesn't matter what it has turned into, what matters is what it was founded on.
edit on 26-4-2012 by Daemonicon because: Edit: Added
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