POLL: Should Ron Paul Run as a Third-Party Candidate if he Doesn't Get the Nomination?

Many agree that GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul has a solid and passionate base of support, yet many doubt his chances to win the nomination.

A recent sparked an interesting debate from Patch readers that suggests some Paul supporters want him to run as a third-party candidate if he doesn't win the nomination and others say they would write him in if he is not on the ballot.

For his part, Paul says he has no plans to run as a third party candidate.

Don't forget to vote in our Patch poll and join the discussion in the comment section.

Here is a sampling of what some other commenters have said:

One of three things is going to happen:
1. Ron Paul doesn't get the nomination and runs as a third party candidate: The new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll suggests Ron Paul would win 18 percent as a third-party candidate running against Obama and Romney. Obama wins.
2. Ron Paul drops out: fervent and stubborn Ron Paul supporters stay home or write him in. Obama wins.
3. Ron Paul gets the GOP nomination: Ron Paul gets the following voters: (a. 2008 Obama voters who thought they were going to get 'Change', (b. 2008 Obama voters who voted to end the wars, (c. the VAST majority of the Independent vote, (d. the entire GOP voting block who dislikes Obama enough to vote for Ron Paul instead. (e. Ron Paul supporters coming out to vote in DROVES. Ron Paul wins.

Your thought process seems valid.
There will be very little difference between Obama and any of the GOP candidates other than Ron Paul, imo.
I for one will only be voting or writing in Ron Paul.

As for Ron Paul running as a third party candidate, that would totally depend on his supporters. If you recall the only reason Dr. Paul entered this race was because of his supporters.
Ron Paul does what he does not for himself but his country.

"Do you really think Paul would run as a third party candidate? I'm sort of dubious that this would be the case, although I see where your reasoning is going. He would be the first legitimate third-party candidate (in terms of potential support) since Ross Perot."

Yes. He is all in, i.e. he is not running for reelection to congress and is trying to win the presidency. He will run third party.