Exclusive: Paul Tops $5 Mil For Quarter.

<--If I were the GOP, I would be afraid of this guy.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul, an anti-war libertarian making his second run at the White House, will report having raised $5.08 million in the third quarter. The number, which rivals those of John McCain and Bill Richardson, was boosted thanks to last-minute online fundraising that brought in more than $1.2 million in the last week of the quarter alone.

Paul has drawn himself in sharp contrast with the rest of the field, often engaging in loud exchanges with fellow candidates over his vehement opposition to the war in Iraq. His campaign has been marked by frugal spending and a surprisingly strong online fan base; he routinely wins online straw polls after debates.

This is the second quarter in a row Paul has shown fundraising strength. Last quarter he reported having more cash on hand than McCain, a sidebar that contributed to stories of McCain's collapse.

Whether Paul will be a major factor in the GOP nominating contests remains to be seen, but his money totals - it is likely he will have outraised several second-tier Republicans and Democrats combined - mean he will be in for the long haul. Paul's campaign announced they will begin running television spots earlier this week.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2007/10/exclusive_paul_tops_5_mil_for.html

Three interesting facts about Paul:

1. After graduation from Duke University School of Medicine and residency in obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn), he was drafted and served as a flight surgeon during, but not in, the Vietnam War.

2. He is 72 years old (order than McCain and Thompson) and is very web savvy driven in campaign donations than the rest of the GOP candidates.

3. He is the only GOP candidate from the get-go that is against the Iraq War.