Ron Paul

Born: Aug. 20, 1935, Pittsburgh

Home: Lake Jackson, Texas

Family: Wife, Carol; five children.

Biography: Served as an Air Force flight surgeon during the Vietnam War (but not in Vietnam). Became an obstetrician/gynecologist in Brazoria County, between Austin and Houston.

Politics: Became active in early 1970s after President Nixon ended the gold standard. Republican who is in his 10th term in Congress. Ran as Libertarian for president in 1988.

Issues: Believes that the president and Congress should abolish the federal income tax, most Cabinet agencies, and the Federal Reserve. Vehemently antiabortion, but wants to leave legality up to the states. Voted for military action in Afghanistan but against the Iraq war, which he vows to end immediately if elected.

Campaign: ronpaul2008.com. His next local appearances are a fund-raiser in Beverly tomorrow and a walk in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday.

SOURCES: Ron Paul 2008, "The Almanac of American Politics."