Paul happy with second in Nevada

Republican presidential hopeful, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, holds 8-month-old Maggie Brunson, for a photo, while greeting supporters in Columbia, S.C., following the conclusion of the Republican Primary, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

COLUMBIA, S.C.—Texas Rep. Ron Paul said his second-place finish in Nevada's GOP presidential caucuses on Saturday showed his message is being heard and that he has more supporters than he thought.

"Millions of people have heard this message and this is why coming in second is very great, it sends a great message," Paul said to loud cheers. He conceded that South Carolina's primary, where he was running a distant fifth, was not his to win.

Paul took several swipes at former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who got fewer votes than Paul in Nevada and was trailing Paul in returns being tabulated Saturday night in South Carolina. He told the audience about a confrontation with Giuliani during this month's debate in South Carolina. He said Giuliani "cut me down."

"Tonight, if this is the final tally on that confrontation, we got three times as much vote as the mayor got," he said, referring to Nevada.

Paul collected four delegates from the Nevada caucus to Giuliani's one.

Paul's campaign supports low taxes and reduced government spending.