Paul surprises with campaign cash total

Renegade Texas Congressman Ron Paul raised nearly $5.1 million during the summer and had $5.3 million in cash to spend at the end of last month, his campaign announced today.

His haul is more than double the $2.4 million he brought in during the second quarter and bucks the typical slowdown during July, August, and September. His campaign also noted that Republican rivals, including Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and John McCain, appear to have raised less during the third quarter.

Paul's success is eye-opening, given he is barely registering in the national polls. His campaign, however, is benefitting from an unusual cadre of young people, who are supporting him online and increasingly in rallies. Paul espouses a libertarian strain of Republican views and is the only GOP presidential candidate who opposes the war in Iraq.

"Dr. Paul's message is freedom, peace, and prosperity," Paul campaign manager Kent Snyder said in a statement. "As these fund-raising numbers show, more Americans each day are embracing Dr. Paul's message."