Paul announces counter-rally

Ron Paul, the iconclastic former Republican presidential hopeful, announced today that he will hold a rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sept. 2, as the GOP holds its convention across the river in St. Paul.

His supporters hoped to get him a speaking role at the GOP convention, but that does not appear likely. So instead he is planning the counter-convention, and has made entreaties with Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr. Paul was the Libertarian candidate in 1988.

Paul plans "grassroots and leadership training events" on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, in addition to the all-day Target Center event with speakers including Grover Norquist, Tucker Carlson, Gov. Gary Johnson, Barry Goldwater Jr. and Bruce Fein

Paul's campaign said there has been enough interest in the "Rally for the Republic" to move it from the smaller Williams Arena to the 18,000-seat Target Center.

"The Rally for the Republic will send a powerful, positive message to the Republican Party that there is an army of grassroots activists across the country ready to work with them if steer back to their traditions of limited government and personal liberty," spokesman Jesse Benton said in a statement.

The Texas congressman, who opposes the Iraq war and is a libertarian on economic issues, drew an avid following during the Republican primaries. He won 1.2 million votes and raised nearly $35 million. His campaign said the Campaign for Liberty, formed June 16 when he ended his presidential bid, has attracted over 71,000 members.