For Ron Paul, easy money

"Among mainstream primary voters, I can't imagine that Ron Paul's anybody's second choice," said Dante Scala, a political scientist at the University of New Hampshire. "With him, it's all or nothing."

'Reluctant candidate'

"My supporters would like me to get more upset, but I'm purposely trying not to," Paul said yesterday. "You don't gain much by being angry. I see this more as an intellectual, philosophical fight than a political, personality fight."

Henry Teune, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, sees no chance for Paul to win the nomination but appreciates what he has to offer.

"There's a real hunger for a fresh approach without demonizing people," Teune said. "We've got a lot of demonizing going around."

Rep. Ron Paul   

Age: 72; born Aug. 20, 1935, in Pittsburgh.

Political career: Republican; has served two stints in Congress, from 1979-85 in Texas' 22d District and 1997-present in the

14th District. Ran as

a Libertarian candidate

for president in 1988.

Professional career: Practicing physician from 1968-96, specializing in obstetrics/gynecology.

Military career: Air Force flight surgeon,1963-68.

Education: B.A., Gettysburg College, 1957; M.D., Duke University, 1961.

Family: Wife, Carol;

five children and

17 grandchildren.

GOP to Punish Early-Vote States

The Republican Party said yesterday that it would punish five states for scheduling nominating contests before Feb. 5.

New Hampshire, Florida, Michigan, Wyoming and South Carolina will lose half of their delegates to the national convention, Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan said.

Iowa and Nevada, with caucuses in January,

will not be penalized because votes are

not binding on convention delegates.

State party leaders were optimistic that their entire delegations would be seated, hoping the eventual nominee

would restore them.

Democrats have vowed

to strip all delegates from Florida for moving up its primary.

- Associated Press