Paul left the Republican party because it was no longer following its ideals. He rejoined the party because he realized he could make a bigger impact on the party by working within.
He didnt leave, become a Democrat, flip flop all over the place, bow down to special interests and corporate interests and pretty much follow the status quo of every other bought and paid for politician.
If anyone thinks that Perry or Romney or Newt or Bachman are going to change the status quo, you are out of your minds.
Ron Paul basically predicted everything that has happened over the years, and its not because hes a prophet. The financial collapse, the housing collapse, the destruction of our economy. He was calling it 10 years ago, 20 years ago. Its because the system we have that BOTH parties have been proliferating is full of crap.
Go watch speeches of him from years back basically saying what will happen. Well, he was right on. Its the policies, and none of the other candidates have the balls to change them.