Ron Paul gains momentum

Ron Paul's strength in Iowa garners uncommonly positive headlines for the candidate:

"Ron Paul is for real in Iowa. Seriously." (Washington Post)

"Niche Voters Giving Paul Momentum in Iowa Polls" (New York Times)

"Ron Paul's 19 percent in Iowa may indicate a path to the nomination" (Daily Caller)

"GOP outsider gaining traction in Iowa" (Associated Press)

"Ron Paul And Libertarians Can't Be Discounted" (Forbes)

Ron Paul came in second with 19 percent behind Herman Cain who had 20 percent in a Bloomberg News poll last week, ahead of both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.

According to Bloomberg News, among caucus-goers whose minds are made up Ron Paul leads with 32 percent, followed by Mitt Romney with 25 percent, and Newt Gingrich at 17 percent.

Now that Mr Paul is getting perhaps a bit more favorable coverage in the major media venues, things could pick up from here, even snowball. Voters tend to choose Mr Paul when they learn a little about him, specifically about his consistency and his strong anti-Federal Reserve, anti-big government views.

Herman Cain, while still strong in the polls, is looking more and more like a flash in the pan as allegations of past sexual misconduct come to light and especially as more is known of his alarming lack of awareness in matters of foreign policy, the aspect of the presidency in which perhaps the president has the most control.

Mr Paul has shown himself adept in everything from his grasp of economics and the Federal Reserve System  to international affairs and foreign policy. Issues on which he is very outspoken and not at all wishy-washy about.

All-in-all, this latest shift in media focus may prove to be the turning point in his campaign, the crest he rides to the White House. Perhaps it is time for Mr Paul to stop being a mere footnote in reports covering the race and for news media in general to consider him a serious contender.