(Image source: RunRonPaul.com)

BY BLAKE HANSON

He finished third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire. But analysts are still asking about a Ron Paul third party run. The Nation’s Ben Adler says it isn’t a question of if, but where...

“Polls show Paul draws more heavily from moderates and liberals and independents and Democrats than do his opponents in the GOP primary.”

But BuzzFeed’s Rosie Gray says it won’t happen because of son Rand -- a Kentucky senator...

“Terrified Republican leaders worry that Ron Paul will take his rowdy mix of Republicans and independents and run a spoiler third party campaign he hasn’t quite ruled out. Ron Paul, they are making clear, has nothing to lose – but his son’s career.”

Pundits say Paul shakes things up because of just how loyal his followers are compared to the other candidates. Loop21.com’s Keli Goff talks about “The Ron Paul Factor” on Fox News...

“The people who are supporting Ron Paul are true believers. “
“That’s why it’s really tricky for the GOP, because these are not people who are just like, ‘Meh, okay if he doesn’t win we’ll just see what happens and vote for someone else.’”

As Paul moves toward the Jan. 21st South Carolina Primary -- new numbers show just how unique his following is. The Washington Post reports on the exit polls from New Hampshire.

“...Texas Rep. Ron Paul declared [in New Hampshire] : ‘We are dangerous to the status quo of this country’. He’s right … Paul has a significant — and steady — following that exists almost entirely apart from the Republican party and is, in many ways, based on a disgust with the GOP.”

Pundits and analysts across the board are saying Paul will do a whole lot more damage in the general election than the race for the GOP nomination.

MSNBC: “He’s a danger is he runs as a third party candidate, he reelects Barack Obama and the polls bear that out.”

CNN: “Ron Paul’s most dangerous to the Republican party in the general election.”
 

FOX NEWS: “Down the road, Ron Paul is going to be an issue.” 

A recent poll from the American Research Group has Ron Paul finishing third with 20% of the vote in South Carolina. But Sunshine State News notes the Texas congressman IS on the rise...

“Compared to an ARG poll of South Carolina taken last week, Santorum is dropping in the Palmetto State while Paul is on the rise there. In that poll, Santorum took 24 percent and Paul 9 percent.”