Note From AOL: Our weekly Straw Poll was restarted again on Monday, May 12 at 2:00PM ET. After voting, check back again next Monday for a chance to recast your ballot.

Former Republican Representative from Georgia, Bob Barr, officially announced his run for president today. Barr will first have to secure the Libertarian Party's nomination. If Barr does get on the ballot in November, he is perceived as a potential drain on John McCain's support among reluctant conservatives.

Barr helped lead the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton. He has since broke with the Republican party over a variety of issues, including the Patriot Act and the invasion and occupation of Iraq, which Barr fervently opposes. He has consistently railed against the politics of fear, a theme he hit on again in his statement today, "We believe in an America that is not and should not be and should never be driven by fear as current policies on behalf of both parties are in this country," Barr said.

Barr believes his campaign has the potential to pick up where Ron Paul's primary campaign left off. In March, he told The Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Ron Paul tapped into a great deal of that dissatisfaction and that awareness. Unfortunately, working through the Republican party structure, it became impossible for him to really move forward with his movement. But we have to have a rallying point out there to harness that energy, that freedom in this election cycle."

Calling St. Paul. Come in, St. Paul. It seems there may be some trouble brewing for this summer's GOP convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. You see, another Paul is looming large on the horizon, threatening to stir up mischief at the August coronation of John, the would-be Baptist of that new and improved sect of Republicanism--Bush-Lite, for lack of a better term. As Paul's supporters learned from Guy Fawkes, surprise is the name of the game.

From The LA Times:

Virtually all the nation's political attention in recent weeks has focused on the compelling state-by-state presidential nomination struggle between two Democrats and the potential for party-splitting strife over there.

But in the meantime, quietly, largely under the radar of most people, the forces of Rep. Ron Paul have been organizing across the country to stage an embarrassing public revolt against Sen. John McCain when Republicans gather for their national convention in St. Paul at the beginning of September.

Yes, he was dissed by Fox News, taunted by his rivals, scorned in the press, but Ron Paul is not ready to stop preaching the gospel to his followers. In fact, the proselytizing continues apace, and St. Paul's stage is set to provide the Texas Congressman with ample microphone time.

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Note From AOL: Our weekly Straw Poll was restarted again on Monday, May 12 at 2:00PM ET. After voting, check back again next Monday for a chance to recast your ballot.

Last week's poll received almost 340,000 votes. On the Republican side, John McCain came out ahead with 76% of the Straw Poll vote. Hillary Clinton led the Democrats with 53%, over Barack Obama's 47%.

Good morning, and welcome to Videos of the Week. This week, I put all the funniest videos at the end, so hang in there. We have Ron Paul, "The Empire Strikes Barack," some studies on pandering, Miley Cyrus, new friends like Rachel Maddow, old friends like Reverend Wright, and some guys "Throwin' some game at a hot girl." And whatever you do, don't miss the last video.

As I thought about writing the column this week, I was struck by an interesting confluence. The 3 candidates for President were all hotly debating a gas tax holiday this week, with John McCain favoring an outright suspension, Hillary Clinton at least seeking to counterbalance it with a windfall profits tax, and Barack Obama opposing the idea as ineffective pandering.

This week also marked the 5th anniversary of "Mission Accomplished." Our first video features John McCain confirming what we already knew, which is just what that mission really was. As our soldiers continue to die in Iraq, and the price of gasoline is driving many Americans right into the poorhouse, you can all judge for yourselves just what it is that we've accomplished. When you empty your bank account to fill your gas tank, think about who is better off now.

None of the 3 candidates did anything to stop it. John McCain wants it to continue. Hillary Clinton voted to authorize it. Barack Obama spoke out against it, to his credit, but when given the chance to cast a vote, he continued to fund the war right along with his two colleagues. None of them has a record to be proud of on this. Going forward, you have to ask yourself who is going to get us out of this mess? Who is going to put an end to the real gas tax?

On my right bicep, to be exact.

Operation: RonDemption is beginning to build up steam, at least among the Ron Paul community. To help things along, I am offering to do my part. If Ron Paul wins the Idaho Republican Primary, I will get a Ron Paul tattoo. It will be either "Ron Paul 2008" or the "Ron Paul Revolution" design. So if you want to see a lifelong Democrat sporting some Ron Paul ink, forward this story to everyone in your address book.

For those of you unfamiliar with Operation:RonDemption, click here for details. Here's the Cliff's Notes version:

The plan is simple. Any Democrats or Independents who didn't vote in February's Idaho Democratic Caucuses are eligible to vote in the Republican Primary on 5/27/08. Idaho is one of only a few open nominating contests left.

It wouldn't take much for the Democrats, aided by the Ron Paul Army, to put a serious dent in John McCain, especially considering the low turnout for the Dem caucus.

I have even mended fences somewhat with the Paul campaign's press office. After the jump, more on the campaign's reaction, some suggestions, and a roundup of Operation:RonDemption quotes.

Ron Paul is on a roll. While not exactly a threat to John McCain for the GOP nomination, the Texas congressman still enjoys rabid support from the so-called Paulites. They're nothing if not dedicated, and they're not about to give up on their candidate over a few minor setbacks like primary losses and delegate counts. Prediction: Ron Paul supporters will make their presence known, loudly, at the Republican convention.

Paul's latest book "The Revolution: A Manifesto" is currently number one on Amazon.com, beating out some Oprah selections, which is no small feat. He broke all kinds of fundraising records and as a result he remains flush with cash. Now his campaign is considering getting creative with finance regulations and using those excess millions to set up a for-profit publishing company that would churn out books that push Paul's Libertarian-leaning agenda.

And some people who are really, really (really, really) devoted to the man and his mission are packing up and moving to Paulville. No, that's not metaphorical. Paulville is a real place. It's a community, in Texas of course, set up by Paul people, for Paul people. No Romney voters allowed, presumably. Naturally, they have a Web site that really must be seen to be believed:

The goal of Paulville.org is to establish gated communities containing 100% Ron Paul supporters and or people that live by the ideals of freedom and liberty.

The process is forming a co-op of people buying shares in the community and these people would be granted land use at a minimum of 1 acre per share, for as long as they homesteaded the land.

This isn't a political pipe dream. Apparently it's really happening. They've actually bought up a bunch of land in West Texas and put up a sign that says Paulville.

Laugh all you want but I can't help but give the Paulites some credit. They're putting their money where their mouths are. You don't see any erstwhile Rudy supporters planting a flag in Giulianiland.

Check here to comment or read other Straw Poll voters' thoughts.

Note From AOL: Our weekly Straw Poll was restarted again on Monday, May 12 at 2:00PM ET. After voting, check back again next Monday for a chance to recast your ballot.

Last week's poll received almost 340,000 votes. On the Republican side, John McCain came out ahead with 76% of the Straw Poll vote. Hillary Clinton led the Democrats with 53%, over Barack Obama's 47%.

As I touched on earlier in Videos of the Week, Ron Paul had his best primary finish ever in Pennsylvania this pat Tuesday. From a campaign press release:

Presidential candidate Ron Paul received at least 128,111 votes, or 16 percent, in the closed Republican Pennsylvania primary yesterday. Dr. Paul made four stops in the Keystone State during the month of April and spoke to overflow crowds of young people and other passionate supporters.

"Americans are hungry for leadership that will protect the traditions that made our country so great," said campaign spokesman Jesse Benton. "Dr. Paul's grassroots supporters in Pennsylvania and across the country are doing a tremendous job spreading our message, winning votes and laying a strong foundation for the future."

16% is nothing to sneeze at, even if you take into account much lower turnout due to the fact that the Republicans already have a nominee. The mainstream press has pretty much ignored the result, as usual, but to paraphrase George Clinton, they have no concept of the truly awesome power of a fully operational Ron Paul Revolution. After the jump, what could happen, and I'll tell you where to find the story of the Ron Paul interview that never was.

If you're a candidate, Democratic or Republican, and are looking to boost your standing in the polls a bit, that appearance on the The Colbert Report might not be such a bad thing after all. Same goes for authors and musicians who have peddled their wares on the popular late-night host's program on Comedy Central.

An actual study (pdf) of this phenomenon has been done by political scientist James Fowler of the University of California showing "first scientific evidence of Stephen Colbert's influence on political campaigns". It has footnotes and everything!

While the graph below doesn't show a bump for Republicans, don't tell Stephen that. He informs viewers that he is single-handedly responsible for Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul.