Legend holds that Hernan Cortes burned his ships after landing near Veracruz in 1518, eliminating retreat as an option for his troops. While Ron Paul may want to do the federal bureaucracy what Cortes did to the Aztecs, he apparently wants to ensure that even if he doesn't win the GOP nomination, he will live to fight another day. At least, that seems a reasonable conclusion given that he's decided to file for re-election to Congress next year:

Paul plans to file for re-election to his 14th district seat in advance of Texas’ Jan. 2 filing deadline, his Congressional office confirmed Monday — despite the fact he is in the midst of a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination that has turned the career House backbencher into a national figure.

“Congressman Paul intends to file for re-election to his Congressional seat,” Paul’s Congressional spokeswoman Rachel Mills told Roll Call in an e-mail. “He will probably do so closer to the deadline.”

I thought Ron Paul's appeal was that he was 'different' from the rest. Is it possible he's just another career politician? After all, if Paul is re-elected to the House and serves out his term, he will be approaching 20 years in the House of Representatives.

One thing is clear: Paul does not believe in term limits.