Watching the Fox debate, it strikes you that Ron Paul's inclusion in candidate forums helps those Republican candidates with strong national security backgrounds - in this case, John McCain. Paul's foreign policy may have strong support among a vocal few, but the center of foreign policy gravity in the GOP is much closer to McCain's. So Paul's articulation of his principles allows McCain to draw clear contrasts - highlighting his strength and a point of commonality with conservatives.
It's ironic that the antiwar candidate helps the war candidate's fortunes. But this campaign, like history and life, has been filled with ironies.
