Rebel conservative Paul lurks in close Iowa race

Could Republican Ron Paul, the libertarian longshot with a loyal army of supporters, steal the first big prize of the 2012 presidential race in Iowa? While the heavyweight fight between rivals Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney hogs the headlines, Paul has steadily climbed into contention in the state that kicks off the Republican nominating contests on January 3.
Recent polls show Paul in second place in Iowa, behind the surging Gingrich and essentially even with Romney in the shifting Republican race to pick a challenger to President Barack Obama. A surprise win for Paul, still a difficult task, would probably not be enough to turn the political rebel into a viable contender for the nomination but it likely would be enough to halt Gingrich's rapid rise. Paul, the Texas congressman and doctor, has two big strengths that make him a wild card in a state where the caucus process requires voters to gather with neighbours on a cold winter's night to cast their ballots.