HOUSTON -- He started out as the ultimate underdog, but Ron Paul has gained strong support thanks to the help of the Internet, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

"There's a lot of frustration in this country and a lot of people supporting me because I am challenging the status quo," Paul said.

Paul has defied the odds by surviving this long in the Republican primaries. A year ago very few people, including Paul, believed that was possible.

"I am amazed at the number of people," he said. "I didn't realize how pervasive and powerful the Internet is to get people together and raise the money."

His campaign raised more than $5 million in one day, a record thanks largely to his following on the Internet and what some political experts called an unconventional coalition of voters.

"The groups that he attracts are sort of unusual," said Chris Hammons, associate professor of political science at Houston Baptist University. "They tend to be a little bit, sort of French element. In Florida, he picked up some support from the Klan. In Nevada, he picked up some support from prostitutes."

Paul said his message resonates with anyone who is looking for an alternative to politics as usual.

"I'm a strict adherer to the Constitution because that's really the only oath we take," he said. "We're supposed to follow that, and if we did government would be much smaller and we wouldn't have to have nearly as much taxes."

He wants to abolish Social Security, opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and voted against the war in Iraq.

"I would end that war because it wasn't a declared war and every reason they gave us to go to war didn't exist," Paul said.

Because of his views on limited government, the obstetrician/gynecologist from Lake Jackson has earned the nickname "Dr. No" in Congress.

"He's been fighting for conservative values and conservative principles for the last 30 years," Campaign Manager Mark Elam said.

Elam said he was amazed by the momentum Paul has built.

"This is historic," he said. "I have not seen this kind of enthusiasm for a candidate since Ronald Reagan ran."

Paul may be the only candidate with a 50-foot long limousine and a blimp bearing his name, but political experts said he does not have a chance of winning the Republican nomination.

"He has a lot of ability to raise funds," Hammons said. "But the problem is in any particular state, his support is pretty diffuse, so he's not able to win any of the primaries because his support is national and not state-based."

If Paul survives through Florida, Super Tuesday could be his next defining moment.

"I know there's going to be a lot of people disappointed if I don't make it to the Texas primary," Paul said. "Super Tuesday is just around the bend and I think things have to be reassessed after that."

Paul said he would stay in the primaries as long as he continues to build momentum. He said his legacy in this campaign is getting people, especially young voters, involved and creating a new movement.

Related Links:

Ron Paul's Campaign Web Site