Many think his Libertarian policies are "fringe" & "wacky".

are young, many of them college students.  They seem to believe he's the right guy to shake up the establishment and deliver real change.

winning the Republican nomination.

Well, there are probably many reasons but to me this is the biggest one.

In today's social media and Internet-controlled political climate, it is imperative that a strong Presidential candidate both look Presidential and sound Presidential.

Paul does neither.

...to his core beliefs?  If he's a true believer, he'll run as an independent.  OTOH, if he runs as an independent, he'll destroy the career of his son.

His views are out of line with the Republican Leadership that they will make sure he never becomes that parties nominee.  What the party does fear is Paul running as am independent, taking his supporters away and insuring a loss for the GOP.

his son Rand's career.

If anything, it will propel Rand into the spotlight even more and drive his career upward.

Well, if his father continues to stay in the news as a Presidential candidate and Rand is there by his side, a helluva lot more Americans will know who Rand is.

The inner workings in the Senate between the "Establishment" and the younger Senators is only a big deal in the inner circle in Washington.

The name recognition growth that Rand Paul would get would dwarf any grumblings within the party's inner circle.

despite the social media image "requirements". Maybe he still had that southern preacher demeanor to him or that Texas rancher look. Ron Paul is the only one that talks about what needs to be done to stop the fall off the cliff like putting an end to the Federal Reserve for one. However the media have all stated even if he was elected he could never get done what he said should be done.

Apparantly, not all of Paul's supporters are "unthinking" young.