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Attention Ron Paul Supporters:  Libertarian Party To Pick Presidential Nominee This Weekend

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson speaks in the Fox News/Google GOP Debate at the Orange County Convention Center on September 22, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The debate featured the nine Republican candidates two days before the Florida straw poll. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Ron Paul’s hardcore libertarian base may have an alternative on the ballot this November. 

The Libertarian Party is holding its convention in Las Vegas this week and is expected to pick New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson as its presidential nominee.  Johnson, who left the Republican Party in December to join the Libertarian ranks, has called for steep cuts in government spending and the legalization of marijuana.  

The Libertarian Party nominated former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr in 2008 and was on the ballot in 45 states.  But the party has never garnered more than 1 percent of the vote in a presidential election, so it’s hard to imagine President Obama or Mitt Romney dialing up any op-research or attack ads on Gary Johnson.  Unless, say, Ron Paul’s dedicated army of supporters suddenly rallies around him.