United States Representative from Texas and potential 2012 presidential candidate Ron Paul will visit campus Wednesday to discuss libertarian politics and to promote his book, “Liberty Defined.”
Paul will speak in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium at 7 p.m. on April 20.  A book signing will be held prior to the presentation at Barnes & Noble from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. to promote his new book’s release today.
The event is free and open to the public. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the evening program, hosted by MSU’s chapter of Young Americans for Liberty.
Deepanshu Chhabra, senior management major and YAL chapter member, said the group began as Students for Ron Paul and is not affiliated with any political organizations or parties but tends to promote conservative principles and civil liberties for all Americans. He said the group members are very excited to have the person who inspired YAL come to visit the Mississippi State University campus.
“Even if students aren’t interested in what his viewpoints are on any particular issue, it’s still good to hear a person who very well could be the presidential nominee for the Republican Party,” Chhabra said.
The congressman will discuss issues such as foreign policy, spending and other topics related to libertarian platforms.
Paul has a large number of grassroots supporters and is considered the most conservative and most consistent member of Congress. It is a great opportunity to start gathering information on the issues that will dominate the 2012 presidential race, he said.
Rob Mellen, Jr., assistant professor of political science, said it is important for students to pay attention to what Paul says and listen to alternative points of view, especially since he is a possible nominee for the Republican ticket.
Paul has a very different vision for our government than other leaders and students should listen to his views and critically analyze what kind of leaders they want, Mellen said.
“It’ll foster a more civil conversation, I think, in our politics,” Mellen said. “We’ve got too much partisan rhetoric, vitriol and treating people with different viewpoints as enemies.”
His opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan set him apart from mainstream conservative politicians, Mellen said. Paul does not believe the United States should be a part of the United Nations and NATO.
Paul also has controversial stances in regards to fiscal policy and the Federal Reserve. He is one of only two federal legislators who has refused to take pension, Mellen said.
Brian Shoup, assistant professor of political science, said Paul is considered a constitutionalist and believes in less government intervention.
Paul is a strident defender of civil liberties and strongly opposes the war on drugs. Paul has appealed to younger voters in the past due to his alienation from both major political parties, Shoup said.
“He has a chance to make some noise (in 2012),” Shoup said.