Lost in the hubbub over the upcoming Republican National Convention is that the Twin Cities will host another big political rally at the same time.

In a three-day event culminating in a Sept. 2 Target Center gathering, supporters of one-time Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul are planning a show of force while the GOP gathers across the river. "Ronvoys" of vehicles traveling together will deliver Paul's libertarian-leaning fans to the Twin Cities. Just to the south, Paulites are working on something called "Ronstock," a music gathering at a Goodhue County dairy farm. Tomorrow, a group of about 30 Paul fans will set out from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., and walk to Target Center to generate awareness.

All this for a Texas congressman with a less-than-stentorian speaking voice, a kaput presidential bid and a platform that pairs opposition to the Iraq war with issues -- state's rights, monetary policy, strict adherence to the Constitution-- that probably don't keep most Americans up late at night. So what gives? Why are Paul's followers pushing on, when other candidates' followers packed it in and, however grudgingly, transferred their allegiances to John McCain or Barack Obama?

It's a question with potentially serious implications during this close presidential race. Clearly, Paul has tapped into an energetic electoral niche in Minnesota and across the nation. During the campaign, Paul, a one-time Libertarian presidential candidate, set 24-hour online fundraising records. He didn't win a primary or caucus, but his supporters wielded surprising clout at the local level, capturing some national delegate seats at the upcoming Republican convention. A recent Zogby poll showing the official Libertarian Party presidential candidate Robert Barr garnering 8 percent support in Minnesota, Iowa and other states should serve notice to Republicans and Democrats that Paul's message is still resonating with many voters. Keep in mind that 1980 remains the high-water mark for a Libertarian presidential candidate. That year, the well-funded Ed Clark captured slightly more than 1 percent of the vote.

"The Bush era that defined big-government conservatism has helped the libertarian movement pick up steam," said St. Olaf professor and political expert Dan Hofrenning. "Their message is a pure one ... limited government, proliberty. I think that's how a lot of people define themselves -- leave me alone, I'll take care of myself. Keep government away from me as much as possible. It certainly does have some appeal."

From Texas, Paul has monitored the momentum and said via e-mail that it gives him hope for the future. "I am deeply heartened by the continued enthusiasm and growth of our freedom movement, especially among young people."

Political experts doubt that Barr will come close to capturing 18.9 percent of the vote like the amply funded Ross Perot did in 1992. Or that Paul would fare as well if he got back in the race. But Paul's Minnesota supporters say that's not the point. The movement, now dubbed the Campaign for Liberty, is looking beyond 2008 and planning for the future. "It's not about the man. It's about our ideals," said Melissa Hill, 29, a Minneapolis litigation data management specialist who is volunteering with the Wisconsin walk.

Characterizing those ideals is difficult. The Paul supporters I talked to included Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians. They don't always agree, but they are energized by their opposition to the war (they believe President Bush did an end run around the Constitution to launch it) and by concerns about the erosion of civil rights after the 9/11 attacks. Believing that no other party speaks for them, Paul supporters are building their own. In Minnesota, there are 10 to 12 newly minted candidates running for office, mostly for the Legislature, said Marianne Stebbins, an Excelsior woman and longtime GOP activist who was Paul's state coordinator during the presidential campaign.

Stebbins calls the enthusiastic newcomers "little Ron Pauls." Felix Montez, a 31-year-old longtime Republican from northeast Minneapolis, is one of them. Montez, a former business owner who now works as youth counselor for a nonprofit, is running for state representative in District 59A. He was slow to embrace Paul's candidacy but grew to admire Paul's character and his call for limited federal government. "He was being more of a Republican than the Republicans we had in office," Montez said. "I just didn't realize it at first."

So far, 8,420 tickets have been sold for the Sept. 2 event at Target Center, where both Paul and Jesse Ventura are slated to speak. Organizers are confident not only that they'll fill the arena but also that they've created enough momentum to sustain the Paul "revolution" for decades. That's a tall order in the United States, where third parties have often highlighted critical issues -- the deficit in the 1990s, for example -- but never gained traction.

Jeff Hagen, a software developer from Roseville, is undeterred. Said Hagen: "There's a connection that was created. Now we understand that we're not alone out there."