‘I Feel Badly About Just Quitting’

You mention going to the convention. Is that something you are definitely expecting to do?
Yeah, sort of. I never thought it was about to happen, actually. I've always assumed it was not likely. But I think from the [Republican Party's] viewpoint, it couldn't hurt them. It would be wise on their part to give me a little time at the convention--what would it hurt to let me talk about monetary policy? I would be polite, and that is an important issue, especially given that the dollar is on the ropes.

Will you encourage your supporters to back McCain in the general election?
I'm not going to tell them what to do, but I honestly can't imagine any of them supporting him. That would be a tough sale. The odds of him all of a sudden coming to one of our rallies and being cheered on are not very high.

You doubt your supporters will vote for McCain, but it's generally political protocol for someone in your position to endorse the party's nominee. Will you throw your weight behind McCain?
I think that's very unlikely. The analogy I've used is that Goldwater led a movement, but that didn't mean that every Goldwater person later voted for Nixon. The Goldwater people backed Reagan. You don't have to support people who you don't believe in just because they are in the party ... But as far as at least being cordial, [McCain and I] served in the House together, and in the debates he would concede some things on monetary policy or inflation and say, "You know, I agree with Ron on this." On a personal basis we are always very civil. The most you can do is be cordial with people. And maybe if he changed his ways, I would [support him]--if he all of a sudden changed his stance on things like the war and monetary issues and McCain-Feingold [the campaign-finance law].

Many of your supporters are first time voters or people who might not ordinarily associate themselves with the GOP. Do you think the Republican Party will succeed in bringing these voters into the fold come November?
Well, [my supporters] are quite willing to work within the Republican Party, except they are not really always welcome. The fact is there are a lot of people who support me who are not members of the Republican Party. They are independents and they are the swing vote.

A number of conservative pundits and hard-line Republicans have said they won't support McCain in the general election. How do you view these claims, and how do you think they will impact party unity?
I've always dealt in a world of principles. That's the most important thing. Unity is a good thing, but if you have someone who is willing to compromise everything they believe in for the sake of [party] unity or victory, well, is that really the only thing that counts? I don't believe in that at all.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are engaged in a real political soap opera. Have you been following the Democratic race, and what is your take on it?
I follow it, I'm interested in it. But I don't dwell on it because, from my viewpoint, there is no real philosophical difference between the two [candidates]. I find it rather strange that so much animosity can be stirred up between two individuals who believe the same things. And the whole race issue bewilders me because we are talking about two Democrats who are not in the least bit racist. And yet race has become an issue, mostly stirred up by the media, who love this stuff.