Fed-basher Ron Paul is making an all-in bid in probably his last run for the presidency, and public frustration over monetary policy has rarely been higher. But is Mr. Paul's radical vision of smaller government and free markets attractive enough to win the mainstream?

On Tuesday, Mr. Paul, 74 years old, said he wouldn't seek re-election to Congress in 2012. The Texas Republican said he wants to focus on his presidential run, but also conceded that it is time to turn over representation of his Gulf Coast district to new blood.

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