Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul made a brief stop in Windham on Nov. 21 as part of his two-day tour through the state, taking aim at the national debt during his speech.

"We have one thing really going for us and that is the debt," said Paul. "No country has ever owed 3 trillion dollars to foreign debt. This is coming to an end. We have to do something." Paul explained that he wants to send a "strong message to Congress" that it isn't business as usual. He wants to limit the size and scope of government by getting back to the Constitution and following the rules that the country was built on.

After his short speech, Paul fielded a few questions from the small crowd of around 20 people. Those questions ranged on topics such as campaign finance reform, tort reform for small physicians and Hermain Cain's 999 Plan. Paul belives that if the country ever comes close to the 999 strategy proposed by Cain, it would be unpopular because those without jobs to begin with would receive a sales tax at a 9 percent rate.

He disagreed that campaign financing should be obliterated. "Some of the progressives that I've worked with want to take all money out of politics," said Paul. "If we took all money out of politics which means that you can't help me and nobody can send any money to help their candidate, and none of the corporations are allowed to participate indirectly or directly, who gets the benefit from this? Another type of corporation. The one that owns the TV stations and all the media. All the sudden their power goes up."

Paul also disagrees with restraining lobbyists. He said that they are currently "doing it for the wrong reasons," but if they were doing it for the right reasons they should be able to go to Congress any time they want and say they are tired of things.

When asked if he would accept a vice presidential bid should he not get the nomination, Paul said it would be "tough to accept it." He would have to have a long talk with that candidate.

"If they say join me because all I want is the support of your supporters, I'm not interested," said Paul. If the candidate is interested in leveling with him on views, he said it would be possible but most likely very difficult. He calls the other candidates more "militant" than he is, and he doesn't think they will come down to him.