Updated 12:07 p.m. ET

Win or lose the GOP presidential nomination, Ron Paul says he can claim victory because he has helped bring some change in the political debate and put a spotlight on fiscal issues.

Mitt Romney scored a decisive victory Saturday night in the Nevada caucuses, his second consecutive win in the still-early GOP race. While all the votes haven't yet been counted in Nevada, Paul stands in third place behind Newt Gingrich.

STORY: Romney wins Nevada

BLOG: Gingrich looks to Super Tuesday

"There's a lot more people talking about free-enterprise economics rather than Keynesian welfare-ism and interventionism," Paul said on ABC's This Week program. "There is ... an intellectual revolution going on with young people.

"It has not been translated to absolute political change but, believe me, the intellectual revolution is going on and that has to come first before you see the political changes, and that's where I'm very optimistic," he said.

The Texas congressman counts young people among his most ardent supporters. He pointed to the huge crowds he has attracted in the campaign, especially at college campuses.

Paul played down the emphasis on winning states and says he's focused on amassing delegates and putting his imprint on the Republican Party's outlook.

"You want to achieve as many votes as you can and get as many delegates," he said. "I don't understand why you can't believe in something and still be in the race. My goal is to make sure campaigning and political activity represents true beliefs."