Republican voters had an opportunity to examine Ron Paul in detail during the 2008 primary season. The result? Paul averaged only 5.58% in the Republican primaries he contested, and that figure actually exaggerates his appeal because it includes late season primaries where he was the only alternative on the ballot to presumptive nominee John McCain.

It wasn’t a lack of money that sank his campaign, Congressman Paul actually outraised and outspent Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson, both of whom were considered very viable candidates. The Paul campaign got their message out there, the problem was that Republican voters weren’t interested.

Was it the message or the quirky 72-year-old political gadfly they rejected? Does it really matter?

A second bid for the White House by Ron Paul would tie up money and grassroots resources that could be far more effectively used by another candidate with a similar message. I’m speaking, of course, about former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. If both men run, they will split an already small slice of votes and neither will be able to make a significant dent in the discussion.

Johnson is already taking some steps to seperate himself from Paul’s shadow. In February, the ex-governor spoke to POLITICO about his nickname – “Governor No” – and the similarity it has to the nickname “Dr. No” that some have labeled Paul with. (Paul is a physician)