Ron Paul throws Republican rally of his own

By Andy Sullivan

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Thousands of Ron Paul supporters gathered on Tuesday in a show of support for the former Republican presidential candidate, who has been marginalized at his own party's convention.

The libertarian-leaning Texas congressman sold more than 10,000 tickets, at $17.76 each, to a day-long "Rally for the Republic" at a basketball arena across the river from the Republican convention.

"It's a continuation of something we started in the campaign," Paul told a news conference. "It was more or less something to satisfy the enthusiasm that had been built for the message."

Paul attracted a passionate, Internet-savvy following in a presidential bid that raised a surprising $35 million but failed to win any state nominating contests.

He formally abandoned his campaign in June, months after John McCain had locked up the Republican nomination.

Paul's opposition to the Iraq war and call to abolish the Federal Reserve place him sharply at odds with McCain and many other party figures. He is not scheduled to speak at the Republican convention and was initially blocked from even attending, he said.

Paul, has not endorsed a presidential candidate, said he suspected he drew more supporters from Barack Obama, McCain's Democratic rival for the November 4 election, than from the Arizona senator because of his anti-war views and call for change.

Paul said his event intended to push the Republican party toward his small-government ideals by building enthusiasm and a greater understanding of the nuts and bolts of campaigning.

"Next go-round I think our numbers are going to be a lot more noticeable," he said.

In an afternoon speech to the rally, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura questioned whether the U.S. government was hiding information about the September 11 attacks and hinted at a presidential run in four years.

"Let's get the revolution going," Ventura told the cheering crowd. "If I see it in 2012 we'll give them a race they'll never forget."

(Editing by Patricia Zengerle)