The latest Rasmussen poll on 12 April shows that in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup, President Obama and Mitt Romney are tied at 45%. Texas Congressman Ron Paul holds a one-point edge over the president, 44% to 43%. Yes, that’s right. Ron Paul is now the candidate most likely to defeat Barack Obama.

This trend is likely to get worse for Mitt Romney once Obama unleashes his attack ads because Romney has very little record to fight back with. Romney spoke in favor of the bank bailouts, so he can’t challenge Obama on that issue. Romney was pro-abortion in the past, so he can’t challenge Obama on that. Romney’s tax plan actually increases the deficit, so he can’t challenge Obama on that. ObamaCare was modeled on Romney’s government-mandated healthcare in Massachusetts so he can’t challenge Obama on that either. Romney was for the assault weapons ban, the economic stimulus that didn’t work, and the global warming issue, so trying to take on Obama on those won’t work either. The one reason Romney has been successful against the other Republican candidates is his fundraising (he is backed by Goldman Sachs and the other big banks). But so is Obama, and Obama has even more money. Therefore, Romney won’t be able to outspend him.

However, if Ron Paul is the GOP nominee, he can without a doubt take on Obama on all these issues and more because his record is so rock-solid and consistent. Over Paul’s entire 30 year career he has never voted for a tax increase or for an unbalanced budget. He voted against the bank bailouts. He voted against the failed economic stimulus packages. Dr. Paul is firmly Pro-Life, having been an OB/GYN and has personally delivered over 4000 babies and understands well the sanctity of life. Ron Paul has never voted for any bill that would restrict gun owners’ rights or that would weaken the 2nd Amendment. Ron Paul voted against Obamacare and spoke against its infringement on our liberties. His tax plan was evaluated as the only plan out of all four GOP candidates’ tax plans that would actually eliminate the deficit and start reducing the national debt. And most importantly, Ron Paul warned Congress in 2002 that the housing market bubble would collapse and pull the country into a severe recession. This is because he has a deep understanding of economics and what actually causes recessions and how to prevent them.

Lastly, Ron Paul believes national defense is the single most important responsibility the Constitution entrusts to the federal government. To quote Ronald Reagan, “Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” Ron Paul will make sure our military spending is only for actual national security. He will keep our troops out of unconstitutional wars that entangle us in failed nation-building missions, so our troops can come home to defend America’s borders instead. He will not pander to defense contracting lobbyists. He will protect our taxpayer dollars from being spent on a failed foreign policy of trying to be the policeman of the world. Ron Paul is the only Presidential candidate that is a military veteran. And he gets more contributions from active duty military than all the other candidates combined. Military active duty members are his biggest contributor (Obama’s biggest donors are also Goldman Sachs and the other big banks).

In short, with Ron Paul as our Republican nominee, he soundly defeats Obama on the issues. Obama has no defense against Ron Paul. If Romney is the nominee, Romney will have to spend all of his time trying to defend his record instead of going on the offensive against Obama.