He can scream ‘third party’ run till the cows come home but that costs money and lots of it but he will find that the sources he used to have is, mysteriously, is no longer available.
That would depend on who is financing Paul. He puts out a call and pulls in a million. Then again there is his billionaire PAC angel that has never met him, "But he [Peter Thiel] has told friends and political allies that he hopes to build a libertarian movement that can compete for political dominance in American politics."
This faction could well be waiting for a 2016 run.
[That would depend on who is financing Paul.]
Peter Thiel and Romney have something in common. They are both venture capitalists, given their successes in their field, they chose carefully what or whom they invest in.
Is it too far fetched to consider that venture capitalists may unite for a common goal to achieve future benefits?
Romney, whatever you may think about him, is no fool. The biggest mistake he could make is let it be known that he was backing Paul to keep him in the race, directly or indirectly.
Thiel knows that Paul will never be a viable candidate for president but being a wise investor he knows Romney can be.
In my opinion, Thiel is the ‘cash cow’ for Paul to supplant Romney’s inability to do so.