ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) -- As Minnesota Republicans prepare to pick their favorite candidate on Tuesday night, Texas Congressman Ron Paul made a campaign stop Saturday in Rochester at Mayo High School.
As hundreds packed the auditorium, overflowing out the doors, the support was clear.
"This country needs somebody like him because we're really going downhill fast," said supporter Donna Walz.
Walz and her family traveled from La Crosse to attend the veteran congressman's campaign speech in Rochester.
"I've been watching him for the last 30 years. I greatly admire him and I agree with everything he says," adds Walz.
Supporter Nate Ende explains, "I have to see him winning this because if we don't believe, it's not going to happen. If we don't see it happen, it's not going to happen."
Speaking before nearly 700 eager listeners, Paul called for a pursuit of personal liberty over and over.
"If liberty were challenged all at once, and taken from us over night there would be a lot more rebellion, but when it dribbles away and just incrementally it's taken from us too often the people become more tolerant and not notice it. That is what has really happened."
Applause broke out as Paul addressed the great strains of our country.
"We should defend this country and at the same time we do not have the authority to become the policeman of the world, involve ourselves in internal affairs of other nations and settle all the disputes."
Supporters rallied behind him as he conveyed the idea that the American government needs to get back in touch with its roots.
"Follow the golden rule. Let's not go start fights. Do the simple things that make sense and that would also protect our economy from overspending itself," said Ende.
Trailing behind front runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Paul attempts to gain some last minute momentum as Minnesota Republicans will prepare to pick their favorite presidential candidate on Tuesday night.
Paul is clearly putting a heavy emphasis on Minnesota with four more stops planned ahead of Tuesday night's caucuses.
After the Rochester stop, he hosted town hall meetings in Chanhassen and Arden Hills.
On Monday, he will attend rallies in St. Cloud and Minneapolis.
