OK, OK, hardline Republicans. In the wake of the debate, where many Republicans didn't appreciate Ron Paul's comments about 9/11, the title of this article alone seems farfetched, but hear me out.

Historically, the office of Vice President has been the big two parties' way of dealing with "loose cannons". With a short list of viable Veep candidates to balance the ticket, once all the smoke has died down, assuming Ron Paul doesn't win the GOP nomination, choosing him as the Veep candidate would be the sane, sensible thing to do.

The office of Vice President is a largely ceremonial one, basically being limited to presiding over the senate (but without a vote, except in cases of a tie, which Senators work hard to avoid for that very reason), and basically being the Presidential "finger" by attending funerals the President doesn't care to attend. While the Vice President is also next in line for succession, that's a risk party leaders have been historically willing to take. And assuming the GOP wins in '08, even the most optimistic would be delusional to expect that trend to carry on indefinitely.

Ron Paul brings an X-Factor to politics: the Libertarian vote. While mainstream pundits are quicck to laugh off the Libertarians, the truth is that they are fast becoming a viable force in politics, a super-PAC if you will, that carry a fair number of votes. And behind closed doors I am sure that is a factor readily acknowledged. In Ron Paul they have a candidate who can bring in votes that the GOP has historically lost, both in the Libertarian votes and in the anti-war crowd. I am certain that conservative doves would like to have an alternative to the Cindy Sheehans of the world in mainstream politics, and Ron Paul just may be it.

Is Ron Paul perfect? Not by a long shot. But consider his list of opponents in the GOP primary. Other than Mitt Romney, all come with a fair amount of baggage, and all stand to be as much of a liability as Paul. But Paul brings with him strong populist support, and a long history of service in that field, a history the GOP would be wise to ignore. In the end, offering him the carrot of the Vice Presidential candidacy could well be a wise move. The question then would be: will he take it?