The economy is obviously the most important issue right now, but maybe the Republican party wouldn't be dealing with this rebellious faction if the GOP didn't continue to be on the wrong side of domestic issues regarding constitutional liberties. Do you honestly feel safer now that the government can listen to anyone's phone calls? or now that the military can "indefinitely detain" American citizens without a warrant or trial? I bet if Romney came out vehemently against these two gross expansions of government, he'd significantly deflate the Ron Paul rebellion. But... he won't. He won't even lie (like Obama found it easy to do in his campaign) because the GOP has its own agenda, and it only involves shrinking government where it most conveniences them.