Ron Paul: Hope for America?

If you haven't looked into Ron Paul (the presidential candidate for 2008), please do before responding to this question. 

His ideas are "crazy" according to the media and other candidates. He wants to remove the income tax (the federal reserve and the IRS), pull home ALL troops abroad and claims to be a constitutionalist. 

He's raised millions and millions of dollars through online support and seems to be the only candidate who is truly running for big "change". Although it's the chosen slogan for his opponents.

So Ron Paul: 

 Is he what the country needs, a long shot, or a "nut"? How do his stances on issues either win or loose to his his opponent's views?