I agree, and if RP was even slightly charismatic I think he could win.
Signatures could just be faked for the third party candidates, like they did for Obama.
I think if he got the nomination, he'd beat Obama.
All of the others though.. too much baggage, or they are just plain idiots. Or both. Look at Gingrich. A lot of baggage AND an idiot to boot. Romney basically is a Republican Obama who wears magic underwear, but not totally an idiot (his healthcare plan seems to have worked). And nobody else has a shot.
Ron Paul is the only guy who is going to pose uncomfortable questions because he doesn't give a shit about what other Republicans have to say about it. And I do respect that attitude, even if I don't agree with all of his proposed ideas. He isn't going to be dictator though, so the things he does have sway over (war, funding, etc) will be helpful, but he won't be able to write off the Department of Education with a sign of a pen, so in a sense, it should be okay. Honestly, I don't even care if he's racist, because his policies benefit me even if he is.