Politics | Ron Paul Poll Sees Ron Paul Giving Obama Close Race Rasmussen offers matchup in new poll By John Johnson Posted Apr 14, 2010 2:30 PM CDT Copied Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, speaks at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Saturday, April 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) If in some parallel political universe, Ron Paul finds himself as the main candidate against President Obama in 2012, the race could be a squeaker. So says Rasmussen Reports, which posed that hypothetical matchup in a phone survey and found Obama beating Paul by just 42% to 41%. HotAirPundit sees the results as "proof that Barry is in serious trouble in 2012," and Matt Drudge is using the words "shock poll" in his headline teaser. But Ben Smith of Politico has a different take: It's "a useful reminder of how totally flaky early presidential polling is." Read These Next Lily Allen's 'revenge dress' literally has the receipts. Louisiana mayor convicted of raping her son's 16-year-old friend. Rumors of Iran invasion swirl after Army calls off major drill. After 12-year-old boy's crash on e-motorcycle, his dad is charged. Report an error