New Sons of Liberty

They came from Clifton, N.J., a 250-mile politically-charged pilgrimage, just to add their voices to the already deafening horde of Ron Paul supporters jammed inside the cavernous Nashua Airport hangar.

Ron Paul is the messenger, all right. But for these young men – and a growing base of young supporters around the country – it's the message of liberty that has them locked and loaded with Libertarian idealism.

"Today's young people have no patience for big government programs. We're fiscally conservative in that sense. Ron Paul is the only candidate that embodies those principles," said Daniel Burns, 23, who could pass for Matt Damon's younger brother – until he starts talking; then he sounds like a regular on "Jersey Shore."

But it's the content of his charisma that strikes you first – it comes from a place of informed engagement.

"Liberty is a new idea – it's only 200 years old. Ron Paul is the only candidate talking about liberty. Yet, every day in this country we're going toward a point of no return," Burns said.

His friend, Masood Manoochehri, is able to finish Burns' sentences, with ease.

"I'm uncomfortable right now about the policies adopted over the past 30-40 years, that have resulted in us being in a precarious debt situation. I don't expect money from Social Security when I'm 65," Manoochehri said.

They are all currently, or about to be, college graduates, all of them degreed in disciplines including business, finance, biochemistry or philosophy. Those who've graduated are gainfully employed.

They are not economically disenfranchised; it's more the bankruptcy of ideals being handed down to them that gets them riled up.

Practically in unison they tell me that Ron Paul cured their apathy. So what if Paul doesn't become their next president?

They want him to win one for liberty, but if he doesn't prevail this time around, they won't despair.

"Liberty is a long-term game," Burns says. "Ron Paul has run the ball way down the field. If not him, maybe it will be one of us to score the touchdown."

"Yeah, we're in the red zone now, and ready to go," adds Carlos Santelli. "It's a movement – he's just the most principled candidate right now bringing that message."

Adds Manoochehri, "Maybe you've noticed that Ron Paul isn't all that charismatic, or a great communicator. He's a 76-year-old guy. But he's opened our eyes. We aren't here because of a candidate; we're here because of a movement."

Said Burns, "If you talk to supporters of Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum, their support isn't issue-driven. We're not obsessed with a candidate; we're obsessed with the ideas behind the movement."

Manoochehri points out that Ron Paul's ability to engage youthful voters signals hope for the future.

"In Iowa last week 50 percent of people 17-29 voted for Ron Paul. Fifty percent! That's a good sign for the future," Manoochehri said.

Adds Burns, "In 2008 I voted for Obama. I didn't know any better. But Ron Paul is very sticky: once you go with him, you don't go back; you can't, once you understand liberty, and what it's really all about."