Ron Paul has more name recognition, polls higher, and is more principled than Gary Johnson (outside of social issues).
Paul's name recognition and poll numbers were roughly what Johnson's are now back in early 2007 when he began his campaign. He gained exposure and built his army of internet fans via the GOP primary debates. I don't see why Johnson couldn't do the same in this campaign. I'm not predicting that that'll happen, but I don't see why he'd be less likely to do it than Paul was. Though obviously, that only happens if Paul doesn't also run. (I presume that Johnson wouldn't run in that case anyway.)Paul did already have a nationwide following with libertarians prior to his 2008 presidential campaign, and he was able to attract new attention and support by shaking up the debates.
It's unlikely that Johnson with his dull speaking style and moderate rhetoric would able to endear himself to so many the way Paul was able to do.
