A man hoping to become the next president of the United States has a strong local tie right here in Bowling Green.

Bowling Green Ophthalmologist, Dr. Rand Paul, just returned from New Hampshire where he was campaigning for his father, Republican presidential hopeful, Ron Paul.

We talked with Dr. Paul about his dad's campaign and the congressman's big announcement that aired on World News Tonight on Oct. 3.

Dr. Rand Paul said he's amazed at the number of supporters his father, Congressman Ron Paul, has gained in the presidential race.

"I think the word is spreading. I won't even bring it up with a patient in the office and they'll bring it up and they will have heard about him through friends or through the Internet," Dr. Paul admitted.

The Internet is how many people, especially the young college crowd, have learned more about Ron Paul, and have shown their support.

Dr. Paul said there's one big issue getting them involved in this campaign.

"I think it's the war issue. Ron Paul is the only candidate on the Republican side that says we should end the war," he explained.

Congressman Paul talked about his opinion on getting out of the war.

"Just come home. We just marched in, so we can just come back," he explained in an interview.

On Oct. 3, Ron Paul's campaign revealed it had raised $5-million in the third fundraising quarter--something his son says is a huge boost to the campaign.

"This is double what we raised in the second quarter, and more importantly, we now have $5-million in hand, which is more than John McCain and nearly as much as a couple of the more well-known names that you've heard in the Republican primary," Dr. Paul assured.

Still, he said there's a lot to be done before the primary elections, especially since some states are having them earlier this year than before.

"Thirty states will be done by February 12 and it's hard for a candidate with less name identification like my father to get things rolling as fast," Dr. Paul admitted.

He said in order to do this, his father will continue hitting the campaign trail to gain money and support and using the Internet to help spread the word of what he stands for.

"We just want the message out there. The multiplying effect the message has once it gets out on the Internet is just phenomenal," he explained.

Dr. Paul added that his father has over 900 meeting groups across the country and over 50,000 volunteers.

They hope to start an organization in Kentucky over the next months to support Congressman Ron Paul.

He said they will also be holding a campaign rally on Oct. 6 in Nashville with Ron Paul at the War Memorial Auditorium.

The campaign rally will be from 1 to 3 p.m.

On the web: www.ronpaul2008.com