Ron Paul to speak Thursday at UVU

OREM -- Republican congressman and three-time presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak Thursday afternoon at Utah Valley University.

According to UVU spokesman Mike Rigert, Paul will speak at the school's UCCU center at 1:30 p.m. as a guest of the Young Presidents Organization. The visit will mark Paul's first visit to Utah since a presidential campaign stop in September 2007. The event is not sponsored by UVU.

Rigert had limited information about the event, but did mention that it was making the rounds on various social networks.

Monday afternoon, Provo resident Jon Ogden confirmed that he found out about the event on Google+. Unlike some other likely attendees, Ogden doesn't describe himself as a libertarian. However, Ogden explained that he still appreciates Paul's serious consideration of issues that other politicians -- including both major party presidential candidates -- tend to ignore.

"He's not pandering when he says he's going to cut a trillion from the budget," Ogden said.

Ogden didn't know what specific topics Paul will cover, but mentioned that the Federal Reserve, government spending, ending wars and drug laws are all common themes in Paul's work.

Brigham Young University student Ryan Johns also said Monday that he plans to attend the event. Johns serves as the president of the BYU Liberty Club and said in 2007 Paul helped transform him from a typical apathetic teenager to a more engaged adult.

"When I heard his message it got me really excited, really interested," Johns recalled.

Johns added that Paul's agenda includes energizing youth and focuses on the Constitution. As a club president, Johns also has been in contact with the event organizers and said as many as 2,000 people may be at the speech.

Representatives from the Young Presidents Organization could not immediately be reached Monday afternoon.

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Ron Paul to speak Thursday at UVU