Ron Paul's political heir? John J. Duncan Jr. called 'closest … to ideological twin'

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U.S. Rep. Ron Paul

U.S. Rep Jimmy J. Duncan

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U.S. Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. talks to students at Richard Yoakley Alternative School Wednesday, Apr. 4, 2012

WASHINGTON The blogosphere has been abuzz with speculation about who might continue to carry the torch for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul now that the straight-talking Texan and campaigner for low taxes and limited government is retiring from Congress.

For some, the answer seems obvious: The next Ron Paul just might be U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., a straight-talking Tennessean whose political philosophy and voting record are closely in sync with Paul's on many issues.

"He's probably the closest to Ron Paul's ideological twin on Capitol Hill," said Mark Anderson, a Ron Paul fan from Atlanta.

Duncan, a Knoxville Republican, said while he and the retiring congressman share many of the same beliefs, "I don't think anyone can replace Ron Paul or become another Ron Paul, and that certainly is not my goal."

At the same time, "it is probably accurate to say that during the 16 years Congressman Paul and I have served together, no two members have voted more alike than we have," Duncan said during a recent floor speech in which he lauded Paul's service in Congress.

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Ron Paul's political heir? John J. Duncan Jr. called 'closest ... to ideological twin'