GOP hopeful Ron Paul draws support from home region in Pa.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — He may represent Texas, but 10-term congressman and Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul is also garnering support from his home region of western Pennsylvania.

Paul, originally from the Pittsburgh suburb of Greentree, has won backing there in much the same way he has done so nationally: through Internet meet-up groups.

The online groups have sprung up in Somerset, Cambria, Indiana, Westmoreland and Fayette counties. Supporters not only meet online but occasionally gather in person at local diners and restaurants.

At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, students have set up a Facebook.com page to support Paul’s candidacy.

“We just want to let people be aware there’s another person out there,” said Donny Lally, who along with her husband, Kent, is organizing the Somerset group.

Polling in the single digits, Paul recently attracted national attention when he raised $4.3 million in a 24-hour Internet fund-raising drive.

Political analysts say Paul is attracting support from Republicans, Democrats and independents who have soured on big-party politics. As the only Republican who supports a speedy withdrawal from Iraq, he is also drawing support from GOP voters opposed to the war.

Paul, an obstetrician, also wants to do away with income tax, pull out of the United Nations and return to the gold standard.