"and he makes a case for strongly limited government."

Hence the reason he wasn't there.  ;-)  Dr.Paul wasn't welcomed by the GOP leadership much in 2008. He actually lived up to stated Republican principles, which makes the rest look like the hypocrites they are and what fools their flocks be.  Dr. Paul isn't welcomed much now either, but it doesn't pay to cross Dr. Paul courtesy of the activists who extract a price and have fun presenting the bill.