That is precisely why Ron Paul is going to do something very surprising to very many people very soon. His campaign hasn't even started spending it's money.. what do you think is going to happen?
IMO, the best Ron Paul is going to do is take votes away from the GOP if he splits from it and runs as an independent. If he stays on the GOP ticket, he's just blowing money.
Why do you write him off so easily? He is the only candidate who believes what's coming out of his mouth, and you can tell because he always has an answer to every question in every debate. Whereas if you ask McCain something as challenging as his proposed economic policy... what do you get...? ............ uh... advisory committee?.... uh... friends?..... uh. What a bumbling fool. How could anyone in their right mind vote for a more militaristic but equally stupid version of Bush?
Polls are a snapshot of a particular situation at a particular point in time. By polling at intervals, you can spot trends. No more, no less really.