Ron Paul and The Media Spin

Whether you like the guy or not, how can Ron Paul have finished second and NOT be considered at least a contender? He's gotten some press, but it seems like every post attempts to marginalize him. This would be understandable if the same logic applied to all the candidates. In Nevada, Paul beat John McCain, who was winning another state on the same day - and yet, even after beating a candidate that wins a state, he is not afforded the same respect, as say, Fred Thompson.

To further point out the inconsistencies here, Ron Paul now has 6 delegates to Rudy Giuliani's 2, but does not warrant the same media attention as Mr. 9/11.

How does that happen?