Ron Paul: I'm the 'Flavor of the Decade

Coming off a new Iowa poll that puts him in second place among all the GOP presidential contenders, Texas Rep. Ron Paul said he's the "flavor of the decade" and that his resolute stance on a select number of issues will pay off in the long term.

"We've had all the flavors of the month up and down so far in this campaign, I'd like to think of myself as the flavor of the decade," Paul said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. "We keep plodding along on a couple issues that really are striking a chord with the people."

The just-released Des Moines Register poll shows former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the lead with 25 percent of the vote among likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers, Paul in second place with 18 percent and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney third at 16 percent.

Paul dismissed other polls that have him lagging in general election match-ups with President Barack Obama, saying his message resonates with independents and even Democrats who feel disenfranchised.

"You don’t win just with the hardcore Republican base, you need to have a candidate that appeals across the political spectrum," Paul said, adding that he does need to convince more primary voters he will do a good job in the general election.

He also made a bid for Herman Cain supporters, saying he hopes to attract those who were drawn to the former candidate's "independent mindedness."

"We’re paying a lot of attention of that, obviously they’re going to go somewhere," he said. "I’m optimistic that we’ll pick up some votes from there."

Watch the full interview below, via CNN: