Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, brought his message of smaller government to a large Penn State crowd of about 1,500 on Friday -- but not before a stop at Berkey Creamery.

Paul had butter pecan ice cream and did not try to mix flavors, as former President Bill Clinton did in a visit about eight years ago.

In an interview with The Daily Collegian, Paul explained what he believed were the factors behind his appeal to young people.

"I don't think it's me ... it's the philosophy," he said. "There is a basic instinct for young people to gravitate to total personal freedom."

Citing specific issues that attracted young people to support his presidential campaign, Paul mentioned the Iraq War.

"Young people seem to be much more opposed to the war," he said.

On rising tuition costs, Paul said the government was to blame because it has been causing inflation with its large debt. He also said the government should ease the financial obligations it puts on students.

"Students should never have

to pay income tax," he said.

Paul later added that he would not cut government spending on education in the United States. Instead, he said the United States should eliminate its military presence in about 130 countries.

When asked how he would diminish the role of government, Paul responded that the change would have to be gradual.

Paul likened the future of the United States to the demise of the Soviet Union.

He said the Soviet Union fell "not because of military takeover," but because of its economic situation.

"That is probably what is going to happen to us," he said.

Paul's public speech began at 5:30 p.m. in Gym 1 in the Intramural Building.

"I haven't been here since I was in high school running in a track meet," Paul said of his last visit to State College.

He began by talking about the ills of large government.

"We don't need more government; we need less government," he said.

He also spoke about dissolving the United States' military role in the world.

"We could start by bringing our troops home," he said.

Paul made direct appeals to young people and future generations. He said young people should be concerned with the current situation in Iraq and elsewhere "because you're inheriting this mess."

He added that war should always require a declaration of war from Congress.

"War should only be fought when it is absolutely necessary," he said.

He also challenged the argument that people who are against the Iraq War are unpatriotic.

"We are the true patriots in this country," he said.

After the recent Olympic controversies regarding alleged Chinese human rights abuses, Paul said the United States should use its athletes as "good diplomatic tools."

With tax day looming, Paul addressed economic issues as well.

"We need to get rid of the IRS," he said, garnering one of the louder cheers of the evening. "The Chinese are better capitalists than we are. They're our bankers now."

Later, Paul returned to issues of war and peace, calling for the United States to be more diplomatic toward other countries.

"The world has achieved in peace what could never be achieved in war," he said.