The Hill News

Libertarian Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Tuesday that he plans to decide whether or not to run for president "in a month or so."

Appearing on the Alex Jones Show, Paul said he is "getting awfully close" to filing legal paperwork to kick off his presidential campaign.

{mosads}"It can't be too far off, I would think in a month or so I'm going to have to make a final decision," he said.

Should he be the next potential candidate to form a presidential exploratory committee, Paul would be the forth Republican to take an official step toward running for president. 

Paul left open the possibility of running as a third-party candidate, but said he would likely stick with the GOP.

"I guess in life, you should keep all options open. But r! ight now, I'm still a Republican congressman and we did it last time as a Republican," he said. 

Paul suggested he would likely attend a GOP primary candidates debate in May, which is sponsored by Fox News.

“We’re getting awfully close,” Paul explained, “There are just a few other things I have to iron out personally to make my final decision.”

Other likely GOP candidates to form exploratory committees are former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Godfather Pizza CEO Herman Cain and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer.

The two-time presidential candidate from Texas took some jabs at President Obama and his fellow Republicans for taking so long to get into the race.

"None of the other candidates have made an official announcement," he said of his GOP colleagues. "Maybe the other Republicans are intimidated. Maybe they don't think they can beat him now that he is a popular war president."

But referring to Obama, Paul said. "He's the one who got out in front of everybody else."

Paul has been the object of speculation this week on two fronts. Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) said he would be open to returning to politics as Paul's running mate if he leaves the GOP.

The congressm! an's son, freshman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), has also said that he would consider jumping into the field should his father not run.