Despite last night’s high profile execution of Troy Davis, I wouldn’t hold your breath for a hard-hitting question about the death penalty in tonight’s GOP debate; that issue, as we all know, was settled earlier this month when Rick Perry expressed his certainty that no innocent person has ever been put to death and the audience cheered wildly about all of the killing he’s overseen.

Isn’t this Ron Paul’s moment to really stand out, though? Doesn’t he believe that the government ought not to be in the business of killing people, just as it ought not to be in the business of taxing them or forcing them to carry health insurance?

I wouldn’t rush to put all of your eggs in that basket. As far as I can tell, Paul has only stated his opposition to the federal death penalty. And I doubt he’ll express even this weak position, given that right-wing pundits have been crowing about their love of executions and that GOP debate crowds have seemed especially blood-thirsty of late.