WINDHAM — During a whirlwind tour of southern New Hampshire on Saturday, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul didn't mince words when tackling topics such as the national debt, solutions for economic recovery and the looming debt ceiling.

“I'm strongly opposed to raising the debt ceiling,” Paul said during one of his several local appearances Saturday afternoon. “Our problem right now is that our nation's debt has gotten too big. But just making it bigger isn't going to improve things.”

The Texas congressman made stops at area businesses and public venues in Derry, Salem and Windham this weekend, in hopes of drumming up local support for his 2012 presidential bid.

Appearing before a packed house at Windham's Nesmith Library, Paul brought audience members to their feet several times during his speech on the nation's challenged economy. He also answered questions on everything from the nomination process for Supreme Court judges to the uncertain future of the Social Security system.

The visit coincided with Paul's launching last week of a major effort to mobilize grassroots opposition to a deal on the debt ceiling rumored to be in the works between the Obama administration and House Republican leaders. Paul also came out strongly last week against a debt ceiling deal proposed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Paul's efforts resulted in millions of emails and a flood of petitions hitting Capitol Hill urging lawmakers to oppose a debt limit increase.

It's a message that resonates with many Granite State residents, local legislators said.

District 4 Rep. Donna Mauro said she supported Paul's campaign mainly because of “too many broken promises from other candidates.”

“They may have meant well, but that wasn't enough to tackle the problems with the economy,” Mauro said.

“New Hampshire swung Republican in the last election cycle precisely because voters were fed up with irresponsible spending, here and in D.C.,” said Jared Chicoine, Paul's local campaign director. “We've balanced our budget without raising taxes. Washington needs this kind of conservative leadership next term in the White House.”

The congressman put it somewhat simpler. “People in this state are concerned and worried,” Paul said. “We're a great nation, but we do have a tendency to want to tell others what to do. I think that's contributed significantly to the problems we have today.”

Paul further questioned the current state of foreign policies, noting, “We built an embassy in Baghdad that's bigger than the Vatican. We're in 135 different countries.

“I think we should apply the golden rule to our foreign policy; taking out sanctions against Cuba and other countries doesn't help us,” Paul said. “You're more likely to get along with people if you agree to trade with them.”

Windham resident Nate Chapman, who works in the finance industry, asked Paul what he thought about letting working Americans “opt out” of paying Social Security.

“I'm 34 years old, and I'd personally like to opt out,” Chapman said.

Paul replied that he'd be open to considering alternative approaches to Social Security, including permitting young adults just entering the work force to have the option of opting out.

“If we continue as we're going, nobody's money is going to be worth anything,” Paul said. “It would be difficult, but I still want people to have different options.”

“I liked his answer: I'm happy to hear he's not averse to the idea,” Chapman said after Paul's speech.