MISSOULA (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul spoke against the Iraq war, the Patriot Act and big government Monday in a speech to 1,000 people at the University of Montana.

His message of individual freedom and fiscal responsibility was vigorously applauded.

Paul, a congressman from Texas, said he doesn't expect to win the GOP nomination, nor will he endorse the presumptive candidate, John McCain.

He said he would not run as a third-party candidate, as he did for almost 20 years on the Libertarian ticket.

He also scoffed at the notion that America faces the threat of invasion and said scare tactics are employed to steal basic freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

''Are we going to accept this idea that if we just get scared enough, we allow the government to run roughshod over us?'' he asked.

''I would say it's time not to roll over, but to stand up and resist,'' he said.

He received a standing ovation when he proclaimed, ''The most important thing to do (for the economy) is to end this war.''

''At the same time we're building bridges in Iraq, our own bridges are falling down," Paul said. ''I say take care of the bridges and infrastructure in this country.''

Paul also told the crowd he was not pulling out of the race.

Paul, 72, has had strong support in Montana, finishing second in the state's Republican caucus in February.

Mitt Romney won with 38 percent of the caucus vote, while Paul had 25 percent and McCain had 22 percent.