Out of Money, Ron Paul Will Stop Campaigning But Won't Drop Out
Ron Paul sent an email to supporters Monday saying he would stop campaigning in states that haven't voted yet, but he's not quite dropping out. The email says he's still trying to "win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future." That effort just won't involve spending any more money. "Moving forward, however, we will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted. Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have."
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Here's the full text of his statement:
As I reflect on our 2012 Presidential campaign, I am humbled by the supporters who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much. And I am so proud of what we have accomplished. We will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history.
This campaign fought hard and won electoral success that the talking heads and pundits never thought possible. But, this campaign is also about more than just the 2012 election. It has been part of a quest I began 40 years ago and that so many have joined. It is about the campaign for Liberty, which has taken a tremendous leap forward in this election and will continue to grow stronger in the future until we finally win.
Our campaign will continue to work in the state convention process. We will continue to take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future.
Moving forward, however, we will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted. Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have. I encourage all supporters of Liberty to make sure you get to the polls and make your voices heard, particularly in the local, state, and Congressional elections, where so many defenders of Freedom are fighting and need your support.
I hope all supporters of Liberty will remain deeply involved - become delegates, win office, and take leadership positions. I will be right there with you. In the coming days, my campaign leadership will lay out to you our delegate strategy and what you can do to help, so please stay tuned.
For Liberty,
Ron Paul.
Don't forget about Paul, entirely, though. As The New York Times's Michael Shear noted last week, the delegate count could have consequences. Shear wrote:
Thanks to Mr. Paul’s supporters, he will arrive in Tampa , Fla., for the Republican convention this summer with more delegates than many media tallies would suggest.
That will not give him a real shot at the nomination, but it might give him the ability to make a ruckus while he is there. The more delegates he has, the better chance he might have to prevent Mr. Romney from being nominated on the first ballot
Update, 3:28 PM EST: Buzzfeed's Rosie Gray asked Paul's campaign manager, Jesse Benton, the question on everyone's mind: Is the candidate dropping out? The answer: "Absolutely not! We are focusing our efforts squarely on winning delegates and party leadership positions at state conventions."
