Is Rick Perry on his way out? Is Rand Paul?

Save the click bait:

Are any other big name candidates in the kind of trouble that might cause them to exit the race? Maybe Rand Paul.

It’s been tough sledding for the former Tea Party favorite. The latest Iowa poll results (from PPP) show him with only 3 percent support. In April, he was at 10 percent in Iowa. Moreover, his “favorability” numbers there — 31-45 — are the worst in the field.

According to Politico Paul isn’t a diligent fundraiser — he’s simply not willing to do the stroking and courting that powerful donors expect. There may also be a question as to whether he can continue his run for the presidency and run for reelection to the Senate, a question that Jim Geraghty says may come to a head in less than two weeks.

Under all of these circumstances, if Paul’s numbers don’t improve very soon, he may ask himself, “what’s the point?”.

The answer might be “Donald Trump.” Paul is furious that Trump has, in his words “hijacked and hoodwinked” the Tea Party movement. As evidence of the hijacking, he says that Trump supported the bank bailouts and Obamacare — opposition to both of which helped spawn the Tea Party. Paul states, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand passively by” while Trump “destroy” the movement. (Trump, ever charming and always substantive, responded by calling Paul “a spoiled brat without a properly functioning brain”).

Whether fundraisers will support Paul’s crusade is another matter.

Other than Paul, Rick Perry and Lindsey Graham have been Trump’s most outspoken critics. With Perry possibly on his out and Graham unable to get on the big stage, that leaves Paul, unless other contenders are willing to jump in assertively.

The question at this point — one that a few months ago I wouldn’t have expected to ask — is whether Paul has enough standing and staying power to dent Trump.
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I don't know why some articles are thinking Rand will drop out soon, other than to simply pile on the negative attacks. Yes, Rands number have dropped a ton, but they're really overplaying the Rand has no money approach. Rand's fundraising hasn't been good, but it's not so poor where he would drop out already. The only reason to drop out now is if you have no money and no path to compete. Even if Rand were to get bumped to the second tier of debates, and I neither hope nor think that will happen, I still don't think he would drop out this early.
 
As long as he keep opening campaign offices Rand is very much willing to stay in the race. It is a safe bet that he will be running at least until after Iowa and NH.
 
Perry has almost nil for money but his PAC is rolling deep. He'll stick around as he certainly has enough PAC money to compete in Iowa. If his fundraising doesn't pick up and he does poorly in Iowa he will have virtually no chance at the nomination.

Paul on the other hand has the money and the supporters to stay in the race through the first few states. If he doesn't garner enough votes/delegates then he'll be out after Nevada or super Tuesday.
 
This post got only one star and there is a reason I posted this in the media spin section.
 
Rand Paul isn't on his way out, he's playing chess and losing pawns is part of his strategy
 
Why would the candidate with, at worst, the second best ground game in the nation for the GOP nomination, second only to maybe Bush, want to drop out of the race. Pure propaganda from the MSM.
 
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