Rand to possibly make some kind of announcement Tuesday

[carlton]

CONCORD, N.H. – Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is confident he will be on the primetime Republican debate stage Tuesday, but if he falls short, he will make an announcement this week about whether his presidential campaign will continue.

“We will make an announcement, on that, on Tuesday,” Paul said in response to a question about whether he will remain in the race if demoted to the upcoming undercard debate.


This is apparently the first time Paul has hinted at a possible end to his run for the Republican presidential nomination.

CNN, the host of Tuesday’s debate, is requiring candidates to have a national polling average of at least 3.5 percent or at least 4 percent in one of the early-voting states of New Hampshire or Iowa in order to participate in the main GOP debate. Those with weaker polling will be invited to participate in a separate debate earlier in the evening.

According to RealClear Politics’ polling average, Paul is currently at 2.2 percent nationally, 2.7 percent in New Hampshire, and 4 percent in Iowa.

With 14 major candidates remaining in the fight for the party’s nomination, Paul reiterated how crucial it is to be on the stage.

“It’s very important,” he said during a campaign appearance at New England College’s Concord branch. “We’re hoping that they will give the same and equal and fair treatment that they gave to Carly Fiorina the last time.”

New Hampshire state Senator Andy Sanborn, a Paul supporter, encouraged voters to pay more attention to issues than to polls.

“Maybe we shouldn’t be spending as much time talking about polls,” Sanborn said. “We should be talking about solutions by the candidates directly.”

At the same campaign stop, speaking to a crowd of more than 50, Paul focused heavily on his proposals for strengthening gun rights and increasing national security.

Renee Paradis, 54, of Laconia, said Paul is her top choice, but is worried about how his campaign is being run, citing an audio incident that started Saturday’s event.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/pol...paign=bostonglobe:socialflow:twitter#comments

update:

 

[r3volution 3.0]

...I can't quite believe he said this, need confirmation.

 

[carlton]

...I can't quite believe he said this, need confirmation.

Possible bluff to try and strong arm CNN into getting him into main debate?

 

[r3volution 3.0]

Possible bluff to try and strong arm CNN into getting him into main debate?

Perhaps

I can't imagine he would actually drop out before Iowa.

 

[derek4ever]

I hope it's just a bluff. It wouldn't make sense for him to drop out now, since in the last national poll, he was in fifth. Plus, he's been doing very well with getting ballot access and delegate lists in many states. Just hope this is just a play like Trump's threat of going third party if the GOP doesn't treat him well and nothing more than a bluff. Plus the fact that there's a 99% chance that there will be a contested convention, I don't think Rand would want to miss out on that!!

 

[Crashland]

He should say that he's going to make an announcement to get everyone's attention. Then deliver a blistering rebuke to the GOP and Washington and announce that he won't drop out

 

[r3volution 3.0]

He should say that he's going to make an announcement to get everyone's attention. Then deliver a blistering rebuke to the GOP and Washington and announce that he won't drop out

That would be awesome.

 

[derek4ever]

That would be awesome.

Agreed!!

 

[sparebulb]

Perhaps

I can't imagine he would actually drop out before Iowa.

Nor can I.

I am expecting Rand to actually do a little better than expected in Iowa.

 

[BenIsForRon]

Could this be part of an agreement with Cruz, since they're cannibalizing each other's votes? So if Rand bows out now maybe Cruz will stay out in 2020?

 

[derek4ever]

Nor can I.

I am expecting Rand to actually do a little better than expected in Iowa.

Especially with this big celebrity endorsement:

https://reason.com/blog/2015/04/30/vince-vaughn-rand-pauls-the-best-in-2016

Vince Vaughn would be a great plus to the campaign!!

 

[francisco]

He should say that he's going to make an announcement to get everyone's attention. Then deliver a blistering rebuke to the GOP and Washington and announce that he won't drop out

+1, +rep

 

[LatinsforPaul]

I hope it's just a bluff. It wouldn't make sense for him to drop out now, since in the last national poll, he was in fifth. Plus, he's been doing very well with getting ballot access and delegate lists in many states. Just hope this is just a play like Trump's threat of going third party if the GOP doesn't treat him well and nothing more than a bluff. Plus the fact that there's a 99% chance that there will be a contested convention, I don't think Rand would want to miss out on that!!

Agree, I truly believe he's setting the media up for some big announcement on Tuesday. I'm hoping it's 5000 Iowa students ready to caucus for Rand.

 

[CPUd]

He should say that he's going to make an announcement to get everyone's attention. Then deliver a blistering rebuke to the GOP and Washington and announce that he won't drop out

This is more likely than him announcing he is dropping his campaign.

 

[derek4ever]

He should say that he's going to make an announcement to get everyone's attention. Then deliver a blistering rebuke to the GOP and Washington and announce that he won't drop out

Gotta say that it's worth the media coverage!!

 

[LatinsforPaul]

Iowa poll is out, Rand at 3%.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ll-inside-skinny-each-gop-candidate/77168608/

 

[carlton]

Iowa poll is out, Rand at 3%.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ll-inside-skinny-each-gop-candidate/77168608/

Ugh

 

[bronc_fan23]

Well, if he stays in the race, there is still time to change some minds.

Something big would have to happen, don't know what that would be, though.

 

[S.Shorland]

too late

 

[NativeOne]

"Game on the line, Rand Paul get's the ball fakes the shot .. shoots .. Three pointer and a foul .. "