Spokesman says RP ending POTUS campaign

[Penners]

(CNN) -- A spokesman for Ron Paul's presidential campaign said Friday that the Texas congressman is ending his run for the White House.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) ran for president as a Libertarian in 1988.

"We are acknowledging that Ron will not be the nominee and that we are winding down the campaign," said Jesse Benton, the Paul campaign's communication manager.

Paul hinted the end was near in a video to supporters posted on YouTube on Thursday.

"Though victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race, many victories have been achieved due to your hard work and enthusiasm," Paul said in the video.

His comments came two days after Sen. John McCain became the presumptive GOP nominee.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, announced Tuesday he was quitting the race after McCain victories in Tuesday's primaries, leaving Paul as his only opponent.

Benton said the campaign encourages supporters to continue to take part in primary process and that Paul would honor requests from supporters to speak.

"We still think we can influence the debate and build an organization moving forward that brings the GOP back to its roots," Benton said.

Paul, who ran for president as a Libertarian in 1988, is the sole Republican candidate to call for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. He is a distant fourth in the GOP delegate count, behind McCain, Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"We must remember, elections are short-term efforts," Paul said. "Revolutions are long-term projects."

Paul's "Hope for America" campaign has been a grassroots effort, focusing on a "limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies," according to his Web site.

"But even with the past year's achievements, we're still the early stages of bringing about the changes that this revolution is all about."

 

[ItsTime]

I still do not see where he said he is ending his campaign. All campaigns are winding down. There are not very many states left.

 

[Ex Post Facto]

Man they word things so poorly. The video he released made it seem he would stay in until the convention, but wouldn't be hardcore campaigning everywhere.

 

[Penners]

The first line of the artilcle says, " -- A spokesman for Ron Paul's presidential campaign said Friday that the Texas congressman is ending his run for the White House."

Maybe it's true, maybe not. But the report says a A CAMPAIGN PERSON said FRIDAY that he is "ENDING HIS RUN"... what part of that is difficult to see?

 

[OptionsTrader]

Man they word things so poorly. The video he released made it seem he would stay in until the convention, but wouldn't be hardcore campaigning everywhere.

To the giddy media, those words are synonymous with "dropped out."

 

[ItsTime]

The quote they used does not match their opening statement. That is poor journalism. That is what I mean. I do not see where the spokesman said it.

The first line of the artilcle says, " -- A spokesman for Ron Paul's presidential campaign said Friday that the Texas congressman is ending his run for the White House."

Maybe it's true, maybe not. But the report says a A CAMPAIGN PERSON said FRIDAY that he is "ENDING HIS RUN"... what part of that is difficult to see?

 

[d03boy]

Horrible journalism.

 

[LEK]

"Though victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race, many victories have been achieved due to your hard work and enthusiasm," Paul said in the video.


Read between the lines...

 

[tropicangela]

MSM spin....

 

[IllMortalD]

They're still scared! That's the only reason I can think of for this recent BS from the MSM. Why not just ignore him like they did before if he is no threat? You have to think about these things from their strategic perspective. (If there is one)

 

[Ex Post Facto]

lol now that I think of it, according to the media, this is about the 3rd time RP has dropped out.

 

[The Only Woj]

it's clear to see why.

they're not going to give Paul speaking time. there won't be another debate. how can you win a primary, especially when 90% of the party, as it exists today, is against you?

my only question is ... where can I still send Paul money?

 

[JS4Pat]

Horrible journalism.

Horrible press relations by the campaign!

 

[DealzOnWheelz]

RON SAID IN HIS VIDEO HE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO GET MORE VOTES AND DELEGATES


Keep in mind this may be a ploy to try and get less McCain delegates to show up at the convention

Also if we organize our delegates and get them to submit resolutions to unbind the delegates of their state then everything can change

 

[Number19]

I've just sent an e-mail to the campaign that they consider a clarification on this, stating that the MSM is mis-leading the public into believing Dr. Paul is withdrawing from the race. It is clear that he is scaling back the campaign, not withdrawing.

 

[Penners]

Several posts on Daily Paul are supporters who have allegedly talked to HQ and Carol Paul. They say that RP is "winding down" but NOT dropping out. They are also calling for Jesse Benton to be fired for making his comments to the media.

HQ needs to put out a statement NOW!

 

[josh24601]

I am continually baffled by the people on this forum.

Why is everybody so obsessive over nitpicking about who said what when and with what inflection of the voice in which tone blah blha blah.

He's not going to be president, he said it himself, everybody seems to understand this, whether that means the campaign is "winding down" or "ending" or "slowing up" or "suspending" or whatever phrase you want to use, the reality is the same in each instance.

The movement that he has fueled is independent, in fact, in large part launched by and as a result of, his campaign. That is the true priority and the bigger picture. The movement, advancing the cause of liberty and the Constitution. The end goal here is not to become president - it is to restore the Constitution to its rightful place in our society. The campaign was a massively successful device in spurring this movement and should be celebrated.

Some people just don't get it.

 

[Penners]

I agree with you Josh but I do think that HQ needs to be really clear for the sake of understanding. Different folks have interpreted the video differently. Some are still holding on to the idea of some secret stealth plan. While I understand that we need to work to restore the Constitution and to elect officials who will work towards that goal.... I don't understand now why we need to contintue to get RP delegates and continue with the voting. Perhaps the purpose is to use the campaign materials as a form of education for those yet unfamiliar with what has happened to our country. Clarification would promote unity versus in-fighting and confusion with supporters.

 

[josh24601]

I agree with you Josh but I do think that HQ needs to be really clear for the sake of understanding. Different folks have interpreted the video differently. Some are still holding on to the idea of some secret stealth plan. While I understand that we need to work to restore the Constitution and to elect officials who will work towards that goal.... I don't understand now why we need to contintue to get RP delegates and continue with the voting. Perhaps the purpose is to use the campaign materials as a form of education for those yet unfamiliar with what has happened to our country. Clarification would promote unity versus in-fighting and confusion with supporters.

Any supporter that believes in a stealth plan to take the White House right now, or is ready to "in fight" or anything, again, doesn't get it.

The video is clear as day - he's not going to be president, but he'll campaign where there's demand for it, he hopes everybody continues to spread the message and grow the movement, he's happy to be a part of it and be a big part of it but he will not be the "leader", and he thinks a great date to march would be June 21.

What is there to not understand? Anybody who reads *anything* else into the above is simply transferring their own agenda, something that people here have been doing to my annoyance for so long (i.e. third party, truthers, etc.) All of the upheaval comes from the people who latched their own agendas onto this campaign and are now upset that it isn't about their agendas.

As upset as that makes me, I also think of how many people I know personally as well as all over who have come into a new understanding of politics and the message of the Constitution and how big the "true" movement has become, and then these malcontents don't bug me as much. They'll either finally understand what this is about, or go latch on to Ralph Nader or somebody else for a while.

 

[JS4Pat]

Any supporter that believes in a stealth plan to take the White House right now, or is ready to "in fight" or anything, again, doesn't get it.

Well then it is obvious a lot of Ron Paul supporters DON'T GET IT!

Therefore - would it not make sense for the campaign to CLARIFY?