(CNN) – After Rick Santorum ended his White House bid on Tuesday, Ron Paul's campaign praised the former Pennsylvania senator, but said Paul did not have plans to follow suit.
"Congratulations to Senator Santorum on running such a spirited campaign. Dr. Paul is now the last – and real – conservative alternative to Mitt Romney," Jesse Benton, Paul's campaign chairman, said in a statement.
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While Paul has yet to win a single contest in the Republican nominating process and has long taken last place in nationwide polls tracking the GOP horse race, his campaign promised to push forward.
"We plan to continue running hard, secure delegates, and press the fight for limited, constitutional government in Tampa," Benton said.
The Texas congressman released a new ad in his home state on Tuesday, hitting his opponents, including Santorum, ahead of the Lone Star State's primary at the end of May.
Also see:
Poll: Nearly three-quarters of Republicans see Romney as nominee
Romney: I speak with Gingrich more than Santorum
Romney campaign pulls negative ad while Santorum halts campaigning
From CNN Politics
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Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the race. Keep going Dr. Paul!
Paul needs to run as an independent. He polls highest among independents and his platform is different from the Republican platform of corporatism and militarism. Unfortunately, I don't think he has the stones to do it.
Tom: you are ignorant of politics, apparently. Ron Paul is staying in the Republican race, not the general election. If Romney is nominated, Paul would have to run third party to split the vote with Romney.
Understand now? Probably not, but I thought I would try.
I wish RP had a chance he is by far the only one who actually has any real idea about how to fix our country. Worst part is though even if he did get elected none of the house or senate would go along with most of his plans. It would just be more of the same of the do nothing congress.
Ron Paul pull out or Obama will win? To All you clueless Voters, if the Rep party can't get it right we are doomed any way. To think that Romney is better than Obama shows how much you know, and with that said – keep your mouth shut and your opinions out of this election. If not Dr Ron Paul – does it really matter anyway?
I'm a democrat and I'm voting for Ron Paul. It seems to me that everybody is to be truthful, and with great determination. It's the media that seems to be keeping it a secret. I have never seen politics like this before. Legality in the election process seems to have been thrown out the window. We have entered some sort of new place now. I worry that things may get very ugly before it's all said and done.
Years after the Teavangelists ignored the two candidates in the race who were most likely to beat Obama, mainly Huntsman and Paul, they will realize their mistake and regret it.
Too bad, Teavangelists. You now have to choose between a minority and a Mormon for the next 4 years. I know, you don't plan to vote this year. That is ok, we understand.
Good luck!
has not won a single contest?? omg... CNN tries too hard. Why? At least admit Virgin Islands.
Paul may not win this year but in 4 years from now everyone will be saying "What the hell were we thinking voting for either one of those candidates??! IF WE HAD ONLY LISTENED AND VOTED OUR CONSCIENCE!!"
Ron Paul is the only honest candidate there is. Plus he respects civil liberties, keeping what we earn, scaling down wars, preserving medicare and medicaid, bringding down the federal debt, etc....
What more could you want? Fifteen trillion dollars in debt, maybe its time for a candidate who will actually bring the debt down.
Voting Ron Paul no matter what!
RP needs to stay in the race. When he doesn't receive the nomination, he needs to run as an Independent. It doesn't matter if Romney or Obama wins, things will continue as always. There is no difference in these two or any Democrat or Republican. There goals are the same...keep the country divided so they can continue doing what they want.
Again you have to win 5 states to get on the first ballot at a contested convention. Ron Paul has won zero.
Go Ron Paul.