Paul suspends presidential campaign; forms new organization
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/12/art.paul.gi.jpg caption="Ron Paul is suspending his presidential campaign."]WASHINGTON (CNN) – Texas Rep. Ron Paul announced Thursday he is suspending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination to focus his time on building an organization to help recruit and elect “limited government Republicans.”
“We want to elect constitutionalists, limited government Republicans across the country at the state and federal level,” said Paul spokesman Jesse Benton.
The congressman will speak about his political plans at the Texas Republican State Convention being held in Houston. Late Thursday afternoon, Paul launched a Web site for his new organization where he explained the decision to suspend his presidential campaign and form “Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty.”
“With the primary season now over, the presidential campaign is at an end,” Paul said in the letter. “But the larger campaign for freedom is just getting started.”
Arizona Sen. John McCain locked up the GOP nomination back in March, but unlike his fellow Republicans running for president, Paul never abandoned his White House bid.
Paul’s decision to leave the race is an acknowledgment he had no chance of winning the GOP nomination. But even in loss, Paul is one of a handful of candidates who walked away from this presidential contest a winner. His presidential campaign had a broad base of support that included traditionally fiscal and socially conservative Republicans to young people who were angry about the U.S. decision to wage war against Iraq.
The Internet helped to tie together his group of supporters who joined the “Ron Paul Revolution.”
“The work of the Campaign for Liberty will take many forms,” Paul wrote in the letter posted on his Web site. “We will educate our fellow Americans in freedom, sound money, non-interventionism, and free markets. We’ll have our own commentaries and videos on the news of the day. I’ll work with friends I respect to design materials for homeschoolers."
He added, “Politically, we’ll expand the great work of our precinct leader program. We’ll make our presence felt at every level of government, where just a few people with our level of enthusiasm can make a world of difference. We’ll keep an eye on Congress and lobby against legislation that threatens us. We’ll identify and support political candidates who champion our great ideas against the empty suits the party establishments offer the public.”
Paul will not endorse McCain, unless the Arizona senator “wants to change some of his positions,” Benton said. But Benton added that this effort in no way is intended to hurt McCain in November.
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McCain says women need 'Education and training'. REALLY? What about the men? Women can be head of households too, just because his wife is a rich little princess and never had to work, but, she volunteers for things. I think McCain has some serious issues with women and I'm betting he loathes Billary. If this MCP wins this election, I wouldn't put it past him to enact some stupid law that says women have to be married by a certain age or risk jail! If he votes against equal pay for women, who knows what else he might do: declare war on women? Add women to the 'Axis of Evil'? Rescind the 19th Amendment? That shriveled little mind of his ain't got much time left on this earth.
He is trying to give a hint that he wants to be the Republican VP (hint hint). Or else he will try his best to stay in the media.
I suggest Mr Paul NOT endorse Sen. McCain
This is going to spell serious trouble for Obama in 2012 after his economic policies run our country in to the ground and people realize that liberals don't know anything about responsible economics.
Stop Obamunism '08
Hey HOANG,
I saw your blog on Obama website, they will be informed that you are part of Operation Chaos. Your best bet is to stay on CNN website with the rest of PUMA. Poor uneducated miserable adults, LOL
Another old man. Confused!
Best wishes to you, Mr. Paul, in all your endeavors.
What? No, no, NO!!!!!!
That's it! I'm fed up with the GOP! I'm voting for Obama just out of spite!
I thought he was an Independent; he probabaly should go that route...
Hard to believe anyone is suspending their campaign after Hillary, but so be it.
@ Angus McDugan:
Are you kidding? McCain would never choose him and Paul would never be on a ticket with McCain.
What, this is to answer your attacks on mccain. He does not hate hillary he is her friend, he was one fo the few people to show her around the senate, there was a recent article on their friendship.
Ron take some of the GOP from McCain, I respect you more than I respect McMothballs!
Obama 08/12
Congressman Paul is a great man, we are all better for him serving in our Congress and worse for losing a chance at having him in the Oval Office. A true patriot, and the closest thing to a founding father in Washington.
I hope this new campaign does well, we could use more like him.
Ron Paul doesn't have a clue about the constitution. Just because someone claims they know something doesn't make it true.
I don't think Ron would accept a McCain VP offer. To think so is a gross misunderstanding of the difference between a neocon ( Bush / McCain ) and a real conservative. Ron would sooner run third party than be complicit with McCain.
"But even in loss, Paul is one of a handful of candidates who walked away from this presidential contest a winner." – PRICELESS
Ron who...? Hubbard...? No...?
Same difference. Back to your spaceship Mr.
About time!
While I don't agree with some of Rep. Paul's views, I am excited to hear of his new organization and his desire to find and elect limited government Republicans.
This is great news for all Americans. Nader is polling at 6%. I suspect Rep. Barr will build support and poll around 4-5%. The Green Party has a wonderful candidate in Cynthia McKinney and deserve notice. Rep. Paul has inspired many to support his causes. The break-up of the two party control on our politics is beginning. Independents, Greens, Libertarians and LG Repubs – keep fighting on!
** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **
Hmph! The RNC selected the election to McCain instead of my man Ron Paul. Ron Paul HAD MORE VOTES!
As a Republican I will not back McCain. I am voting for Obama.
Great!....Go to the old-folks home!
I don't like his facial expression. He seems sneaky and not wholesome!
Vote for Bob Barr!!!!
I think this is a good decision on Paul's part. He's using the rest of his campaign funds (some $4million +) to start this organization, which hopefully will achieve its goals. It just goes to show how much he believes in his message and how much he trusts his supporters to follow suit. Anyone who was/is a Paul supporter or anyone who likes his message, become a member and try to get to the St Paul rally in September!!
I wish he would run as an independent I think it would equally threaten Obama and would encourage multiparty politics in our backwards demi-democracy....
What a Circus.
Worse case scenerio would be, hypothetically of course, that Ron Paul and John McCain would end up as the only two choices for President! Man wouldn't that be a bump and grind on the Mind!
It would kind of be like choosing your preference between the Electric Chair and the Gas Chamber knowing full well no matter which you choose the end result will be the same!