Ron Paul Moves on From Presidential Campaign

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Ron Paul Moves on From Presidential Campaign

March 06, 2008 7:33 PM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: "Elections are short-term efforts," Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, told supporters in a Web video tonight. "Revolutions are long-term projects."

Paul indicated that the 2008 presidential campaign portion of his revolution is over.

An earlier version of this report indicated that Paul would "drop out" of the race. In the video, Paul did not use the words "drop out," opting instead to say the campaign is "winding down," and he encourages supporters to still cast votes for him. But he referred to his campaign in the past tense.

"We are still in the early stages of bringing about the changes that this revolution is all about," Paul said in the video. "Let us hope that we can one day look back and say that this campaign was a significant first step that signaled a change in direction for our country. Our job now is to plan for the next phase."

For Paul, that phase will mean spreading his message beyond the campaign trail. He hopes to create an umbrella organization to stoke some of the grassroots support that made his presidential campaign notable.

The video was briefly available on Paul's Web site and YouTube before being pulled for what the campaign termed "technical difficulties." Officials promised it would be reposted on YouTube. In the meantime, the video could be seen by clicking HERE.

Paul said his revolution is about more than his campaign and more than just him. He also put in a plug for his forthcoming book -- "The Revolution: A Manifesto."

It was a spirited run for Paul, whose followers called their support for him a "revolution" of non-interventionism and small government.

In recent weeks, Paul's campaign had already taken a back seat to his simultaneous bid for re-election to his congressional seat.

Despite a concerned-seeming fundraising blitz toward the end of the Republican primary in Texas, Paul won the party primary for the 14th Texas congressional district by more than 2 to 1. He did not fare so well in the Republican presidential primary in Texas, getting less than 5 percent of the vote and no delegates.

Paul has amassed 14 delegates that he can take to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis in September -- miles short of what was needed to be seen as a contender for the nomination.

Paul ran well outside his party on issues as central as the war in Iraq and civil liberties. His contention that his views were closer to the roots of the Republican Party got some people thinking, but ultimately did not get enough votes.

The Texas congressman, an OB-GYN by trade, can rightly claim his presidential bid, which enjoyed a visible -- if apparently non-voting -- following, and enjoyed several quarters of impressive fundraising, was successful at giving Republicans some pause.

Echoes of his pledge to shut down the IRS could be heard in the campaign of Mike Huckabee, who ran closer to the Republican mainstream on other issues. And as the U.S. economy dips, some may see new light in Paul's criticism of the Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve for the role they play in inflation.

Ultimately, however, Paul wanted to campaign as a Republican and be, as one aide put it recently, "not entirely quixotic."

Paul has shied away from calls by supporters to run a third party campaign for the presidency. He mounted such a campaign in 1988 when he left the Republican Party to run for president as a Libertarian. But this time, Paul has said that the U.S. political system is too tough a nut to crack for third parties. It takes too much money and organization, he has said, to get on the ballot.

Plus, as he wrote to supporters after trouncing his congressional primary opponent, his job in the Congress is a pretty good one and allows him a soap box from which to preach his small government, libertarian gospel.

"The message of freedom is popular," he wrote on Tuesday night. "And I will continue to trumpet it in Congress and across America as I fight on behalf of the conservative, common-sense values which made our country so great. In conclusion, I would like to offer my thanks and gratitude to all of the wonderful people who supported me in this campaign. I look forward to representing all of the good people of the 14th District of Texas in Congress in the years to come."

March 6, 2008 in McCain, John | Permalink | User Comments (154)

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Look people, ABC has to report the news the Pentagon tells them to report! Nothing more, nothing less!

Posted by: steve | Mar 6, 2008 9:14:23 PM

Yawn. 98.5 per cent of Americans could care less about this story. The guy raised a lot of money one day, now all wasted. His candidacy never stood a chance, he should never run again, and he was less interesting than Ross Perot. He makes Ralph Nader look exciting. Let's move on.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 6, 2008 9:16:25 PM

ABC News LIES. Flat out LIES. I have seen the video and he does NOT say that he is dropping out of the race. Please do not believe this garbage.

Posted by: Joe D. | Mar 6, 2008 9:19:05 PM

Mr Byron Wolf,
Please post the video link or some other credible source for your story otherwise retract your unsubstantiated comments on Dr. Paul's campaign.

Posted by: Canadian | Mar 6, 2008 9:20:16 PM

Ron Paul supporters should unite in demanding the FCC investigate ABC for mis information, censorship and leading this election instead of reporting the news.

I will be very disappointed in Ron Paul if he drops out. but more disappointed that it came from ABC first.

Posted by: Jeanette Doney | Mar 6, 2008 9:21:39 PM

Im not sure how you got that he was quitting out of that video ABC but he clearly never mentioned quitting at all. Please dont lie

Posted by: Kirk Saunders | Mar 6, 2008 9:30:56 PM

Um, he didn't say he was dropping out...

Posted by: Dan | Mar 6, 2008 9:33:16 PM

This is the clumsiest rush to judgment that ABC has had since the DC Madam case. Two names? You wonder how they can stand on a rug that has had so many things swept under it.

Posted by: PC | Mar 6, 2008 9:55:57 PM

Wrong! Ron Paul is not dropping out. ABC is just trying to get a jump on a what they think is a "big story" but what will turn out to be a dud. Ron Paul is in this for the long haul, no matter what thought the so-called reporters wish to impose upon everyone. Believe their article if you wish. But you'll be believing a lie. The truth will be known soon enough, though ABC won't be brave enough to let you know it.

Posted by: Brandynn Stanford | Mar 6, 2008 9:56:39 PM

Harvardian, Obama voted for the Patriot act after he ran on a platform vowing to vote against it. Now who is it again that sees the Constitution is a mere memory?

Posted by: Rangeley | Mar 6, 2008 9:57:22 PM

He said he was gonna fight for as many delegates as possible at the convention. What is up with the spin from ABC? My god... and people think the media just reports...

Posted by: CJ | Mar 6, 2008 10:00:51 PM

He never said he was dropping out!!! He is simply continuing a fight for freedom. He did not accept the endorsements of the white supremesists. He was endorsed as one of the last true conservatives by our own glorious Ronald Reagan before he died. And if the Constitution is SO outdated than lets destroy it and put something else in its place. Not claim to follow it and not.

Posted by: Butler | Mar 6, 2008 10:01:33 PM

What is funny in the extreme is that all the derogatory comments are purely ad homeniem attacks - none of these brilliant fools have even attempted a decent refuatation. They are driven mainly by emotion. And I won't engage in any flattery that either we or Dr. Paul are brilliant (we're not...)but rather that we are thoughtful, and these critics are thoughtless. They're the kind of mocking fools - see Proverbs chapter 1 - who see those who approach life in a humble, thoughtful manner, with a moral basis & expectation that we all must obey and honor a cultural & trancendent standard - Constitutional Law rooted in Biblical norms . Yet these emotionally driven mocking fools love only their appetite; hearing a humble, yet thougthful and moral man ask searching questions, exposes their sinful shallowness; and it enrages them. Not having the stomach, humility or moral courage to even begin to think things through - they just savagely attack using false logic, and expletive driven emotional rhetoric. Dr. Paul is not magic, he's simply a Christian Statesman - so few of which have been seen of late, that they stand out starkly - Ronald Reagan being the last prominent one, too. Funny thing is, both these great men would have been another face in the crowded room that drafted the Declaration in 1775 - which is why they birthed such great & inspired Principles found in our Declaration of Independence & Constitution. Here's a challenge, take a look at this course on learning & teaching the Constitution to others: www.IOTConline.com . I've done so and it's awesome - you'll never regret becoming more Constitutionally literate. God bless Dr. Paul & America !

"Samuel Adams" / David Alan

Posted by: David A. | Mar 6, 2008 10:02:14 PM

HEY ABC -

WAY TO NOT REPORT THE FACTS>

He's not dropping out OR suspending.

Thanks for your stellar reporting once again.

Posted by: James | Mar 6, 2008 10:05:24 PM

I looked all over and havent found anything regarding RP dropping out??? Anybody else? I dont buy anything ABC says...

Posted by: Patriot | Mar 6, 2008 10:06:36 PM

The US National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1.67 billion per day since September 29, 2006.

Ron Paul: "YEAH! NO TAXES!"

Posted by: Taxi! | Mar 6, 2008 10:11:59 PM

This is complete BS. Paul is NOT dropping out. More lies and disinformation from the "old media". Mr. Wolf you should be ashamed of yourself.

Posted by: dennis | Mar 6, 2008 10:14:32 PM

Why would he drop out?

I don't get it.

He already won 14 delegates!

Posted by: Paulette | Mar 6, 2008 10:15:32 PM

If Obama knows the constitution so well why does he not follow it?

Paul > Obama anydebate, anywhere, anytime ....

Posted by: Cez | Mar 6, 2008 10:18:16 PM

Sometimes the dragon wins, it does not belittle the effort of the knight. The most you can do is try. Ron Paul has been fighting for 30 years, his message is now out and substantiated more and more each day. His supporters are taking charge everywhere.

Posted by: Benevolent | Mar 6, 2008 10:19:33 PM

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