Ron Paul Pares Back Presidential Campaign, Continues Delegate Hunt

Ron Paul Pares Back Presidential Campaign

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Monday that he will no longer campaign in primary states that have not yet voted, but urged those who support his candidacy for president to continue organizing in states that have voted, in order to win delegates to the national convention.

"We will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted," Paul said in a statement. "Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have."

There are 11 states that have not yet held Republican primaries or caucuses, with Paul's home state of Texas being one of them.

Paul said his campaign would "continue to work in the state convention process."

"We will continue to take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future," Paul said.

Paul has had surprising success in states that held contests early in the primary process, winning delegates through the arcane and confusing system that follows a popular vote in many states.

Though it is clear that Romney will be the nominee at the national convention in August, Paul could make waves in Tampa if large numbers of delegates from states that Romney won vote for him instead. In Iowa, for example, Romney came in second to former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Paul came in third, but Republicans in the Hawkeye State say Paul will likely have more than 20 of the state's 28 delegates.

Paul's decision to pull back from campaigning is an acknowledgment that it is not a realistic possibility for him to overtake Romney's lead in delegates. But in true Paulian fashion, his statement is the clearest indication yet that while others such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Santorum may have talked about going all the way to the convention, the iconoclast congressman actually intends to do so.

Here is the full statement from Paul:

“As I reflect on our 2012 Presidential campaign, I am humbled by the supporters who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much. And I am so proud of what we have accomplished. We will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history.

“This campaign fought hard and won electoral success that the talking heads and pundits never thought possible. But, this campaign is also about more than just the 2012 election. It has been part of a quest I began 40 years ago and that so many have joined. It is about the campaign for Liberty, which has taken a tremendous leap forward in this election and will continue to grow stronger in the future until we finally win.

“Our campaign will continue to work in the state convention process. We will continue to take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future.

“Moving forward, however, we will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted. Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have. I encourage all supporters of Liberty to make sure you get to the polls and make your voices heard, particularly in the local, state, and Congressional elections, where so many defenders of Freedom are fighting and need your support.

“I hope all supporters of Liberty will remain deeply involved - become delegates, win office, and take leadership positions. I will be right there with you. In the coming days, my campaign leadership will lay out to you our delegate strategy and what you can do to help, so please stay tuned."

Below, more on the path of Paul's campaign:

Paring Back

Ron Paul 2012

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