I mean cerially!!! Who wears FAKE EYEBROWS???
Posted on 03/28/2012 9:54:50 AM PDT by mnehring
Will Ron Paul be the next Republican presidential candidate to drop out of the race?
Unfortunately, Ron Paul Nation, it’s looking like that.
The libertarian’s recent primary showings and fundraising figures have been far from stellar, and Paul now looks like the shakiest candidate in the race. All other candidates — even the mostly down and out Newt Gingrich — still have something going for them.
Paul, of course, has yet to win a state primary. Yes, he “won” the popular vote in the Virgin Islands earlier this month, but all but one of the eight delegates in that race ended up choosing Team Romney. Paul had a disastrously performance in the recent Southern primaries, coming in dead last in Alabama and Mississippi. In Tuesday’s Illinois primary, the libertarian managed a lackluster third place finish.
The Texas congressman’s fundraising has also dipped bad, raising $1.5 million less in February than he raised in January. Paul’s Super PAC, Endorse Liberty, also saw fundraising plummet. The organization raised less than $282,500 in February — a far cry from the $2.4 million it raised the month before. Endorse Liberty’s ability to support Paul also cratered: The Super PAC spent under $136,000 last month, down from about $2.9 million in January.
In comparison, Gingrich (who is also a dead man walking in the GOP race) on Tuesday notched a $5.5 million life-line. Ouch, Ron Paul.
Paul currently is last in the delegate count. Before the Illinois primary, Romney led with 522 delegates, Rick Santorum had 253, Newt Gingrich had 135, and Paul trailed significantly with 50. Crushing.
So why is Paul still in this race? Some speculate that he’s only trying to influence the wider Republican dialogue, to help steer modern conservatism towards a more libertarian mindset. Some in Paul’s inner circle say that the congressman is hoping for a major cabinet or possible vice presidential position. Jesse Benton, Paul’s campaign chairman, said in response to this sort of speculation: “It's something we'd like but it's not terribly important to us. We're looking potentially for Ron to be the vice presidential nominee ... we're not looking for easy concessions like a speaking slot." Bombshell.
I’m sure a big share of the fanatics that make up Ron Paul’s deeply committed grass roots base still think Paul can win the presidency.
The fact of the matter is that he can’t win the presidency. And will likely not get a VP spot (Tea Party Senator Marco Rubio would be a much better VP). And can leave the “influencing” to other up-and-coming libertarians, like his son, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul.
The truth is that Paul really has no reason to stay in this race and his situation in the contest is quickly becoming more and more precarious.
Expect Ron Paul to be the next to drop out of the race.
But ... who will be Romney’s stalking horse?
Mitt Doesn’t need him any more.
It's true.
Practically all they talk about down at the methadone clinic.
“Yes, he “won” the popular vote in the Virgin Islands earlier this month, but all but one of the eight delegates in that race ended up choosing Team Romney.”
I’m no Ron Paul fan but this illustrates part of what is wrong with the system.
Where will his votes go? I really don’t see the Paulites choosing any of the three (really two) remaining candidates.
RuPaul stayed in the race last time around until mid-June. I figure he'll do the same this time, because there are still Paultard pockets that can be picked.
The title is misleading; this is speculation. “Ron Paul” and “will” should have been flipped.
That said, I’m not sure I agree with this article’s premise. If he’s still going while being this far behind, why would he drop out?
Which raises question of how much of an idiot he was to drop out of the pre-Super Tuesday CNN debate. Why would a cash-strapped candidate sinking in the polls turn down the free media? Unless, of course, you believe he already has a deal with Romney and was giving him cover because Romney wanted to drop out. The debates have been a much better model for letting us get to know the candidates than the advertising. Ever since the debates stopped, the candidates with less money have sunk in the polls. Which means we’re stuck with a purely pay-to-play democracy.
I agree, but Paul shouldn’t complain. That is exactly the type of game he has been trying to play. His goal isn’t to win the votes but to get people seated in precinct seats who will support him and vote for his delegates over those who may have actually won.
Proving that Ron Paul supporters are very, very confused.
“But ... who will be Romney’s stalking horse?”
I think the deals are all cut.
I mean cerially!!! Who wears FAKE EYEBROWS???
Right arm. He will stay around as long as possible to raise money for his pet projects. And it’s not like he has a real job to go to. He can swing into the House once in awhile and vote no on some stuff so he can tell the dopers he is da man.
The article doesn’t support the conclusion in the headline not to mention that it is an incredibly poorly written piece.
Yup, misleading headline.
RON PAUL 2016! WOOOOOOOOO!
More votes for Romney, the only other candidate on the GOP side close to their liberal ideas.
A lot of speculation. Paul wont drop out because he believes in his cause.
I guess Paul can’t deliver on his end of the deal to get Rand named as Romney’s Veep. If you don’t have enough delegates to put Romney over the top in the event he fails to get a majority before the convention, then you are of no use.
I’m sure this frustrates him. He LOVES being the turd in the punch bowl.
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