Ron Paul ‘Suspends’ Presidential Race

Eric Garris, March 06, 2008

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ABC News announced that Ron Paul is suspending his presidential campaign.

He issued a video to his supporters.

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Comments to “Ron Paul ‘Suspends’ Presidential Race”

Guy Fawkes
March 6th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

The Ron Paul Revolution is over.

The Revolution has just begun.

James Bovard
March 6th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

Has anyone put together a ‘highlights’ clip of the TV and radio ads that were produced by the Ron Paul campaign?

Glaivester
March 6th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

My question is, what is he going to do with his surplus campaign funds?

Health Care BS - RON PAUL: GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE
March 6th, 2008 at 11:03 pm

[...] Uh-huh, whatever. Don’t let the door hit you on your way out, Ron. Oh, and take your wacky supporters with you. [...]

Bad Reporting Strikes Again
March 6th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

[...] It’s not a new experience for supporters of Ron Paul, but the media has once again greatly fumbled with a story and caused quite a bit of confusion through misinformation. As reported earlier, ABC News made a blog entry stating Ron Paul was set to drop out on the 6th in a video. When this video showed the opposite, ABC News slowly, and partially retracted its story over a course of several hours. But the damage was done, and sites such as salon.com, antiwar.com, and hotair.com quicky put up articles stating he had withdrawn. [...]

FirstCasualty
March 7th, 2008 at 12:12 am

He’ll probably give it to militias to fund the revolution.

FirstCasualty
March 7th, 2008 at 12:17 am

If we don’t stop the wars, which Clibama won’t, we won’t ever be able to afford a health care fix…

steve r
March 7th, 2008 at 12:17 am

We shall see what happens. Echoes of the rumors of Samuel Clemens’ death, etc.

Perhaps some in the MSM for so long have been anxious to see Congressman Paul depart the Presidential race that they became incontinent reporting that what they longed for as if it were factual.

It wouldn’t have been the first time they sought to craft news when the reality didn’t suit them. But the internet is resilient and self-correcting.

One of many things that the 2008 Paul Presidential campaign set into high relief is just how cynically manipulative the dinosaur broadcast media model has become in its death throes, a 21st century western equivalent of the bilgewater Pravda pumped out before the demise of the USSR.

Eugene Costa
March 7th, 2008 at 4:10 am

The rhetoric is a dead-giveaway to his fatal flaws: “the MAGNIFICENT funds raised”, “true believers”, etc.

Oh, by the way buy my book and work within the duopoly.

Abbie Hoffman did it better.

Dave Redick
March 7th, 2008 at 5:25 am

Ron’s legacy is the millions of new grass-roots workers for liberty who will soldier on.

Our job is to sustain the movement

I first ran as a Ron Paul Republican for congress in CA-1 in 1984. It takes time to push back a parasitic throng of citizens and firms looking for handouts

Fight ON ! FORWARD !!

ingrate
March 7th, 2008 at 6:38 am

Very pleased to disappoint you, but Ron Paul has not left and neither has his supporters. Your celebration for the survival of the status quo is premature.

John Lowell
March 7th, 2008 at 6:42 am

AMEN!!

John Lowell
March 7th, 2008 at 6:54 am

What would you do with it if someone located one for you, Bovard, censor it? That’d fit.

John Lowell
March 7th, 2008 at 6:58 am

Oy! Yet another “suspension”? I mean this guy just has to be the biggest schmegegie that ever walked. And one of the most dishonest. You are absolutely right about the duopoly.

John Lowell
March 7th, 2008 at 7:00 am

Leave ‘em alone, he’s happy.

paulite
March 7th, 2008 at 7:06 am

Now I get it, J-Low. You’re a Zionist. Figures.

subHuman
March 7th, 2008 at 7:46 am

The illusion of freedoms, liberties and democracies will continue till the end.

There will be others playing his role.

Stefan
March 7th, 2008 at 8:47 am

Of course Ron Paul has NOT suspended the presidential campaign: he mentions visiting the primaries and caucuses that are left and where he will campaign. He is looking back to the more than year campaign and looking to the future he says it is broadened now, focussing not only on one candidate but on many (those for congress and senate, where already success has been achieved, like in Maryland). Of course we all know the chances of getting the nomination is not big, as has been clear since long time ago, yet there is still a chance. Several factors could play a role in change: further economic depreciation and in the USD, a worsening situation in Iraq, several problems McCain is facing, possible impeachment vs. Bush/Cheney & Co or pressure from outside the US etc. Whatever happens, the basis for a future solidified movement has been laid. Listening to the radio updates/interviews of Ron Paul with Indiana and Missouri, it is also clear Ron Paul will go full steam ahead and has not the opportunity of delivering stronger showing in states like Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Oregon, New Mexico (where he has the endorsement of the previous governor), which will not ensure more delegates, but also greater respect and bargaining power at the RNC and beyond.

Eugene Costa
March 7th, 2008 at 8:47 am

Leo Rosten has it Sophia Loren used “schmegegge” with brio in an interview with a reporter from the New York Times.

He sounds as if he was there:“The combination of great beauty, an Italian accent, an eloquent shrug, a tone of derisive dismissal, and a Yinglish word marked a high point in the life of this colorful epithet”

If he was his wordiness is forgiven, but might still use a cut: “An Italian accent, an eloquent shrug and derisive dismissal, marked the high point of this Yinglish epithet”.

Karl Kraus perhaps appreciates the comma after “dismissal”.

Eugene Costa
March 7th, 2008 at 8:53 am

Ah yes, and his position so far on impeaching obvious criminals in the office of President and Vice President is, after first opposing it, the Judiciary Committee?

John Lappart
March 7th, 2008 at 9:28 am

It’s interesting and reveling to see the intellicual dishonesty and delusional thinking of the establishment dupes. Stop drinking the hallucinogenic kool-aid and consider what He did say and how many people have made a commetment in time and wealth to supporting the message.

Eugene Costa
March 7th, 2008 at 10:12 am

corr: “shmegegge”.

To dwell a bit more on Sophia Loren and shmegegge, Rosten mentions a shrug but no gesture of the hand, as say, half closed and relaxed, fingers suddenly fanned and flat in a flicking away movement.

With Loren, I suppose, who is looking at her hands?

Dorlands
March 7th, 2008 at 10:46 am

RON PAUL has not suspended or retreated!
We are in this for the long haul!
Let’s see what the Convention brings.
Not sure what part of “we need to get the delegates”
you did not understand but this is in no way a retreat.

John Lowell
March 7th, 2008 at 11:48 am

I have news, ingrate, Ron Paul is the status quo.

Eugene Costa
March 7th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

“AP March 7, 2008 : Goldman Sachs, a widely watched oil price prognosticator, said oil could average $110 a barrel by 2010, up from a previous forecast of $80, and said a price spike as high as $200 a barrel is possible, according to Dow Jones Newswires….”

Ron Paul for the long haul–2012 or else! Surely American anti-war feelings will peak by then, along with oil prices, and the Republican Party will be ripe for being taken over from within!

Who needs impeachment?

Just you wait until the United States attacks Iran–just you wait!

In the meanwhile, work within the two party system, don’t be a sore loser, join the revolution, and buy my book.

John Lowell
March 7th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

Eugene,

I have it on good authority from at least two sources that it’s “schmegegie” although the removal of the final “e” would seem to be prefered by one of them. I have used this term on few occasions over the years, electing instead the more familiar “schlub” or “schlemeil” depending on context. But in this instance schmegegie seemed particularly well suited to the facts.

Very best regards.

Eugene Costa
March 7th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

I don’t take Rosten’s spelling as authoritative, so your guess is as good as mine, or likely much better, as I have a tendency always to add the unnecessary German “c”. In this case, no one seems to know the etymology, at least that I can find. You know the situation is desperate when people start mentioning the possibility of Ukrainian.

sunny
March 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

good grief! what the hell is the matter with the staff of anti-war?
dr. paul is NOT suspending his campaign……did you even listen to him
on the video?
i’m disgusted with the crew on this site who are responsible for this. all you are doing is parroting the msm.
justin, i always enjoy your commentaries – i hope you are not a part of this misinformation…

Jackye Stephens
March 7th, 2008 at 6:29 pm

Why don’t you take your “followers” and go talk about Paris Hilton or Britney Spears? I’ve seen them on CNN and Fox many times.

Dimitrios Molfetas
March 8th, 2008 at 3:58 am

The antiwar.com still keeps that lying reporting of ABC news that ” Ron Paul ‘Suspends’ Presidential Race” unchanged.

And it has added another disgraceful piece that derogate Dr Ron Paul, titled:

Paul’s Missed McCain Knockout?

I feel so disappointed with antiwar.com. I used to visit this site almost daily. But no more. I still find it very hard to believe that antiwar.com plays the noecon dirty game against the rEvolution.

D. Molfetas

Ron Paul
March 8th, 2008 at 7:08 am

Anti-Wars’ editorial staff have shown their true colors. Case closed!

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am

One looks forward to Ron Paul showing his true colors on impeaching Cheney, or has he already?

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 7:47 am

Wow, Ron Paul followed by Rand Paul–a dynasty owning a Congressional seat and running for president now and then! Like the Stevensons, or the Kennedys or the Bushes! Wow! Just what Libertarians need!

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am

Or perhaps like the Kristols?

Ron Paul
March 8th, 2008 at 7:52 am

Impeachment? Oooh…. ouch. Come on, let’s get serious! When the time is right, war crime trials will be held and executions will be forthcoming. Be patient…..

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 8:19 am

Impeachment is the only constitutional remedy for criminals in the office of President or Vice President.

It also undermines a later claim of executive immunity.

Most important, it sets clear limits to what the Congress is willing to tolerate in the Executive Branch.

I am truly surprised someone like Ron Paul, who claims to be a Consitutionalist, has not been in the forefront of those moving for impeachment of Bush and Cheney, along with many others.

A few years ago, I would have named him as the best bet to be in the forefront.

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 9:09 am

“….But at the same time, it is an opportunity – regardless of position, persuasion or party – for we as a nation to reassert that we are a nation built upon the Rule of Law, and not the whims of men. That all people are held to the same standards under the law, and that laws and correct procedures are followed.

The president stands accused of several things, and what is on the forefront of public attention is the charge of perjury and obstruction of justice before a federal grand jury in regards to a civil case involving sexual harassment.

Under our Constitution, the House of Representatives is charged with investigating allegations against a sitting president or judge. While some may talk about whether or not an offense is “impeachable,” that is only so much political rhetoric. The Constitution only specifies that Congress can impeach a president for “high crimes” and “misdemeanors,” but the definitions of those words are left to Congress to determine – anything a sufficient number of Members of Congress find offensive can be cause for impeachment….”

[Ron Paul September 28, 1998]

Robert Fallin
March 8th, 2008 at 10:21 am

You guys should spend a little time at the DAILY PAUL website.
Ron Paul said the campaign was “winding down”. He made NO announcement that he was either “withdrawing” or “suspending” his campaign. Ron Paul supporters are continuing to recruit delegates to the GOP convention. As for all you “Ron Paul” naysayers, remember “Verbal Kint” (Kevin Spacey) in “The Usual Suspects”?
Ron Paul is an honest, ethical Verbal Kint.

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

I have considerable respect for Paul for many of his stands in the past.

In this run he has made a fool of himself and of many of his supporters.

He will not win the Republican nomination, nor will he change the Party from its corrupt, hypocritical, and war-mongering ways.

He has compromised his own Constitutionalism by refusing to follow his own earlier position on impeachment, which I quoted above and which I find flawless.

Not highlighting his antiwar stance, when he had both the money and the groundswell behind him to do it effectively, is also a clear demonstration of either incompetence or deceit.

Did he bump Giuliani? No doubt, and in doing that he made way for McCain.

The only question now, as Paulite suggests, is whether he will play the “team player” when he loses.

As a great admirer of Paul as maverick in the past, I now no longer care.

In fact, the more I find out about his core supporters the more silly I feel about how often I have defended some of his seemingly Libertarian positions to hostile audiences in the past few months.

Crying “Socialist” in the direction of a hard, clear thinker like Kucinich simply does not cut the mustard anymore.

By wedding himself to the Republican Party and not leading the charge on impeachment, he has become counter-productive, and as John Lowell says, part of the status quo.

Josh
March 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Ron Paul AND Dennis Kucinich have not considered running on a “third” party ticket.

I believe Devvy Kidd raises some pretty good issues on that subject:

“As for those who want Ron Paul to leave the GOP and run on a ‘third’ party ticket, that would guarantee he would never occupy the White House. Ross Perot got 9,741,065 popular votes in 1992, but no electoral votes. He received 7,866,284 popular votes in 1996, but no electoral votes. See: Electoral College Votes Already Committed? “The question in my mind: How is it that the media can call the electoral college delegate votes months in advance before the voters go to the polls or the electoral college delegates legally cast their vote?”

“Additionally, many states have what’s called a ’sore loser law,’ which prohibits a candidate who loses a primary from running in the general election. Although one judge has ruled this law unconstitutional, this could turn into a huge mess for Ron Paul and his supporters in states where the GOP will try to enforce it for the “good of the party.”

Source: http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd341.htm

Eugene Costa
March 8th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

Kucinich stood up and made the charges and the motion to impeach Cheney.

Paul opposed it initially.

Later he approved sending the motion to Judiciary.

That’s where matters stand now.

peace
March 8th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Just think of how much more time Paul could have devoted to his campaign for the presidency, well-financed by us little guys, instead of concentrating on writing a book. I hope the profits from that book go to a good cause. Personally, I am glad that my donations went to the Honorable Dennis Kucinich and efforts to impeach Bush instead of to Paul and efforts to stabilize the Republican Party. Thanks for all the comments above.

Josh
March 8th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain.

Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried.
Ive had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

Bill K.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

Um, Ukrainian what? I was under the impression that Yiddish originated from German, possibly the kind spoken in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In German the word “schmierig” means filthy or dirty, seems like a possible point of origin about what you 2 are talking about.

Bill K.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:35 am

How can it be “winding down” when it was never “wound up” to begin with?

I am disappointed with the whole “campaign” at this moment. The best they could do is to use Xenophobia in an ad campaign(which was posted on this blog), which is very pathetic and counterproductive.

I am hoping nobody has any ideas to pocket those remaining Millions of dollars that Paul has in the campaign.

Paul has no chance to get the GOP nomination, only a 3rd party uphill battle could show him to be different from the other candidates. That is if he has any money left.

And I don’t see impeachment as a heavy enough punishment for the (war)crimes that have been committed by those in power.

Eugene Costa
March 10th, 2008 at 6:43 am

Impeachment is not a punishment at all, and it is not retrospective.

The point is to get the criminals out of office so that they cannot do more damage than they already have.

It also undermines later claims of executive immunity, and opens the way for prosecutions without any detriment to the conduct of the office.

Clinton’s impeachment was a total botch, including the Special Prosecutor, with the cart before the horse. He should have simply been impeached–Waco was sufficient in my mind, for example–and the Senate might have investigated any matter they wished at their leisure, and in any way they chose.

Impeachment is not a judicial proceeding, and the protections of jury trial are not in force.

The point is removal from office.

Naturally someone will say that the Special Prosecutor was necessary to get the House to the point of impeaching.

And indeed that was the whole point of the Right Wing campaign against Clinton, but in the process an enormous amount of money was spent, the charges were trivial in regard to Clinton’s conduct of office, and in the end it was a farce.

Clinton too was responsible for this.

At any rate, there is no question that Bush and Cheney are indictable for impeachable offenses, including authorizing torture, lying to Congress, and a host of other constitutional issues.

That Paul initially opposed Kucinich’s impeachment motion in regard to Cheney is a sad chapter in Paul’s biography.

Paul said something to the effect that he was not sure Cheney was guilty of any high crimes or misdemeanors.

Yet earlier in regard to Clinton’s impeachment, Paul had argued, rightly, that impeachable offenses were defined as whatever the House defined as impeachable by a majority vote.

Hypocrisy come in many subtly graded forms.

Eugene Costa
March 10th, 2008 at 6:51 am

corr: “Hypocrisy comes”

Andrew Wang
September 29th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

Kucinich is simply the best.

George W. Bush’s sentence-by-sentence speaking skills are deteriorating. Apparently, this may be due to a mental illness called “presenile dementia.” Bush may or may not be secretly still drinking heavily. Bush suffers from narcissism and megalomania. Moreover, Bush has been arrested three times. Bush was arrested for disorderly conduct. Bush was arrested for stealing. Bush was also arrested for a serious crime—driving under the influence of alcohol. There are reasons to believe that Bush suffers from a learning disability. Bush’s learning disability would explain a lot of things. All in all, Bush is a severely mentally ill individual. Bush is not fit to be the president of the United States.

Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA

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