Could this be the reason?
As noted in this Washington Post article, reporter Michael Shear says:
[RP spokesman Jessie] Benton called the decision to suspend the presidential campaign a "legal" matter.
I got to thinking. For a good chunk of time, RP ran for both his Congressional seat and the Oval Office. I wonder if whether there is a deadline of sorts, such that, if you wish to continue running, you have to choose for which office it's going to be.
If he had to pick just one to aim for, I'd say go for the Congressional seat. We know he will take that (particularly as his seat is unopposed). The odds for his getting the GOP nod have been, as you may have noticed, stacked slightly against his favor.
Rather than give up his Congressional seat AND the Oval Office, perhaps he had to choose one to give up, and made the most prudent choice.
Disclaimer: this is pure speculation on my part.
Disclosure: I'm voting for RP for Prez if I have to press little vinyl Colorform letters onto a Diebold screen to do so.
I'm just considering whether this had something to do with his decision. And if so, then to those RP supporters who are sad, angry, distraught, or extremely upset, I politely inquire: would you have the same reactions if you knew this was the reason for RP's ending of his presidential campaign?
As a running mate for Michael Dukakis, Sen. Lloyd
Bentsen was also on the ballot for re-election to the U.S. senate here in Texas. He was re-elected too, so I'm not aware of any laws since that time, at least here in Texas, that would prevent RP from running for a House seat as well as president........although, if he were actually nominated, I'm confident that he would step away from his congressional race. You may want to consider any effect that campaign finance laws had on the decision.
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"An economy built on fiat money is a society on its way to ashes."
Hello? Bueller??
: crickets :
Either nobody knows, or nobody's talking. Anyone? Anyone??
Campaign for Liberty is Beginning!
Ron Paul indicated in an interview on a Houston TV channel that he is not just ending the presidential campaign but that he is beginning the next phase of the Freedom Movement, viz., the Campaign for Liberty. He stated that FEC regulations tie his and his supporters hands as long as he is a candidate for president. The campaign will now have more freedom to foster the growth of the movement.
Remember a presidential campaign is ephemeral; a campaign for liberty is eternal.
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/media?id=6202886
Enlist for the next battle in the revolution at:
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/
The goal is to have 100,000 members by September 2 during the Republican National Convention when the campaign will hold its massive rally in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Oh, yes, yes, yes...
Of course; rah rah; onward and upwards, and et cetera and all that (not to sound blasé; my comments are all over various related threads affirming an attitude of moving forward with CFL)...
The purpose for this particular post, however, was to investigate the "why for?" of this change, at this time, and especially in light of Jessie Benton's mention of "legal" reasons.
Could these "legal" reasons be related to election rules and regulations?
Should it be determined that RP *had* to pick one course or the other right now, and he chose the course that is definite (Congressional seat) over the course that is, er, not quite as likely (Oval Office), then I should think it might help some of the people who are quite upset about the end of RP's presidential run phase to come to a place of recognition that this choice best serves the future of the Revolution. KnowwhutImean, Verne?
If -- this is still an "if," as I still don't know whether this is the case) -- if RP was required by election law at this point in time to give up running for his Congressional seat in order to continue his presidential campaign...
...who would fault him for ceasing to campaign for president?
He is the ONLY voice any of us has in Congress. For now. :)
If he had to pick one run or the other, and ONLY one run or the other, and if this was the reason for shifting gears now instead of after the convention, would those who are upset / mad at / disenchanted with RP view this turn of events differently? Instead of throwing in the towel (as some have professed), would their response be different under such circumstances?
I should think that it might help soften the blow even for those of us who are already continuing on with CFL full throttle, as well.
This is why I'm seeking the answer to my posted question. Anyone know?
You may be on to something
-Im one who is more encouraged now than ever. If Id pinned all of my hopes on his nomination then yeah- this could be a deadly blow- but I see a real MOVEMENT here. Its not as if he pulled out, backed McCain and went home like the rest of the candidates. He made a strategic move to shift momentum to the places where maximum results could be attained. Lets just consider him our president. try that if it helps. We voted for him, he's in Washington representing us- just think of him as president and do what we can to be involved in keeping congress on their toes. This is all very positive for me.