Ron Paul has consistently said that he would not run as an independent in the general election and while he repeated that statement to the Washington Post last night, he also opened the door just a little bit:
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Rep. Ron Paul has no plans to run on a third party ticket, he told The Trail tonight, minutes before boarding a private jet to Los Angeles.
(…)
For weeks rumors have swirled that Paul, who trails his opponents in national and state polls, will eventually run as an independent or libertarian candidate.
“I have no intention of doing that,” Paul told The Trail.
Asked how he’d respond if his supporters clamored for him to mount a run outside the GOP, Paul responded: “We’ll see if the supporters keep sending the money. But right now, our focus is on Feb. 5th.”
If that’s not an invitation for a “Draft Paul” movement I don’t know what is. Whether it will materialize is another question, but Paul clearly seems to be telegraphing that he might consider the possibility.
H/T: Donklephant
January 7th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Right now, Paul really can’t lose on this one.
If the Dems nominate Clinton, he can hit her from the “left” on Iraq, and hit the GOP nominee from the right on spending. He could make a good case that his overall effect on the horserace is minimal (and thus continue to run and build up support without the Establishment Naederizing him).
If Obama is the Dem nominee, it’s even better. Now, Paul can say (or perhaps “whisper” would be better) that he’s taking anti-war votes away from Obama, or at the very least keeping angry anti-war Repubs from crossing over completely. if Obama wins the Dem nomination, I’d be hardpressed to say Paul is taking ANY votes from the Republican nominee.
He could actually HELP the GOP with a third-party run – and I’m guessing that in no small part is behind his second thoughts.