Rep. Ron Paul To Retire From Congress In 2012 To Focus On Presidential Race

by Frances Martel | 4:00 pm, July 12th, 2011

» 21 comments

Texas Congressman and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul announced earlier today that he will not seek reelection for his seat in Congress in 2012. Speaking to Texan publication The Facts, he said he feels his chances of winning the presidency this time around are high enough that it is smarter to focus on the presidential race than pour resources into the Congressional one.

“I felt it was better that I concentrate on one election,” Paul told the paper, adding that he didn’t feel the need to wait until the deadline for signing up for reelection to make his announcement. While he has rarely faced opposition in his district since reclaiming his seat in 1996 (he also served a term from 1976-1984 before stepping down for the first time), he added that “we have a lot more support right now” and that focusing on the Congressional race could cost him the Presidential election.

He also added, for those that may lament his work coming to an end, that his departure from Congress will mean nothing for his activism. “I have been talking about this for years… I will always be doing that. But not in the U.S. Congress.” Rep. Paul has made a name for himself in Congress through his staunch positions on auditing the Federal Reserve, returning to the Gold Standard, and demands that Congress strictly adhere to the Constitution both in domestic and foreign policy. According to Gallup, he is currently hovering around 7% in the polls, and has won the CPAC straw poll two years in a row.

2012 elections, Federal Reserve, G. Gordon Liddy, Republicans, Ron Paul, Texas, The Facts

Bill Huggins

OVER AND OUT!

SEE YA LATER PAUL!!!
Thelonious Funk

I hope he doesn’t plan on Social Security after he loses the race.
perceptorii

“Rep. Ron Paul To Retire From Congress In 2012 To Focus On Presidential Race.”

Translation: Ron Paul is retiring. Period.
Bill Huggins

Thelonious Funk said:
I hope he doesn’t plan on Social Security after he loses the race.

Hahahahhaha. Classic post. OTM
http://TheDividedStatesBlog.com Publius219

Gary Johnson 2012. Like Ron Paul, but not a crazy ideologue who doesn’t understand consequences.
illusive man

This is it. All or nothing.
If you really care for limited government.
If you really want maximum personal and economic freedom.
If you really want an end to reckless spending.
If you really want an end to the wars.
If you want America to stop being the policemen of the world.

Than you must vote for Ron Paul.
Nasty Face

perceptorii said:
“Rep. Ron Paul To Retire From Congress In 2012 To Focus On Presidential Race.”

Translation: Ron Paul is retiring. Period.

Indeed, I’d also add that another Texas district will be going blue too.
MTinMO

Publius219 said:
Gary Johnson 2012. Like Ron Paul, but not a crazy ideologue who doesn’t understand consequences.

Isn’t Johnson the former NM gov who wants to legalize pot? At least one point we can agree on. We could cut spending a bunch if we quit funding the failing and ridiculous war on drugs that has cost us billions and yield little results.
Paleoconservatarian

I think Paul realizes his son won’t have a larger stage as long as the father remains in congress. But the field is too crowded on the libertarian side what with people appealing to the tea party for him to break through.

He should find satisfaction that the field is too crowded mostly because of his 2008 run and resulting PAC.
WCinWI

I don’t like Ron Paul, but I respect him for this move. I’m not sure if it’s for the sanity of his son in order for Rand to build his credibility or if it’s because he thinks that in order to run for President that you truly should rescind your seat as best as possible (note: Obama didn’t do this) or if it’s a combination of the two, but I respect his move despite not liking him as a candidate.
http://justplaythegame.us JustPlayTheGame

Good Luck Ron..Will be voting for you!
Bill Huggins

Paul: Nader for a New Generation
valkyrie101

Bill Huggins said:
Paul: Nader for a New Generation

Not if he hooks up with the Sarah express.
btimsah

I’m kind of shocked but when you consider his age, I guess we shouldn’t be. It’s time for a new crop of “founders”.
The Voice of Reason

He can’t fight the Fed from Congress if he isn’t even there.
http://constitutionallibertarian.co.cc DavidKramer

If Obama voters REALLY wanted what Obama called for about the wars, they would vote for Ron Paul.

BUT, because they are REALLY not about what Obama called for in his campaign, they are hypocrites. C’est la vie.

I like Ron Paul, a couple of his stances I do not like but for the most part, he is spot on.

I will campaign for almost anyone that gets the nomination. A couple of the squishes I will not but I will vote for ABO. Anyone But Obama.
Scrub

I’d vote for him so long as he stays on his typical issues and doesn’t adopt any of these new faux-arguments currently going on between parties.
xraex413

this man need to have his voice heard more. He speaks the truth and a lot of people dont like the truth. Everyone talks about how big the government is, well guess what, Ron Paul is the main one who talks about how small the government needs to be, even talking about politicians taking pay cuts. I respect this man more than any other candidate, republican or democrat. I truly believe Ron Paul is the last hope. Ron Paul 2012, its been long overdue.
Just4thefax

Fact: Golf in 2013 will keep you active!
Skippy

So Ron Paul is retiring to FOCUS on LOSING.

Best news I heard this week.
X-3

The check to support your campaign is in the mail Dr. Paul. If you get the nomination, I’ll send more. Good luck!