Do you think Ron Paul is capable of running as an independent candidate?

[solarstorm]

After yesterday's incidents? After many of his legitimately elected delegated had been rejected?

And whom would he choose as his running mate? His son?

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

He won't run.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

He won't run.

Normally I'd say he's capable of running as an independent, especially after such a good performance in primaries and the simple fact he's retiring. And, believe me, I'd love to see it.

But he's not going to ruin Rand's career: his legacy.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Wouldn't Paul's fans just vote for Gary Johnson?

[fezzyfestoon]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

[The Mikado]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

Is there anywhere he can still get on the ballot?  I mean, I don't think this is a matter of Ron Paul's word, I think it's flat-out impossible that he runs.

[Bacon King]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

Is there anywhere he can still get on the ballot?  I mean, I don't think this is a matter of Ron Paul's word, I think it's flat-out impossible that he runs.

The Americans Elect ballot line is ripe for the taking in plenty of states; all that would be needed is a takeover of the various bare-bones state organizations. And if there's anything Paul's minions have proven themselves extremely capable of, it's infiltration of existing political institutions.

[Supersonic]

Why is there no '0%' option?

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Capable? I guess. Will he? No.

[Mister Mets]

I don't think so.

There were ways in which he was honored at the convention.

And his son, who shares many of his views, is a freshman Senator in a conservative state.

So Rand Paul will be able to start running for President in the next open Republican primary.

[後援会]

If Ron Paul ran for president, I'd tactically vote against him.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Most likely not, I think Dr. Paul wants to have some well-earned time to himself after all these years as a doctor and Congressman. I can see Rand Paul tossing his hat into the ring for the 2016 nomination though, assuming Obama wins again this year.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

All signs are pointing to a run, though I think his big announcement on Leno this Tuesday will be more about his new LPAC (Liberty Political Action Conference). I think he is strongly looking at a bid-I don't think he would leave his revolution unfinished for four more years just so Rand can pick it up.

49/100 chance he runs.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

Not a politicians word. Ron Paul's word is the gold standard. You know his tears are currency in some countries, but he doesn't use them because he believes in the gold standard.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Behind Mike Bloomberg, and maybe Collin Powell, Ron Paul is the strongest possible third party candidate who could run.

[Lincoln Republican]

No.

Virtually impossible.

He quite likes Mitt.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

No.

Virtually impossible.

He quite likes Mitt.

But he does not like the party, and Mitt would be nothing without the party....

[Mr. Morden]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

Is there anywhere he can still get on the ballot?  I mean, I don't think this is a matter of Ron Paul's word, I think it's flat-out impossible that he runs.

The Americans Elect ballot line is ripe for the taking in plenty of states; all that would be needed is a takeover of the various bare-bones state organizations. And if there's anything Paul's minions have proven themselves extremely capable of, it's infiltration of existing political institutions.

Surely the state deadlines for even that must be coming up soon?

[5280]

He's not going to run, he'll throw in the towel and have a nice cozy retirement afterwards.  His words and ideas of liberty and freedom will continue.

[angus]

Do you think Ron Paul is capable of running as an independent candidate?

Ron Paul is capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, halting a powerful locomotive, and outrunning a speeding bullet.  Of course he is capable of running as an independent candidate.

Do you think Ron Paul will run this year as an independent candidate?

Quite unlikely.

At least that's how I voted in your poll.  I had a long conversation with him earlier this year, mostly about fiscal and monetary policy, but I did ask him about this.  His answer was vague.  Based on his answer alone, I could not rule it out.  I do think the he is old and tired, and does not really have the desire to stage another general election bid.  Remember, in 1988, when he was on the ballot in over 40 states as a Libertarian candidate, he was much younger.  Also, the LP and the Constitutionalist parties already both have candidates.  And there's no shortage of anti-imperialist independent candidates. 

As I recall, he refused to formally endorse McCain in '08.  He endorsed Nader, among others, but he did not endorse Obama.  I respect him for that.  I also refused to endorse McCain, although I voted for Obama.  As I recall, several erstwhile Republicans on this forum did the same.  (CarlHayden comes to mind, for example.  And there must have been millions of Republicans who voted for Obama, given the latter's huge margin of victory.)  I don't see as much reason not to endorse Romney.  In fact, I see no good reason not to endorse Romney, and apparently neither does Rand Paul.  Romney can at least count on two votes:  mine and Rand Paul's.  I do understand Ron Paul's reasons.  He's a purist.  I respect that also, but I do not think he will actively campaign against the man his son is actively supporting, if for no other reason than he does not want to destroy his son's political aspirations. 

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

No.

Virtually impossible.

He quite likes Mitt.

He likes Mitt personally. He doesn't like his policies though, and he was royally snubbed at the RNC, so I'd say his chances are a bit higher than they were earlier. Maybe 20-80.

[Vosem]

Certainly he's capable (in fact, he did it in 1988), but he won't because he wants to see Rand elected. That's why he's retiring too -- not to be a distraction.

[Donerail]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

Is there anywhere he can still get on the ballot?  I mean, I don't think this is a matter of Ron Paul's word, I think it's flat-out impossible that he runs.

The Americans Elect ballot line is ripe for the taking in plenty of states; all that would be needed is a takeover of the various bare-bones state organizations. And if there's anything Paul's minions have proven themselves extremely capable of, it's infiltration of existing political institutions.

Us Johnsonites have already seized the one in Oklahoma.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

People keep asking this question, yet Ron has said over and over that he will not run as a third party candidate.

A politician's word; The gold standard

Is there anywhere he can still get on the ballot?  I mean, I don't think this is a matter of Ron Paul's word, I think it's flat-out impossible that he runs.

The Americans Elect ballot line is ripe for the taking in plenty of states; all that would be needed is a takeover of the various bare-bones state organizations. And if there's anything Paul's minions have proven themselves extremely capable of, it's infiltration of existing political institutions.

Us Johnsonites have already seized the one in Oklahoma.

If Paul ran, I think Johnson would drop out, and the Libertarian National Committee would nominate Paul as a replacement. Americans Elect would also go for Paul. I can see the Constitution Party dropping Goode/Clymer and endorsing Paul as well.