Rand Paul suspending his campaign to focus on re-election to the Senate

[136or142]

If we assume a Clinton victory this November, does Paul run for the GOP presidential nomination again in 2020?

Either that, Justin Amash runs, or (highly unlikely) we get a return to the Republican Party from Gary Johnson.

Gary ain't coming back, it would most likely be Amash if he has any desire to run, or Cruz if he runs again or even Chaffetz

According to Ron Gunzberger at politics1.com, Paul Broun may run for Lynn Westmorland's open 3rd district seat in Georgia.

I wish Bob Barr would come back.

Bob Barr was on CNN a couple days ago.  I think he supports Ted Cruz.

[Asian Nazi]

The only sad thing about this is that it means he won't be around to discredit the lolbertarian movement further.

[Asian Nazi]

Also pretty sure that most Paul supporters will back TRUMP

[Skye]

Finally, about time. Others should follow. Mainly Fiorina and Santorum.

[sparkey]

Dang. Time to commit 100% to the LP. They have 2 good candidates IMO, which is now 2 more than any other party.

As for where Paul's supporters will go: It's interesting that Rand Paul supporters have been polling highest for "Undecided" as their second choice. Cruz and Trump are usually next, but not with overwhelming numbers. That's a pretty good indication that plenty will jump to the LP (or wherever).

[PresidentTRUMP]

Maybe a back door deal between Cruz and Paul? After a good showing and win in Iowa, to help in in NH and a few other states Paul has some support Cruz offered him a cabinet position to drop out now and support him before the NH primary?

Just throwing some ideas out there. Not to mentio paul said he would make it his goal to make SURE Trump doesn't win the nomination. Maybe he figures since he had no shot he would drop out now and help Cruz to hurt Trumps chances.

[The Other Castro]

He'll be back in 2020, though it's a shame he performed as poorly as he did. He honestly seems like an alright guy, though his voice/hair combination don't do him any favors.

[Dorko Julio]

[EliteLX]

Goodnight Rand, you're a unique guy and you contribute a different voice to the party.

Good luck in the senate, and keep on fighting for people's freedom. His supporters will hop towards Cruz, for sure.

[mencken]

Maybe a back door deal between Cruz and Paul? After a good showing and win in Iowa, to help in in NH and a few other states Paul has some support Cruz offered him a cabinet position to drop out now and support him before the NH primary?

Just throwing some ideas out there. Not to mentio paul said he would make it his goal to make SURE Trump doesn't win the nomination. Maybe he figures since he had no shot he would drop out now and help Cruz to hurt Trumps chances.

Unless Trump is going to make a significant course correction, that does not seem particularly likely. If he drops out now and endorses Cruz, there's an outside chance that his supporters can catapult Cruz ahead of Rubio for second place, and thus complicate the Rubio "comeback" narrative.

[Classic Conservative]

If we assume a Clinton victory this November, does Paul run for the GOP presidential nomination again in 2020?

Either that, Justin Amash runs, or (highly unlikely) we get a return to the Republican Party from Gary Johnson.

Gary ain't coming back, it would most likely be Amash if he has any desire to run, or Cruz if he runs again or even Chaffetz

According to Ron Gunzberger at politics1.com, Paul Broun may run for Lynn Westmorland's open 3rd district seat in Georgia.

I wish Bob Barr would come back.

Bob Barr was on CNN a couple days ago.  I think he supports Ted Cruz.

He's the chair of Liberty Leaders for Cruz

[Illiniwek]

I'll miss Rand. He brought a substantive policy discussion to each debate he was in. Whether he should be the representative of the party or not, his voice is important.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Newmont Mining, one of the largest producers of gold, is up nearly 9% on this beautiful bit of news (what?)

[5280]

Most of his supporters will go to Johnson, some will go to Cruz, and the rest will write-in. I'm tempted to vote for Johnson.

[Badger]

i'm genuinely surprised he didn't wait another week for NH. it wouldn't have made any difference in the race of course, but.....

[Shadows]

I'm actually sad, I think I'll skip Republican debates now. When everyone was speaking sh**t, he was criticizing the war on drugs, endless stupid wars & medical marijuana, private property rights, etc. And most of all he owned Trump when Trump, the idiot, talked about the TPP saying China will take advantage, not knowing that it was a anti-China agreement & China was not even part of it. It's another thing that TPP is no good.

But this guy debated on issues, called Trump out on his stupid name calling & called Christie on the no fly zone & how it could lead to World War.

In 50-60% of the issues he spoke really well & the GOP is a train-wreck.

It's sad how Bush has 100M and continues to run, when a robot & poor debater like Hillary can be corrupt & wins Iowa while Rand Paul who shows up at work & votes for good bills & introduces decent bills, has to step down.

I hope the people mature soon.

[Crumpets]

Bye Felicia!

[TDAS04]

This makes Paul smarter than Jeb Bush.

[Shadows]

BTW Bernie will be getting a section of the Rand Paul votes for whom fiscal conservatism isn't a veto issue. The Sanders forums are already flooded with many Rand Paul fans who have pledged to support him & are discussing issues & are supporting on all issues apart from big government.

[This account no longer in use.]

Doesn't he realize that his senate seat is Safe R?

Other than that, I'm legitimately sad to see him go. He seemed like one of the only candidates who wasn't fake, robotic, and rehearsed.

[5280]

BTW Bernie will be getting a section of the Rand Paul votes for whom fiscal conservatism isn't a veto issue. The Sanders forums are already flooded with many Rand Paul fans who have pledged to support him & are discussing issues & are supporting on all issues apart from big government.

They weren't true fiscal conservatives to begin with, they were only attracted to his foreign policy.

[/]

[IceSpear]

Why is there no Bernie Sanders option? He probably got more Ron Paul votes in Iowa than any Republican did.

[Mercenary]

Well as a Paul supporter, I am switching to Kasich. But given that he'll drop out after NH I will then switch to Sanders.

I'd say it'd be a split between Cruz, Sanders in the primaries and then mostly Johnson in the election since neither Sanders or Cruz will win their respective nominations.

[The Mikado]

Jim Gilmore ✔ @gov_gilmore
Started out as 1 of 17 GOP Candidates, now with Rand Paul & Rick Santorum out, 1 or 9. #StillStanding
2:32 PM - 3 Feb 2016