A lot of us got an email this morning from Jesse Benton, chief strategist from the Ron Paul campaign (see below). I certainly had hoped for an email of a far different tone. Especially after yesterday, “we’re not spending cash on primaries anymore” announcement, I wanted some assurance that the theories I and others had batted around on Twitter (@RonPaulAZ, that’s me), I wanted to hear we weren’t bonkers.
Then I read this: “Unfortunately, barring something very unforeseen, our delegate total will not be strong enough to win the nomination. Governor Romney is now within 200 delegates of securing the party’s nod. However, our delegates can still make a major impact at the National Convention and beyond.”
I read here: Ron Paul isn’t going to win the nomination. No brokered convention. Nothing. Just Romney vs. Obama in November, it Ron Paul trying to get Romney to promise to end the fed perhaps, which would be terrific, but I want President Paul.
So now this realization that everyone else already knew — that Romney would win — sets in via this Jesse Benton email. The delegate strategy we were told (and continue to be told) is working is leading to this concession email. It’s odd.
Is it over?
I started this blog with a few Ron Paul supporters (they didn’t seem to have as much time for it as they’d expected when we began this venture). I don’t know if it’s worth doing anything with it. Low hit counts discouraged me, you know. But in any case, whoever actually reads this, thanks for checking in with me.
And let me just say, brothers and sisters of liberty, this thing is not over. This was always about restoring the constitution, about restoring power to the states, about ending the foreign wars and fixing monetary policy and about restoring our republic to its past glory. It became about Ron Paul because he embodied a movement. That he likely won’t get the nomination doesn’t mean the movement ends. It means the movement transforms.
For liberty.
RON PAUL CAMPAIGN CONVENTION STRATEGY
From: Jesse Benton, Chief StrategistDate: May 15, 2012
Every day, I see firsthand how humbled and encouraged Dr. Paul is to have the enthusiastic support of so many who are committed to revitalizing our country.
Let me be very clear. Dr. Paul is NOT dropping out or suspending his campaign.
As Dr. Paul has previously stated, he is in this race all the way to the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August.
And he is deeply grateful for every resource he has been entrusted with to run an historic campaign that continues to defy all expectations.
Looking ahead, our campaign must honor that trust by maximizing our resources to ensure the greatest possible impact at the National Convention.
So while our campaign is no longer investing in the remaining primary states, we will continue to run strong programs at District and State Conventions to win more delegates and alternate delegates to the National Convention.
To this end, our campaign has several positive and realistic goals:
1) Having recently WON Maine, we believe we can win several more states.
2) We will win party leadership positions at both the state and national levels.
3) We will continue to grow our already substantial total of delegates.We will head to Tampa with a solid group of delegates. Several hundred will be bound to Dr. Paul, and several hundred more, although bound to Governor Romney or other candidates, will be Ron Paul supporters.
Unfortunately, barring something very unforeseen, our delegate total will not be strong enough to win the nomination. Governor Romney is now within 200 delegates of securing the party’s nod. However, our delegates can still make a major impact at the National Convention and beyond.
All delegates will be able to vote on party rules and allow us to shape the process for future liberty candidates.
We are in an excellent position to make sure the Republican Party adds solid liberty issues to the GOP Platform, which our delegates will be directly positioned to approve. Our campaign is presently working to get several items up for consideration, including monetary policy reform, prohibitions on indefinite detention, and Internet freedom.
Finally, by sending a large, respectful, and professional delegation to Tampa, we will show the party and the country that not only is our movement growing and here to stay, but that the future belongs to us.
Dr. Paul will begin this new phase of the campaign this Friday by speaking and holding several events at the Minnesota State Convention. He has also recently accepted an invitation to speak at the Texas Convention, and we are busy scheduling appearances around other State Conventions later this month and into June.
As Dr. Paul stated in his message yesterday, this fight is NOT over. We will continue fighting and expanding, and “we will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history.”
But for Dr. Paul’s efforts in the remaining State Conventions to be successful, and to ensure we get as many Ron Paul delegates to Tampa as we can, he needs you to continue standing with him.
Along those lines, as you probably already know, the grassroots are holding a Money Bomb on Thursday, May 17. Any money raised from that Money Bomb will go toward winning delegates and finalizing our plans for Tampa.
As those plans for the National Convention come together, we will make sure all of our delegates, whether bound or unbound, get the information and aid they need.
Your support on May 17 will also help us reach more Americans with the solutions we know can restore our nation. Each person we add to our cause strengthens our movement for the critical work that awaits us beyond Tampa.
Dr. Paul, John Tate, myself, and the entire campaign staff know what incredible sacrifices have been made by each of our supporters.
Thank you for all of your hard work and your dedication to liberty. Together, we will champion Ron Paul and his message in Tampa, and we will lay the groundwork for future victories.
Jesse Benton
Also worth watching this from Jack Hunter. I wish Benton had said something more like this in his letter:
