Ron Paul is Not Dropping Out: RP Delegate Hunt Gets Confused With the Death of His 2012 Campaign

After Ron Paul celebrated a full year on the campaign trail – having kicked off his campaign on May 13, 2011 – the media was abuzz as Ron Paul announced that he was doubling down on his delegate strategy. Though Paul had been saying the same thing for the past few months, the media suddenly heard something different.

Ron Paul said in a statement from his campaign, “We will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history.”

The Wall Street Journal heard, “Paul Ends Campaign.” 

The Boston Globe heard “Paul Ends Campaign.” 

Ron Paul stated, “Our campaign will continue to work in the state convention process. We will continue to take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future.”

The Chicago Tribune heard, “Ron Paul stops campaigning for White House." 

The Los Angeles Times, echoed, “Ron Paul effectively ending presidential campaign."

Asking his supporters to work hard and to vote for him, Paul stated, “We will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted. Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have. I encourage all supporters of Liberty to make sure you get to the polls and make your voices heard, particularly in the local, state, and Congressional elections, where so many defenders of Freedom are fighting and need your support.”

The Guardian heard “Ron Paul suspends presidential campaign – but supporters stay loyal.” 

Ron Paul, clarifying once more, said, “I hope all supporters of Liberty will remain deeply involved – become delegates, win office, and take leadership positions. I will be right there with you. In the coming days, my campaign leadership will lay out to you our delegate strategy and what you can do to help, so please stay tuned.

The Christian Science Monitor, at least reported two contradictory ideas, the first, “Ron Paul effectively ends presidential campaign” was later followed up with “Why Ron Paul's 2012 effort may not really be over.” The first came from Phillip Elliot on the AP wire; the later came from Peter Grier, a Staff Writer at the Christian Science Monitor.

“We are absolutely not dropping out of this race! We are focusing our efforts squarely on winning delegates and party leadership positions at state conventions,” stated Paul’s official campaign chairman Jesse Benton for a media that seemed to need some clarification. 

Some, but not many, got the message right.

Russia Today stated, “Rep. Paul (R-Texas) issued a statement on his official website on Monday announcing that he will immediately begin to concentrate on collecting delegates at state conventions in lieu of traditional campaigning in states where he will have to compete in GOP presidential primaries.”

Russia Today went on to state, “In Monday’s statement, Paul suggests that by continuing to accumulate delegates, he stands to give Romney a run for his money come the RNC later this summer in Tampa, Florida. Paul says he will continue to try to accumulate delegates, a strategy that has been considered unorthodox by many but has so far proved to be mostly successful.”

The Huffington Post got the message right: “Paul Pares Back Presidential Campaign, Continues Delegate Hunt.”

Am I to understand that an unpaid “citizen journalist” can listen better than the stenographers that we call professional journalists and revere for their professionalism?

Am I to understand that the reporters at Russia Today somehow have more capable English language listening and reading skills than the reporters at American papers? Somehow, something isn’t right about that picture.