The Associated Press is reporting that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. John McCain's main competition for the Republican presidential nomination before dropping out of the race, will endorse McCain and ask his supporters and convention delegates to back the Arizona senator.
Only former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texas Rep. Ron Paul remain in the GOP race and they have no chance of getting the nomination.
Romney reportedly believes that his move will help McCain win in November by allowing him to begin focusing on the general election. It's too bad that Huckabee and Paul aren't as good Republicans. Huckabee and Paul are in the race now just for ego. They have no mathematical chance to win the Republican nomination.
Well to begin with Ron Paul announced on Sat 2/8 that he is in fact suspending his presidential campaign so he can focus on defending his Congressional seat representing his Texas district.
But regardless, since when does a serious, thoughtful candidate (and that describes both Paul and Huckabee) need to give up a campaign for a cause they deeply believe in, just to be a 'good' party member?
The quality and vigor they add to the debate *serves* the party, and makes the final nominee far better for it.
It's the Constitutional right of every natural born citizen over 35 to run for president, and these two are exceptionally qualified people of real conviction.
In today's media-driven circus, I appreciate anyone who's willing to put themselves on the line to bring their message to the voters of the country and let them decide for themselves who to choose.
P.S. I was just now re-reading Paul's own letter to supporters and Jim is right, although Paul is dismantling his national campaign staff he is still staying on all the state ballots and will remain a candidate all the way to the convention.
http://ronpaul2008.typepad.com/ron_paul_2008/2008/02/message-from-ro.html
Tony,
It comes down to money.
It takes money to run a campaign.
Romney, being the business man he is, did not want to throw his money away.
Ron Paul got the elbow from the Party to step aside as did Romney.
Huckabee is a loose cannon won't listen to the Party or common sense. Maybe he is going to splinter the Republican Party and form his own Christian Right followers.
I like Huckabee and wouldn't have a problem with the party cracking up as should the others for the common good. We can have democracy without different parties and a better working one than what we have now.
...democracy w/out parties is what we have now, how'd that work out?
Its all about the red vs the blue and thats why nothing can get accomplished. Dems vs Repubs. For crying out loud grow up and base it in whats good for the country not on loyalty to any party.