ABC News is reporting that Ron Paul's presidential campaign will officially be ending outside the Texas GOP Convention on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 9 PM central.
ABC has learned that announcement will be that he is officially ending his campaign and taking the $4.7 million in campaign cash and investing it in an advocacy group called The Campaign for Liberty.
The first event for The Campaign for Liberty will be at the Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota on September 2, 2008.
It is reported that Paul is still encouraging his delegates, which the ABC article says is "under 50" but the Real Clear Politics total shows it at 29, to make their presence known at the Republican convention in St. Paul in September.
Jesse Benton who is Paul's campaign spokesperson says, "Dr. Paul is still strongly encouraging them to take part in the GOP convention to influence the platform and represent the limited government wing of the Republican party."
The record breaking donations that came from Paul supporters did not translate into enough votes for him to be awarded the 1,191 needed to win the nomination but Paul and his supporters will continue to work on the new Liberty campaign.
Despite the dedication and moxie of Paul's supporters, maintaining that level of interest without the vehicle of Paul's presidential campaign could be difficult, especially given the frenetic, laissez faire interaction between Paul and his supporters through the presidential campaign. The congressman in many ways served as a figurehead, while independent actors drawn to his message did most of the organizing.
The Liberty Campaign is meant as a means for harnessing some of that energy and maintaining interest on a more micro level, by recruiting like-minded people to seek political office.
The Campaign for Liberty will be based in Virginia and Texas, according to Reason Magazine.
According to the Ron Paul website, his major announcement tonight will be able to be viewed here at 9PM CDT.
BUH BYE Ron Paul!!!!!
[Update] The Campaign For Liberty site is up and running already with a letter from Paul to his supporters.
With the primary season now over, the presidential campaign is at an end. But the larger campaign for freedom is just getting started. Therefore, I am happy to announce the official launch of the Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty.
Word is already spreading throughout the Paul supporter sites, see comments over at Daily Paul.
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