My guess is that Huckabee backs out later as well to take a position with McCain, possibly Vice President, and then McCain easily has enough delegates to win making how many Paul has a moot point. But I still think his candidacy will have some weight in just being a bit of a protest vote against McCain and for fiscal conservatism. Paul could start picking up some pretty big numbers, though not anywhere near enough to stop McCain from getting the nomination.

5 million ? Obama raised 32 million. And what happened to the 23 million the campaign claimed it needed before Super Tuesday ?

As Brad asked amy, outside of a brokered convention (which won’t happen and, even if it did, Paul would not be allowed to participate) how is Ron Paul a factor in this race going forward ?

He still has raised more than 5 million dollars in about the last month, and he says he’s not dropping out.

So even if his chances are next to nothing, he’s still a factor in the race.

I agree completely.

Ron Paul has won around zero states and I see nothing that demonstrates he will improve his standing.

Here’s RNC Rule 40(b)

Each candidate for nomination for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall demonstrate the support of a majority of the delegates from each of five (5) or more states, severally, prior to the presentation of the name of that candidate for nomination.

As I read it, if a candidate doesn’t win at least five states their name won’t even be called during the nominating phase of the convention.

There’s one other thing to keep in mind even if the convention is brokered.

Under the GOP’s convention rules, if there is no winner on a first (or second ?) ballot, the only candidates who can be considered from that point forward are ones who’ve won at least 5 state primaries or caucuses. Paul would be shut out of a brokered convention.

Ron Paul will be *ZERO* factor unless the convention is brokered, correct? After all, he’s got 16 delegates and hasn’t won a single state.

Assuming the convention isn’t brokered (which is the discussion here), how do you assume he’ll be a factor?

I will be more of a factor in the presidential race than Ron Paul.

Let’s be frank, the LA GOP rigged the Caucuses for McCain. Therefore, McCain will win Louisiana.

Yea, I forgot to mention the veteran factor in Virginia as well. We’ve got tons of vets here in Northern Va — not to mention all the people who work at Quantico, the Pentagon, and Ft. Belvoir. They’ll all go heavy for McCain.

5) A lot of veterans in Louisiana, and they’ll back McCain.