Why Ron Paul isn't running for re-election: 4 theories
With the Texas libertarian opting out of another term in Congress, his 2012 presidential bid becomes an all-or-nothing gamble. What's he thinking?
Longshot Republican presidential candidate and all-around iconoclast Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) shocked everyone — including his own staff — on Tuesday by announcing that he won't seek a 13th term in Congress next year. After decades on the political fringe, Paul's influence in his party, and outside it, has grown exponentially since his 2008 run for president. This year, he was awarded the chairmanship of the House monetary policy subcommittee, giving him oversight of one of his signature targets, the Federal Reserve. Why retire at the top of his game? Here, four theories:
1. He's passing the torch to a new generation
Paul, 75, probably feels his work in Congress is done and "it's simply time to move on," says Dan Amira at New York. Not only is the GOP now taking his "hard-core libertarian philosophy" seriously, he knows his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and new Tea Party freshmen will represent his values. He will leave as "arguably the most intellectually influential member of the House of Representatives in a generation," says David Weigel at Slate. And even if he doesn't win the White House, one his disciples, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), just might.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. He hates his job
Paul's retirement is understandable, says Lew Rockwell at his blog. He hated lots of things about being a congressman — the "twice weekly groping by the TSA" in his Texas-to-D.C. travel, the need to deal with "crooks and creeps in Congress, especially in the rotten Texas delegation." Now he can more effectively use "his moral authority for teaching freedom, peace, and Austrian economics outside of politics." Or maybe, says Jim Newell at Gawker, "being retired and playing golf and stuff is more fun" than "fruitlessly" screaming at Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
3. His Congressional district was just eliminated
Although he denies that unfavorable redistricting was a "major factor," Paul clearly wants to avoid "the deadly new district the Republicans have placed him in," says Rockwell. Many observers consider the changes "payback for the congressman's years as a GOP renegade and Tea Party naysayer," says Joe Holley in the Houston Chronicle. The new territory "encompasses areas Paul hasn't represented before, with a greater proportion of black voters," says Patrick Michels in The American Independent, and he loses some key electoral strongholds.
4. Paul is going all-in to win the White House
Maybe we should take Paul at his word when he says he's going to "focus all of my energy winning the presidency," says Paul Constant at The Stranger. Paul has miraculously "broadened his appeal since 2008," and he is polling better than "some 'legitimate' candidates, like Tim Pawlenty," says Michael Crowley at TIME. But retiring won't "improve his (extremely long) presidential odds." Who says he'll stick with the GOP? says Mike Riggs at Reason. Paul staffers wouldn't comment, but there's hope he "will try for a third party run if he doesn't win the Republican primary."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published