Ron Paul: No plans to run outside GOP
CNN senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash interviewed both 2012 presidential contender Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) today. Bash asked Ron Paul if he would continue running as a Republican in the presidential primary race. Paul’s response, “We’re going to see what happens, but I have no intention of doing that, no plans, and no desire, and flat out, I don’t want to.”
Please credit all usage of the interview to CNN senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash
Highlight from Full Interview
THIS IS A RUSH FDCH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DANA BASH, CNN SR. CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That’s right, Suzanne. We actually are — it’s very nice of the congressman and the senator, father and son, to join us, because their event is going is to start really soon here.
Your first event of the day, the day before caucus day here in Des Moines.
The first question I want to ask you is something that your son said on CNN a short while ago. You said, “If Ron Paul split off” — meaning from the Republican Party — “like Ross Perot split off, it just defeats the Republican nominee, but not necessarily a third party candidate.”
So, once and for all, if you do not succeed in this Republican contest, will you continue to be a Republican?
REP. RON PAUL (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have no plans in doing that. Tomorrow is a big day. We’re going to see what happens, but I have no intention of doing that, no plans, and no desire, and flat out, I don’t want to.
BASH: OK. Because before you have been a little bit circumspect.
You’ve run as a libertarian before.
PAUL: Right. And I’ve never spoken in absolutes. I mean, I have no plans to do it and no intention of doing it. And I would not see myself doing that.
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