Ron Paul Just Released a Big Statement -- and Some are Saying It Means He's 'Out of the Race

Ron Paul just released an important campaign statement. And according to Politico and others, it's a fancy way of saying his presidential campaign is "over."

Here's the statement from the Paul camp, which says he will not be campaigning in any states that have not already held their primaries:

As I reflect on our 2012 Presidential campaign, I am humbled by the supporters who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much.  And I am so proud of what we have accomplished.  We will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history.

This campaign fought hard and won electoral success that the talking heads and pundits never thought possible.  But, this campaign is also about more than just the 2012 election.  It has been part of a quest I began 40 years ago and that so many have joined.  It is about the campaign for Liberty, which has taken a tremendous leap forward in this election and will continue to grow stronger in the future until we finally win.

Our campaign will continue to work in the state convention process.  We will continue to take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future.

Moving forward, however, we will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted.  Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have.  I encourage all supporters of Liberty to make sure you get to the polls and make your voices heard, particularly in the local, state, and Congressional elections, where so many defenders of Freedom are fighting and need your support.

I hope all supporters of Liberty will remain deeply involved - become delegates, win office, and take leadership positions.  I will be right there with you.  In the coming days, my campaign leadership will lay out to you our delegate strategy and what you can do to help, so please stay tuned.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul.”

[Emphasis added]

"It's an original way of announcing that a presidential campaign is over, but that's what the statement amounts to," Politico writer Alexander Burns says.

Reacting to the news on Fox News Channel, Sheppard Smith said Ron Paul was "out of the race."

But Business Insider isn't reading finality into Paul's words, reporting "The statement makes it clear that Paul is not dropping out of the race." It explains:

In some ways, the announcement merely formalizes the delegate strategy that the campaign has focused on for the past few months. But there is a finality in the language of today's statement that indicates that Paul's longshot presidential bid may be nearing its inevitable end.

Still, the popular Drudge Report agreed with Smith, posting the headline "Paul Out:"

This is a breaking story. Updates will be added.