Texas Congressman Ron Paul is streamlining his professional plans. Yes, he’s still running for president, and it looks as though his supporters haven’t deserted him since the last election cycle, but he won’t be seeking to reclaim his House seat after 2012.

That said, the self-styled renegade Republican won’t be abandoning the political scene if he doesn’t make it all the way to the White House — far from it. –KA

AP via Google News:

Paul said the growing support for his 2012 presidential bid convinced him he should not divide his energies. He won a straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference held in New Orleans last month.

“I think that you have more credibility if you run for only one office at a time,” Paul said. He acknowledged that he may miss some House votes because of the presidential campaign, but that his staff would continue to provide constituent services.

As for the issues he feels passionately about, including U.S. foreign and economic policy, he said he will continue to fight for those either as president or from outside government.

“I believe I can continue to do what I have been doing outside of Congress,” Paul said. “I was ready for a change.”

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