You can fold up the dirigibles and wind down the local meet-ups. After announcing that he would throw his own convention during the GOP coronation in St. Paul, Minnesota, in September, maverick Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has officially thrown in the towel, again. The anti-Iraq war, small-government candidate with the rebel streak and rabid army of volunteers announced the decision on Thursday, but not before unveiling a second campaign that will divert the many gigawatts of youthful energy he collected during his pugnacious White House bid into a new effort.

"It is time now to take the energy this campaign has awakened and channel it into long-term efforts to take back our country," Paul told supporters.
Read more...

You can try to push Ron Paul to the sidelines, but you can't tell him he can't play the game. The feisty Republican presidential candidate with the impressive money machine and an anti-war, never-say-die attitude that appeals to the college kids has decided to hold his own convention in September. Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, sez you!

Since the party isn't exactly rolling out the red carpet for him and his way-wired constituents at its official shindig at St. Paul, Minnesota's Xcel Energy Center, Paul says he's setting up shop eight miles down the road at the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena in Minneapolis on the second day of the event, September 2. His spokesperson told The New York Times, "This isn't a protest. ... This is a celebration of limited government and Republican principles." Don't get it twisted, though: He's not doing it because he's angry at his party.

One thing's for sure, you're not likely to see John McCain holding a "Freedom Rally and Ice Cream Social" anytime soon. Details on the parallel convention are expected to be announced tonight, but considering John Mayer has given the good Dr. his stamp of approval, we predict lots of banana splits and guitar face come September 2.

That's right! Ron Paul has won -- the #1 slot on Amazon's new and future book releases, that is. Hopefully this victory is some sort of consolation for the Congressman's legions of fans on the Interwebs.

The Revolution: A Manifesto is in bookstores now, but, oddly enough, we have not gotten a review copy here at MTV News. We would happily trade not one but TWO Dairy Queen Blizzards (the good Doctor's favorite treat) for a copy, but not dollars. We only deal in Ameros.