Paul has had surprising success in states that held contests early in the primary process, winning delegates through the arcane and confusing system that follows a popular vote in many states.

Though it is clear that Romney will be the nominee at the national convention in August, Paul could make waves in Tampa if large numbers of delegates from states that Romney won vote for him instead. In Iowa, for example, Romney came in second to former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Paul came in third, but Republicans in the Hawkeye State say Paul will likely have more than 20 of the state's 28 delegates.

Paul's decision to pull back from campaigning is an acknowledgment that it is not a realistic possibility for him to overtake Romney's lead in delegates. But in true Paulian fashion, his statement is the clearest indication yet that while others such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Santorum may have talked about going all the way to the convention, the iconoclast congressman actually intends to do so.