Suspending?

[GeoffT]

What is with the sudden change in the meaning of the word suspend or suspending with respect to a political campaign?

Herman Cain stated (and the press followed suit) that he was suspending his campaign. Today I see an article that says Bachmann is suspending her campaign. I don't recall ever hearing that term used to describe dropping out of the race before this year.

Suspending means stopping something for a short period of time or describes something that is only temporary. From what I understand, both of those candidates are done for good with their bid to run for President in 2012.

It will be interesting to see if this trend continues.

[Munjibunga]

It leaves the door open if something happens that would motivate them to get back in the race.

[bassteban]

Perhaps they mean to run again next term. BTW, I predict a mod will soon *suspend* this thread(political).

[Mark Latimour]

Perhaps there is some underlying issue with donations / funding that occurs if you officially terminate your campaign that doesn't arise if your campaign is only suspended.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

It's so they can leave it open without making any decisive comments . . . not like politicians would ever act that way!

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Perhaps there is some underlying issue with donations / funding that occurs if you officially terminate your campaign that doesn't arise if your campaign is only suspended.

Correct!! We have a winner.

Federal campaign laws say nothing about fundraising when a campaign is suspended, but prohibit it when campaigns are ended. In most cases suspending a campaign is a way to continue to raise money to pay off campaign debts, and take care of paid campaign employees with some sort of severance package. If you "end" your campaign you aren't allowed to fundraise, borrow money, or pay employees. It's simply a way to tie up lose financial issues without the expense of campaigning.

[GeoffT]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Perhaps they mean to run again next term. BTW, I predict a mod will soon *suspend* this thread(political).

Not meant to be political in any way, it is not about one political view or another and I wasn't trying to make a statement or judgement about these particular political candidates and their views. I just found it odd to hear it consecutively, from what appears to me to be people really saying that they are done for good with respect to this election when I've never heard it used that way before. I was just curious if anyone else noticed this and found it to be a strange way to start using this word within this context.

That is kind of my point, if a mod did find it to be political, it wouldn't be "suspended" it would be closed permanently and I would find it strange if people started using the term suspended to describe that.

[Bloodhammer]

I got suspended from school a bunch, but I never made any money at it.

[electracoyote]

It sounds better than "quitting."

Has anyone ever "suspended" their campaign, and then come back to win? Suspending your campaign is the kiss of death, because, at the very least, you remove your voice and presence from the campaign and halt any momentum you had. At worst, your opponents get the upper hand, and if you do try to re-ignite your campaign, people focus on why you "suspended" it.

It's a nice PC way to say "I quit."

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by GeoffT

Not meant to be political in any way, it is not about one political view or another and I wasn't trying to make a statement or judgement about these particular political candidates and their views. I just found it odd to hear it consecutively, from what appears to me to be people really saying that they are done for good with respect to this election when I've never heard it used that way before. I was just curious if anyone else noticed this and found it to be a strange way to start using this word within this context.

That is kind of my point, if a mod did find it to be political, it wouldn't be "suspended" it would be closed permanently and I would find it strange if people started using the term suspended to describe that.

Oh, I am in no way criticizing your thread- just stating my belief that it will *go there* at some point, as most *non-political threads that still have the term 'politics/political' somewhere in the title* inevitably do. As for applying the term *suspended* to the thread, that was simply an iffy stab at humor.

[PSPookie]

Maybe he means this:

[Jim Nazium]

Suspending: the new planking!

[bassinplace]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Maybe he means this:

"Yeah, stick some hooks in me, I love the pain! Oh, and while you're at it, could you please hold my hand?"

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Suspending: the new planking!

At first I thought the thread had to do with something like this:


I actually knew a girl who did this. Her tongue was also split at the tip, like a snake or lizard, and she had, easily, 30 piercings on both of her ears, maybe more. She worked with a sword swallower and a fire eater and other assorted "circus" or "freak show" acts.

[bassguppy]

Suspending campaigns also allows the politician to apply for federal matching funds (funded by that small contribution some make on their tax forms) to wrap up campaign expenses.

hmm...sounds like a handout.