Video: Ron Paul On Not Running for Re-election, Debt Ceiling Debate on CNN

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul just appeared on CNN to discuss why he's giving up another run for his congressional seat and his view on the debate over raising the country's debt ceiling. 

(The Trib's Reeve Hamilton reported on Paul's decision not to run for re-election and his potential successors here. )

When asked why he won't run for Congress again, Paul responded that he wants to focus on his bid for the GOP presidential nomination.

"Well, I didn't want to run two campaigns at one time," Paul said. "I was criticized [for doing that] before. I think the criticism was justified."

Paul also weighed in on the country's financial state, which he described as being essentially "bankrupt." 

His answer on whether to raise the debt ceiling shouldn't surprise anyone, either. "No, absolutely not," he said. 

Watch the video below.