We may never find out why Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton abruptly dropped out of the race for governor this week.

But that doesn't mean speculation won't continue. At least until political junkies find something else to feast on.

Lawton brought the speculation on herself by saying only that she was dropping out for "very personal reasons." That led politicos and journalists to parse the words. Citing personal reasons is one thing. But "very" personal reasons? What does that mean?

We know only three things about her decision.

First, she said the Obama White House did not pressure her to drop out. The Obama administration is said to favor a run by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who is still undecided, and some reports indicated there was pressure for her to get out of the race. Given Barrett's wide lead in the polls over Lawton, that seems completely credible. Why pressure her to drop out when she was no threat to the Barrett in the first place? One survey showed that after seven years as lieutenant governor, and after formally declaring for governor, half of those polled don't even know who she is.

Second, she said it is not due to health problems for her or her family. Fair enough. If it was a health problem, it would have been easily understood. But she ruled that out.

And finally, she said it wasn't because her fundraising was poor. Lawton is reportedly averse to fundraising -- not unusual among politicians. But her dislike was said to be especially strong, hampering her ability to get her campaign off the ground. 

The abruptness of her departure -- supporters received a fundraising letter as late as this week -- made it all the more curious.

There's an old saying in public relations: Tell it first, tell it fast and tell it all.

Lawton told us almost nothing. "I really don't want to comment further on it," she said. When pressed, she told Madison reporter Robin Colbert that she could say it 12 different times, but "it was a deeply complex decision I made with my family, and that is that."

She admitted that it has been a struggle for people to understand, but she stood by her story. Give her credit for message discipline, anyway. 

But that was it. As a result of her refusal to elaborate, her vague answers only fueled the rumor mongers. Some of the rumors were vicious, salacious and untrue. 

Still, what did Lawton expect? When you're running for statewide office, you're held to a different standard of disclosure. Simply calling something a personal decision doesn't cut it in politics. 

Ironically, dropping out may have gotten her more attention than her entire campaign. 

The fact is, Lawton was not ready for the harsh political spotlight that shines on every blemish in a candidate's personal and professional life. She disliked fundraising, her press operation was virtually non-existent, and she wasn't getting any traction.

In the end, despite her protests to the contrary, the answer to her dropping out may have been as simple as that. 

But we'll probably never really know.