Ron Paul Delegates Threaten Floor Fight

Posted on Aug 27, 2012

Photo by Gage Skidmore (CC-BY-SA)

With Mitt Romney’s coronation already imperiled by a disaster of the natural variety, some of Rep. Ron Paul’s 177 delegates are warning GOP string-pullers not to go through with proposed rule changes that would limit the potential of future Ron Pauls.

As reported by The Associated Press, these are the changes that have Team Paul putting on war paint:

The new GOP rules would bind delegates to the outcome of presidential primaries and caucuses, allowing candidates to choose which delegates would represent them at future national conventions. Currently, state parties choose national delegates, usually at state and congressional district conventions.

The new rules would also make it more difficult for insurgent candidates to get their names placed in nomination at the convention. This year, candidates need a plurality of delegates from five states to get their name placed in nomination, a threshold Paul did not reach. The new rules would require support from eight states.

The new rules are obviously a reaction to Paul’s ability this year to capture so many delegates by organizing at the state level. It’s no wonder those same delegates are threatening to make a scene over the proposal to keep people like them out of future conventions.

Still, the impact of Paul’s “insurgency” feels overblown. A floor fight over byzantine state party nominating rules? Eheu! However will Romney handle the embarrassment?

—Posted by Peter Z. Scheer.

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