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Subscribe to RSSDespite the delegates he won during the Republican presidential primary season, Ron Paul won't be speaking at next week's Republican convention in Tampa, Fla.
But his presence will be felt there -- whether it's his supporters who will be flocking to the city or his son Rand, who will be speaking at the convention.
And there's also the possibility of a video tribute to the Texas congressman.
"We're told there's something special in the works on Tuesday paying tribute to Ron Paul," said Jesse Benton, Paul's national campaign manager.
Richard Clement / Reuters
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, questions Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke (not pictured) during his testimony before the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this July 21, 2009 file photo.
Rand's big speech
Perhaps the most high-profile Paul-related event at the convention will be Monday's primetime speech by Rand Paul, the freshman U.S. senator from Kentucky.
The last time Ron Paul actually attended a Republican National Convention was in 1976, when he led the Texas delegation as one of only four congressmen to endorse Ronald Reagan over Gerald Ford. And joining him on the convention floor was his son, Rand, who then was 13 years old.
Now the roles are sort of reversed.
“Rand will be speaking on Monday,” Benton said. “And Ron will be watching his son’s speech from someplace inside the venue.”
The speech the RNC "doesn't want the rest of America to hear"
Ron Paul will be speaking in Tampa, too -- just not at the convention.
On Sunday, he will deliver a keynote address to supporters at the University of South Florida’s Sun Dome at the campaign’s “We are the Future Rally,” which runs from noon to 6:00 pm ET. The sold-out venue seats 11,000, and Paul will deliver a speech he says “the Republican National Convention doesn’t want the rest of America to hear.”
“The rally on Sunday is a celebration of our delegates and how far we’ve come,” Benton added. “So much of our message is being embraced by the Republican Party.”
With just four days until the RNC, President Barack Obama shares his thoughts on the Todd Akin controversy, doing his best to extend the conversation on abortion and reproductive rights. The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd reports.
In what was supposed to be a show of strength, the campaign originally planned to load its delegates on buses after the rally and take them to the RNC Welcome Reception at Tropicana Field so the group can “make a grand entrance.”
“This is our opportunity to show that we are the future of the Republican Party,” Paul wrote in an email to supporters earlier this month.
But that plan had to be changed this week due to logistics surrounding the high security at the venue. Paul-supporting delegates can acquire their own transportation to attend the official GOP welcome party or postpone mingling with rank and file Republicans to attend a “Liberty Rocks” after party being thrown by the campaign at Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill in Tampa.
The after-party is open to everyone, and the more than 1,500 supporters expected to show up will be entertained by blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan and John Popper from the Blues Traveler. In addition, delegates and alternates who are Paul supporters have been invited to a private reception with the Texas congressman before that party begins.
“For many, it’s not a choice,” one Paul staffer organizing the event said. “Delegates have a rare opportunity for a private reception with Dr. Paul and have their photo taken with him.”
The next morning, Paul will attend a fundraising breakfast sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa. The state’s GOP Chairman, A.J. Spiker, was a co-chair of Paul’s Iowa campaign and the unbound delegation from the Hawkeye state includes a majority of Paul supporters.
Later on Monday, Paul will greet his supporters at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
A video tribute?
According to the campaign, the RNC is planning a special tribute to the 77-year-old Paul on the second night of the convention, which would mark a change in the party’s attitude towards the Texas congressman who has run for president three times and has started a small revolution inside the Grand Old Party.
Convention organizers have not responded to repeated requests for confirmation, and the official schedule released for Tuesday makes no mention of a tribute to Paul. However, there are spots on the schedule labeled “Segment to be announced,” as well as “videos” during the evening –- which supporters believe will be where the party will place the tribute.
Asked if Paul will stick around to watch Romney’s acceptance speech on Thursday, Benton says that’s “still up in the air.”
Paul-supporting delegates attending the convention have been advised to be respectful, defend their positions, and don't be “pushed around.” Many are excited to see other Paul supporters from across the country and will attempt to introduce themselves to other Republicans.
“There’s been a lot of confusion on what we represent,” said Carl Bunce, Paul’s Nevada state chair and delegate to the convention. “We’ll be going to some of the cocktail parties and getting our message out there. We have to let people know what type of people we are versus the stereotype.”
Rothenberg Political Report and Roll Call's Nathan Gonzales, National Review's Robert Costa and USA Today's Jackie Kucinich talk about Paul Ryan's roots and how he got into politics.
Crafting the RNC's platform
Another delegate attending the convention, Chris Stearns, was Paul’s Virginia State director and has been tasked by the campaign to lead efforts on the RNC platform committee.
“This is going to be a very significant business trip for me,” Stearns said. “I’m looking forward to helping craft the platform with Dr. Paul’s message of constitutional government, making sure it’s well represented in the party platform.”
As to whether a majority of the party has accepted some of those views, including auditing the Federal Reserve and requiring a formal declaration of war before committing military forces overseas, Stearns seems confident that message has become mainstream.
“Everybody that I’ve dealt with has been very approachable, very friendly and it’s amazing. The Republicans in this country have really shifted from the Bush era … and are taking constitutional- and liberty-minded principles very seriously.”
This week, delegates included planks to the Republican Party’s 2012 platform draft that embrace some longtime goals of Dr. Paul’s -- an annual audit of the Federal Reserve and the creation of a commission to consider returning the U.S. dollar to the gold standard -- which will be voted on by the full convention next week.
Reacting to the inclusion of his dad’s policy goals into the Republican document, Sen. Rand Paul wrote, “This is great news and is long overdue.”
Citing a quote from playwright Victor Hugo that his dad frequently used on the campaign trail, Sen. Paul added: "'You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come.’ The time for Fed transparency has come.”
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Ron Paul is actually what recons claim to be- but they are not. So they sweep him under the rug. Then the guy that is what they are, W, also gets swept under the rug. The Nazi party had to hide the fact that Hitler had Jewish blood (not to mention insanity and inbreeding). I hate to use that analogy, but it is spot on.
And Palin- she was sooo perfect. Where is she in the Tampa lineup? The damn rug has more crap swept under it than can fit in the house. Ah, Santorum. They terminated a pregnancy in the last trimester, yet he will be preaching life?
Ryan killed Bowls Simpson- the only workable plan to cut the deficit. Why? had to hold back the economy. Voted for every budget buster under Bush. No birth control- are you joking? No exceptions on abortion- then how come Santorum can do a late term abortion? This stuff is simply insane.
Yes, I love the story they cooked up to cover the abortion. Straight out of Night of Darkness. But the Santorum's are forgiven because they brought the body home for the siblings to say goodbye. The baby was found to have a genetic disorder, I think it was, and they have one lovely child that is not doing too well. May the powers to be bless this young daughter. It is tragic for a family to face a decision, but they made a CHOICE, they did what was best for the entire family. Everyone should have CHOICE. The matter of abortion is not the main issue, the issue is the repub/tparty taking away women's rights to a CHOICE.
You repugs really need to open the eyes, clean out the ears and close the mouth. All evil in america is comming from the repugs that are in politics and people like you. Please listen to Romneys' speeches and then tell me that he does not lie and tells only half truths about our present administration. What Romney and Ryan say on a daily basis is what you want to hear, once in office, they care not about the 99%, they will not do as they say for the 99% they will do what the 1% tells them to do. The GOP are just buying your vote, and if you want to sell that vote, then that is your right. If Romney and Ryan are elected, they will take many of your rights away. I feel for you that can't see the writing on the bathroom wall that is comming from Romney and Ryan, please don't believe 99% of it. America is in danger if these two repugs get elected. If possible we need to vote the repugs out of politics in Washington D.C. and in each individual state. Their thinking is from another universe, not sure which one, but it isn't ours. I tried to put this as gentle as I could, but we all we all need to truly keep these two our of the White House. They can come and visit as a civilian, but not as President or VEEP.
O&Joe 2012
gustifer-are you delusional? I think you are in another universe. We have liar one in the White House and you want to call someone else a liar. And talk about taking away your rights. odumbo has signed executive orders that have circumvented congress and has even pissed them off. Who is stealing rights? Romney may not be the answer but certainly don't be stupid enough to think the trash in the White House now doesn't need to be emptied.
bobm: Please reread your post. Notice the insults? the name calling? no facts but spin from right-wing propaganda. Gustiger approached you as an adult and very typical, you responded much like a brat, not even a young child mind you. Please, again, source the lies you accuse President Obama of saying. There aren't any. Obamacare (I love calling it after our honored Prez) is giving every citizen health coverage partly paid with $716B (billion) save by rules enacted in Medicare. In effect, senior citizens will get better health coverage in both programs and, no more donut hole that 'forcibly raped' seniors for drugs after spending $2,500 and kicking in at $5,000. Think about that. The Prez has also offered waivers to states to widen their welfare programs. Whatever you hear, check it out. Your posts are flimsy at best, without facts. It's for you and your family too! Prez Obama is from a working family, no silver spoon in his mouth. Romney was born into wealth and has no idea of life without housemaids.
The RNC has gone to great lengths to "handle" Ron Paul. They are eager not to alienate Ron
Paul supporters hoping to gain their alligence to Romney. They've even trying to spread the
Paul supporters out in the cavernous arena to diminish the effects of their crowd responses. It
won't work. When the tribute is over, count on the Paulites to switch to former New Mexico
governor Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party. Gary Johnson who will be on the ballot in all 50
states will be picking up the torch of liberty and sprinting to the November 6th election.
John: Yeh, well good luck with your plan, hope it works out for you. Now you'll also learn how underhanded the repub/tparty really is. It's only the beginning. There's more to come. Especially if the double Rs should luck out when we're not watching very closely and get in the WH.
Ron Paul has to be one of the most irrelevant politicians in the world, i wish he would go live in la-la libertarian land and have a long life spreading his B S to those that want to listen
Well said
Ron Paul does have some good points, the most important that he sides with the republican party.
When you head out to the voting booth this November, know this… whether you pick Obama or Romney, you’re essentially voting for the same person. Watch the video on the following page and you’ll understand why this is so.
Go to crisishq.com and click on Illusion of Choice post.
The arguments, the debates, the smear campaigns and the emphasized differences between the two candidates are there to facilitate you with an illusion of choice.
It’s true that the mainstream press presents Romney as Obama as opposing each other in both ideals and ideas. However, if you actually compare their positions on most important matters like: debt, bailouts, monetary policy, foreign policy, military, civil liberties, Constitution, etc. you can easily pierce through this facade and see that the real difference between them is style and not substance.
It’s no secret, that the top combined contributions for both Obama and Romney come from the same bankers, special interest groups, and lobbyists. Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, UBS AG, all made and make significant contributions to both Romney and Obama at the same time, during the same campaign. This is precisely why both Obama and Romney hold virtually identical positions on every single critical issue facing America today.
Regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections, it will be business as usual. Wall street will get the bailouts, the national debt will continue to skyrocket and the economy will crash. The constitution will continue to be abused, citizen’s rights will be striped further and federal and state government’s powers extended. Watch the video on the page I linked all the way to the end (it gets better as it progresses) and you will understand that come election time, you will only have one choice, Obamney of the Republicrats party.
Both Obama and Romney Support:
Bank bailouts; the concept of “too big to fail”; sending your money to foreign dictators; the George W. Bush foreign policy; federal restrictions on gun ownership; spying on American Citizens without warrants; the indefinite detention of American Citizens without charge, trial or lawyer; assassinations of American citizens without due process!
Both Obama and Romney Oppose:
Balancing the Budget in less than 30 years; Paying down the National Debt; states rights to make their own laws; auditing the Federal Reserve; a Government that consistently obeys the Constitution!
Maybe there's some validity in what you post, but in the main, President Obama wants to strengthen the middle class, the working people, and at the same time lower the deficit. Romney on the other hand is looking only to give to his 'handlers' whatever they desire, at the expense of the working people. Looks to me some policies will have to overlap but in the main, separate ends of the pole.
I am loving it, in advance to Ron Paul giving his speach to his supporters in Tampa on Sunday, RNC convention organizers announce they are going to pay tribute to Ron Paul the following Tuesday or Wednsday of the convention, even though Ron Paul will not be allowed to address the assembly...... Kiss arse jerks, what are they afraid Ron Paul will say in front of 11,000 supporters and a national audience.
Cannot wait for Sunday when Ron Paul exposes the republican party for what it is, a puppet organization for the elitist who control the finances of the world...........Ron Paul, an independent for president, I hope.
Change in schedule. The repub/tparty have plans for a Mon. nite tribute. Ron Paul is a thorn in their well developed plans. Good luck to Paul's supporters. Now you'll see how the repub/tparty play their dirty little tricks.
Mitt Romney needs to give Ron Paul more than a video tribute....how about his vacation house in New Hampshire, and a gold watch.
This old tool is the only reason Mitt Romney is the nominee. He played Mitt's protector during the primaries, spending millions of his kook followers' donation money on attacking everyone-not-named-Mitt...but never running one ad against Romney or saying one thing against him in any debate through March or so, when it mattered. GOP Establishment + Mitt Romney's money + Ron Paul's money = no one else could win.
The Convention is a joke the candidates are a joke and the current admin is a joke. The whole process is being put on for us so we still think we actually have a choice but as it stands now we do not. Voting for Obama or Romney would be almost the same action. Look at his tenure in Ma. and tell me it did not look like Obama's does now. And Paul Ryan please the man is in Office 6 years and pens like 2 maybe 3 acts which never passed. And the budget? The man sits there for four years and the only time it strikes him to submit a budget is in the election year. Wake up people! If you do what you always do, you will have what you always have. If a new party does not make it to DC soon there will be much to undo.
IF Ron Paul shows up and participates in the RNC Convention and it's 'tribute' to him, then he is NO BETTER than any other conservative!
I will have lost faith that he EVER BELIEVED what he said.
yes they (Republicans) will give a tribute to Dr. Paul becasue deep down they are scared that he will siphon off votes- I think the only reasonable nominee is Gary Johnson but he doesn't stand a snowballs chance
The GOP National Committee mafia made sure NOBODY had a chance besides their lobby bought off stooge Romney.
The GOP not letting Ron Paul speak and more importantly have legitimate input into the party platform and current ideals for the next four years is inexcusable. It is almost as bad as the Democratic National Committee not having ANY discussion on the Obama agenda for the next four years. No mistake corrections, nothing new and absolutely no change in directions on anything. The Dem's are simply content with a dictatorship. "YOU HAVE TO ELECT HIM TO FIND OUT WHAT HE WANTS TO DO" as Pelosi would say.
Funny..... Ross Perot was threatened at the about same time in his election. He also dropped out.