E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
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.”
Leave a Comment:
Hey but the "Soupy Sales of Politics" would have beat out Romney if he had more support from billionaires, what a party, Soupy, Romney, Gingrich and Santorum the best they can do, LOL! Kids google search Soupy for some fun reading, he became a label term for all kind of funny folks.
I don't care at all about the RNC and every Republican that ruined our Country!! They are wasting their time and (our) money again! I'm sure they have the election "rigged" again. They are all greedy, corrupt, moronic, @!$%#s! DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY OF THEM! PERIOD!!!
It's surprising that this article didn't even mention the huge distinction regarding the Republican platform plank on abortion and Ron Paul's position. Talking about the gold standard and auditing the Federal Reserve are no where as strong as the abortion issue between these two factions. What an oversight.
Ron Paul completely opposes abortion choice. Isn't that the Republican platform? It is hypocritical, from a man who talks all about freedom from government intrusion. I guess it's OK if it's a freedom he opposes.
Please don't misrepresent Ron Paul's position. Do some research before you spout your uninformed opinions. Ron Paul is personally pro-life. He did deliver over 4,000 babies. Now as a matter of public policy, he believes the government needs to stay out of people's personal lives and personal choices. If people actually took the time to understand why he is a strict Constitutionalist, then you would see that this is the fairest way to govern people of different religions, backgrounds and life style. It is not the government's job to tell you how to live your life. It's just that simple!
The GOP platform committee broke out in fisticuffs today. Apparently the fight was over what the banner behind the stage said. One group was for "WAR ON WOMEN TOUR 2012", but the other group prevailed with "RAGE against the BABY machine"......
Ron Paul was the guy to lead us out of the budget crisis. Sure I know that his ideas were radical, but radical is exactly what we need.
Now we are left with Maobama or Romney. Romney it is since Maobama's change has not worked.
I have a feeling that the USA is going to have a whole sting of 1 term presidents.
We need younger folks with the ideas that Paul has in order to fix this mess that Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman & FDR left us. FDR's new deal is unsustainable. Uncontrolled spending on both defense and entitlements will bankruptct America.
A Catholic taking orders from a Mormon........what could possibly go wrong?....
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...................
Democrats: The party of religious bigotry.
I think it is accepted that "Republicans: The party of religious bigotry.
Not these days Yank. The thing I used to admire most about Democrats was their unswerving opposition to all forms of prejudice, and adherence to the ideal of "a colorblind society." Now they have become what they used to hate. It is now the Left that spouts the most foul bigotry like "Mexican Mormon Moron ... mormons an evil anti-christ cult. Pope's boy Rick the Dick Sanitarium ... catholic rapist pediophile priests ... pasty-faced white guy ..." and on ad nausium.
Word has it that in the Mormon church, women play a secondary role. In other words, women are subservient to men. I'd like to know Romney's position on women. How many women does he have in his transition team, and does he support a woman's choice and control over her health issues.
Romney's position on women...on top!
Its abhorrent how his voice has been silenced by the media and his own party. Another reason why Americans should be very leary to support Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.
Silenced by the media? You do realize you are commenting on a story about him on a mainstream media site, right? You disproved your own point.
Besides, it's not "The Media" that decides the lineup for speakers at the convention. Your beef is with the Republican party itself. Quit blaming the media and using it as a scapegoat for everything you disagree with.
It's really building up. I'm so excited. Can't wait for their big sign. (WE SUPPORT THE RAPIST, NOT THE FEMALES THAT GET RAPED BY A BUNCH OF THUGS. (DOWN WITH FEMALE RIGHTS!!!) (WE ARE IN CHARGE OF THE FEMALES BODIES!!!)
The news media say that Akin is a member of the science committee in congress. Is he a scientist or a medical doctor? If so, why would he be making such comments like "if it was a legitimate rape, the body will shut the whole thing down." That sounds rather ignorant and insensitive to issues affecting women
It is true, Akin is a member of the House science committee. He is neither a doctor nor a scientist. John Boehner has been pressured by Democrats to remove him from the committee, given his total ignorance about science.
"How can a science and technology leader like the United States allow itself to be governed by people who try to ignore scientific fact? Given Akin's "magical" theories regarding rape, abortion and pregnancy, I would not want him having a say in the long-term plans of a single middle-school science class, much less our nation as a whole."
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/23/opinion/martonosi-akin-science/index.html
The Republican convention: Where notable members of the Pro-Rape party get on stage and read comments from a teleprompter bashing Obama for using a teleprompter, but offer absolutely nothing constructive or helpful for our country.
Pro-Rape party? Who's the Anti-Rape party? I didn't know there was now a platform for this. What about anal rape in prison, which party is for and which is against that?
Thanks to Kinko's, Romney has his own economic plan. Actually, it is a photo-copy of Bush's economic plan.
Romney's economic plan is actually Obama's with a few tweaks here and there.
I am a proud "Ron Paul Terrorist!" Go Dr. Paul
A state's ability to take away people's rights based on their race or gender is an odd thing to support, let alone be proud of.
Ron paul only pays 1% on his taxes
Suspicious Timing - the news just broke that some Anarchist activities are going to happen at both conventions to distract the world from them, now Paul's folks will have their best friends there too.
I am kind of curious to see what the anarchists intend to pull off in Tampa in the middle of Isaac......after all, it's not as if they're going to be able to blend in with a crowd outside the convention hall.
There will be only two types of people out during Isaac, the police and the protestors......
(grabs popcorn)
.......oh, wait, there will be three types of people out during Isaac.
I forgot about the low seniority media reporters that will have to stay outside the convention hall and cover the demonstration.
This is very bad. the GOP is trying to placate Paul supporters. It's just throwing us a bone nothing more. We need to be militant and fight. Why the hell isnt Paul getting a speaking slot? Screw their tribute, it will probably be a bashing in disguise. We need to nominate Paul from the floor and boot out this establishment bum they've forced upon us!
http://2012-doomsday-predictions.blogspot........This is the end of life when the GOP get into office
This is another small step toward turning the Republican party to principles of small government, individual liberty, sound money, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. All of the Paul supporters who have fought the unsung battles in primaries and state party elections should be proud of this accomplishment they have won. But make no mistake: the party leadership is nowhere close to embracing these principles. Their problem is how to co-opt the liberty movement without expelling it and losing the enthusiastic base that it brings.
There is a long way to go before the party truly represents the ideals that Dr. Paul preaches. Do not let down your guard. Do not stop engaging. The path to victory may be in sight, but a Republican Party dedicated to liberty is still beyond our grasp.
Ron Paul is this only guy out there who makes political sense. It is not surprising that he is being sidelined in favor of Republican liberals who are amoung the nation's "entitlement" junkies.
Psssst....Gary Johnson.
Ron Paul 2012
I hope Dr. Paul is able to throw a wrench into (renamed by the House "leader" himself) the party of H*LL NO.
And that the hurricane "threat" comes to Tampa and REALLY screws things up.
It is One Foolish Idea to expect great things from the party of the GREEDY TOP 1%, the folk that ruined the WORLD economy.
Vote OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 and ANY non GOP candidates down the ballot. He needs a loyal Minority party to HELP him and not stand in his way on EVERYTHING.
Nine Nine Nine 9 9 9 The era when all candidates were rated higher then Romney
@Sailcat-2064101
"Ron Paul will make a huge impact on the convention. He can juggle chainsaws while Romney drives the clown car and Ryan beeps the horn! For all the hoopla the GOP is desperately trying to generate over this non-event, nothing is going to change once it's over. Romney is heading straight to failure and President Obama will be reelected. Ryan will crawl back under his rock and Ron Paul will be forgotten to history."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as I predicted that Romney would win the GOP nomination, I also said that he will lose the presidential election. Some of us have the ability to see things beyond the obvious. Back at a time when the supreme court was debating the health-care legislation, people were so confident that the law would be struck down. The GOP received a jolt; consequently, they turned against their own: Justice Roberts---blaming his of mental impairment. People have a problem with Mitt Romney as a candidate. Romney flip-flops; he cannot be trusted. His choice of Ryan seems to compound the issues, coupled with occasional mishaps from notable GOP members like Akin. The economic platform of Republicans is nostalgic of the Bush years. No one forgets what the country went through, economically. Obama is struggling to advance the progress of the country; however, the Republicans in congress are standing in the way of this progress. Finally, it appears the impending storm coinciding with the GOP convention next week in Florida is a prelude to party's defeat in November. Stay tuned.
Lies of the GOP & Paul Ryan TeaWackers, Mitt R. Bain, Citizens United and all the Alec corps : that pay off the Politician. Its all about the Wealthy getting richer and the middle class getting poorer.....They don't want to help the poor...Who are the one's that leach off the taxpayer. The Wealthy: they get welfare both for themselves an for the Corps. ...But it seems that the Wealthy get away with it ..They steal billions and the few poor steals a few thousands. So what does the GOP want, is Screw the MIddle Class to get even with the few. As I say its the me me me and F everyone else.... The failures of the Republicans party trying to take away SS & Medicare & Health care for Woman so they can give their wealthy Blackmailers more money...To hell with the Poor and Needy. Let them freeze in the winter and stave the Old and Babies,let them die from bad water, do away with the EPA and thats what you'll have, just like all you Tea baggers want...You make me sick with your Me Me Me altitude. Greedy and you all call yourself a REAL Christians, Mormans. What a laugh: Wake up...Sounds like Mitt!!!!!!Fuss up your tax Return
As stupid as he comes off when he speaks, he is still much smarter than any liberal
The Grand Old Party has been hi-jacked by the Good Ol House Speaker Grover Norquist Teabag radical Party the GOP Republican party is no more, talk to Jeb Bush about that.
We need Pres. Obama to win in November. Another four years of him should screw up the economy so bad that a Libertarian like Rand Paul will win!! Sometimes you have to make the patient sicker if you are going for a cure!
Ron Paul is the only person I would actually go vote for. Go Ron!
Take a look at Gary Johnson, who is running as a Libertarian.
It's kind of a pity the cult of personality around Paul is so powerful it's preventing his supporters from realizing that there's going to be a candidate on the ballot this November who truly belives what they do.
Romney? Who knows what he really believes. Ryan? Voted for every big spending bill he could when Bush was in office, then morphed into a fiscal Conservative when Obama took office.
They are running on the typical (R) platform, where deficits only matter when the (D)s are in charge. We all saw Reagan and Bush Jr run on platforms of deficit reduction, and then explode them once they were in office. There is zero reason to think that Ryan/Romney will be any different...in fact, the available evidence strongly suggests otherwise.
Did you know the Ryan/Romney budget actually will INCREASE the deficit by $500 billion over its first two years? That's what you get when you promise a huge tax cut and an increase in defense spending.