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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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The best possible candidate won't be winning the presidential election this year.
Stephen Colbert?
All you supporters of the TRANSPARENCY DEMOS read on. Just another way to redistribute our hard earned assets.
When does your home become part of your health care? After 2012! Your vote counts big time in 2012, Make sure you and all your friends and family know about this!
HOME SALES TAX
I thought you might find this interesting, -- maybe even SICKENING! The National Association of Realtors is all over this and working to get it repealed, before it takes effect.
Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When did this happen? It's in the health care bill, -- and it goes into effect in 2013. Why 2013? Could it be so that it doesn’t come to light until after the 2012 elections?
So, this is ‘change you can believe in’? Under the new health care bill all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% sales tax. If you sell a $400,000 home, there will be a $15,200 tax. This bill is set to screw the retiring generation, who often downsize their homes.
Does this make your November, 2012 vote more important? Oh, you weren't aware that this was in the Obama Health Care bill? Guess what? You aren't alone! There are more than a few members of Congress that weren't aware of it either. Remember, this law was passed in the middle of the night by Democrats, with NO input from Republicans!
Does that help you in making your voting decisions on November 6?
While making your decision, be sure to fact check claims like this. This information is inaccurate and misleading.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/realestate.asp
Health care legislation does not impose a 3.8% tax on all home sales. That is false.
There IS a medicare tax. However, it will be imposed ONLY on individuals with an income above $200,000 and couples with a join income over $250,000. That excludes 97% of Americans. If you are part of the top 3%, I can't muster up pity for you.
The tax is not on every house sale, but only on real estate transactions above a certain dollar amount. Again, if you want to protect millionaires that's fine, but you will NOT pay additional tax on a $100,000 home in the example above.
Remember that this is a complex piece of legislation, and if you get some facebook post or e-mail that sounds simple, you probably have to do some homework to find the truth.
bushman- thats not actually true- first its a capitol gains tax (but a tax is a tax)- the 3.8% is linked first to couples earning more than $250K (single-200K),if home is primary then capitol gains must exceed $500K plus the $250 before the 3.8 kicks in, however if you have second home above $250K then its taxed on everything above that amount. or at leaast as i care to understand it
Bushman -
Hate to agree with Clotho, but Clotho and manin are right.
Now the taxes on medical devices, cosmetics, tanning salons, surcharges on "cadilac" plans, surcharge on pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers, increases for IRS agents to administer the penalty (sorry tax, sorry penalty) - all these are rea, straight forward,l and are designed to make health care more affordable. (!?)
What were the republicans thinking when they were force feeding Mitt the Flip on the American people. Ron Paul would of destroyed Obama in a debate.
Ron Paul could not destroy a 5 year old in a debate. He couldn't stay awake that long.
I don't know about destroyed. But at least been able to give a real intelegent debate too. One I would pay money to see as oposed to one I might have to force myself to pick up the highlights on. Ron has a huge brain and ideas hes polished for years.
GOP stands for Grand Ole Party? I thought it stood for Grumpy Old People (old being in reference to attitude, not age). I saw an interview with Bill O'Reilly on YES Network at that was the first thing that came to mind - an old guy who can't wait for a kid's ball to end up on his front lawn so he can run out and scold him. Damn kids! And look at the rest of them - Mitt, Newt, Hannity, Limbaugh, Fred Thompson, quite a spry hip group (of grumpy old people - old, of course, in reference to attitude, not age).
I dont even think these clowns will have a convention quote because wisdom is why shouldn't we lie if people knew what we have actually done and planed to do we'd never get elected.
DId I miss something!!!? Why is Ron Paul not speaking at the Convention? Was he asked not to by GOP leadership, or is this his choice? I am guessing the former! If so, Ron Paul needs to ditch the GOP and start his run as a Third Party candidate now!!!! I am sick of having to choose between bad and worse with Obama and Romney. Time fore real change now!!
David, because they won't let him, simple republicans in charge fear his stances.
There have been a lot of stressful negotiations between Ron Paul and the RNC. He has been threatening to push his delegates to vote for him. A deal was reached (that I don't fully understand), where more delegates will be awarded to Ron Paul, but the rest will be expected to vote for Romney.
I don't see how that would satisfy Paul, who gets more delegates but agrees to give Romney the nomination.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/ron-paul-strikes-deal-with-rnc-over-delegates/
It's far too late for Paul to get on every state ballot as a third party candidate, even if he wanted to leave the GOP which he doesn't. If you want to vote third party, your best bet is Gary Johnson. He's the only other candidate to be on every state ballot, under the two major parties. I'm not recommending or endorsing him (though I do like him), I'm just saying you'll see his name there.
Clotho - WOW!! I had no idea, and I think I follow politics fairly closely. This looks like a story that was NEVER/BARELY covered by the national media. This article really gives a good breakdown of the insance LA State Caucus: AS
All you supporters of the TRANSPARENCY DEMOS read on about the redistribution of the assests our generation worked hard to obtain and yes we DID BUILD IT!!
When does your home become part of your health care? After 2012! Your vote counts big time in 2012, Make sure you and all your friends and family know about this!
HOME SALES TAX
I thought you might find this interesting, -- maybe even SICKENING! The National Association of Realtors is all over this and working to get it repealed, before it takes effect.
Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When did this happen? It's in the health care bill, -- and it goes into effect in 2013. Why 2013? Could it be so that it doesn’t come to light until after the 2012 elections?
So, this is ‘change you can believe in’? Under the new health care bill all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% sales tax. If you sell a $400,000 home, there will be a $15,200 tax. This bill is set to screw the retiring generation, who often downsize their homes.
Does this make your November, 2012 vote more important? Oh, you weren't aware that this was in the Obama Health Care bill? Guess what? You aren't alone! There are more than a few members of Congress that weren't aware of it either. Remember, this law was passed in the middle of the night by Democrats, with NO input from Republicans!
Does that help you in making your voting decisions on November 6?
Come on all you liberal socialists and defend this fraud and stealing just like the robbery from Medicare of 700+ billion $$$ to pay for all the freeloaders!!
You know Bushman you are truly a pice of garbage, isn't it about time for your shift at Walmart. I probably make at least 5 times what you make and I am middle aged which means I am the person that has been paying for parasites like you. Simple so listen closely, THERE IS NEVER A FREE LUNCH NEVER, so with health care or anything else, like taxes, somebody always pays, so it is just a matter of efficiency. Health care, I know you don't have it, so you go to the hospital and don't pay, then when I go they charge me, somebody always pays. Garbage boy, AARP supported the health care law, supported the changes in Medicare and Ryan includes it as savings. Do me a favor, cause I am tired of supporting your useless existance and Walmart will be just fine without you, put the barrel against your forehead and firmly pull the trigger.
While making your decision, be sure to fact check claims like this. This information is inaccurate and misleading.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/realestate.asp
Health care legislation does not impose a 3.8% tax on all home sales. That is false.
There IS a medicare tax. However, it will be imposed ONLY on individuals with an income above $200,000 and couples with a joint income over $250,000. That excludes 97% of Americans. If you are part of the top 3%, I can't muster up pity for you.
The tax is not on every house sale, but only on real estate transactions above a certain dollar amount. Again, if you want to protect millionaires that's fine, but you will NOT pay additional tax on a $100,000 home in the example above.
Remember that this is a complex piece of legislation, and if you get some facebook post or e-mail that sounds simple, you probably have to do some homework to find the truth.
Also, you are wrong (and Romney is lying) about Medicare. Obama saves the American taxpayer money while expanding medicare benefits.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/972242-196/politifact-is-obama-really-raiding-medicare.html
Bushman: You total dumbass! There is nothing in the Obamacare law that has anything to do with a FEDERAL Home Sales Tax!!! Where did you get such BS and why do you perpetuate it??!!!?? The federal government has NO sales tax law. Dan, in his post above #58.1, called you a piece of garbage, and he has it right! You really are a poorly educated, redneck, who can be told anything and you'll believe it! The American Medical Association and the American Cancer Association both STRONGLY support Obamacare, but that, of course, is far above your social class level to understand!
I absolutly love Paul, he's crazy in a good way. I don't agree with everything he says or wants to do. But I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. In my opinion he's one of the only men in government who really believes in freedom.
*COUGH* Gary Johnson *COUGH*
Ron Paul believes in what he says, and the Republican Party will say they believe it also, while Romeny has already said we should attack Iran and want to build up the military more. Want the fool in Missouri to leave the race when Ryan believes the same thing, "forcible rape" the Republicans will include anyone and since they have no beliefs it has become the party of the nut cases. Pauls stand on war and getting involved everywhere was his most popular stand, it is not new, Eisenhower "military industrial complex" George Wasington on "intangling alliances". They will give him a kiss and hey he is old, they don't have to worry about him again. 55 year old white man here, Obama has not been a good president but I can't vote for a party that wants to let their Christan Taliban enforce their Sharia law.
yup Paul certainly has a way about him, lot of stuff I approve, and he certainly is consistent. One of his good responses to the question which was about Social Security and why he collected it every month and his retort was "why shouldn't I," hmm, Paul pretty wealthy guy in his own right, but still accepts from the Federal Trough. Oh Well.
Obama 2012
skyparrot, that's not even an argument. Unlike many in office, Ron Paul has not spent his entire life as only a politician, and he has paid into the forced retirement savings plan called social security his entire working career. Why should he renounce getting back the money he was forced to pay in? It's not a "loan" program, "entitlement" program or a "gift" program - anyone who pays into social security has every right to get their money back, as originally stated when the program was started.
Monkeymo -
The rabid progressives on this vine throw that out all the time. I guess to them, a "lock box" forced saving account is an entitlement.
Whatcha gonna do?
...As a follower of CONSTITUTIONALIST Ron Paul since Ronald Reagan, I know he will have some strong positive things to say. First being we can't have 4 more years of DISPAIR & FAILURE, and end up worse then Greece. King Pharaoh Obama has spent "$ 4.4 TRILLION Dollars and has only 'REAL' 10% unemployment, and a debt our great-great grandchildren can't pay. If OBAMANATION gets back, start looking for a good VETERINARIAN...
2 CHOICES: 1. OBAMA, Socialist aiming at Fascism with his ILLEGAL CZARS, CRIMINAL CABINET and OBAMACARE
#2. MITT ROMNEY, Counterfeit Conservative but a BRILLIANT BUSINESS-MAN who will turn the ECONOMY AROUND RE-CYCLE Washington,D.C. and FUMIGATE our beloved WHITE HOUSE...
...God Bless America... AGAIN... SOON...
Jimbo, take a deep breath and hold. Nonsensical rant.
Obama 2012
They don't want Ron Paul running as an Independent so they are going to play nice with him.
Ron Paul 2012....and if Ron caves Gary Earl Johnson 2012..... Vote out all Republican and Democrats.
If you vote for any of them then you like the mess we are in....
Should prove very interesting Paul not allowed to speak, supporters disruptive? Hmm, Bachmann shut out, hmm, Sarah Palin elbowed aside, hmm. Fanatical Religious Platform but not romney's agenda, yeah sure. Koch boy a romney delegate, hmm, birther adherents attending, hmm. Ryan Munster, VP pick and his voucher/coupon crusade and person-hood Constitutional Amendment push, hmm. Sorry folks, the republicans lost the women's vote, sane independent vote, Hispanic vote, AARP vote, Black vote.
Hopefully Isaac will close down the strip joints and keep some of the pistol in your pocket crowd down, one can only hope.
Obama 2012
Ron Paul is the man for me—the only one willing to defend the Constitution.
Too simplistic, with no education or understanding of the Constitution or the law. He would make a terrible President. Also, he's 77, the same age Reagan was when he LEFT office. He's far too old.
CLOTHO: RON PAUL is MD DOCTOR, WAR HERO, and CONSTITUTIONALIST all his live...He would make a good Sec'ty of HEALTH.
"WIN" with MITT ROMNEY who while not PERFECT like King PHARAOH OBAMA, does know "BUSINESS"...
God Bless America... AGAIN... SOON...
Look at this cartoon and you will know what a waste of time American Politics has become. Keep wasting your time and energy arguing over a rotten political system. Keep pointing fingers at each other while the modern-day titanic is going down! Race to the bottom!
Sorry GOP. A video "tribute" to Dr. Paul is way too little, too late, to get those of us who supported him to come around to your side. I'll be proudly voting for Gary Johnson in November. You had your chance to listen to reason and offer a real alternative to Obama. Sucks to be you!
The GOP won't be getting my vote either. They had a real shot and the idiots blew it by not listening to the people. Haven't decided if i'm voting for RP (if on the ballot) or Gary Johnson. Hopefully we'll get to see GJ in the debates but i'm sure the media will see to it we don't. Rombama or Obomney certainly are NOT getting my vote.
I think Obama would welcome Johnson to the debates. It's the (R)s who would scream bloody murder. If they have a real Conservative on stage who exposes Romney for the RINO fake that he is, it could be the end of the (R) party altogether.
The Media wouldn't have it either. He appeals to the left as well so they'd never dream of giving anyone the chance to take potential votes from their beloved savior.
Ron Paul. An isolationist at home ("libertarian", e.g., everyone for him/herself) and abroad. An Ayn Rand Darwinist (see my previous comment and check out the first name of his son, the US Senator from Kentucky). A pathetic demagogue and the wrong man, in the wrong time for this great country. Not funny.
You do realize that his son's full first name is Randal, not just "Rand", yes?
Contrary to urban legend, Rand Paul is not named for Ayn Rand.
Ron Paul may have his faults, but at least is against the Federal Reserve.
Which will be the bigger blowhard? Him or the hurricane?
The story omits a key fact that a Ron Paul party, that was contracted to be held at Fergs, a bar immediately adjacent to the Tropicana Dome had to be cancelled....because the fascists could not tolerate anyone who would not adopt the GOP Goosestep to be anywhere near their Purity Rally! Hitler held six such parties, on the Nurenberg parade grounds. The party of jack booted thugs attacking even their own....fascists.
skrekk ............
your post shows just how much an anti white racist you ARE !
Ron Paul 2012
End th Fed
Over the past few months we've been hearing about Obama and Romney campaigning to crowds that number around 2,000 - 2,500 people (and sometimes having trouble filling their venues). Yet, running in direct competition to the Republican convention, Ron Paul has sold out a venue that seats 11,000 people - and this is one of the few articles that mention him since the debates ended last spring. He obviously has more support than most are willing to acknowledge, and I don't think he and his supporters are going to quietly slink away and pay homage to the Great Willard or Wannabe Obama. Despite this, I'm fairly certain that one of those 2 will be elected for 2012, but hopefully if there's anything left of this country by 2016, the people will get together enough to vote for someone who actually wants the best for his/her country.
Most people don't like Ron Paul because they want their entitlements and welfare, or else. They want a president who will promise them things they will never pay for.
And Romney will promise to make the MIDDLE CLASS pay for everything and the rich will pay less taxes.
I know what the speech is about. making Romney God incarnate here on Earth and the Mormon Leadership will change hands. The Republican Leadership will be the new Mormon Leadership which will in turn start having everyone in the US be baptised Mormons. And if you believe that I have a bridge in New York to sell at a real good price...... Sorry my bad. It's Ron Paul that is making the speech not Paul Ryan.
@ the residents of Florida
Can you take 4 more years of Obummer?
Florida unemployment rate is 8.6%...higher than the national average.
Florida still second in foreclosures in the nation.
Romney/Ryan
Yes...
2008 - Romney "It's not the federal government's job to create jobs"
2012 - Romney "I will make it my top responsibility to create more jobs"
Can you really afford to have Romney at the helm with this kind of flip flopping?
Remember, the GOP promised us more jobs if we cut the corporate tax rates. We have done that for 12 years no jobs...........
Obama/Biden 2012
Yes, we can, if we can just get rid of Rick Scott.
Can we take four more years of RINO fakes who want nothing more than to bring back the same fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush era?
Or has hatred of Obama grown so pervasive that the (R)s will vote for anyone with the (R) after their name, even if they have a long record of supporting non-Conservative ideas?
@itsabouttime
It is when you take my tax dollars and say it is to create jobs. Lie,lie lie lie nothing but lies.
Time for the breed to go.
Romney -Ryan 2012
Itsabout -
I know this hard to wrap your little brain around, but give it a try. As president he can use his position to encourage more job creation in the private sector.
As opposed to Barry who creates federal government jobs - which are paid by tax dollars (net loss on the old national debt).
Maybe you can get your momma to help you work through this tough distinction?
ContemptMe
Yeah, imagine what BUSH felt like when it went down 3.5% in the last 2 years of his reign and it went into Obama's administration.
mike ritter deerhunt1
I agree, when the GOP forces me to pay higher taxes (taking my money away) to reward corporations that are already making billions in record profits (5 billion for oil corporations already making 80 billion in profits), when they lower the taxes on corporations and say it will create jobs (but hasn't) and they reward those corporations with tax loopholes (that obama asked the GOP to close, but they said no), and they give tax credits for exporting american jobs to other countries, I cry foul. The GOP is the clear liar.
mpa-4893349
First, my mama, is a democrat and could see right through the same BS you just put in there. Romney didn't CARE about creating jobs the last time around and now he flip flops and says he can? Where is his plan? A bunch of bullet points is not a plan.
Obama is the RIGHT CHOICE.
Didn't all the other clowns beat Paul?
They did
Paul definitely has more delegates than Newt, and probably more than Santorum, if Romney wasnt bullying state party RNC leadership to strip out Ron Paul delegates, like they did in Mass, Maine, and Lousiana.
Ron Paul for president
Peter Shiff for VP