Representative Ron Paul may be the most libertarian of the Republicans who ran in the 2012 primaries, but he is encouraging his supporters with delegate estimates that veer toward liberal.
In a statement late last night, Mr. Paul suggested that, either officially or in spirit, his backers would represent “just over 20 percent” of the delegates at the Republican National Convention in August.
“And while this total is not enough to win the nomination, it puts us in a tremendous position to grow our movement and shape the future of the GOP!” he said.
“We stand to send nearly 200 bound delegates” to Tampa, Fla., Mr. Paul said, a number that “shatters the predictions of the pundits.” According to The Associated Press, Mr. Paul currently has 137 bound delegates, behind Newt Gingrich. There are still 261 delegates up for grabs: 40 delegates in Utah’s June 26 primary and 43 “super delegates,” with the balance coming from states that have held nominating contests but will not assign all their delegates until local and state conventions. Though Mr. Paul announced last month that he would not actively campaign, his highly organized supporters have successfully racked up delegates in states that Mr. Paul did not win. (For example, though Mr. Paul came in a distant second in Minnesota’s nonbinding caucuses, he has 30 delegates from the state. Rick Santorum, who won, and Mitt Romney both have three.)
A weekend dispute between Paul supporters and other Republican officials at Louisiana’s convention resulted in an arrest.
Mr. Paul also said his campaign would send “several hundred” people who are bound Romney delegates but nonetheless back Mr. Paul’s ideas, resulting in “nearly 500 supporters” on the convention floor — a figure impossible to verify.
“We have never had this kind of opportunity,” he said. “There will be hundreds of your fellow supporters in Tampa who will be ready and willing to push the Republican Party back to its limited government, liberty roots.” Mr. Paul also cautioned his followers to “be respectful.”
Meanwhile, Paul supporters who are trying to plan a multiday festival in his honor in Tampa just days before the official convention are accusing Republican officials of blocking approval for their venues.
