Star Spangled Staggers

US politics from outside the beltway

Why Ron Paul could still rain on Romney's parade

The libertarian candidate who won't go quietly.

By John Stoehr Published 07 May 2012 8:59

Ron Paul, US Republican presidential candidate

Republican presidential candidate, Ron Paul, talks to the media at the University of Maryland on 28 March 2012. Credit: Getty Images

Rick Santorum is gone. So is Newt Gingrich. Everything looked ready for a general election match-up between Republican Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama. Just one thing, though. Ron Paul. Most of us forgot he was still running, few of us realized he was pulling off a kind of quite coup, and no one seems to know what it means.

Paul is the libertarian candidate whose Old Right platforms were all the rage in 1939. Romney, Santorum or Gingrich have beaten him in all the primaries and caucuses. Even so, he and his small army of supporters, which by some estimates has doubled since his 2008 run for the White House, is slowly staking up delegates against frontrunner Romney in states that held nonbinding caucuses. Over the weekend, he took Nevada and Maine. The weekend prior, he dominated delegates in Louisiana's state convention. Others include Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado and Alaska.

Last week, news reports came out slowly and then more frequently on what Paul was doing and why he might be doing it. Bottom line: We know how, but not why. We also know that the Republican establishment isn't taking this well. An attorney for the Republican National Committee warned Nevada that it could forfeit its spot at the national convention if Paul walks away a winner. Fox News, when it covered the RNC's threat, summed up the establishment view: Paul's "renegade campaign" hopes to "tinker with the Nevada delegate count" in order to "hijack the GOP convention."

Before I get to why he's doing it, let me explain what he's doing and how. To that end, recall that the Republican Party changed the rules of the nomination process so that delegates to the national convention are awarded proportionally instead of winner-take-all. That is, a candidate gets a percentage of the delegates (the total of which differs from state to state) depending on how much of the popular vote he received. Some states, like Florida, rejected the new rules and remained winner-take-all. In any event, in states that held primaries, a candidate either won all delegates or some, and the results were binding.

This is not the case in caucus states. The results of the popular vote were not binding. So the real work of deciding which delegates were going to represent which candidates was done at the precinct and state levels. That's where the enthusiasm and organization of Paul's campaign was superior to Romney's even though Romney's campaign is much larger and more capitalized. In Nevada, Paul took 20 of 28 delegates. In Maine, it was 22 of 25. In Louisiana, he took 111 of 150 delegates going to that state's convention. And so on.

Still, it's small beer. Romney's delegate count is 865 and he's on course to win the 1,144 needed for the nomination. For Paul, despite a superior organizing effort and huge crowds greeting him at universities and college towns, the total is a mere 93. That's a lot of effort for so little in return.

So what does it amount to? No one knows. Paul could be making a point: the neoconservatives who currently dominate the party should not alienate the party's libertarian wing. It could be a power play. If Paul captures five states, he can force a floor vote at the convention. This vote will be immediately and overwhelmingly stomped, but it might give Paul a chance to push his agenda to a bigger audience. Other than this, most say little will come of Paul's mini-coup, but some are saying time will tell. We don't know which delegates are saying they represent Romney but are secretly supporting Paul for instance. Then there are all those delegates pledged to Santorum and Gingrich. They have only suspended their campaigns. The delegates are up for grabs if they're released.

But there might be another way of looking at this. Paul is already appealing to Tea Party voters. He's also appealing to some left-of-center voters who yearn for an end to the war on terror and the war on drugs (both Paul platforms). Given this, it would be possible, maybe plausible, for Paul to represent an alternative to Romney-Obama.

If rejected at the national convention (and he surely knows he would be), Paul might redirect his support to laying the groundwork for a third party challenge. Even then, he'd be stomped. Some say the point ultimately is about the man's ideas, not the man himself. By spreading his ideas, and converting the formerly unconverted to the joys of cold-blooded Ayn Rand-style libertarianism, Paul could be making a bid for himself as a high-profile party boss.

This is politics, after all -- the art of the possible.

This post was updated at 15.30 on 7 May 2012.

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Tags: Republican Primaries Ron Paul Mitt Romney

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58 comments

Mon, 2012-05-14 20:31 — John Cheese (not verified)

Heh, heh, Paul is out...

Tue, 2012-05-08 18:15 — Buckskins (not verified)

Europe is about to fall flat on it's face. Greece is paying no one. Spain is tottering on default. The UK is back in recession, and anyway will be a third world country within 25 years. 10 European countries are in recession, and France has voted in a Socialist fruitcake. Get your money in gold and stock up. There's a hard time a coming. Germany has already thrown to much money down a rat hole with Greece, they can't and will not carry the entire continent. If I were you guys I would be a lot more concerned about the mess you're in, rather than concerning yourselves with Ron Paul.

Tue, 2012-05-08 23:51 — John Cheese (not verified)

@Buckskins: You nailed it! If I were the N Euro countries, I would be looking to unleash from my southern brothers asap. Actually a plan is in the works, but knowing the ineptitude of the euro-governments & a false sense of pride, they will let the whole thing collapse rather than split the egg into yolk & white...

Tue, 2012-05-08 19:46 — jankaas (not verified)

aw shucks. thanks for the concern, if only it was sincere....
don't worry your pretty little head about Europe, at least not on a thread about the US. pls note at some point you chaps will have to pay back the Chinese. no free lunch Buckskins.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2012/March/On-The-Edge-When-a-Nation-...

Tue, 2012-05-08 06:21 — LibRep (not verified)

This article is so slanted not even a V8 can fix it. I always like how the media spins it that Ron Paul is only looking for a guest speaker spot in the mid-afternoon in Tampa. Not hardly. Sure he has said he doesn't see himself winning, but I'll bet Warren G. Harding thought the same thing when he went in with 6 delegates and walked away with the nomination and the Presidency. They say history repeats itself and it will in 2012. Believe it.

Tue, 2012-05-08 01:11 — McCainBeatRomneyWTF? (not verified)

THE RON PAUL SUPPORTERS CREED

Pay attention Republican voters.

I am a Ron Paul supporter. This election season, no candidate will get my vote for the Office of President of the United States of America except for Ron Paul. There will be no exceptions. If he does not win the nomination, I will write his name on the ballot.

No amount of slick talking, flip-flopping, wooing, cajoling, threatening, or condescending will persuade me to vote for any other contender for that office.

You don't want to admit it, but you know that the Republican Party cannot beat Obama without me, a Ron Paul supporter. It's long past time you admit it.

You and I have conflicting goals. I will only cast a vote for liberty, for peace, for small government, for fiscal sanity and respect for the Constitution of the United States and adherence to the oath of office of the Presidency. You however are content merely to vote for whatever Republican the GOP leadership and the media approve of.

I will not move. I cannot be persuaded. You cannot win without me.

I am not here to convince you that Ron Paul's positions are superior. I am not here to convince you that his foreign policy is in line with traditional conservatism. I am not here to convince you that his understanding of economics put everyone else in Washington to shame. I am not even here to convince you that the positions of the other candidates are not materially different than Obama.

No, I don't need to do any of that. I only need to tell you that without me, you have lost. If you do not vote for Ron Paul in your Primary or Caucus, you are already defeated. If you fail to nominate Ron Paul to be the Republican candidate for President, Barack Hussein Obama will serve a second term.

This is not blackmail. This is not a threat. This is a simple statement of fact.

I stand firm and I will not accept anything less.

~If you agree with this post this on other sites and encourage others to help make it go viral so the message is clear to the GOP.

Tue, 2012-05-08 01:10 — George M. (not verified)

Romney "knows" that he has no chance to beat Obama. Although we know "how" he is going about dominating the nomination process, no one can figure out why.

Tue, 2012-05-08 03:01 — B (not verified)

Yep. By policy there is no real difference between Obama and Romney. So at that point it is about team 'D' vs. team 'R'.

Team 'R' could win, if they really wanted to. They just have to nominate someone who is very different from Obama and means it. They won't do it. Ultimately they are very happy with what Obama is doing, just as they were happy with GWB doing the same. They would like Romney to do it instead of Obama, but they'll take Obama over doing something different.

And thus the reason why that team 'R' does not care that Ron Paul could bring victory for them, or at the very least recruit team 'R' a future with a young and motivated base of players. Team 'R' as it is composed today would rather throw the game than have a young and motivated team take the field and win.

Some things are more important than winning, like getting paid. The gravy train is at risk. Obama won't cut it off. But a team composed of young people, those about 40 and younger, who will be most screwed over by the status quo will.

Tue, 2012-05-08 01:02 — TBT (not verified)

LOL who writes this junk. Yeah Dr. Ron Paul at 76 years old is looking for a high profile party boss position LOL Yeah its called the Presidency!! Holy cow its no wonder the sheeple are so clueless.

Mon, 2012-05-07 23:40 — americanguesser (not verified)

When and where can I find this paper in hard copy?
I think it could come in handy as a ready alternative to those public/pivate partnership institutions when they issue toilet paper. You know the type commonly found in hospitals, like the kind Zombey and Obombya like to fund via their coerced schemes of plunder for the power of their friends.

Paul is part of a VAST UNDERGROUND CONSPIRACY OF LIBERTY-IANS. THE SAME KIND THAT DRESSED UP LIKE NATIVE TERRORISTS IN BOSTON TI RAID MERCANTILE SHIPS IN LEAGUE WITH A TYRANNICAL EMPIRE. THEY WANT TO TAKE OVER THE GOVERNMENT and leave everyone and their property alone, THEY MUST BE STOPPED OR WE'LL HAVE AN APOCALYPTICAL MOMENT AGAIN. AND IT TAKES HUNDREDS OF YEARS TO REVERSE FREEDOM.

DRINK YOUR FLUORIDE NEO-CON-ASS-STATISTS. THE TRANSITION AWAY FROM YOUR POWER IS ONLY BEGINNING.

PAUL OR 4 MORE YEARS. ROMNEY IS UNELECTIBLE!

Mon, 2012-05-07 20:09 — Mr.Stephen Schweter (not verified)

Hello
I just read the White hat report .I would love to see it get traction
Peace
Stephen Schweter

Mon, 2012-05-07 18:28 — John Cheese (not verified)

Boy the nutters come out when an article mentions R Paul. This election and vote will be economics, pure & simple. Romney will be the GOP candidate & there is no way a Ron Paul supporter would allow Prez Obummer to stay in office another 4 years & put the US in a very deep Socialist black hole - ain't gonna happen.

Mon, 2012-05-07 21:11 — firminthelight (not verified)

Well, I can't speak for everyone, but THIS Ron Paul supporter would sooner vote for a flea ridden hunk of roadkill than cast a ballot for Romney or Obama. If the choice is between Evil #1 and Evil #2, I choose not to support either one.

Romney's chances of actually beating Obama, even though the the sitting POTUS doesn't enjoy the kind of hysterical popular support that he did four years ago, are not exactly Vegas friendly. The man doesn't appeal to regular Americans because he comes off as a patrician. He turns off many in the Evangelical wing of the party because of his faith, and libertarian wing of the Tea Party groups won't touch him because he is clearly just as much of a statist as Obama. That leaves his only reliable support coming from the Neo-Conservitives and Banking interests who control the Republican party's national apparatus, but who have fallen or are quickly falling out of favor in the grassroots/local political sectors.

Ron Paul can and has pulled a lot of Independent and Democrats to his side because of his opposition to the police state and the Bush/Obama foreign policy. Romney is a ardent supporter of both, and given the choice between a Democrat who supports those things and a Republican who supports those things, most Democrats and many Independents will vote for the Democrat, while a significant portion of conservatives, libertarians, and Evangelical voters will not vote at all rather than vote for Mitt Romney.

That's my take on it anyway.

Tue, 2012-05-08 00:49 — Cyntha Lee (not verified)

Me too---me too! I would also vote for the flea-bitten roadkill first....I would even vote for the flea-bitten roadkill with PUS and BLOOD before Romney! And I am a lifelong Republican.....or least I traditionally have been.....

Mon, 2012-05-07 21:58 — jankaas (not verified)

i think your take is not far off what it looks like to non US people, though the 'evil' label is a bit much. the biggest stumbling blocks for me are Ron Paul's Federal Agencies plans and his surreal economic ideas. of the debates i saw though he was clearly the only consistent and intelligent person on stage. he came across as very genuine.
on the whole though the US version of Democracy is far from desirable. that kind of bi-polar approach seems very last century.

Tue, 2012-05-08 01:16 — McCainBeatRomneyWTF? (not verified)

Surreal economic ideas? You are joking right?
http://www.ronpaul.com/books/

Liberty Defined (2011)
End the Fed (2009)
The Revolution: A Manifesto (2008)
Pillars of Prosperity (2008) – Free PDF
A Foreign Policy of Freedom: Peace, Commerce, and Honest Friendship (2007)
Freedom Under Siege: The U.S. Constitution After 200 Years (1987) – Free PDF
Mises and Austrian Economics: A Personal View (1984) – Free PDF
The Case For Gold (1982) – Free PDF
Gold, Peace, and Prosperity: The Birth of a New Currency (1981) – Free PDF

Tue, 2012-05-08 12:50 — jankaas (not verified)

with essentially none of your own words to make your point, but just a mountain of information there's no possible way for me to know what you're on about.
i'll qualify my 'surreal economic ideas' statement. even if Ron Paul is 100% correct in his plans for sorting out the US economy, the US can't do it alone. so the US can't go back to the Gold Standard without a permission slip from all it's creditors, namely China.
the chances of that happening are zero. in brief; it's the Global Economy stupid.

Mon, 2012-05-07 23:45 — John Cheese (not verified)

Obamacare, high Unemployment & gas prices will do in 0bama...

Mon, 2012-05-07 19:29 — latinos_for_ron_paul (not verified)

If Statesman Paul were not to win - you lose.

And his delegate strategy IS ethical. It was set up by the corrupt RNC status quo.

Viz, what is UN-ethical is the strategy of junta by traitorous propaganda -promulgated by Romney and every Neo-Con (including Obama).

God bless Ron Paul and all of his supporters.

Mon, 2012-05-07 17:45 — P.COX (not verified)

THIS ARTICLE IS FULL OF LIES I WOULDN'T PUT IT UNDER A PUPPY.
THIS AUTHER NEEDS TO FACT CHECK AND STOP SPREADING NONSENSE CAUSE THOSE WHO KNOW THE FACTS YOU'VE JUST EMBARRESSED YOURSELF.YOU SHOULD RETRACT IMEDEATELY.NOT ONE MENTION OF THE MITT ROMNEY WORKER WHO WAS CAUGHT RED HANDED HANDING OUT FAKE DELGATE LIST ON FILM.HOW DARE YOU INTENTIONALLY MISLEAD YOUR FELLOW AMERICAN.IT'S BECAUSE OF NEWS LIKE YOURSELF THE PEOPLE THINK THINGS ARE OK IN OUR COUNTRY WHEN ITS DYING AND WE'RE ON THE ROAD TO LOSING OUR FREEDOM.

Mon, 2012-05-07 17:45 — P.COX (not verified)

Mon, 2012-05-07 17:31 — Crazy_Redneck (not verified)

"joys of cold-blooded Ayn Rand-style libertarianism, Paul could be making a bid for himself as a high-profile party boss."

First of all, Paul isn't a disciple of the "queen bee" of libertarianism. However, the "virtue of selfishness" is about representing ourselves as individuals. We are individuals, after all, and we all pursue our own self-interests. In the pursuit of individual well-being, a very important side-effect is produced: one does not become dependent upon the state. When one becomes dependent upon the state, the state steals from those who produce wealth and gives it to that person. Which is more "cold-blooded"?

Mon, 2012-05-07 16:40 — edward8764 (not verified)

"Romney, Santorum or Gingrich have beaten him in all the primaries and caucuses. "

This is not a true statement. Paul is winning many of the caucuses by playing by the rules established by the GOP. Iowa, Nevada and Maine come to mind, just to name a few. Will the New Statesman issue a correction?

Mon, 2012-05-07 16:30 — Paul Danon (not verified)

The reason for Dr Paul's campaign is no mystery as is disingenuously suggested. He's standing for the constitution and economic liberty. Rather than just behaving tactically, he's making some important points and offering voters a choice. Would that more politicians stood for something.

Mon, 2012-05-07 16:12 — Canadian Libertarian (not verified)

It does my heart good to see the passionate support the good doctor's ideas of freedom and peace are getting. It is ridiculous that the part line is unity over substance, and I hope they tear the GOP asunder rather than kowtow to the establishment precepts.
The Ron Paul Map = http://www.ronpaulitic.com

Mon, 2012-05-07 15:20 — hwt123 (not verified)

In Nevada , Ron Paul won 22 of the 25 open delegate slots plus Ron Paul won the chairwoman and defeated Bob List to win the Chairman slot as well...
In both Maine and Nevada the Romney campaign was caught handing out fake delegate list...the elitist are scared now...

Mon, 2012-05-07 15:16 — Ex-Alaskan (not verified)

The Republicans used these rules against the Ron Paul supporters in the 2008 Alaska caucuses. The Ron Paul supporters learned the rules of the game and have now used them to beat the GOP establishment at their own game.

Mon, 2012-05-07 13:30 — Patrick29 (not verified)

I'm a delegate for Ron Paul from my county and I'm heading to the Texas State Convention on the 7th of June. Don't Tread On Me.

Mon, 2012-05-07 12:54 — Geeza (not verified)

NeoConservatism has not only infected the GOP, but the Democrat Party as well. For all Obama's support of the Patriot Act, NDAA, extra-judicial assassination of US citizens and US interventionism, he might as well be a NeoCon. For all his lip service in bad mouthing the banks, he has no qualms over bailing them out or employing Wall St insiders in his administration.

Against all this Wall St and Military Industrial Complex backed greed and hypocrisy fronted by Obama, Romney and Bush, Ron Paul is a lone voice questioning US foreign and monetary policy where the rest of the world meekly jumps into any misadventure the US asks us to jump into. While Obama and Romney both revert to sabre rattling over dealing with decade old problems like Iran and Cuba, Ron Paul is the only one advocating dropping of sanctions and opening trade as a way of breaking down barriers and bringing change about.

Even if Ron Paul does not win the nomination, the views he holds need to continue to be debated and promoted.

Mon, 2012-05-07 13:19 — jankaas (not verified)

a nice mix of valid points jumbled up with serious problems. yes Obama is at times indistinguishable from Republicans, at least when compared to the Reagan and Bush I era. yes he has some mighty weird people on his payroll, and in the European political spectrum he is to the right of Merkel and Sarkozy.
and yes Ron Paul has some uncomfortable truths when he talks about failed and corrupt policies such as Foreign policy and the War on Drugs.
but his desire to return to the Gold Standard and his wish to abolish at least 5 Federal agencies is eyewateringly bizarre. those aren't solutions, those are Alice in Wonderland style fantasies. he may as well advocate good 'ol trading and bartering for all our goods and services, and the last thing the most vulnerable US citiziens require is more exposure to danger.
on balance though i am delighted he is still around to stir things up. most entertaining!

Mon, 2012-05-07 15:11 — CITIZEN9478 (not verified)

In regards to your comments on his economic policies, the Austrian economic system is based on economic principles that worked flawlessly for 2000 years, while Keysian economics have been around for 100 years and every single major nation who follows it is on the verge of financial collapse.

100 years is barely an economic cycle. Keysian Economic THEORY(can't be a fact since it has yet to actually work reliably for a period of time) is being proved a failure.

the issue is, people can't wrap their head around that concept very well. All they've known is Keysian economics, so of course it works. Unfortuantly the facts show something very different. They show a failed experiment.

And finally, I leave you with one last fact. Decline in the value of the dollar.
First 150 years of our nation: 6% decrease
Last 100 years of our nation(keysian economics): 96% decrease

Mon, 2012-05-07 17:18 — jankaas (not verified)

since i am not trying to defend Keynesian economics i don't have the foggiest what to type in response, beyond that you can't spell it.....;o)

Mon, 2012-05-07 12:27 — szczepan4069 (not verified)

articles like these only prove to me that the MSM is shit scared of whats coming......you can almost feel the tremble the author has in the way this article has been put together....hahaha......this is just the beginning!!! RON PAUL 2012!!!

Mon, 2012-05-07 12:18 — JEMz (not verified)

How can Ron's total be only 93 when he won 111 in Louisianna alone???

Mon, 2012-05-07 17:42 — Mr.Stephen Schweter (not verified)

Hello
The republican party has proved a long time ago they are incapable odf doing 4th grade Mathl
Ron Paul 2012

Mon, 2012-05-07 18:18 — Canuck (not verified)

Well, "In Nevada, Paul took 20 of 28 delegates. In Maine, it was 22 of 25. In Louisiana, he took 111 of 150 delegates", so 20+22+111 = 153
then teh author says "For Paul, despite a superior organizing effort and huge crowds greeting him at universities and college towns, the total is a mere 93" MSM indeed has some brilliant minds. But not to worry, even if 153 is same as 93, "If Paul captures five states, he can force a floor vote at the convention. This vote will be immediately and overwhelmingly stomped,..." Do people really get payed for writing rubish like this?

Mon, 2012-05-07 18:18 — Canuck (not verified)

Mon, 2012-05-07 17:36 — P.COX (not verified)

LOL.you caught it to.This article does PROVE how bad the establishment is SCARED to DEATH of RON PAUL,and hears why.1)the 93 delegate total haha 111 alone in LA.
2)TALKING DOWN ON RP LIKE WHAT HE AND HIS SUPPORTERS ARE STANDING FOR LIKE FREEDOM LIBERTY SOUNDMONEY NO WAR like these are BAD things SOMETHING THAT EVEN PEOPLE WHO DON'T SUPPORT RON PAUL DON'T WANT.Are you kidding me.
3)and this comparing him like the auther did at the end of his article to an unmentionable person is ludacris.Ron Paul has a spotless record and how dare a web page called the newstatesmen have some much anger in oneself to intentionally go out of its way to discredit a TRUE STATSMEN is SAD!

Mon, 2012-05-07 12:40 — Mark Smith (not verified)

The author is mixing apples and oranges - the delegates Paul won over the weekend in Maine, Nevada and Iowa (yes, Iowa) are for the Republican National Convention. The 111 delegates in Louisiana will represent Paul at the state convention, where they will be in control of selecting delegates for the RNC. By the way, you are right in questioning the reported RNC delegate estimate for Paul - it's more like 150 right now.

Mon, 2012-05-07 13:30 — ScullsO_OStars (not verified)

Heres a good Website to check out the actual delegate numbers and will be up to date once the Nevada and Maine numbers are added which will raise Ron Pauls numbers and lower Romneys. And as for the Author he asked what Ron Paul is doing...He's WINNING! The wed address is Http://www.thereal2012delegatecount.com

Mon, 2012-05-07 11:07 — Coulro DeSouth (not verified)

The author also forgot to account for the 770 delegates from states yet to even have had their primary/caucus. The Paul campaign is still working hard and getting huge crowds at speeches. With no other, even remotely, conservative choice remaining in the race, no one really knows who will show up in Tampa or what the outcome will be.

Mon, 2012-05-07 11:01 — Tominellay (not verified)

"By spreading his ideas, and converting the formerly unconverted to the joys of cold-blooded Ayn Rand-style libertarianism, Paul could be making a bid for himself as a high-profile party boss."

Sheesh. Is this really what the NewStatesman is making of the Ron Paul movement? You're not paying enough attention.

Mon, 2012-05-07 16:25 — tompaine (not verified)

We've been conditioned to find security in the warm-hearted policies of the state. The state, which has caused the deaths of 100's of millions in its wars, hijacked the currency, spies on whatever we say and write, and enriches those you are willing to suckle at the teat. Believe me brother, Ayn Rand had the warmth of the sun compared to the frozen-hearted state.

Mon, 2012-05-07 10:59 — Sam Geoghegan (not verified)

'Most of us forgot he was still running'

You lying hounds.

You know the plebs on the street get their information from the government approved press.

Mon, 2012-05-07 10:02 — cade (not verified)

Has this article been proof-read ?
Anyway ... Ron Paul has captured at least 5 states and he has qualified for a ballot position in the Republican Party convention in Tampa Florida.

Read my lips .... a non-Ron-Paul GOP nominee has n chance against Obama without the blessing of the Ron Paul supporters. Ron Paul, unlike Obama/Romney, has a platform that bridges the political divide ... able to keep independents, democrats and republicans happy at the same time.

[Ron Paul - 2012]

Mon, 2012-05-07 13:31 — JoeM (not verified)

@CADE - it is actually 10 now: AK, CO, IA, ID, LA, MN, NV, MO, MA, ME, & WA

Mon, 2012-05-07 09:47 — RonPaul4Prez (not verified)

Whoever wrote this article needs to go back to grade school and learn some basic math skills.
"Over the weekend, he took Nevada and Maine. The weekend prior, he took Louisiana. Others include Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado and Alaska."

"In Nevada, Paul took 20 of 28 delegates. In Maine, it was 22 of 25. In Louisiana, 111 of 150. And so on."

"For Paul, despite a superior organizing effort and huge crowds greeting him at universities and college towns, the total is a mere 93."

Since when does 20+22+111+ 4 other states = 93? I am confused...

Mon, 2012-05-07 10:31 — Min12 (not verified)

The author of this article is confused. The author has lumped together actual delegates to Tampa (in the case of Maine and Nevada) with Louisiana's congressional district delegates - those are the delegates who will chose the actual delegates to Tampa. Since Ron Paul won about 75% of those delegates, it is widely assumed that he will win the majority of Louisiana delegates actually going to Tampa (since the state delegates elect the national delegates).

The problem with almost any delegate count right at this moment (whether it is Mitt Romney's or Ron Paul's) is that most of the actual delegations to Tampa are still being chosen.

Mon, 2012-05-07 09:57 — DeanM (not verified)

Yep you are, sorry. Louisiana has 46 delegates not 111.

Mon, 2012-05-07 09:40 — JennR (not verified)

There are ~600 unbound delegates going to Tampa. Ron Paul's people have excellent organizational skills. I think some people are in for a rude awakening.