Chaos on the Convention Floor as RNC Blocks Ron Paul Delegates, Alters Seating Rules

Chaos on the Convention Floor as RNC Blocks Ron Paul Delegates, Alters Seating Rules


Controversy erupted on the convention floor when a dispute broke out over whether to seat the delegates of presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. Part of Maine’s delegation stormed off the floor in protest of a decision to strip away half of Paul’s delegates. Supportive members of other delegations rose to their feet and hollered their objections, angered by new rules that they say they will make it harder for grassroots candidates to stand a chance in future elections. Democracy Now! producer Deena Guzder was on the scene and filed this report.

Maine Becomes Rallying Cry for National Ron Paul Movement

August 30, 2012

bangordailynews.com - As David Farmer and Mike Tipping have pointed out, the refusal to seat the full set of Ron Paul delegates may very well have an impact on Maine politics this year. This, of course, followed the caucus mess, which received state and national publicity.

But what happened to these Mainers has also become a rallying call for Ron Paul supporters all over the nation.

Here’s the sticker being worn by Paul supporters inside the Republican National Convention (as posted by reporter Steven Dennis).

Another reporter notes:

A horde of Paul supporters walked circles around the convention floor, growing with each pass and chanting, “As goes Maine, so goes the nation.”

These attendees are rather upset. Asked whether they will vote for Romney in November, a Colorado and a Texas delegate weren’t sure. Said one, “At this point, I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” and the other simply stated, “Who knows?”

Reports indicate some heavy-handed tactics from the Romney forces. Linda Bean of Maine complained of efforts to keep delegates quiet.

Many are also upset about Romney forces pushing through a set of new rules for delegate selection that would centralize power in the hands of the presumptive nominee, making an insurgent challenge more difficult in the future. Ron Paul supporters dislike the rules and believe their adoption — by voice vote, which they think was deliberately “misheard” — was illegitimate.

The march and the stickers are just the surface of this upset among Ron Paul supporters.

And they are bound and determined to “Remember Maine 2012.”