Ron Paul's supporters may end up hurting Mitt Romney's chances in November.
The Hill reports that Paul's supporters have siezed control of the Iowa Republican Party and taken big roles in other state Republican establishments. Why could that be problematic for Romney? Because those organizations are responsible for most get out the vote and voter registration operations, and Paul's followers in those positions might not be as enthusiastic about Romney as they need to be.
Basically, it's a problem that the GOP doesn't need right now.
There have already been some sparks between Romney and top Iowa Republicans. At a Republican National Convention meeting in late April the state’s three committee members were barred from a private reception with Romney after refusing to sign forms pledging to back him at the party’s national convention.
Drew Ivers, a member of the state Republican Party’s central committee who was Paul’s 2012 Iowa campaign chairman, hesitated when asked if he would work to help Romney.
“I’m waiting for him to respond more clearly that he’s going to help enact some change,” he told The Hill after blasting Romney for failing to focus on the state. “It’s going to depend on him… It makes it a lot easier if he’s really showing some real honest efforts to change and not just have the status quo.”
The Republican National Committee played down concerns about Paul backers not working for Romney.
“There's no doubt that Ron Paul and his supporters run great grassroots operations, we've seen that for years now, and I think Ron Paul's first goal is to defeat the president,” said RNC spokesman Kirsten Kukowksi. “I'm sure some discussions are being had right now but at the end of the day we'll be on the same team and we'll love to have Ron Paul supporters on board.”
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I am a 62 year old woman. Last Saturday I voted in a Massachusetts' Republican caucus for the first time in my life.
I found the Ron Paul supporters to be mature, well-spoken, responsible. I could tell it was difficult for some of the members of the Paul's Liberty slate to get up and speak in front of the large crowd for three minutes because they were nervous. They had worked hard on their speeches, and these same Americans, when they spoke, were very sincere and thoughtful. They came from all walks of life. There was a woman accountant, an engineer, a college student, among others.
Romney's slate was composed of well-known politician friends of his giving the standard slick and empty speeches who spoke too long, 7 minutes for one. (3 minutes were allotted for each candidate).
The Liberty Slate won 5 of 6 delegates in the 6th District of Romney's state of Massachusetts.
Members of the old Republican party need to make room for new life and ideas in their party. I saw a level of maturity, intelligence, and commitment to make good things happen for this country at the caucus and was impressed by Ron Paul's Liberty supporters. They are the real Patriots, average Americans - just like of old. I am very proud of them.
This is the way to heal our great country.