Ron Paul Supporters Aren't Giving Up: 'Revolution' Continues

Ron Paul supporters are showing up at GOP state conventions trying to take them over and Republican operatives are countering to stop them in their tracks by such measures as removing anyone that they believe are ''disruptive.''

Ron Paul supporters are showing up at district Republican conventions in large numbers and are using procedural motions to disrupt them. They are also trying to suspend convention rules, remove the convention leadership and start all over again with their group in control. They almost took over the Nevada State Convention in Reno. The sitting chairman realized that the Ron Paul faction was stronger than the John McCain delegation and he proceeded to adjourn the proceedings. The officials declared that the convention would reconvene at a later date but the Paul group suspects that they won't be notified. In Texas Senate District 25, Paul supporters completely took over the convention there. However, the state party bosses are working diligently and underhandedly to thwart the Paul factions from succeeding anywhere else. They are basically trying to close the conventions from internal debate and acrimony. All delegates must be unified behind the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain. They don't want any motions from the convention floor that questions McCain in any way. They have unilaterally decided to remove anyone that they deem to be a ''disruption'' to the convention. Some conventions are going as far as having special meetings of credential committees to disqualify Ron Paul supporters from attending them prior to when they convene. Here is an example of what happened at the Maine Convention: ''no microphones on the floor of the convention and a number of Paul delegates forcibly ejected from the floor. Police were on hand to maintain security. Scheduled pro-Paul speakers found their time shortened or their appearances canceled.'' The convention soon became highly managed where there wasn't any opportunity for interruption or debate. Robert Miller was a young delegate at the Maine convention and he noticed right from the beginning the bias against the Paul supporters. Miller happened to be a delegate for Paul. At the Maine convention, someone reminded the leaders since McCain's supporters were well represented, Paul's faction should be allowed to speak. A chairwoman immediately ruled that the motion was ''out of order'' and it wasn't considered or voted on at all. However, the Paul supporters aren't giving up or giving in. Some states have a system where a part of the delegation are chosen at district conventions while the rest are chosen at state conventions. These chosen delegates will represent Ron Paul from their state at the national GOP convention in September. ''Paul supporters have done very well in states which use this approach, taking half of the 12 available delegate slots in Minnesota and a third of the delegate positions in Oklahoma.'' Paul supporters are able to do this because they actually attend the conventions while less partisan types stay home. Also, the Paul factions are trying to acquire the Huckabee and Romney delegates. Officially, Ron Paul has 21 delegates based on the state primary results but could gain many more at the national convention. They plan on causing a fracas at the convention. However, some analysts are stating that the Paul supporters' strategy is wrong and will actually alienate people. By working within the system and laying low, they would've gained more converts. They would've influenced the party's platform, issues debated in the general election and the future direction of the Republican Party. Conservative radio talk show host Mike Gallagher says that McCain's people should give an olive branch to Ron Paul and his supporters. He urges McCain to let Paul speak at the convention. Gallagher says that if Paul's supporters are disrespected at the convention, they won't vote for McCain and he needs a united GOP effort against Obama in the Fall campaign.