(MintPress)–While Texas Rep. Ron Paul cut back financing in the 11 remaining primary elections throughout the nation, the GOP candidate isn’t bowing out of the race just yet, having picked up 12 of the 13 open delegate votes last week at Minnesota’s republican convention — securing 32 out of the 40 delegates and showcasing the strategy of Paul’s campaign to pay attention to state conventions, where delegates are still being elected.
Paul’s campaign has been invigorated by young voters who traditionally would fall on both sides of the political spectrum, with anti-war voters on the left applauding his policies to cut back on funding for Israel and to condemn attacks on Iran. Fiscally conservative young voters claim Paul is a true Republican, one that embodies a legitimate limited government approach to politics. The convention in Minnesota reflected this, with longtime Republican party members saying they’d never seen so many young people actively taking part in a convention.
The show in Minnesota represents the Paul campaign tactic of grassroots organizing, focusing on remaining delegates in states where seats are still open — a move that hasn’t been a priority for supposed Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney, who failed to secure any of the remaining delegates at the Minnesota convention. The only remaining delegate slot not picked up by Paul at the May convention went to Sen. Michele Bachmann, who dropped out of the race months ago.
Minnesota delegates representing Paul will join others throughout the nation who plan to travel to represent the libertarian-leaning candidate at the August Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay, Fla. There, delegates will cast their votes for the official party nominee, while also discussing other issues of importance to the party.
While the party has claimed it’s not likely that Paul will be the Republican pick for 2012, it’s not going back on the momentum it has built throughout the nation — using its influence to encourage delegates to push for ‘Liberty’ change in the republican platform, while also paying attention to local, state and national races in November.
The delegate tactic
The Paul Campaign refers to its late delegate collection tactic as the ‘delegate-attainment strategy,’ one that seems to be securing delegates in the background of the presidential campaign that has already unofficially declared Romney the victor.
Days after Paul swept Minnesota, the campaign picked up 17 delegates in Vermont, adding to the growing list of supporters. It continues to pick up delegates at district conventions in Virginia, which have yielded 17 out of the 33 available in the state — the remaining 16 delegates will be chosen in June at the Vermont republican convention.
“Victories in Minnesota and other states demonstrate that Ron Paul supporters possess the adaptability, organizational muscle, and unmatched enthusiasm required to continue winning delegates in upcoming contests,” Paul’s National Campaign Manager John Tate said in a press release. “We’re also pleased to see Ron Paul supporters engaged in party-building to broaden the activist and voting base that will advance Republican majorities for many years to come.”
While unofficial delegate totals indicate Romney has surely secured a greater number of delegates, with 878, there are still 884 up for grabs — delegate slots that have not been claimed by anyone. Paul, following the victory in Minnesota, had 140 secured delegates. In order for a nominee to officially claim the Republican presidential candidacy, 1,144 votes would need to be secured.
Eleven states have yet to hold their primaries at all, including Texas, Romney’s home state, which has 155 delegates up for grabs. California is also among those up for grabs, with 172 delegates.
That means, of the 884 available, Romney only needs to secure 266 to seal the deal. If Paul were to secure all of the remaining 884 delegates, he would fall short at 1,024. However, if delegates who pledged for Santorum and Gingrich pooled together to defeat Romney, they could. In all, the two former presidential contestants earned 381 unofficial votes — if Paul picks up 90 of those, he could make it happen. It’s a long shot, but theoretically possible.
“Unfortunately, barring something very unforeseen, our delegate total will not be strong enough to win the nomination,” Paul Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton stated in a memo, according to the Washington Times. “However, our delegates can still make a major impact at the National Convention Beyond.
The goal of the Paul camp
Benton’s statement indicates the campaign still has a few tactics hidden under its sleeve — and that it won’t be fading into the political background any time soon. It continues to operate its website and place a great deal of time and energy into the organization and rallying of delegates in state conventions where slots are still up for grabs.
It also still has a passionate group of Paul supporters who feel, in some states, they’re being bullied.
Paul himself stated May 14 that he would not stop, citing the need for his supporters to also rally behind candidates vying for other seats those who share the same beliefs.
“I hope all supporters of Liberty will remain deeply involved — become delegates, win office, and take leadership positions,” Paul stated in an open message to supporters. “I will be right there with you. In the coming days, my campaign leadership will lay out to you our delegate strategy and what you can do to help, so please stay tuned.”
His message was heard loud and clear in Minnesota, where the Congressman following within the Republican party rallied behind a state senatorial candidate considered ‘one of Paul’s.’ Convention attendees voted Rep. Kurt Bills (R-Rosemont) to take on Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a democrat, for the U.S. seat.
Paul praised Minnesota for its convention conduct, saying it was a great example of how the democratic system should work.
“This is one of the greatest states that I have witnessed, where I have seen the transition, where the enthusiasm’s there,” Paul told a group of supporters, according to the Star Tribune.
While Republicans at the Minnesota convention didn’t all agree on the favored Paul stance and attitude, the convention was without controversy for the most part — unlike the recent Republican convention in Oklahoma held mid-May. Paul supporters were upset with the way the convention was run, claiming the establishment Republican party ran the convention contrary to proper rules — and so they continued the convention in the parking lot of the convention location building following the adjournment.
“We contend that the convention held inside was run improperly, particularly the election of national delegates and alternates,” Paul grassroots organizer Lukas Collins told News OK. “We also believe that the meeting was adjourned improperly so we simply continued the convention outdoors and we contend that the decisions made during that time are proper and legal and conform more properly to state party rules. We’re going to do what we can to follow the process and appeal at the chain of command.”
As a result of the outdoor convention, Paul claimed 25 delegates, all of whom plan to show up at the August National Republican Convention in Florida to cast votes — a move that will likely result in a conflict among Paul and Romney supporters and shed light on the rift among those within the Republican party.