FRC Opposed Rule Change Aimed at Ron Paul Supporters; Compromise Reached
TAMPA, Fla. – The Family Research Council, along with other activists, opposed a rule change aimed at preventing the type of influence Ron Paul supporters were able to exert on the presidential nomination process. A compromise has been reached and one of four rule changes was abandoned, FRC President Tony Perkins explained in a Tuesday interview with The Christian Post.
The proposed rule would have allowed a presidential candidate to replace some delegates with his or her own supporters.
Ron Paul supporters have earned a reputation for understanding the intricate state party rules for deciding who the delegates will be, and taking advantage of those rules. In some states, their knowledge of the rules allowed Paul's supporters to receive the most delegates even though he lost the popular vote. The proposed changes are aimed at preventing that type of insurgency from happening again.
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The Paul delegates at the convention are making their presence felt. They cheer whenever Ron Paul's name is mentioned. And, during Tuesday night's roll call of the delegates, the announcer would only repeat the number of Mitt Romney delegates, which prompted Paul supporters to yell back the number of delegates Paul received.
Perkins explained that FRC opposed the changes because it would limit the influence of activists within the party. Many other conservative groups, along with the entire Texas delegation, shared the same concerns.
A compromise was reached Monday night that struck the proposed rule that would have allowed the nominee to replace some delegates. Three other rule changes aimed at Paul supporters remained in place. For instance, the candidate that wins a statewide caucus or primary will now have more influence over choosing the delegates from that state.
