In the category of politics makes strange bedfellows, witness the friendship between former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas. The two became friends during the 2008 presidential race and while others are attacking vehemently in the GOP race for the presidential nomination, they are not,
The Washington Post reported.
Not only are the two candidates friends, so are their spouses, Ann Romney and Carol Paul. While Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich snipe at each other, Romney has taken time at debates to praise Paul despite their differences on the issues.
The Romney-Paul alliance has something for both. It gives Paul a seat at the table should Romney win the nomination and it gives Romney a chance to tap into a powerful group of supporters, the Post reported.
“It would be very foolish for anybody in the Republican Party to dismiss a very real constituency,” one senior GOP aide told the Post. “Ron Paul plays a very valuable part in the process and brings a lot of voters toward the Republican Party and ultimately into the voting booth, and that’s something that can’t be ignored.”
Another Republican adviser said that Romney’s camp is “quietly in touch with Ron Paul” and has even coordinated on such things as staggering the timing of each candidate’s appearance on television, the Post reported.
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