Romney, RNC Minimize Ron Paul’s Influence at Convention

Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee (RNC) establishment have utilized the carrot and the stick to ensure that former presidential rival Ron Paul and his supporters won’t have a major impact at the convention next week.

The Texas congressman won’t be formally nominated at the gathering, and he won’t speak. So Romney doesn’t have to worry about Paul fans making a big ruckus, Politico reports.

The defeated candidate has a majority of delegates from Nevada, Iowa, and Minnesota. But you need to control five states to be officially recognized on the floor. The Paul camp sought a majority in Louisiana, Massachusetts, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Maine. But lawyers for Romney deftly deployed rules and negotiations to keep that from happening.

For their part, Paul’s supporters are playing nice with their fellow Republicans. “We knew we were walking into a snake pit, but you’ve got to put up the fight,” Virginia delegate Christopher Stearns told Politico. “It was a fair hearing, and I thought it was an acceptable environment. The majority rules, and the will of [the] minority shall be heard.”

Meanwhile, other Republicans are playing nice with the Paul crew. “I hope that Ron Paul supporters and delegates saw a Republican National Committee that was fair, open and honest,” RNC Chairman Reince Priebus told Politico. “I think you’re seeing the beginning of a very peaceful conclusion to this and everyone being on the same page to elect Mitt Romney.”

The Romney camp has gone out of its way to show respect for the Paul side. Staffers from each side negotiated quietly for months to reach compromises over the convention. Romney and the RNC allowed Paul to have his way on several parts of the party platform.