Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Damon Political Report

2012 GOP Convention:

Ron Paul, Mitt Romney delegates stand at the ready

Ron Paul Supporters at the 2012 Republican Convention

Karoun Demirjian

Nevada delegates Wiselet Rouzard and Cynthia Kennedy and Nevada delegation guest Dan Kempf display their support for Ron Paul on the floor of the Republican National Convention on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012.

Ron Paul Supporters at the 2012 Republican Convention

Nevada delegate and former state Ron Paul campaign chair Carl Bunce, right, and Nevada delegate David Isbell, center, help hold up a Ron Paul sign under Mitt Romney's Launch slideshow »

GOP chairman Reince Priebus officially gaveled open the 2012 Republican National Convention today, only to immediately close it for a day-long recess-- a planned intermission to make way for tropical storm Isaac.

Even though the proceedings lasted less than five minutes, groups of both Ron Paul and Mitt Romney delegates stood warily by in case either faction tried something unexpected.

“There’s an awful lot of people here,” Ron Paul delegate Carl Bunce said suspiciously just before the opening. He expected an empty room for the brief session.

“It’s politics. I’ve seen a lot of things happen,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Romney campaign ensured its whips and any delegates that actually attended the opening were ready with a counter chant if Paul supporters started one of their own.

In the end, the brief session was uneventful. Priebus’ only remarks were to criticize President Barack Obama’s “fiscal recklessness” as he started a federal debt clock that will run the length of the convention.

Paul supporters launched a brief demonstration at the back of the convention floor, which went largely unheeded. After Priebus left the stage, they waved Paul signs in front of Romney’s “We Can Do Better” slogan and chanted, “Ron Paul,” for a few moments before the television cameras.

The RNC canceled Monday’s events out of concern for tropical storm Isaac, which caused very little disruption in Tampa.

The convention is set to resume Tuesday, when Gov. Brian Sandoval will speak.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy