Ron Paul's supporters gain influence at Republican weekend conventions in Iowa
THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press
First Posted: April 23, 2012 - 5:57 pm
Last Updated: April 23, 2012 - 5:58 pm
DES MOINES, Iowa — The influence of Ron Paul's caucus campaign is growing within the Iowa Republican Party long after his third-place finish in January and reflected in gains his supporters made Saturday during GOP conventions held in the state's four congressional districts.
Yet although the Texas congressman's supporters could have an outsized role in who represents Iowa at the Republican National Convention in August, it's unclear exactly what their influence will be on the direction of the state party.
At least half of an eight-member committee elected Saturday to nominate Iowa's delegation to the convention supported Paul in the caucuses, state party officials said. In addition, six people elected to the 18-member state Republican central committee supported Paul, whose call for sharp spending cuts and pulling out of foreign military intervention has won him a loyal following of strict conservatives and college-age voters.
Paul has more supporters on the central committee than any other presidential candidate. While the six elected over the weekend represent an increase of just one, but all are new to the panel.
Paul's 2012 Iowa caucus co-chairman A.J. Spiker was elected Iowa Republican party chairman.
"The Paul campaign, for the most part, is over in Iowa," Spiker said Monday. "This is a way those people can stay involved. This is another way for them to influence and advance the principles of the party."
The increase in Paul's influence on the state party reflects a shift reminiscent of the influx of Christian conservatives 25 years ago after the Rev. Pat Robertson's surprise second-place finish in the 1988 Iowa GOP caucuses. Paul's supporters initially gained influence in local party circles after his fifth-place finish in Iowa's 2008 presidential caucuses. The group has grown since his strong third-place showing this year, the product of a better-organized effort to reach grassroots supporters.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum narrowly won Jan. 3's non-binding caucuses. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished a close second.
Iowa has 28 delegates to the national convention, a small fraction of the 1,144 needed to clinch the 2012 presidential nomination.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has collected 697 delegates and is considered the likely nominee. Santorum, who has the second-most delegates, suspended his campaign two weeks ago.
The nominating committee will propose 13 delegates to the convention in Tampa. Roughly 2,500 delegates to the Iowa Republican convention will debate the list and vote on a slate in June. Twelve delegates will be elected at a second round of district conventions in June. The state's two Republican National Committee members and the state Republican chairman round out the 28 delegates.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/6a360905cf984c2faa684b47a2828c3d/IA--Iowa-GOP-Conventions/
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