RNC: Vin Weber calls MN GOP 'screwed up,' Paul delegates fight rule change

    While attending the Republican National Convention in Tampa, former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber described a state party suffering from a split between Ron Paul supporters and the GOP mainstream. Weber says the divide leaves Minnesota's GOP ineffective and "screwed up." Also, Minnesotans are fighting a proposed change in the delegate selection process that would have delegates chosen by the presidential candidates rather than elected at state conventions. One calls the proposal a "power grab by Washington insiders."
    Author:
    Publish date:

    Former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber, who is a consultant to the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, tells The Hill the Republican party in his home state has suffered from a divide between party regulars and the influx of Ron Paul supporters. Weber says the split has left the state party "totally ineffective (and) screwed up." The blog reports party leaders worry more states may have different versions of the same problem.

    The Paul supporters dominate Minnesota's delegation in Tampa and they are mobilizing to fight a proposed change in how the party selects its delegates. Instead of delegates being elected at state or Congressional district conventions, presidential candidates would choose their delegates. One of the Minnesotans upset by the proposal tells the Pioneer Press it's a power grab by Washington insiders.

    The national convention was gaveled to order Monday, but recessed two minutes later in deference to Tropical Storm Isaac. The stormy weather may have kept down the number of protesters in Tampa. But a Minneapolis organizer says marches will go on as planned.

    Next Up

    Related

    News

    Minnesota delegates cast ballots for Paul, lose fight over rule changes

    Many of Minnesota's delegates to the Republican National Convention relished their chance to support the libertarian campaign of Texas Congressman Ron Paul. But in many cases that satisfaction was tempered by frustration with the Mitt Romney supporters who organized the convention. From rule changes that went against them to a ban on Ron Paul signs, some of the delegates considered the event an Infomercial that stepped on the grass roots.

    News

    Some Minnesota RNC delegates sticking by Ron Paul

    Although its a forgone conclusion that Mitt Romney will win the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention this coming week, several of Minnesota's delegates are still planning on voting for Texas Congresssman Ron Paul. Of the of the 40 delegates headed to the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla., 32 are Paul supporters.

    News

    Head of MN GOP delegation: Romney represents old ideas

    32 of Minnesota's 40 delegates to next week's Republican National Convention plan to vote for Ron Paul to be the party's presidential candidate. Marianne Stebbins, who chairs the delegation, says Mitt Romney represents old ideas and is not a strong candidate. Stebbins says Paul supporters are helping the GOP grow and, while there are some growing pains, the party is gradually accommodating them.

    News

    RNC: Minnesotans rally for Paul; he won't speak at convention

    When Minnesota delegates arrived in Tampa they quickly headed for a Ron Paul rally. Paul, meanwhile, refused an offer to speak at the Republican National Convention because he would have had to clear his speech with presumptive nominee Mitt Romney. And an uninvited guest named Isaac is wreaking havoc with the convention's schedule.

    News

    Compromise reached in GOP delegate selection rule

    A rule change proposed by Mitt Romney's campaign at the Republican National Convention on how delegates are selected was shot down after concerned activists claimed the change was "a power grab" by presidential nominees. A compromise was reached Monday evening by both sides of the debate.

    News

    Delegates unlikely to hear from Paul at Republican convention

    Minnesota's delegation to the Republican National Convention may not hear from its preferred candidate on the floor in Tampa. If Ron Paul had carried five states, he would have been guaranteed a chance to be nominated and address the convention. But Paul came up one state short, carrying Minnesota, Iowa, Maine, and Louisiana.