Although the Republican Party agreed to play a tribute video to libertarian and failed GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas politician won't cave to pressure to endorse Mitt Romney.
While Paul complained about the values of “mainstream Republicans,” including special interest support for the “military industrial complex,” during his speech Sunday at a rally for his supporters, he made no mention of Romney’s name.
In opening his speech, Paul joked that the RNC had changed its mind and given him an hour-long speaking slot at the convention. "Just kidding," he quipped.
"We'll become the tent!" he told supporters, asserting that the Ron Paul method of governing would eventually become standard GOP thinking.
The Ron Paul rally, "We Are The Future." was held in Tampa at the University of South Florida a day before the Republicans’ official convention kickoff. At one point supporters chanted "President Paul, President Paul."
The reason for that silence and his lack of official presence at the convention is because of his refusal to endorse Romney outright, Paul told The New York Times.
Mr. Paul, in an interview, said convention planners had offered him an opportunity to speak under two conditions: that he deliver remarks vetted by the Romney campaign, and that he give a full-fledged endorsement of Mr. Romney. He declined.
“It wouldn’t be my speech,” Mr. Paul said. “That would undo everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse him for president.”
