Romney/GOP Strike Ron Paul Deal

GOP officials and the Mitt Romney campaign have cut a deal with Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s campaign to allow some — though not all — of Paul’s delegates from Louisiana and Massachusetts to be seated at the Republican National Convention. (Rand Paul will also have a prominent speaking slot.) The status of Maine’s delegates remained unsettled.

The key looks to be in part the GOP’s embrace of Paul’s call for an audit of the Federal Reserve, a move hailed by his son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, as “great news” and “long overdue.” (Romney on Monday endorsed the concept during an appearance in New Hampshire; the party on Tuesday included it in its proposed party platform.) – NPR

[Take the poll. Do you believe Romney actually supports the audit?]

Mitt Romney’s operatives have been unable to overcome the Paul takeover in Minnesota. Marianne Stebbins, delegation chair, reports,

Minnesota’s delegation to the Republican National Convention will not back Mitt Romney when the party gathers in Tampa next week. Instead, 32 of the state’s 40 nominating votes will be cast for Ron Paul during the roll call of states.

Ron Paul is having his own pre-RNC rally which is reportedly sold out.

No doubt, there will be more surprises in Tampa…

UPDATE: Urgent news for delegates in Oregon.
 Check the Daily Paul for breaking news.

On Friday, Stay tuned to iroots.org for LIVE BLOGing of events in Tampa.