Ron Paul: Mitt Romney Should Release Tax Returns

Ron Paul Supporters Make Themselves Heard in Convention Hall

Aug 282012

Jason Merritt/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Ron Paul supporters have always been very vocal, and the reconvening of the Republican National Convention Tuesday was no exception.

At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, RNC chairman Reince Priebus gaveled everyone back into the convention, welcoming the delegates back to the 2012 RNC. Just minutes before the gavel came down, however, the floor of the Tampa Bay Times Forum was abuzz with chants for the Texas congressman and two-time presidential candidate.

Paul was on the floor of the space, where he received a rock-star-like welcome. Supporters chanted, “Let him speak” – a reference to the fact that Paul was not given a speaking slot at the RNC (although his son, Rand, will be speaking).

At one point, chants of “Romney” were drowned out by chants of “Ron Paul.” Paul walked around the floor wearing a red, white and blue lei, and he walked through the crowd signing autographs, according to reports from ABC News’ Aaron Katersky. Throughout the hallways of the forum, supporters were easily identified. Ron Paul t-shirts and cowboy hats bearing the representative’s name were sported by various delegates.

The supporters seemed to settle down, at least for the time being, after Priebus came out and banged the gavel, but Paulites definitely made themselves known.

Ron Paul Rallies Supporters Ahead of GOP Convention

Aug 272012

Alex Wong/Getty Images(TAMPA, Fla.) — Rep. Ron Paul might have fallen short in his bid for the presidency, but on Sunday afternoon the libertarian leaning Texas congressman proclaimed his “liberty movement” was alive and well.

Paul took center stage at his “We Are the Future” rally at the University of South Florida.

Animated and witty, he stuck to the message of limited government, the central theme of his presidential bid and a message he has been delivering all of his life.

“We want to get the government out of the business it’s not supposed to be doing,” Paul said.

In an otherwise highly scripted week for the party, the event on the eve of the kickoff of the Republicans’ nominating convention, was seen as unpredictable.

Paul ended active campaigning in June and unlike most of his GOP rivals, hasn’t endorsed Mitt Romney’s candidacy. He told The New York Times for a story Sunday that he was denied a chance to speak because he refused to let the Romney campaign vet his remarks and give an unconditional endorsement.

Paul didn’t win a single state during his bid for the presidency, but still amassed more than 150 delegates to the convention. His coalition is made up of anti-war Republicans, people who want stricter government adherence to the Constitution and those who want to dismantle the Federal Reserve.

Paul encouraged his supporters to continue until their views are the GOP mainstream.

“Believe me, we will get in the tent because we will become the tent eventually,” he said. “With the energy that we have, it seems to me they would be begging and pleading for us to come into the party.”

Paul, 77, is leaving Congress after his 12th term expires at year’s end. He will be honored Tuesday night in a video tribute at the convention. The RNC also amended the party’s platform to include policy provisions Paul has advocated for, such as an audit of the Federal Reserve.

Despite the conciliatory gestures, some of Paul’s ardent supports believe the Republican Party is marginalizing him.

“It’s nice they’re doing a tribute, but it doesn’t change my opinion of them,” said Susie Mann, 55, of Columbus, Ohio. “Let the man speak.”

Ron Paul: I ‘Have Not’ Decided If I’ll Vote for Romney

Jul 192012

Ethan Miller/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Ron Paul, who is still technically running for the Republican nomination, says he has not decided whether or not he’ll vote for Mitt Romney.

“I have not made a decision,” Paul told Fox Business Network’s Liz Claman and David Asman.

When asked what he thinks about Romney as a candidate for president, Paul responded, “Compared to whom? He certainly offers different things than the current president. But the current conditions make it rough for anyone. They are going to have a very though job.”

Paul and Romney reportedly struck up a friendly rapport on the campaign trail, The New York Times noted in February.

While Paul is still a candidate, he announced in May that he would stop campaigning in new states, and his supporters have fallen short of reaching the delegate threshold necessary to make him eligible for the GOP presidential nomination at the party’s national convention in Tampa, but Paul has not officially announced his withdrawal from the race, as other Republican candidates have done.

Ron Paul: Releasing Tax Returns Would Help Mitt Romney

Jul 172012

Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Count Ron Paul as the latest Republican who thinks it would behoove Mitt Romney to release his tax returns.

“Politically, I think that would help him,” Paul told Politico’s MJ Lee in an interview. “In the scheme of things politically, you know, it looks like releasing tax returns is what the people want.”

Paul agreed with pundits who have called Romney’s tax returns a distraction from more substantial issues in the 2012 campaign.

“It’s a shame,” Paul told Politico. “It’s all a charade, I think it’s all contrived to not have a debate.”

Paul campaign manager Jesse Benton contested Politico’s casting of the story. “Dr. Paul is not calling on Gov. Romney to release his tax returns. This story is the result of some very poor, gotcha journalism by a Politico reporter and does reflect Dr. Paul’s sentiments,” Benton told ABC News. Benton said Paul’s campaign has a “very cordial and respectful” relationship with Romney’s.

During the Republican primary campaign, The New York Times noted that the two candidates had struck up a kind of friendship.

While prominent conservatives from George Will to Bill Kristol to former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele appeared on Sunday talk shows and called on Romney to release more years of his tax returns, two Republican elected officials have now shared their view, while phrasing things less aggressively.

Paul joins Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on the nascent, tiny list of GOP politicians who have said publicly that Romney should oblige his critics’ requests.

“I just believe in total transparency,” Bentley told ABC News at the National Governors Association conference in Williamsburg, Va., on Saturday. “In fact, I was asked today that question — do you think that Governor Romney should release his tax returns? And I said I do. I said, I release my tax returns.”