Ron Paul’s Caucus Delegate Strategy

Those following the Republican Presidential nominating process have seen the impact of the Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision. The billionaire backers have played a significant role toward the survival of the Gingrich and Santorum nomination, to maintain the financial viability to continue their quest. Even Mitt Romney accepted the support of real estate mogul Donald Trump. Ron Paul, often labeled as the crazy candidate, has taken a different approach.

All too often the process story is an account of the excruciating details of the procedural events. The Ron Paul Delegate strategy has shattered that myth as well as completing the cliché, ‘crazy; like a fox.’

Essentially, the caucus events are a straw poll of those whom show up, stating their opinion regarding the candidate that best expresses their point of view. The votes are counted by the states party officials and a winner is declared.

This is where the crazy like a fox comes into play.

Of the 8 contest, Ron Paul is the only candidate without a state victory. Yet, from viewing the Ron Paul post event speeches, an objective observer would be perplexed on his consistent upbeat message regarding his focus on the caucus delegates. Ron Paul has stated quite clearly, ‘the delegates are the name of the game.’

After the Colorado and Minnesota caucus this week, the strategy came to light in a press release from the Paul Presidential campaign. The statement read; “We will have good numbers among the actual delegates awarded, far exceeding the straw poll numbers.”

Back to the process; after a winner is declared, the party officials then continue the business of choosing precinct delegates from those participants whom remain after the vote to go to the county and then the state convention. The state convention delegates attend the national convention expressing their choice as candidate representing that particular state.

Guess who stayed after the votes were cast and counted to represent the party delegates; Crazy like a fox? In spite of the popular vote, the delegates get to choose whomever they decide to be the representative of the state they represent. In what has been assumed as part of the process as representing the populace victor is not the case at all according to party bylaws.

How does the Ron Paul campaign respond to these tactics?

Senior campaign advisor Doug Wead quoted Woody Allen stating “80% of success is showing up.” He continued by saying there is nothing wrong or deceptive, anyone can stay, it is their right to do so.

Mr. Wead points out the recent Republican Party rule changes support the Mitt Romney candidacy. Specifically, the Florida, Nevada and Arizona events were all moved up which is designed to help Romney. The South was made largely a proportional system of delegate votes, also benefitting Romney. Additionally, the caucus system is primarily about who has the money toward organization, which Romney clearly can buy.

In answering the question to what end does this strategy play out, Mr. Wead responded; in a ‘Brokered Convention’, if all candidates remain, it would be a huge show.

Yet another case made for the Brokered Convention.