TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Republican loyalists to Mitt Romney are trying to make it harder for insurgent presidential candidates such as Ron Paul to have a big voice in future nominating conventions.
GOP rule-makers voted Friday to tie the selection of convention delegates to the results of each state’s Republican primary.
Paul’s supporters used state party meetings or conventions in some states to pick pro-Paul delegates to attend next week’s national convention in Tampa, Fla.
Paul won no primaries. But he amassed about 175 delegates, partly through such means.
Romney allies said primary voters expect national convention delegates to be loyal to the primary winner.
The proposed change is subject to a later vote on a large rules package.