Ron Paul plans pre-convention event in Florida (claims to carry about 200 delegates)

Ron Paul's campaign plans to hold its own event prior to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., joining two other pro-Paul rallies seeking to preempt the GOP brouhaha.

The campaign, announcing the event Monday, said it will take place Aug. 26, the day before the GOP is set to begin its proceedings. The location and specifics of the rally have not yet been revealed.

Paul, while not in realistic contention for the GOP presidential nomination, will have a voice at the convention. Though he finished third in the Iowa caucuses, 23 of the state's 28 delegates will be backing the Texas congressman at the convention, and through an in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of state primary rules, he holds delegates from Nevada, Maine and Minnesota.

"We're going to hold up our values and we're going to bring conservatism back to the mainline of the Republican Party," said Paul’s former Iowa campaign director, Joel Kurtinitis.

The campaign has consistently claimed it will have about 200 delegates at the convention.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-ron-paul-holding-prernc-convention-event-in-florida-20120619,0,7818814.story