AUGUSTA, Maine – Ron Paul's army of supporters in Maine flexed their muscle Saturday as they elected their candidate for chairman of the state Republican convention, a first step toward taking over key party committees and giving the Texas congressman a voice at this summer's national convention.
"I think it shows that our numbers are here," Aaron Quinn, a 28-year-old Paul supporter from Brunswick, said after the close chairmanship vote.
Paul supporter Brent Tweed, a state committee member from York County, was elected chairman with 1,118 delegates' votes, just four more votes than the mainstream candidate, Charles Cragin, a one-time gubernatorial candidate. A Paul supporter was also narrowly elected secretary.
The votes were largely symbolic but important because they show the level of support at the crowded convention for the libertarian-leaning Paul. His supporters' real goals were to elect majorities on Republican county, state and national committees -- and elect a majority of the state's delegates to this summer's GOP national convention in Tampa, Fla.
Delivering 13 of Maine's 24 delegates to Paul would ensure he gets a chance to address the convention, said Matthew McDonald of Belfast, a Paul-supporting delegate.
"That's why Maine today is really, really important," McDonald said.
Nevada Republicans, who were holding their convention Saturday, also expected a strong Paul showing.
"I think it's a democratic process with a small D," Cragin said. "I just hope this enthusiasm continues with some longevity after Tampa."
Votes for a party platform, national delegates and national committee members were also scheduled for Saturday.
Paul supporters said they had no objections to the platform, which included calls for fiscal prudence and no new taxes, strong local and weak national governments, making English the official language of Maine, right to work and voter ID law, and other items.
Two years ago, tea party activists who showed up in force at the convention forced changes that left their mark on the platform.
