I happened to enter the Excel Center security perimeter with Ron Paul 20 minutes ago, which was unexpected for two reasons: 1) I don't normally say hello to congressman and former presidential candidates while walking down sidewalks, and 2) He refuses to endorse John McCain, and was reportedly not going to attend the RNC in part because he received a second-class convention pass.
So why is Paul here? A Fox News interview, occurring as I type.
I told him I enjoyed his Rally for the Republic yesterday, which is true. He said, "You were there?" as though it were impossible for anyone walking into the RNC to have also gone to that extra-party gathering. But not an unreasonable assumption, considering that the Republican party appears to have partially punished him for not walking in lock-step with McCain and the RP. If he spoke tonight -- now that would be an interesting convention night.
But, actually, I didn't even stick around for Paul's speech last night. Jesse Ventura's mad bluster (he now sports an incredible mane of hair) wore me out on the libertarian gathering, but make no mistake: Paul's rally was infinitely more interesting than the canned stuff here…
Off to a press conference on McCain/Palin's call for earmark reform. Should be interesting to see how six congressmen and a senator square such a noble pursuit with this.
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Jeremy Gantz is an In These Times contributing editor working at Time magazine.
