Watch Ron Paul on American Morning Tuesday.
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Texas Rep. Ron Paul said Tuesday that he was told he could go to the Republican convention floor under restricted conditions, but he'd have to pick up his pass at the gate and he couldn't have any guests.
"Republican congressmen should have a pass to the floor but they said, 'Your pass will be at the gate and we'll pick it up when you leave and you can't take anybody with you," Paul said on CNN's "American Morning."
Supporters of the former Republican presidential candidate are holding their own counter convention in Minneapolis. The "Rally for the Republic" marks the official start of Paul's new political action group, the "Campaign for Liberty."
More than 10,000 tickets to the rally have been sold. Tucker Carlson, Jesse Ventura and Grover Norquist are among the speakers who will appear before Paul, who is scheduled to address the rally at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Paul said his rally will be a positive event that focuses on the issues he thinks other Republicans ignore -"the spending problems, the deficit, our foreign policy, our national defense, our monetary policy."
"We're Republicans – we believe in limited government and personal liberties. We ought to be talking about these things," he said.
Paul has been critical of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain and Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee.
Asked if there is anything to like about the presidential contenders, Paul said "not a heck of a lot."
"I like it when they shift their positions, but then you don't know where they are," he said sarcastically. "John McCain used to be for taxes – now he's against taxes. Obama talks about less military intervention, but he's the first one to say we should increase the troops in Afghanistan."
Paul did have kind words for Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick. He said he was "delighted" to hear she said positive things about him in a recent interview.
"I hope she puts the right kind of pressure on our platform," he said.
From CNN Politics
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Who?
OK?
Ron Paul has a powerful message that needs to be heard.
Ron Paul 2012!!
What ever
Uh-oh... discord in the GOP... We better have 24/7 coverage of how the Repuglicans will seek to address this topic of disunity during their convention.
Paul and Barr PUMA's now is the time!!
Republicans were out of their minds to not elect this man to be the nominee. He has more intelligence in his left pinky than McCain has in his whole body. I bet he wouldn't have picked a nobody from Alaska to be his VP. If he was at the top of the GOP ticket I am pretty sure I would vote for him and I'm a Democrat.
Finally, a Republican with standards. One that won't jeopardize the safety of our country to win an election.
Paul '08
MAN!! the GOP is scared stiff of EVERYBODY. WOW
Is that how you treate the members of your own party????
I guess this owned Obama some Ron Paul voters
the only republican I would have supported
McCain = Election victory FIRST before America!
Palin = Alaska Independent FIRST before America! (Or have you guys not read she was a member of the movement?)
GOP = WAR and OIL Companies first before Americans!
But, Ron Paul: NO WAY! NO HOW!! NO McCAIN!!!
As a Christian I am embarrased by our foolish 'so called' leaders support of the McBush/Paleny ticket. We have an athiest McBush who mocks Christians by attending a Baptist Church where he has refused to be Baptized? Who has called the evangelical leaders who support him,crazy and agents of hate. And now this bitter old man 'buys' the evangelical vote by picking a VP eho attends a pentacostal church but who has no experience or qualifications for the office and who is being investigated on ethics violations for mis using the power of her office. Christians are being sold on the idea that it is okay that McWar will send our soldiers off to fight in ill advised foolish wars. That we can accept a trillion dollar debt and a ruined economy just because McBush agrees (for now) to be anti abortion. Some non Christians say we are naive and close minded. Are we?
What a shame that the Republican machine is too afraid of this guy to support him. Paul is the only true Republican left in the party. What a shame.
My heart goes out to you Ron Paul. You are brave, real patriot.
- Republican at heart, Democrat for now..
Obama|Biden '08
Control.
It's been the GOP way for several years now.
What an idiot, Yes we should increase troops in Afganistan thats where the terroist are that attacked the US.
You've really started something Ron. Thank you for being polite regardless of how you've been treated, and thank you for clearly stating your positions.
SOUNDS LIKE THE GOP IS FALLING APART AT THE SEAMS LATELY !
This is the guy I like!
We need to get a lot more people like him elected.
What an inclusive bunch these Republicans are. You'd think that Ron Paul was some sort of fruit loop that they were trying to control...
They have sold 10,000 tickets and McCain's camp had to give most of their tickets away? Hum . . . I believe the media might be paying attention and focusing on the wrong Republican candidate.
It seems to me that Ron Paul might have slightly more common sense than McCain. How in the heck did McCain become the
Republican candidate?
Oh well, doesn't matter.
Obama/Biden '08
Great job GOPs. You just denied the democracy of a congressman within your own party to voice his opinions. This is a SAD day for the GOPs.
It is wonderful to see the GOP outpouring of support for Sarah Palin's daughter.
Sadly, John McCain's support for other unwed teens has not been so generous.
John McCain voted AGAINST funding for teen moms.
That's pro-life?
who says the republicans are united?
This man should be our next president.