(CNN) – While his son came out in support for Mitt Romney last week, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas said Tuesday he won't be following suit.
"No. Not ready. No way," Paul said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" when asked if he was ready to endorse Romney.
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In May, the congressman decided to end his active campaigning for president, though he still technically remains a presidential candidate.
His son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, caused a stir nearly two weeks ago among some of his father's diehard supporters when he announced he was backing the presumptive GOP presidential nominee–a candidate whose more moderate Republican platform contrasts with several of the libertarian ideas championed by Sen. Paul and his father.
While Rep. Paul acknowledged on Tuesday that Romney would become the nominee, he argued the candidate "doesn't have control of the hearts and minds of the people" and gave no hint that he would stand behind Romney at the Republican National Convention in August.
"What's he going to achieve? I think it's legitimate for us to continue the debate. I know they don't want the debate at the convention; everything has to be smooth and proper," Paul said.
He added that as a taxpayer, he helps pay for the conventions-or what he called "grand parties"-and therefore has a right to push his own message at the event.
In recent months, Paul supporters have aggressively made waves at state conventions in order to shore up more delegates for Paul at the national convention.
"I'd like to have these conventions mean something and continue the debate and decide what we as a party actually believe in," Paul said.
The congressman also did little to shoot down a lawsuit spearheaded by his supporters against the Republican National Committee.
The suit, CNN has learned, argues that the party's "binding delegate" rule–in which delegates in some states are required to vote for their primary's winner–violates federal law and impedes on delegates' "Constitutional right to vote their conscience" in Tampa.
Responding to the claim, the RNC has dismissed the suit as "frivolous."
While Paul, himself, is not involved in the lawsuit, he said he encouraged his supporters to stand up for themselves and their cause if they feel cheated against.
"If they have a legitimate argument that they can make and that's what they want to do, I'm not going to say 'Don't do it'," he said.
– CNN Political Reporter Peter Hamby contributed to this report
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From CNN Politics
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BWHAHAHAHAHAHA – ROFLMAO - This is fantastic! The only GOP candidate who is still standing by what they have said througout the debates. All the other GOPers fell right behind Mr. Plastic, just hoping he would pay their bills and further their careers. Good one, Mr. Paul.
Dr. Paul is AWESOME !
The RNC say's it is frivolous yet they are scrambling to put a legal team together, Since when did voter fraud , intimidation, and the legal electoral process become frivolous? Every American should be appalled at what has transpired this election. This is not what generations of Americans have fought and died for. Our vote is our voice. it is what empowers us as Americans, without an honest election process we become what we have fought against for our entire history. It is time for Americans to stand up and let them know, that this will not and can not stand. if we don't America is DOOMED !!!
Thats a real leader boys and girls. RP is the only adult in the room, thank goodness he has brought keynesianism into public view. Ron Paul will balance the budget and protect our liberty. nothing more nothing less.
So who is Ron going to endorse, his son Rand Paul. Forget it he'll never be President of this U.S.
Dr Paul. I never doubted you. You'll always be my role model.
RON PAUL – A NO NONSENSE MAN OF INTEGRITY! He should be the GOP nominee.
I believe he said "What's IT going to achieve?"-meaning what is the point of endorsing Romney....especially since he has so much support and Romany can't even get a picture with a few hundred supporters...(crickets) --WHERE ARE THE ROMNEY SUPPORTERS?
Ron Paul - "You Gotta Love Him"
DR No says No Way! like a statesman
Paul's answer should be "Never!" given that he seems to at least have a spine...
Actually Ron Paul winning more delegates at this point
Ron Paul does not like Romney nor his followers eighter.War & Goverment are a big issue and Romney will start another war most likely and use Goverment for his own agenda for political advantages of his party.And R.Paul knows Romney isn't going to win the election.So does allot of the republican partys doners and supporters.Mr. Romney has been looked at as a flip-flopper from day 1.But the far right will support him and everybody has to go along with it for political purposes only, not for their trust.It's been clear from the begining how the GOP feels thats no secret.
Good for Ron Paul. He stands firm in his beliefs. You don't see that in other congressmen/Governors/Presidents do you? The man cannot be bought. I like that in a government representative. I like a guy that values indivualism. I am not a color, I am not part of a voting block. I am not a religion. I am an individual.
Ron Paul 2012!
The man that can restore America!
Screw Mitt Romney
Ron Paul Revolution Continues 2012
Ron Paul said he would no longer actively campaign in the remaining primaries. He did not end his campaign for the RNC nomination. Ron Paul supporters have not aggressivley made waves at state conventions to obtain delegates. They have been cheated, arrested, lied to, and physicaly assaulted by the old guard GOPers. Why should Ron Paul have to shoot down the lawsuit in progress. Have you done any actual investigation before you posted this tripe Miss. Killough?
Just a few months ago the MSM was doing their best to try to convince us that the Paul campaign was in bed with Romney.
I was backing Ron Paul this year. He won't run Third Party so Romney gets my vote. That is unless he picks a hispanic running mate? Then I don't vote at all.
Ron Paul should either put up or shut up at this point. At least Nader had the balls to challenge his liberal friends and run as an independent. Ron Paul lacks the stones to truly stand up to the GOP and make a third party run.
Aw, go ahead and endorse him. He is a good as the GOP will get. LOL
Ron Paul don't endorse just because you are Republican. Don't vote entirely if your choice is the better of two evils.
Romney and Bullwinkle are really no choice. Obama can be shut down and Romney is or could be a loose cannon not worth the chance.
You got to love that man.
God has blessed us with Ron Paul!
Patriots don't compromise with B.S. Wait til you see Ron Paul's Army of Patriots.
Mitt Romney's foreign policy advisers come from the Bush administration. They are neoconservatives. Neoconservatism – Continuous, pre-emptive wars and nation building in the name of democracy. Ron Paul is not a neoconservative so it is understandable why he refuses to endorse Mitt Romney.