Tampa, Florida (CNN) – A stand off between Ron Paul supporters and the Republican National Committee over convention delegates appears to be easing, and both sides are close to announcing a deal that could help avoid a potentially embarrassing moment for Mitt Romney on the day he receives the GOP presidential nomination.
The deal, which is expected to be announced Tuesday afternoon, will seat more Paul delegates at next week's Republican National Convention, an act that could help prevent an organized effort by Paul supporters to try and bring Monday's opening session to a grinding halt.
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"This is a major step towards peace and good will on the convention floor," said a Paul source familiar with the negotiations. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been made public.
The RNC has agreed to seat 17 Ron Paul delegates from Louisiana, which has been a major point of contention between the Paul campaign and the Romney campaign. In addition, the RNC will also seat additional Paul delegates from Massachusetts, ending the controversy in that state.
There are still ongoing discussions over disputed delegates from Maine, which is being negotiated by Paul advisors, RNC officials and senior Romney staff. But the compromise over Louisiana and Massachusetts was a major break through on this thorny issue less than a week before the Republican National Convention.
The good will between Paul and Romney was helped by the willingness of the Romney campaign to help integrate key policy issues into the Republican Party platform, which has been debated here in Tampa for the past two days. Discussions between Paul and Romney over the platform have been going on for months.
"We are extremely pleased with how this platform is going," said the source close to Paul. "It is a very constitutionally conservative, little 'l' libertarian document. They have really gone out of their way to address issues that we care about, the tea party cares about and the independent minded folks coming into the party the party care about."
Specifically, the Paul campaign was pleased with the tough language in the platform regarding the Federal Reserve and a willingness to at least allow a public discussion on other issues even if they were not adopted.
In another olive branch to Paul and his supporters, the Romney campaign has asked his son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, to speak in prime time Monday night at the convention.
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Wow, I thought Ron Paul supporters had more cajones than that.
I think they should not negotiate and just run as a third candidate the GOP is not the place for people who are like Ron Paul
Justice: We have been eating varying degrees of socialism/fascism since the beginning of our country, but especially the last 100 years. Both parties, from top to bottom, are responsible. Even if the GOP wins this presidential election, the American citizen is still losing the war... and the score isn't even close.
It's quite entertaining to watch the nutbag wing of the right cause the implosion of the Grand OLD Party.
Ron Paul is a loser, period
not sure why people think Obama Socialism will be any different than Romney Socialism...Both have no problem arresting you and putting you in prison indefinitely without trial...we get we we ask for
Let Ron Paul give his speech!
So the GOP was in negotiations to allow the delegates voted in that supported Ron Paul, to be seated? Listen, fellas, if they're VOTED IN, they have the RIGHT to be seated!
What did they do, claim the Paul supporters didn't have proper ID or something?
Heck, if the Ron Paul people aren't going to raise a ruckus.........what's the point in watching the convention? That had the potential for great entertainment.
Hope Ron Paul doesn't cave. Don't want either Odumbo or Romneyhood. The way the GOP and media has treated Congressman Paul has been apauling, pardon the pun. I will write in Ron Paul or vote for Gary Johnson before I'd vote for those other two bought and paid for, lying, flip flopping, nothing good for American candidates.!! Support and vote Ron Paul 2012 for America and Americans first!! If you vote for the other two, then your just a foolish little sheepie and one of the main reasons why our country is in the shape and where it's at today.
Thats right keep fighting between Republican Dem, Left Right, Gay Straight, Black White. People the fix is in . Bankers control both sides it is a no lose situation for them. OBAMA and Romney are both backed by Goldman Sacks. George Soros and the Rothechilds controll everything. That is why there will never be a real change if we keep this up. Wake up
Hang in there Ron Paul. We are still here for you.
See? Even Ron Paul supporters will sell out if offer them enough cash.
It's unfortunate that the average American is not ready to embrace libertarianism because they don't understand it. But it's good to see the candidates getting together to unite against the common enemy.
The inmates have taken over the asylum.
LOL!! I'm interested to hear how they interpret the strict ban on abortion as a "libertarian" position! The only liberties being protected are the liberties of men to limit the choices available to women.
Paul should stand his ground. I am so tired of folks pushing him around, the ture saviour of the cause.
Sorry, this Libertarian is voting for Obama. No more military adventures, no more socialist abortion decrees from the GOP. When the GOP stops being the most socialist political party in America, let me know and I'll come back.
They should seat the entire slate from LA. Anything less is stealing the LA State GOP convention.
I have no doubt that if Ron Paul was anywhere on the ballot for the general election, that he would beat both Romney and Obama. It is unfortunate, but Ron Paul is the only voice of the people who know what really needs to be changed in this country to save it, but who are silenced by government, big business, and the media because it would derail the gravy train they have become so accustomed to. The so called democracy of our country is a complete joke so long as you fools continue to support the two party system and allow your elections to be won by the best liars, and purchased by the highest bidders. The choice between Romney and Obama is like asking whether we want our country to continue to have aids or cancer... either way, their presidency will only lead to more temporary solutions to our countries increasing problems.
I have a question... So if the media is so sure that Romney is the GOP candidate and it was already 'in the bag', Why should the media or the GOP be worried about a few unseated Paul delegates? If Romney already has enough delegates to win the nomination then why would they be 'negotiating' with the Paul campaign. Am I just not seeing the whole picture or are there rules that the delegation needs everyone seated? Even if just the Romney delegates showed shouldn't he have the majority and they would form a Forum? If the Romney campaign needs to negotiate with Paul then something is going on that the media seems unwilling to admit... But then I am most likely wrong and what do i know... I can't buy votes.
so they sold their soul to the devil. what a surprise.
At this point you guys might be better off with Paul. Crazy and all....
I don't understand why libertarians align themselves with the GOP. The values of libertarians are entirely different from the group that sets policy for the GOP, the religious right.
JNPA, I think you're a Democrat plant here. It doesn't sound like you're going to support ANY Republican.