Paul's people walk out of RNC, but Paul endorses Paul's partner

There once was a man from Khartoum
Took a transexual whore to his room
They spent half the night
In a helluva fight
About who should do what, and to whom

That's what's happening at the Republican National Convention -- lots of fighting about who's for whom, who gets to vote, and who gets thrown out for having the temerity to support someone other than the Inevitable Mitt.

To bring you up to date, there have been dozens of empty chairs -- clearly visible on TV -- in spaces reserved for delegates. The bums that should have been in the chairs were outside, in motion as they marched -- well, the legs supporting them marched -- around the Forum hollering "As Maine goes, so goes the nation" and other slogans of disentitlement and disgruntlement.

Delegates pledged to Texas congressman Ron Paul understandably felt like the fly on the rim of the toilet bowl -- that is, pissed off -- having been denied a part in the proceedings by rule changes clearly meant to squelch grass roots political rights. Up until Tuesday they had enough votes in enough states to place Mr. Paul's name in nomination. Then they didn't! Voices of dissent are not to be heard at the coronation.

Congressman Paul himself was not allowed to speak. Oh yes, he was offered a slot, on condition that his speech be approved in advance by the Romney people -- a "privilege" which Mr. Paul chose to decline. He was fobbed off [flipped off? Ed.] with a video tribute which had to compete for attention with coverage of Isaac. And yes, Ron Paul's son, Senator Rand Paul, did get to address the delegates Wednesday, praising the American system which led an immigrant's son like his dad to run for president.

Paul père is 77, and set to retire in January, leaving the causes of personal liberty and small government without their Washington champion just as they appear to be gaining traction. You would think Paul fils, elected in 2010 as part of the Tea Party surge, and supposedly a constitutional conservative and libertarian, would be the most logical person to take the torch from his father's aging hands. Alas, so impressed was Senator Paul by the Republicans' commitment to fairness for all that he endorsed the Mitt (and his more charismatic alter ego, Paul Ryan).

Rand Paul's endorsement of the former multimillionaire businessman with the principles of a chameleon has alienated many in the conservative movement, who for some reason think Romney shares none of their beliefs. Questions are already being heard about Mitten's health, the implication being that not many tears would be shed if, in the event of his election, he suffered the same fate as James A. Garfield.

That would leave the presidensity in the rather more trustworthy hands of another Paul -- Paul Ryan. Walt thinks the Pauls wouldn't mind that at all.