Ron Paul delegates mounting floor fight over new convention rules

Ron Paul delegates could provide an unwanted distraction to party leaders and Mitt Romney, the party's presumptive nominee.

Rep. Ron Paul's delegates are trying to mount a floor fight over new GOP rules designed to limit the ability of insurgent presidential candidates to amass delegates to future Republican conventions.

It is unclear whether they can rally enough support to force a vote on alternative rules. But they could provide an unwanted distraction to party leaders and Mitt Romney, the party's presumptive nominee.

New GOP rules would bind delegates to the outcome of presidential primaries, allowing candidates to choose which delegates would represent them at future national conventions. Currently, state parties choose national delegates, usually at state conventions.

Critics say the new rule would limit the ability of state parties to reward local activists. Delegate Thomas Boggia of Pennsylvania called the new rules "a power grab from D.C. insiders."