Ron Paul takes cause to Main Plaza

Several hundred enthusiastic fans greeted Rep. Ron Paul with chants of President Paul! President Paul! in Main Plaza on Thursday evening.

The diverse crowd cheered repeatedly as Paul ran through his Libertarian talking points. Billed as town hall, the event was his last stop on a three-day swing through Texas trolling for money and delegates.

As he spoke, supporters worked the crowd looking for potential delegates.

People think it's over, that (Mitt) Romney has it in the bag, and that's just not true, said Monica Leal, who was handing out flyers urging Paul supporters to attend Saturday's Republican precinct conventions.

Texas awards its delegates on a proportional basis, so even though Paul has no chance of winning the nomination, he can influence the party's platform, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

Paul, he said, represents a cause, not a candidate. This is all about winning influence.

Leal believes Paul has a shot at the candidacy, but she acknowledged the importance of influencing the platform, too. She said she'd like it to include bringing troops home from bases around the world and getting rid of the Federal Reserve.

Delegates are normally chosen on primary election night, but since Texas' primary was pushed back to May 29, the state Republican Party decided to hold conventions this weekend and next.

Bexar County Republicans will choose delegates Saturday.

Jonathon Aguayo, 21, will be there, and said he hopes to make it all the way to the state convention to vote for Paul.

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Ron Paul takes cause to Main Plaza