Va. Gov. McDonnell sees Paul platform influence

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said the rise of the tea party and Rep. Ron Paul's supporters within the Republican Party will push the GOP platform this year to focus more on matters such as the deficit and constitutional liberties.

But Mr. McDonnell, head of the platform committee, would not commit to a provision requiring an audit of the Federal Reserve — a chief goal of supporters of Mr. Paul and his son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, and one that was backed by nearly every Republican in the House on Wednesday.

"We're talking about that," Mr. McDonnell told editors and reporters at The Washington Times on Friday. "I'm a big believer in accountability. We're having all of those discussions. There's a lot of great ideas that Rand and Ron have."

Mr. McDonnell said he is trying to manage the broad spectrum of opinions within the GOP, including the libertarian bent of many of those who supported Mr. Paul's presidential bid.

He said there is about 80 percent overlap of ideas between traditional conservatives within the party and the libertarian wing, and that his goal is to produce a document that both sides say "reflects, in essence, the views that we have."

Mr. Paul, a Texan who has ramped down his campaign but has not withdrawn from the race, will have hundreds of delegates at the convention. That includes many who are pledged to back another candidate for the presidential nomination but who are free to express their views about the rest of the party's business, including the platform.

Mr. McDonnell said one of the two Virginia members of the platform committee is a Paul supporter, for example.

Mr. Paul plans to stage a rally of his supporters before the convention begins.

Jesse Benton, a senior official with the Paul campaign, said supporters are working to have their views included.

"We have a lot of respect for Gov. McDonnell and have thus far had many productive talks with multiple parties involved in the platform committee," he said. "We are looking forward to a constructive process, are confident that our ideas will be respected and believe that many will be incorporated into the final platform document."

Mr. McDonnell, who is in his third year as governor, is mentioned regularly as a potential running mate for Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee.

Previous Virginia governors have turned down the chance to join presidential administrations, saying it wasn't worth leaving a year early. The Virginia governorship, once held by Thomas Jefferson, is considered one of the most powerful gubernatorial posts in the country.

Mr. McDonnell did not rule out jumping to a national office, but sounded a reluctant note.

"I can't imagine leaving. Nobody's made me any offers, so I can't answer that hypothetical question at this point," he said.

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