'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Republican National Committee members failed to reach a compromise over rules changes pushed by the party’s grass-roots activists, defeating on a 28-25 vote a proposed amendment that would return more decision-making power to the state Republican parties.
"Change," long the mantra of Barack Obama and the Democrats, is now clearly the watchword for Republicans such as Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul and Paul Ryan.
Ron Paul has given up on becoming president, but loyal supporters are promising to promote the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman's principles at the Republican national convention this summer, a potential complication for Mitt Romney's goal of a peaceful coronation.
Mitt Romney displayed a newfound ability to connect with fellow Republicans at the Republican National Committee three-day gathering here, although his campaign team still managed to find a way to annoy a few prominent party insiders.
"Change will require rethinking such important questions as whether marriage is an institution of government or the church, how to realistically address 10 million illegal immigrants in our country and under what circumstances should our sons and daughters be sent to war."
"There are ways to grow our party, but its growth will require rethinking the proper role of government," said Iowa GOP Chairman A.J. Spiker, a conservative Catholic.
