Even as they tamp down rumors of a pact, Paul’s advisers concede that the friendship between Paul and Romney is the initial step toward a deal. And behind the scenes, discussions between the two campaigns — as well as initial discussions with the Santorum and Gingrich camps, according to one Paul adviser — are slowly taking shape.

An alliance could benefit both camps. Paul’s support would go a long way toward helping Romney with a bloc of young Republicans who have been turning out in huge numbers for Paul and who otherwise might stay home in November. It might also help Romney grab all of Paul’s delegates. Such an arrangement would help Paul get what a Romney ally called “an important speaking role at the convention.”

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Paul’s acolytes insist their man cannot be bought. “Romney wants the ring of power. He wants it so bad,” says Doug Wead, a Paul senior adviser. “Negotiating with Ron Paul is very difficult because he doesn’t want anything. If he got the ring, he would throw it into Mount Doom.”

Maybe so, but at 76, Paul is understandably concerned about the future of his movement. Aides say if Paul can’t win the nomination, four legislative priorities would top the Texas Representative’s wish list: deep spending cuts that lead to a balanced budget; the restoration of civil liberties; a commitment to reclaim the legislative branch’s right to declare war, which it abdicated to the executive branch in recent decades; and reforms that shore up the U.S. monetary system, such an audit of the Federal Reserve or competing-currency legislation. The Texas Representative might also be enticed, says campaign chairman Jesse Benton, by the prospect of serving as a presidential adviser, a Cabinet position for someone in his orbit or “perhaps a vice presidency.”

Not for himself, but rather his son. Rand Paul, the junior senator from Kentucky and a Tea Party icon, is expected to launch his own White House bid in 2016. Being on the ticket now – or even being mentioned for it – would be a helpful step. Says one Paul adviser: “If you’re talking about putting Rand on the ticket, of course that would be worth delivering our people to Romney.”

Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2012/03/14/wh ... z1p8uj8Jyc

That isn't how I see it ending up. I see it Paul with Romney as VP. Romney can bide his time while getting VP credentials and chancing Paul dies in office. Santorum is in it till the end and now is sure he can win, Newt hates Romney and won't send his delegates over just to spite him.

Ron Paul's supporters strike me as more of a cult of personality than a movement.

That isn't how I see it ending up. I see it Paul with Romney as VP. Romney can bide his time while getting VP credentials and chancing Paul dies in office. Santorum is in it till the end and now is sure he can win, Newt hates Romney and won't send his delegates over just to spite him.

Which candidate is most likely to lose in November? That's who the Republicans are going to nominate ...

Is this what it was like watching the Whigs die? I cringe at the thought of a new party forming and rising to power to the left of the Democrats after the Republicans implode.

Ron Paul's supporters strike me as more of a cult of personality than a movement.