Ron Paul to hold rally during Republican National Convention

Ron Paul's campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said Paul will hold a "revolution rally" at the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena on September 2nd, just two days before John McCain accepts the GOP nomination for president.

Benton said he hopes that thousands of Paul supporters will pack the arena.

"This rally and this revolution convention is about being positive, and it's about being active and being respectful, and yet at the same time really sending a powerful message to the Republican Party that we strayed from our roots and our traditions, and we need to get back to being the party of limited government," Benton said.

Benton was hoping that Paul would receive a prime time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention, but he said the rally will go ahead regardless.

Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Carey said he's not concerned about the Paul rally.

"Most of his supporters will realize at the end of the day that it is going to be either John McCain or Barack Obama as president and the vast, vast majority of Ron Paul supporters will be there for John McCain on November 4th," Carey said. "That's really all that matters at this point, but we aren't going to lose a lot of time with this distraction. It's a good publicity event for Ron Paul, and he's certainly entitled to do that if he wishes"

Carey says the longer it takes for Republicans to unite behind McCain, the greater the chance Barack Obama will be elected.

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