Ron Paul at Michigan State University.
(USA TODAY) - Supporters of Ron Paul are gearing up to make a strong showing in Nebraska this weekend, as the state's Republican Party gathers to pick delegates for the national convention.
What's the big deal? If the Texas congressman can get a plurality of support, then he would qualify to get his name entered into nomination for president at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Paul stopped spending money to compete in primaries in May, but he has continued to amass presidential delegates and encouraged his supporters to have their voices heard at the convention. Mitt Romney clinched the 1,144 delegates needed for the GOP nomination in late May.
A post on The Daily Paul, a website devoted to the libertarian-thinking congressman, is urging people to show up at the Nebraska GOP meeting in Grand Island on July 14 and gives tips on how to make a difference on behalf of their candidate.
Under Rule 40, Section B in the Republican National Committee's rule book, a presidential candidate must demonstrate the support of a "plurality of the delegates from five or more states" to get his or her name entered for nomination at the convention.
Paul already has a plurality of delegates from Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and Louisiana. Nebraska is the last state that will hold its convention for delegates.
According to MSNBC's First Read blog, Nebraska's 32 delegates won't be required to match the outcome of the state's May 15 primary -- which was won by Mitt Romney, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
Jesse Benton, Paul's national campaign chairman, declined to comment to USA TODAY about the Nebraska convention.
Nebraska Republican Party officials have, for the first time, hired security for the convention to ward off any disruptions that have occurred at state conventions such as the one in Arizona, where Paul supporters got into a shouting match with Romney supporters.
USA TODAY