Rand Paul Endorses Romney (and It Matters)

Arguably the most diehard supporter of Ron Paul has packed it in: Son Rand endorsed Mitt Romney, soon after his father suspended his campaign. "My first choice had always been my father," the Kentucky senator told Fox's Sean Hannity, according to the Hill. "I campaigned for him when I was 11 years old. He's still my first pick. But now that the nominating process is over, tonight I'm happy to announce that I'm going to be supporting Gov. Mitt Romney."

The move raises a question for Politico: "How many Pauls will speak at the Republican National Convention?" Probably two, writes Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post. And Rand Paul's endorsement does matter, he writes. It helps ensure that Paul supporters won't stage an "insurrection" at the convention, and it keeps Rand in the good graces of the party establishment ahead of 2016. (More Mitt Romney 2012 stories.)