Romney Denies Talks with Ron Paul

The Hill reports:

Mitt Romney on Thursday denied that he has entered into talks with Ron Paul's campaign to secure his delegates in case the former Massachusetts governor falls short of the 1,144 needed to clinch the GOP nomination.

While Romney remains the strong favorite to win the nomination outright, the proportional assignment of delegates in coming primary contests means that the he could fall short of the 1,144 threshold. In that case, signals from Paul to his delegates to support Romney could become crucial for whipping enough votes at the convention.

Reports Thursday suggested that Paul and Romney had been discussing that scenario through back channels, with Paul seeking either a legislative promise or a spot on the ticket for his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), in exchange for his support.
But Romney denied such conversations have occurred.

“No, there have not. Ron Paul is a very independent sort as you know. We have only seen each other briefly in halls; we have never had a sit-down discussion," Romney said on Fox News Radio's "Kilmeade & Friends." "My hope would be to get the support of these folks. Let me tell you, I will support our nominee. There are four of us on the stage, I will support whoever our nominee is, I will go to work and help whether it is Newt Gingrich, or Rick Santorum or Ron Paul. I want one of these people to replace Barack Obama; I think I am the best person to do that.”