Iowa GOP concerned about possible Paul win

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Republican leaders in Iowa are divided about party's presidential nomination, but most say they worry about what Ron Paul could do to the nominating process.

More and more, the party's leaders in Iowa are discussing Paul, a Texas congressman, and what his supporters could do to affect the nation's first caucus Jan. 3, Politico reported Tuesday.

The problem, officials said, is that Paul could threaten the caucuses because his support even though he has little chance of winning the GOP nod to go against President Obama.

"It would make the caucuses mostly irrelevant if not entirely irrelevant," said Becky Beach, an Iowa Republican who helped George H.W Bush and George W. Bush in the Hawkeye State. "It would have a very damaging effect because I don't think he could be elected president and both Iowa and national Republicans wouldn't think he represents the will of voters."

What has party officials concerned is a scenario in which Paul could win Jan. 3 with the help of Democrats and independents changing their registration to support him, then not supporting the GOP nominee in November.

There is no evidence of such an effort, Politico said. However, polling indicates Paul's lead is built in large part with the support of non-Republicans .

However, the most troubling possibility is that Paul wins the caucuses, loses the nomination and runs as a third-party candidate in November, which Republicans said would all-but assure President Obama a second term.

"If we empower somebody who turns around and elects Obama, then that's a major problem for the caucuses," said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.