Ron Paul falls short in Nebraska

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OMAHA, July 16 (UPI) -- Only two of Nebraska's delegates to the Republican National Convention committed to Ron Paul, meaning he has no guaranteed speaking role at the gathering.

While the libertarian Texas congressman picked up two delegates, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Romney won the other 33 delegates during the state party's convention during the weekend, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

"We did it the Nebraska way. In Nebraska, we can have our disagreements but, at the end of the day, we work together," said Mark Fahleson, state GOP chairman.

It also means Gov. Dave Heineman saved face after being the first governor to endorse Romney.

"He was personally invested," Fahleson said of the governor.

Heineman maintained he wanted the state's delegation to accurately represent Nebraska Republicans, who gave Romney more than 70 percent of their votes in the state's presidential primary.

Paul previously announced he would no longer aggressively campaign nationally, working instead on the state level. He needed to win a majority of delegates in five states to be given a 15-minute speaking slot in Tampa at the end of August. He won majorities in four states and needed a win in Nebraska, the last state to apportion delegates to the convention.