Is Romney courting Rand Paul? Report: Mitt Romney holds private meeting with Rand Paul on Wednesday

For many conservatives, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is a unique specimen. A literal scion of one of the most controversial Republican political figures in recent memory, Paul has managed to form a cordial relationship with mainstream conservatives quite a bit less problematic than the active hostility courted by his doggedly contrarian father, and in the process, has become one of the more influential Tea Party figures in Washington. His name is already floated as a potential future Presidential prospect, so much so that Paul has had to address the question at campaign events:

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That speculation is not going to be tamped down anytime soon. In fact, it may be that even the presumptive GOP Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, sees a Presidential run in the younger Paul’s cards, if this report from National Review Online is any guide:

Sources close to Senator Rand Paul tell National Review Online that Paul and Mitt Romney had a private meeting on Wednesday. Details of the topics discussed are hazy, but Paul — the son of Texas congressman (and presidential candidate) Ron Paul — reportedly found the meeting productive.

The one-on-one conversation in the nation’s capital lasted 30 minutes. Sources say the tone was cordial but it wasn’t meant to be an exchange of pleasantries. The Kentucky Republican focused his questions on policy.[...]

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This is quite an impressive case that Romney needs Paul – especially given the remaining fear that the elder Paul’s delegates might try to stage a coup at the Republican National Convention. An endorsement from one of the Paul family would effectively put the kibosh on that strategy, as it would send a message that the very people who are supposed to benefit from the coup don’t want it to take place. It would also cement Senator Paul’s credentials with establishment conservatives, who have made no secret of their belief that Paul supporters lack party loyalty.

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