Ron Paul's campaign website recently has featured pieces arguing that the 'mere act of endorsing' another politician (Mitt Romney or anyone) is not an abdication of libertarian principles.

Is it possible that Ron Paul is getting ready to endorse Mitt Romney? More specifically, is he beginning the delicate task of preparing his supporters for the day when such an endorsement might come?

Washington Editor

Peter Grier is The Christian Science Monitor's Washington editor. In this capacity, he helps direct coverage for the paper on most news events in the nation's capital.

We ask that question because Congressman Pauls campaign website in recent days has posted several pieces that discuss political endorsements in a somewhat defensive manner. In one, campaign blogger Jack Hunter talks about libertarian founding father Murray Rothbards 1992 endorsement of President George H. W. Bush.

Rothbards libertarian principles did not evaporate because of the mere act of endorsing, writes Hunter.

As to the current Paul campaign, any endorsements made or not made are done with our movements goals and efforts within the GOP in mind, whether some understand this or not, according to Hunter.

In another post, Hunter reiterated that in the past Ron Paul voted for GOP Reps. John Boehner (Ohio), Dennis Hastert (Illinois), and Newt Gingrich (Georgia) for speaker of the House.

That did not mean Paul shared these lawmakers political beliefs. Their elections as speaker were inevitable, writes Hunter, and Paul wanted to work within the Republican Party to push his own issues.

Ron Paul is a member in good standing of the Republican Party. Ron Pauls message is that he is against his party when its wrong, writes Hunter.

The rest is here:

Is Ron Paul (maybe) getting ready to endorse Mitt Romney?