Republican delegates nominate Mitt Romney

People cheer as the sceen displays "Over The Top" during the roll call of delegates at the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Aug. 28, 2012 in Tampa, Fla.

/ Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - Capping a nominating process that began in January, delegates at the Republican National Convention took the next step Tuesday evening in choosing Mitt Romney as their presidential nominee.

As a representative from each state took to the microphone - in alphabetical order - they announced the number of delegates to vote in favor of Romney. The representative also noted the number of delegates for Republican opponent Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex. (Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich released their delegates to Romney so their delegates were not announced). Delegates from New Jersey officially pushed Romney over the top.

Even though the party is going through the roll call process to nominate Romney and his chosen running-mate Paul Ryan, they won't officially be the party's nominees until Thursday.

A Romney campaign official explained that they're holding off on officially nominating the duo in order to take advantage of a campaign fundraising loophole and postpone spending their general election funds until as late as possible. The moment they are nominated, they are officially running in the general election in the eyes of the Federal Election Commission and that's when they begin to dip into his campaign's deep pockets - estimated to be upwards of $150 million - for the final stretch.

Controversy erupted during the adoption of party rules Tuesday. Supporters of Paul objected and caused a commotion over a rules change and the rejection of a motion to seat Maine's delegates. Half of the state's delegates, which unanimously backed Paul, were stripped of their seats and replaced with Romney supporters.

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Chants of "let them sit" briefly erupted on the floor, but the presiding officers, including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, ignored the protest and continued with proceedings. After Paul backers lost the voice vote over the Maine delegates and a rule change, applause erupted from the other delegates.

"I think the integrity of the process was destroyed. Opposition was blatantly ignored," Maine delegate Ashley Ryan told CBSNews.com. The Maine delegates backing Paul walked out of the convention floor and some are boycotting the rest of the convention.

Despite the displeasure among the Paul backers, that is likely to be the only contentious point during the convention, which continues into the night and through Thursday with speakers framing a tightly-scripted message highlighting Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan. Ann Romney speaks tonight at 10 p.m. ET "about love," a senior Romney campaign official said, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the keynote and is expected to energize the crowd.

Ryan delivers his acceptance speech Wednesday night and Romney accepts his nomination Thursday evening.

[varigdc10]

Th eonly good thng about Romney is that he at least looks presidential, unlike Obama who looks like 'Newman" from Mad Magazine.

[JJ_in_tulsa]

Pople just stop doing stupid. And they do,, and that is end of it. They will decide, and you people have done nothing to decide, and hondestly, somthing has to be said about and "idea",, It is done. Thank god but I kinda wonder about the peopele who still don't have a clue.

[Choons]

I'm not a Ron Paul supporter, but WOW it was shocking watching the RNC/GOP steam roll his supporting delegates today. They wouldn't even announce delegate votes for anyone but Romney on the podium. I mean come on, everyone knew Romney was going to get the nomination so why be so vindictive? The whole thing had a mafia feel to it. If those controlling the GOP can show such disrespect to the electoral process, I'm afraid what they will do to The Constitution given the chance.

[JJ_in_tulsa]

i find it funny that no one wakes to CBS. I do understand cbs being stupid,, however, they don't bother. perhaps cbs is much less important thatn i ever thought. I do know that are respible.,, but not sure they can be cut out,, well, they can, an may be. Who actually watches cbs,, no one really, but,, ok,,

[maz_beachbum]

RobMe . . . can you say "I tried it again, but it did not work?"

[JJ_in_tulsa]

What is telling, is the Reps don't bother. And they don't,. They stopped. That says everything.

[JJ_in_tulsa]

Everyone working person here payes fo all of this,, but every welfare person doesn't pay. Every welfare person gets free cell phones, free internet. You pay for yours, they get theirs for fee.

[polnick2]

Individual issues between the presidential candidates are not getting voters excited, that is why they are tied in the polls. Discovering their supporting base should give us a clue to why one candidate is not 20 points ahead of the other. Half the voters must prefer a dark horse that is the only logical conclusion. The candidate that gets the most racists to support him will become the next president.

[mikesfilms]

R/R will accelerate tenfold the National Debt clock. Only fools believe cutting taxes to the wealthy and increasing defense spending will reduce the Debt and create jobs. Bush did it and it sunk the nation. Clinton raised the rich tax and we never had it so good. If you ain't got money and you scream for more tax cuts for the rich, they're walking their rods in your mouth and you ain't even feeling it. That's what this Convention crowd is trying to do to you. Wake up!

[Lindag20]

They nominated Mitt?? Imagine that.

[brewsterbaker]

I don't unerstand why more people don't get behind Paul. I really like his ideas. We needed somebody who would try a totally new approach at getting our country turned around. To bad. Now, more of the same.

[brewsterbaker]

whoops. understand

[GoUnion86]

Republicans have nominated the man who lost to the man who lost to Obama. Is this the best they have to offer?

[brewsterbaker]

this will be our Kerry