The plot thickens for supporters of presidential candidate Ron Paul.
His son, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, has endorsed Wisconsin Republican Congressman Paul Ryan as the vice presidential nominee, while Ron Paul has stayed mum not only about Ryan, but about endorsing presumptive GOP presidential nomine Mitt Romney.
Rand Paul, a favorite of the conservative Tea Party, issued a statement saying that Ryan's controversial budget plan, which has become a big issue in the presidential race, is a serious attempt to control federal spending and lower the deficit, two areas where Rand Paul says President Barack Obama has fallen woefully short.
[Ken Walsh: Ron Paul's Efforts to Make Impact at GOP Convention Faltering]
"The pick of Paul Ryan solidifies the Republican ticket's commitment to taking on the pressing issues like the deficit, entitlement reform and tax reform," Rand Paul told Business Insider. "Congressman Ryan's values and commitment to fixing our fiscal mess stands in stark contrast to Vice President Biden—and presents a clear choice to the American people."
The endorsement represents an effort by Senator Paul to present a united front behind the Romney-Ryan ticket, even though Paul has criticized the budget plan that the Wisconsin Rep. promoted as chairman of the House Budget Committee. Paul said it didn't go far enough in cutting the deficit or reducing defense spending.
Rand Paul earlier endorsed Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. The senator will be a featured speaker at the Republican National Convention in Tampa later this month.
But his father, Ron, a congressman from Texas with libertarian views, is still in the presidential race. He has acknowledged that he can't win the GOP nomination, but he has not endorsed Romney and is still trying to have an impact on the party platform. His supporters also want him to speak at the convention, but his influence appears to be fading. He is, for example, having difficulty persuading the Republican National Committee to seat the delagates his supporters say they won at state level conventions.