Damon Winter/The New York Times

TAMPA, Fla.–It was a far cry from the hijinx at the 1980 convention, when Ted Kennedy tried to wrangle delegates, along with the Democratic nomination, away from President Jimmy Carter–but Ron Paul’s supporters did wage a small-scale revolt in Tampa today.

Delegates from Nevada tried to nominate Mr. Paul from the floor, submitting petitions from their own state as well as Minnesota, Maine, Iowa, Oregon, Alaska and the Virgin Islands. That should have done the trick: Rules require signatures from just five states. But the party changed the rules on the spot. Henceforth, delegates must gather petitions from eight states.



Ron Paul supporters filled the hall with boos and shouts of “no!” Delegates from Maine chanted “point of order!”

Related The G.O.P. Convention Dispatches and quick takes from Tampa.

Then, during the roll call to officially nominate Mitt Romney, 17 Nevada delegates loyal to Mr. Paul voted their conscience, even though Mr. Romney carried their state handily.

This act of defiance also made absolutely no impact on the nominating process, but upset the former governor of Nevada, Robert List. He called the chairman of the state delegation an “outlaw.”