Not entirely correct, mostly because of state delegation rules. For example, some states do not require a first ballot vote for a given candidate, and other states permit delegates to “abstain” from a first ballot vote.
I will hand it to the Paul supporters, that they have been “fine-tooth combing” state party rules looking for loopholes and have found a bunch of them. To the point where nobody really knows how many ‘actual’ delegates are for Romney.
Because the vast majority of delegates to the convention are conservatives, as much as 60-70%, many “Romney delegates” are tepid in their support for him at best, and are just going for the sake of going. But because the Paul supporters are enthusiastic and determined, they have ‘packed’ a bunch of states with Paul delegates.
Paul himself said as much by discontinuing his campaign, that it is obvious he cannot win against the onerous Romney’s money in the popular vote—but he *can* put all his effort to “packing the house” in Tampa.
And all he his people have to do is deny Romney a first ballot win, and it is a whole new ballgame. This is not to say that Paul could win the nomination, which he can’t, but he can demand substantial policy concessions from both the more conservative nominee *and* the GOP leadership.
Which would be the best of possible worlds for everyone and the country.
We are operating under the assumption ‘bound’ candidates are actually bound.
See the ‘unit rule’ of the RNC convention rules.