So the Nevada Republicans will choose their delegates to the national convention in the traditional method: in a back room.

The decision was made after supporters of now-withdrawn presidential candidate Ron Paul used the party’s rules in their favor, out-organizing the establishment backers of U.S. Sen. John McCain. The state party’s convention was recessed when it became apparent that the delegation headed to the national convention in Minneapolis would have cast their ballots for Paul, rather than McCain.

Not that that would have been a bad thing. Paul, who in 1988 ran as the Libertarian candidate for president, is a more principled Republican than McCain will ever be. Unlike McCain (and, for that matter, unlike Democratic nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama) Paul has not changed his positions on multiple issues, and he’s against the ongoing occupation of Iraq. Republicans could — and probably will — do a lot worse.

But instead of reconvening a convention and selecting delegates by majority vote, the party’s top officials will choose a slate of candidates. Both sides tried a second convention, but the Paul supporters didn’t get enough delegates and the establishment party didn’t get enough RSVPs. So top party officials will choose the delegates. Anybody want to bet whose supporters — Paul’s or McCain’s — they’ll pick?

We tell people if they don’t like the system, get involved in change it. Run for office, circulate a petition, call your elected representative. But when people actually do it, the system steps in to protect what the establishment wants. The party selects its preferred nominee, the initiaitves get tossed off the ballot (or are ignored outright) by the courts, the elected official listens politely and then votes with special interests. It happens so often, the exceptions almost always prove the rule.

Maybe we should just stop telling the regular prople they can actually change things? It’s not as inspiring, but at least it’s honest.

As for the Paul people, we hear a lawsuit is in the works. Good luck. You may need it.