Convention officials confiscate sign from Mass. delegate

ST. PAUL -- Security officials, under the direction of South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, the convention's sergeant-at-arms and its self-described top law-enforcement officer, seized a pro-Ron Paul sign from a Massachusetts alternate delegate during tonight's proceedings.

Francie Steffian, elected on Mitt Romney's slate, said she was given a handwritten sign that read "Keeping America Safe" when she entered the hall. She crossed out the slogan, associated with John McCain's campaign, and on the back wrote "Ron Paul Revolution." Shortly after displaying the sign, two men wearing McCain baseball caps and earpieces rushed to her section and demanded it from her.

"I just wrote my opinion on it, and they took it," said Steffian, of Ashby. "I didn't agree with it, so I wrote what I believe. I don't feel he's keeping America safe."

The two men were met in the seating area by McMaster, who folded up the sign, placed it under his arm and said, "Good job."

One of the men surveyed the scene and spoke into his wrist. "Please be advised that we have confiscated a Ron Paul sign in 124," he said.