The answer to the actual question is the consensus is imaginary.

Ron Paul and his Republican supporters are demonstrating that policy is decided by those who make the sacrifice needed to show up. Ron Paul showed up for the Oregon primary, therefore he gets some delegates.

Republicans who showed up in precinct, county and state conventions in Washington, Maine, Texas, Nevada, Minnesota, Hawaii, Missouri, and Idaho earned the right to set platform and engage in debates about the direction of the party. GOP state leaders though consider showing up at the precinct and county level as plots to take over and attempts to create "dis-unity".