In a sane world, if every candidate but one is mathematically eliminated (which is likely to happen by the end of this month) then the one left standing is the winner.
The rules are the rules. A candidate needs the majority of delegates.
What happens if there are 5 guys in the election and the top has 22% of the vote? Should he automatically get the nomination cause he has more than anyone else, but not a majority?
In the recent past if the other candidates were mathematically eliminated then the momentum of the one left standing would carry him past the number needed to nominate and he would have the nomination locked up by the time the convention rolls around.
I’m not sure that will happen this time. I can see how both Cruz and Trump supporters will vote only for their candidate in the remaining primaries regardless of whether that candidate is “mathematically eliminated” and with proportional allocation of delegates there will be no “winner” with 1237 before the convention.
The only mathematical elimination is when the convention happens and one candidate has a majority. Luckily it is the same as real elimination. Mathematics says there are rules, and if you follow them, your answer will coincide with other people using the same rules. So far the rules are:
1) At convention, a candidate with the majority wins the nomination.
2) If no candidate has a majority, more voting is required.
3) Some delegates will be released from their obligations after the first ballot.
4) Other rules will be discussed and voted on by the delegates.
Donald Trump, either through choice or lack foresight chose to test only option 1. That was bad campaign management. Poor deal making with his following (he could ignore 2-4 and still win)? This is not rocket science with apologies to Herman Cain or perhaps not brain surgery with the same to Ben Carson.
He was bragging early about how little he spends on his campaign. This is his result, and no one else’s. He may not be allowed to go “3rd party” as many of those deadlines have also past. His “Hail Mary” pass is to convince enough people he was robbed, and couch it as really a win for...whatever.
He is acting like a spoiled sports star complaining that while he was celebrating with champagne, he let the winning touchdown happen for the other side...”it’s not fair!”
Many of the Trump supporters are getting so out of hand in purveying a really negative path, I’m actually thinking about Bernie. I doubt I’m alone. Trump is just a crappy person. Where is Reagan when you need him and the eleventh commandment?
DK
With respect Jim.