[TomGuy]

I guarantee a brokered convention will leave conservatives out in the cold. The GOP power brokers mouths are watering over the prospect.

Who holds the influence and purse strings for donations to various state and local campaigns? They are the ones who would also control the smoke-filled room 'discussions' and decision-making.

A brokered convention would only move things to secrecy and wallah! the nominee is >>>>>> _____.

Who are the power brokers and who would they select? They are the same ones who currently pull the strings, penalize FL and states that do not toe the line, support certain candidates, pull support from non-conformist candidates, etc.

[cripplecreek]

Who are the power brokers and who would they select?

In Michigan and much of the midwest the entire political class backs Romney as does the political class of New England, Utah and other states. That's some serious power to overcome. Despite that power, the voters themselves are overcoming it. In a brokered convention, it would be in the hands of those who oppose us.

[only1percent]

cn Nobody knows how a second ballot would go.

Precedents are not especially useful. The last time there was a second ballot, delegates either were, or were chosen by, powerful political and business leaders in their states, and every delegate had great practical interests in, and accountability for, the outcome. The substantial majority of delegates had no strong commitment to any particular candidate.

Modern pledged and bound delegates are selected by the candidates themselves, or by the "grass roots" party organization through a caucus and convention process that runs in parallel with or after the primary and (mass) caucus elections. The candidate-chosen delegates often are, and the "grass roots" delegates usually are, very far removed from the real levers of political and economic power. No one knows what they will do or who they will listen to.