I’ve always believed that any deal needed to win the nomination would be made before the first ballot, and might even be accomplished in the Convention Rules Committee. That accomplishes what was going to happen anyway without interrupting the schedules of the media or convention attendees.
The easiest deal in these situations (without considering the specific candidates) is that the first-place guy makes a deal with the third-place guy and/or minor players to freeze out the second place guy.
“The easiest deal in these situations (without considering the specific candidates) is that the first-place guy makes a deal with the third-place guy and/or minor players to freeze out the second place guy.”
BINGO. Exactly right.