At the national covention, all delegates must choose between Romney and Santorum because Newt and Paul do not win at least 5 states.
All Newt and Paul’s delegates should boycott the convention if their candidate’ name is not on the ballot.
Unless birther issue is raised.
I am fairly sure that Newt can get five state delegations at the convention to voice their support for him, so this is not an issue. I thought it was as well, until I got a chance to read the entirety of rule 40.
That has been proven to be incorrect.
There is two ways. Get A plurality of 5 States unbound delegates before the convention starts or Survive the first rounds of ballots in tampa. Then all Delegates are unbound and anyone can jump in if the get the same plurality of ballots.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/gop-rule-wont-block-gingrichs-chances/
Has a brokered convention ever happened.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brokered_convention