[jerry557]

A convention has 3 rounds of voting I believe. Of course we never had a nominee not get enough votes in the first round since 1948. (Democrats in 1952).

After 1 round if noone has the required amount to get the nomination (1,191 I believe for the GOP), then a number of things can happen so a candidate can pick up enough. Mostly a number of deals try to be made.

Thompson doesnt have enough delegates to be a factor. If Romney goes in with 800 delegates and Huckabee has 400...Romney could offer the VP to Huckabee and Huckabee then pledges his delegates to Romney and you have your ticket (Romney/Huckabee).
After 3 rounds, if no one still has enough, then the delegates are unpledged and anything can happen.

Also keep in mind that a candidate from a brokered convention has never gone on to win the general election. There just isn’t enough time to make up the lost momentum.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"Also keep in mind that a candidate from a brokered convention has never gone on to win the general election. There just isn’t enough time to make up the lost momentum."

I think you are mistaken. Wasn't President Warren Harding the result of a brokered convention? I think President Rutheford Hayes also came out of such a deal.

[mmichaels1970]

Also keep in mind that a candidate from a brokered convention has never gone on to win the general election.

Didn't Abraham Lincoln do such a thing? Not trying to be a smart @ss. Just asking.

[fireforeffect]

"Thompson doesnt have enough delegates to be a factor."

NO ONE has enough delegates to matter at this point.