WHAT IS THE DROP DEAD DATE TO WIN THE NOMINATION ? CONSIDER THIS: In 1940 there were three leading candidates for the GOP Presidential nomination going into the convention in Philadelphia. Senator Robert Taft of Ohio, Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan,and NY District Attorney Thomas Dewey. Each had a slew of delegates going into the convention. But after 6 ballots the convention nominated Wendell Willkie who never competed in a single primary.
That is because the GOP wasn’t really concerned about winning.
And just how well did that work out for Wilkie....