It just dawned on me, is the primary similar to the general, in that delegates are there to support who they represent, but actually make their own vote?
Reason for asking is, if Romney were to win a plurality but either Santorum or Gingrich had by the time of the convention already dropped out of the race - could the departing candidate assign their own delegates to the other?
Thereby, resulting in victory for the recipient of the assigned delegates?...
No, candidates cannot assign their delegates to other candidates. Such matters are left up to the delegates themselves.