Delegates selected from the various states are bound to support the candidate to whom they are pledged through the first ballot. “Super” delegates, those who get a vote via power or party position, can vote their heart or pocketbook from the beginning.
A basket of pledged delegates gives a candidate some bargaining power, and those delegates do more than just vote for the nominee. There are planks and platforms and party rules to be determined, and the candidate with the most voting delegates naturally has control in those areas.
If no one wins nomination on the first ballot, anyone’s name can be put into nomination. That’s when the wheeling and dealing and smoky backrooms and arm twisting could get interesting.
As one who has watched this process in the old gavel-to-gavel days, it can be great fun for a spectator. However, this year politics isn’t fun, because we stand to lose not just an election but our way of life if the Republican Party doesn’t unite.
My opinion.
Very good info there, on yout post, and you seem to be very experienced.
You said ““Super” delegates, those who get a vote via power or party position, can vote their heart or pocketbook from the beginning.”
Since we all know who the “party position” superdelegates are - 128-odd state committeewomen, committeeme, and Chairs - could you please name the 40-odd “power position” delegates? Might be good to know, as these are the delegates who are going to actually determine who the nominee is going to be.