Release them" at the convention is not the same as directing them. If Mittens has the magic number for the first ballot then either the delegates vote as aligned, or the RNC orchestrates a voice vote.
And Santorum's people are talking to Mitten's people if they are serious about wanting to retire Rick's campaign debt.
“Mitten’s...to retire Rick’s campaign debt”?
How would this be legal? Selling delegates? What if, some months ago, Mitt offered Rick $250 mil to drop out and ‘release’ his delagtes to Mitt? Where do we draw the line? Is it actually legal to ‘buy’ delegates?