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Malkin’s article was also talking about a second rule change where the party could have a vote to change rules any time they want instead of waiting until the convention. If that wasn’t also blocked, then it seems like the elites could just vote to put the other rule back into effect whenever they want. So the grass roots might be getting played on this “deal” like conservatives usually do.

Steve Deace mentioned another rule change coming from Romney that allows the nominee to veto the party platform.

The Rule Change is still NO good. It still takes away the power of a delegate to nominate or vote for the best candidate. It says that if a delegate votes for anyone who the state party rules (as determined by an unstated entity), then they shall be removed as a delegate, and there vote will be counted as a vote for the person they voted against anyway. Not very democratic. This basically allows state party bosses to choose the delegates when it should be the grass roots republicans deciding this. Here is the text of the proposed "improvement":

Rule 16(a)(2). For any manner of binding or allocating delegates under these Rules, if a delegate

(i) casts a vote for a presidential candidate at the National Convention inconsistent with the delegate’s obligation under state law or state party rule,

(ii) nominates or demonstrates support under Rule 40 for a presidential candidate other than the one to whom the delegate is bound or allocated under state law or state party rule, or (iii) fails in some other way to carry out the delegate’s affirmative duty under state law or state party rule to cast a vote at the National Convention for a particular presidential candidate,the delegate shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as a delegate and the delegate’s improper vote or nomination shall be null and void. Thereafter the Secretary of the Convention shall record the delegate’s vote or nomination in accordance with the delegate’s obligation under state law or state party rule. This subsection does not apply to delegates who are bound to a candidate who has withdrawn his or her candidacy, suspended or terminated his or her campaign, or publicly released his or her delegates.