It’s not even necessary to change the rules. Rule #32 states the following:
Suspension of Rules
A motion to suspend the rules shall always be in order, but only when made by authority of a majority of the delegates from any state and seconded by a majority of the delegates from each of seven or more other states, severally.
So, if we were to assume that by the time of the convention, Trump had some number of delegates less than the 1237 he needs to win, but there were at least 8 states where a majority of the delegates in the state DON’T want Trump, then one of those states could simply move to suspend the rules, and 7 more states could second that. Then, a vote would be taken to suspend the rules. If a majority of delegates voted to suspend the rules, then rule 40 no longer applies (nor do any of the other rules about binding of delegates), and the convention immediately becomes a free-for-all.
Yes.
I saw a “suspension of the rules” play at the NRA meeting in 1982 in Miwaukee.
We were told that the rules would be suspended so the agenda could be changed and awards given out. We were all ready for a long night, to get the NRA to be more actively for the Second Amendment.
The activists left the hall to get something to eat. I remarked, at a McDs, that with the suspenstion of the rules, they could just adjorn. Everyone laughed. We had been promised by the chair that they would not do that.
We finished a quick meal and headed back. As we were entering the hall, people were streaming out. They had closed down the meeting when the activists left, with a quick, voice vote.
It was my first exposure to power politics and dirty tricks up close and personal. It has taken 30 years for me to regain a little faith in the NRA.
And you can take it to the bank that that’s exactly what they would do.
The system is rigged such that Trump and Cruz could go into the convention with 90% of the voted-for delegates between then—and then have have the GOPe deliver the nomination to one of their RINO butt boys instead.
Cruz gaining too much on Trump increases the likelihood of that scenario, given that it is very unlikely Cruz will win the majority needed himself.