Folks can argue that ‘rules are rules’ all they want, but if the party casts aside the clear winner of the nominating contest, simply because that candidate falls short of some arbitrary number of delegates, and instead, chooses a nominee more to the insiders’ liking, it’s going to backfire in spectacular fashion.
It would not surprise me if a full third of Republican voters stay home on election day, if the party does this.
But that's just it, Windy. A clear winner is defined by 50% + 1 of the whole slate of delegates. 1237 is not arbitrary. There are 2472 Republican delegates this year. 50% is 1236. Plus one is 1237.
As an aside, there are no rules. Those arguing that the rules are the rules clearly don't understand that. Neither do those arguing that following the rules is denying the will of the people. There are no rules until the convention votes on a set of rules. There are only suggested guidelines.