Hi Gaffer,
I’m curious about a comment at another website, and would like to get your thoughts (and anyone else’s) on the answer.
At the convention in Cleveland, do the delegates pledged to Rubio, Carson, Kasich, and any others.not qualifying to be in nomination under Rule 40, get a vote in the first round? Are they restricted to vote as abstentions? If so, does the majority of those voting (perhaps not 1237) receive the nomination? Does the pre-convention run-up focus on attracting the “orphan” delegates?
Thinking minds would want to know?
Frankly, I don’t see Rubio delegates being able to forgive the harsh treatment of Trump. But, I suppose that politics makes strange bedfellows.
Gwjack
Honestly I don’t know. I’d expect that those delegates at least in the first round would be obligated by their state party’s rules to vote for the candidate that got the delegates because of the votes.
As for second or subsequent votes, all that is up for grabs, I think.
Regardless, the GOP has the option to change the rules up to one day prior to the Convention, IIRC. I expect we’re gonna see some pretty disgusting shady sh!t whether Trump or Cruz goes into it with the lead.
Another thing that I’d consider is that these candidates who have “dropped out” really haven’t technically “dropped out.” IIRC they have ‘suspended’ their campaigns which I think would still entitle them to delegate representation in the first round of the Convention from the states who awarded the delegates.
The main reason for “suspension” is so that they can still keep fundraising to clear debt, etc. and still not violate FEC rules. But that also would to me seem to put a ‘hold’ on their first round delegates, too.