Posted on 04/07/2016 3:09:50 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Utah Sen. Mike Lee said he believes Ted Cruz would be the GOP presidential nominee if the convention is contested.
"On successive ballots, I think victory is more likely to go to Ted Cruz," Lee, who is a backer of the Texas senator, said during a radio interview Wednesday. "We have to remember that most Republicans around the country have voted for someone other than Donald Trump."
A convention would become contested if no candidate gets 1,237 delegates beforehand. On the first ballot, delegates are typically bound to the candidates their state picked in the primaries or caucuses. On subsequent ballots, however, many are released and can shift to another candidate.
"I would not be a bit surprised if Ted Cruz won in that circumstance, in fact, I'd be surprised if he didn't. On second ballots, on successive ballots, you're going to see more and more delegates moving to Ted Cruz," Lee said.
Donald Trump leads the pack with 743 delegates, followed by Cruz, who has 517, according to Bloomberg's count. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who left the race last month after a loss in his home state, has 171 delegates, followed by John Kasich, who has 143.
Hi 2DV,
I hope you are well. Thanks for this post. I’d been thinking the same thing for a while now. After Wisconsin, it appears that it is closer to reality.
I have a related, but slightly off point, question - is the 1237 a hard number? Is it 50% +1 of all delegates? Or 50% +1 of those voting? If the latter, I suppose it is possible for some delegates to be delayed, or choose not to attend the balloting. My memory is that each state delegation travels with a number of alternates to reduce the likelihood of non-attendance.
What are your thoughts?
Gwjack
“We have to remember that most Republicans around the country have voted for someone other than Donald Trump.”
“We have to remember that most Republicans around the country have voted for someone other than TED CRUZ.”
“We have to remember that most Republicans around the country have voted for someone other than John Kasich.”
But we ALL VOTED AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT
Breaking and Front Page News?
Who can argue with the Cartel.
They are the House, this is their casino, and they “fix” the House Rules.
Then there is Cartel Cruz on all four legs holding up the gaming tables for them.
Heck of a deal, all around.
I think a Trump/Cruz ticket would CLEAN HOUSE!!
Cruz will never win. Trump voters will walk and Ted will be forever the traitor that allowed Hillary or Bernie to win.
I do not consider taht a win although you might based on your posting.
It’s not even in news, my man. It’s in GOP club.
GOPe talking point to keep the Ryan nominating crowd working to fight Trump.
Whats it going to take, they have said it would not be one of the ones running they have stacked the delegates with party insiders and they openly tell you that you it does not matter what WE want the establishment picks the nominee.
But hey, people supporting an anti-American Globalist because he positioned himself with lawyer tricks to look Tea Party are pretty easy to keep roping in...
A nomination is not won until you gain the support of 1,237 delegates, therefore, it is not stolen if Trump fails to do so. (Why does Trump think he should get to play by different rules?) I guess he shouldn’t be alienating everyone outside of his following with his scorched earth campaign. I wonder is Trump totally ignorant, completely lacking in self control, or is he trying to throw the general to Hillary with his divisiveness?
Chris Stierwald gave a strategy last night that he wins on the FIRST ballot. He could do it if he garners enough primary votes, and enough uncommitted and Rubio supporters.
Pro trump creepers join me in closing your wallets to fr until we are no longer bombarded with anti trump screeds...Ted is helping the left destroy America...it would be different if ted had any chance to win fair and square...I’ve had enough...not one more cent.
I think it is 50% plus one. Doesn’t look like anyone will achieve it.
Freepers
He voted for the Corker Bill, didn’t he?
I hope Trump gets to1237 on first ballot, so there won’t be a need for any more ballots, just that everyone get behind Trump against Hillary.
If neither Trump nor Cruz comes into the convention with 1237, to which candidate are the hundreds of delegates for the other candidates (Rubio, Kasich, Bush, Carson, Paul, Fiorina, et al.) and the unbound delegates—which one are more of them likely to go, to Trump or to Cruz? I’m guessing most will probably go to Cruz. But whichever one most of those swing delegates go to, that will be the nominee.
I would not join in hurting FR. This site and it’s owner are not responsible for what people do or say.
Please do not promote such a thing.
Lame sauce.
How will he win on the 2nd if he can’t win on the first?
Kasich has a better change on the 2nd.
Why would the GOPe deny Trump and then on the 2nd ballot give it to Cruz? They don’t like Cruz either.
If they can deny Trump on the 1st, they can deny Cruz after the first and go with their preferred selectee.
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