Everything you say may come true but at this point in time we don’t know and it’s possible none of it will.
What if Huckabee and Thompson don’t drop out?
Even if they do what if they don’t endorse anyone?
For all of McCain’s well known stubbornness what if he makes some 180 Degree turns on things like immigration just to confuse the unwashed. I wouldn’t buy it but some people will buy the Golden Gate Bridge.
Suppose McCain and Romney get to the convention with the bulk of the delegates but not enough to win the nomination. Guiliani, Huckabee, or Thompson by winning a controlling portion of the remaining delegates could be in a position to either deadlock it permanently or control the actual winner if an outside candidate is named.
I think Huckabee and Thompson are going to drop out at least after Florida which is a very expensive market.
Even if they don't officially drop out and hope to just 'hang around' the guy who is left standing will take the remaining states.
Suppose McCain and Romney get to the convention with the bulk of the delegates but not enough to win the nomination. Guiliani, Huckabee, or Thompson by winning a controlling portion of the remaining delegates could be in a position to either deadlock it permanently or control the actual winner if an outside candidate is named.
I agree that is a possibility, but again, they may influence who the eventual winner is, but they themselves will not be the candidate.
And who do you think Thompson would throw his delegates to in a brokered convention?
It won't be Rudy, Mitt, or Hucakbee that is for sure!