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One major constraint is that the filing deadline has already passed in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. So a candidate who entered now could not get her name on the ballot in those states, although some states, like New Hampshire, allow for write-in votes. /i>
Consider this:
1. Romney is stuck at 25%...and unlikely to go higher.
2. Cain was touching 30% and, while his supporters seem determined to stick by him, the sexual harrassment BS probably caps him at that level.
3. Gingrich is creeping up toward 15%.
4. Ron Paul is going to get 10% of the vote -- whether he deserves it or not.
5. Don't know/don't care/Bachman, Santorum, Johnson, Huntsman, etc. amount to the remainder.
Unlike 2008, when the early primary states employed a "winner take all" system, this time around most are employing a proportional distribution of delegates. Remember that McCain locked up his candidacy before he ever won a majority of primary voters. That won't happen again.
So, what happens if we go thru January (i.e., Florida)...and still don't have a nominee? The probability is that we'll arrive at the convention...and still not have a nominee.
Then what?
We haven't confronted this situation in decades. 1960 was probably the last time that a convention actually named the nominee (JFK).
But, given a deadlocked Republican convention, with three legitimate contenders, what happens? Be aware that most primaries bind the delegates through the first ballot only, some thru the second. None thru the third.
In 1924, the Democrats nominated John W. Davis...on the 104th ballot.
Given a stage ruled by the establishment...and a floor controlled by the Tea Party...anything could happen.
Maybe Karl Rove gets mugged on the floor between the 5th and 6th ballot. And could somebody nominate Sarah Palin on the 7th ballot...???

Damn straight.