Hypothetically speaking, if it did go to an open convention would the choices still be basically between who is left, or could delegates vote for someone else that’s not currently in the race?
It would be between the remaining candidates.
I am uncertain if Cain or Perry could reenter and become nominee, but they could certainly influence the process.
could delegates vote for someone else that’s not currently in the race?
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Actually, don’t know what the current RNC rules are. Some delegates are bound for a certain number of votes. But thereafter, he could be anyone.
Most delegates will be bound during the first ballot, and there may be some rules that apply to some delegates further through the process, but if there is no one with the needed majority, delegates will eventually be free to vote for additional candidates, either individually or by states.
There will be a lot of deal making before the convention, and I’d assume there will be strong signals given by interested individuals who would accept the nomination. It would be an interesting time, with a good chance that none of the current candidates would be the nominee. But boy would there be deals floated and positions up for grabs, such as the VP slot or cabinet positions.
In 1880 the Republican Party had three candidates at the convention; Ulysses Grant, James Blaine, and John Sherman. The three were tied up until after the thirty-fifth ballot, when Blaine and Sherman threw their support behind James Garfield, an Ohio Senator. Garfield won on the next ballot and then proceeded to defeat Winfield Scott Hancock, the Democratic nominee, in the general election.
If there is a brokered convention, there is the possibility that we might end up with someone completely unexpected, like Sarah Palin, Rand Paul, or Allen West, as our nominee.
Delegates after the first ballot can vote for who they want and this includes new candidates nominated from the floor.