I’m pretty sure this is just an additional requirement on top of the 1,144 delegates. I think any names can be offered, but to actually win the nomination, they would need 1,144 delegates plus at least 5 states where they had the most delegates.
There is a caveat that could allow Gingrich to slip through. RNC press secretary Kirsten Kukowski told NBC News that a candidate may still be nominated at the convention if they are able to garner a plurality of five states on the floor. The only real road toward accomplishing that would involve capturing unbound delegates, who will be few and far between come August.
I should also add that delegates become unbound after the first vote. That’s when a floor fight becomes possible. And anyone should be eligible for getting whatever delegates they need to move forward at that point.
It doesn’t make sense if this rule as people are interpreting it applies to the first vote. If a delegate is bound on the first vote to who their state nominated, then who does the bound delegate vote for if that candidate isn’t allowed to have his name in play on the first vote because he didn’t win five states?
“if they are able to garner a plurality of five states on the floor.”
After the first Vote, ALL delegates will be unbound. They could throw in Sarah Palin, Chris Christie, or Jeb Bush.