Posted on 04/11/2016 9:18:12 AM PDT by firebrand
All the rules could get changed before the convention starts, making everything youve just read irrelevant.
What?
The rules for each convention are ultimately decided at the convention itself. In 2012, for example, a rule was passed stating that a candidate could only have their name placed in nomination if they had won a majority of the delegates in eight or more states. At the time, this was widely seen as an effort to thwart possible machinations from supporters of then-Rep. Ron Paul (Texas). But the rule Rule 40 is a leading contender to be changed, since it would seem to limit the number of alternatives to Trump who could be put forward. Right now, no one else would qualify, although Cruz might well get across the threshold by the time the primaries end.
But all of the rules could be changed?
[The] rules could be changed to enable delegates to immediately unbind themselves. This isnt so outlandish as it sounds on the other side of the partisan divide, supporters of then-Sen. Edward Kennedy tried this maneuver in 1980, aiming to oust sitting President Jimmy Carter as the Democratic nominee. The Kennedy effort failed, however, and any similar effort would be hugely controversial among Republicans this year. Trump has already predicted there could be riots if he fails to win the nomination.
It answers the question of why Cruz is doing this if he "can't win."
“Conscience” will be the GOP candidate for President this November. Cool....
The republicans are committing suicide and blaming Trump.
I guess this is “playing by the rules”
Maybe delegates don't want Thighness directly or indirectly as POTUS.
It is not possible for Cruz to win the Presidency in a general election where fully 1/3 of the millions of voters for Trump who have indicated via the Reuters/IPSOS pole they will NOT.
If you want to talk about the 4-5 million that stayed home in 2012 for Romney, try taking 1/3 of Trump’s supporters offline in that election. A sure loss for Ted and the GOPe to which he now belongs as part of the Bush Machine.
However, its certainly possible that if Trump does not control 50% of the delegates, changes could be made that harm Trump's chances but dont harm Cruz's chances. Which would make sense - that is how politics works. Whining about it won't help - working to encourage delegates to support your position in these rules fights is what needs to happen.
Trump has been badly served by his campaign team in this regard, and Cruz's team is doing quite well at it. Will Trump's recent team shakeup make a difference? I think they are paying more attention now, and may be doing better work in the background, but Trump spokemen continue to push the unhelpful whine message.
Cruz can win. So can Trump. Most probably this depends on whether Trump gets to the magic number in terms of bound and unbound but pledged delegates prior to the convention. If Trump is close, maybe he can make a deal with Kasich. Kasich has 66 delegates from Ohio and scattered delegates elsewhere. If Trump is within a hundred or so of the magic number, he may be able to swing a deal. But, as of right now, it’s either Trump on the first ballot or Cruz on the second.
BTW This is the most exciting contest in decades, going back to at least 1976, and it has the potential to be among the most exciting in history.
Remember the old adage about winning a battle but losing the war?
If the GOP prevails in its battle to bypass Trump in Cleveland at the very least it would then lose the war in November.
Beyond that, it would likely sustain battle damage from which it might never recover.
Cruz has so far won majorities in seven states: CO, ID, KS, ME, TX, UT and WI. He will probably win ND and WY. He won’t have any problem passing the eight state majority rule.
An example:
RULE NO. 38
Unit Rule
No delegate or alternate delegate shall be bound by any attempt of any state or Congressional district to impose the unit rule. A unit rule prohibited by this section means a rule or law under which a delegation at the national convention casts its entire vote as a unit as determined by a majority vote of the delegation.
I’m not exactly certain how this rule applies.
Most everyone is too busy pushing for their candidate to pay attention. Everyone is trying to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic and no one is paying attention to the rule objective of avoiding the iceberg, ie Hillary Clinton.
Right now, I see no reason to prefer either Cruz or Trump since both are losing to Hillary or to Sanders. I believe both sides should take a time out. Cut out the name-calling. Stop the outrageous accusations. Talk about the candidates in terms of which one has the best chance to beat Hillary or Sanders. Do it in a respectful manner and not like a bunch of grade school students.
State rules still apply. There will be no challenge to the states’ ability to impose their own conditions on their own delegates.
Doesn’t matter if you call it an oratorio or a “whine” — if the electorate walks out on you due to the issue that it objects to, you do not have their support.
Instead of whining, why doesn’t Trump play the game as it is set?
You’re still talking about bound and unbound delegates. Read the excerpt.
Each state also has it’s own rules that the delegates must follow too.
The GOP will lose POTUS, as well as the majority in the House & Senate. Piss on them. This is what they want. Riots? Lol. That’s just the beginning.
This isn’t about the eight-state majority rule. Read it again.
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