When I was in high school I attended a ‘youth convention.’ It was designed to mirror a real convention in every way. I went as a delegate for the Dem front-runner (I being a gung-ho Dem/liberal in my youth). I wasn’t a stealth delegate; I sincerely liked and supported the frontrunner—he seemed like a great person and a great candidate.
I voted for this person on the first ballot. That was the rule.
Meanwhile, however, either the candidates themselves or a chosen spokesperson made speeches. My best friend and I listened to them all. We both changed our vote on the second ballot. A young firebrand candidate stole the show, capturing our enthusiasm, loyalty and votes.
That’s the way it should be. That’s the honest way. Meaning, it would have been dishonest for me to go as a delegate for a candidate I *planned* to betray. Otoh, if a candidate can make a better case for being the second ballot winner, that’s also honest. That’s how contested conventions should legitimately be resolved.
Premeditated ackstabbing is vile and repugnant. It is an Obama/Alinsky tactic, and does not represent the values of principled conservatives. Cruz has degraded both himself and his supporters by advocating it. Shame on him.
[And don’t tell me that loyal delegates can’t be legitimately persuaded to switch. Delegates know they must select the candidate. If the first ballot falls short, they will listen to the case made by each candidate. A certain percentage will switch on each ballot until they get the job done, guaranteed.)
ackstabbing = backstabbing
Premeditated backstabbing?
Or recognizing a 17-candidate field with a flamboyant front-runner could lead to multiple convention ballots, so a serious presidential candidate worked state-by-state conventions and caucuses?