The biggest reason why the convention may end up being brokered is because that’s what the party elite really want anyway. They want to choose the candidate in the back rooms.
Smokey back rooms. Just not tobacco smoke. :-)
How funny. Theoretically, the Democrats want delegates chosen in free and fair elections, and that those delegates will nominate a candidate in a transparent manner.
And I think we all know, if there’s no nominee with a majority of delegates heading into the convention, a decision will be made in smoke filled rooms, and a candidate will be forced on the party by the powers that be.
Wasn’t the last convention to go past a 1st ballot, back in 1952?
As I recall, in 1976, Jimmy Carter had a strong plurality but not a majority, after the primary season but before the convention. But enough various uncommitted delegates or those pledged to minor candidates, decided to support Carter, so that there was no doubt he would be the nominee on the first ballot.
It would be strange, wouldn’t it, if the party which theoretically eschews party bosses and big wigs running things, may be in the position of picking the nominee in a smoke filled room.
“The biggest reason why the convention may end up being brokered is because that’s what the party elite really want anyway. They want to choose the candidate in the back rooms.”
indeed ... i’ve wondered about that myself ... whether it was deliberate, because anyone thinking about it for more than a minute must realize that such a split was almost inevitable to occur ...