a brokered convention and the true believers:

[hedgehog]

It is becoming generally accepted that the Republicans will have a brokered convention this August; that they will rally behind a candidate who isn't in the running yet.

There's one problem with this scenario. My perception is that many of the delegates for Paul, Gingrich and Santorum are true believers who won't change their vote for love or money. You can't broker a convention wioth people who never compromise!

[monmouth]

1. I'll be watching Palin if it comes to that. Such entertainment ahead..n/t

[RC]

2. I can't help but think they are grooming someone behind the scenes.

We are going to be blind-sided by someone that seems sane and has reasonable sounding solutions. Doesn't mean they will be implemented if he gets in though.
Run from the Center and govern from the Right. sound familiar?
Won't be the first time, will it?

[apnu]

14. How could they be possibly doing that?

Whomever that is will be at a severe fundraising disadvantage to Obama. Yes I know about the SuperPACs, but Obama's got as much SuperPAC cash as he has campaign cash and the silly season hasn't started for real yet.

Also, how about qualifying for the ballots in all the states? Wouldn't a late entrant have to spend a lot of time and money getting signatures to be on the ballot in each of the states?

[zbdent]

3. Might turn off many of the "undecideds" who were just waiting until an R was selected as

the front-runner ... "I didn't know he was running!"

Of course, all those "undecideds" who were falling for the "we don't know anything about Obama!" (despite being blasted with e-mail after e-mail about all the "untold history of Obama not shown in the MSM!&quot will likely say "Hey, he's an outsider, never been much of a politician!"

[bongbong]

4. most lasting characteristic of republicans

The most striking characteristic of Greedy Old Pedophile party voters is their obedience to authority. They will rally behind anybody that they are ordered to, since they hate Obama (and America) so much.

[left on green only]

5. Then what will happen if

they are unable to compromise at the convention? Will it be settled by brawl, or will they just end up not fielding a candidate? If they settle by brawl, I wonder then which candidate will likely be the most "heavily" supported by the NRA element in attendance? Whether it comes to that or not, I imagine that most people there will be packing..........just because they can.

[hedgehog]

10. I fully expect to see fist fights on the floor!

[DCBob]

6. It would be fun to watch a a real brokered convention.

I am concerned though they might bring in a legitimate candidate who could re-energize the party. It probably wont but it could.

[customerserviceguy]

7. For the reasons the OP states

I don't think it will be someone picked on the second, fifth, or even twentieth ballot. They'll all be true believers in there, and they'll all have smartphones keeping them in contact with what the outside world is saying about the mess. They'll have their feet held to the fire by the candidates who put them there, and by folks back home.

After about the fiftieth ballot, the Repuke nomination will be seen as a thing of very little value this year, and nobody who wants a shot at 2016 will want to be anywhere near it. Some sacrificial lamb will be found to nominally populate the top of the ticket, and another stooge will be found as running mate, and Republicons will spend from that day until Election Day, fighting, carping, and smearing each other over the chance that got away to defeat Barack Obama.

It's my dream scenario, but it could happen.

[wandy]

8. Brokered convention = Jeb Bush n/t

[AlinPA]

9. They are so crazy now that Palin could win it.

[KharmaTrain]

11. It's Too Late Baby...

You hit a big nerve that won't be healed. Just cruise over to Freeperville and you'll see the angst of the great unhinged that won't be glossed over by whomever wins the nomination be it Millard, Noooot, Rectorum, Mooselini, Jebbie or John Wayne...it doesn't matter. There are a lot of raw feelings out there that is ripping the rushpublican party to shreads...and we're not even counting the Paulbots. Many on the wacko right are still pissed about backing Gramps McCain in '08 and won't support another "RINO" while the "establishment" would rather tank an election than see a Cadrich or Rectorum as President. Either scenario assures that turn out will be down on their side and even if its 5 or 10% that could be the difference between a close election and a landslide.

For those thinking some "great white hope" will emerge are pipe dreaming. Whomever is the nominee will not only need to fire up major coin virtually overnight but also put together a campaign organization that is competitive in the "battleground" states...and this is supposed to happen in late August? Good luck with that one. Or that other campaigns will turn over their staffs for a brokered candidate? Yeah, right!

We'll see "lets make a deal"...delegates bought and sold...and my bets its Mittens who does the most buying. That's how rushpublicans roll...

[yellowcanine]

12. The losers could walk out and run a third party candidate. Like the Dixiecrats in 1948 or the Bull

Moose Party in 2012. Or the break up of the Democrats in the 1860 election. Of course except for 48, this meant the other party won.

[morningfog]

13. It may end up being brokered, but it won't go to someone who isn't already running.

No one would want to try to star-up and fund a presidential campaign in the two month time frame between the convention and Election Day. They are stuck with Mittens or Ricky.