Do you think this cycle could see a brokered convention (on either side)?

[Stinky The Clown]

I can see it happening. On our side, we have three strong candidates. Its early and any one of them cans till win, but the others will have delegates that can be bargained.

On the Repub side, they have (what is it now?) seven bozos running. All vow to stay to the end. That said, I can't imagine Huncan Dunter (or whatever his name is :) ) lasting that long. The others appear quite capble of trading primary wins week by week, leaving no clear winner.

So ...... do you think there's a chance we could see a brokered convention this cycle? I'd like to see one, if for no other reason than the civics lesson that needs to happen once every generation or so.

[book_worm]

1. I think it's more likely on their side than ours, but you never know

[Stinky The Clown]

6. I agree

I wasn't clear in my OP ....... I think its possible on both sides, but that it is far more likely on their side than on ours.

[Kolesar]

11. Newt Gingrich...eom

[BuyingThyme]

2. As far as I understand what a brokered convention is,

yes.

[Kucinich4America]

3. I think two brokered conventions might be the best thing for the country.

It would get everyone - Democrats, Republicans, Indies, interested in the process.

And I'm starting to believe a brokered convention - with Al Gore emerging as the nominee is the ONLY hope we have left.

[Pastiche423]

10. That is my hope

[SteppingRazor]

4. Especially with Romney's win in Michigan, I think there's a pretty good chance on the GOP side...

on our own side, after Obama wins NV and SC, I imagine he'll solidify victory Feb. 5.
B-)

[zanne]

5. I think it's possible and it would be interesting...

At least, when I finally understand brokered conventions. I'm already confused.

[Bucky]

7. Still long odds--very long odds.

The Democrats will have an "inevitable" nominee after Feb 5th. There may be some follow-up stake-in-the-vampire elections after that, but by Feb 5th the momentum will be with Clinton or with Obama.

Republicans will have a more diverse collection of results coming out of Tidal Tuesday, but it will probably be in the bag after March 4th when Ohio and Texas vote. They have a one in a thousand chance of having a brokered convention. Democrats probably have, at best, a one in a million chance of it.

[ieoeja]

8. Maybe.

Barring some incredible scandal breaking I find it unlikely either party will have a candidate winning enough committed delegates to ensure a majority.

I don't know about the Republics, but on the Democratic side this is where the super-delegates come into play. They will negotiate fiercly among themselves pre-convention to see if they can form a large enough bloc to put one of the delegates over the top. The super-delegates were added to the convention after 1968 for the specific purpose of preventing a brokered convention in this manner.

If the super-delegates are unable to do that then the top tier candidate who finishes third will be heavily courted by the other two for second ballot votes.

[robbedvoter]

9. It's early - but their side is more likely than ours.

[Yael]

12. Wouldn't this scenario be a hit

Let Huckabee take SC, Giuliani take FL, and Ron Paul pick up some rogue state or a few solid #2s -- all before Feb 5th.