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Divided GOP may have to throw away the convention script
Minneapolis Star-Tribune ^ | JEFF ZELENY and JIM RUTENBERG

Posted on 03/18/2012 2:23:05 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

For the first time in a generation, Republicans are preparing for the possibility that their presidential nomination could be decided at their national convention rather than on the campaign trail, a prospect that would upend one of the rituals of modern politics.

.....as Romney struggles to win the hearts of conservative voters and hold off a challenge from Rick Santorum, party leaders, activists and the campaigns are for the first time taking seriously the possibility that neither he nor anyone else will get to that total.

In that case, the nomination would be decided by the more than 2,200 delegates -- from obscure local officials and activists to national figures...

..campaign and party lawyers are dusting off their party rulebooks, running through decades-old procedural arcana,....

Party officials also are bracing for the possibility of a prenomination clash between the party's establishment and members of the Tea Party movement,...

"It's more likely than anything since '76, there's no question," ....

[snip]

..Gingrich's team is expected to hold...-- if only to keep Romney from reaching a majority.

...RepublicanNationalCommittee has alerted the Committee on Contests to be ready for action, preparing for the possibility of courtroom-like hearings run by lawyers who could decide whether the nomination is settled before party members take their seats in the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Yet the question of whether the race spills over into the convention has opened a new battleground among campaigns in the complicated system of allocating delegates in state and county party gatherings that follow the primaries and caucuses.

....The burden of avoiding a convention fight largely rests on whether Romney can overcome his rivals in the pending contests.

[snip]

..."They may be planning on a contested convention, but it's irrelevant because we're going to get to 1,144," said the Romney campaign's chief counsel,..

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: brokeredconvention; delegates; floorfight; gopconvention; gope; gopprimary; notinevitable; nottromney; slimandnone
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A very interesting article. The Establishment is concerned.

If the GOP-e pulls convention levers to install Romney, there will be hell to pay.

1 posted on 03/18/2012 2:23:12 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Added benefit:

This all makes for great publicity.

Political theatre, is far more intriguing than Obama’s teleprompters.

IMHO this could absolutely help Republicans in November.


2 posted on 03/18/2012 2:25:51 AM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network ("The door is open" PALIN 2012)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

You know they will if they have to. Look at all the other shenanigans they pulled. Ballot access. Awarding delegates improperly.


3 posted on 03/18/2012 2:28:47 AM PDT by trappedincanuckistan (livefreeordietryin)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
I think there is only one ticket that Can Stop the coronation of Romney.

Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin otherwise, it will be Romney's. Everyone else are team players. The GOP-e needs a cleaning out. It would be heavenly to see it this coming year so real reforms can begin.

4 posted on 03/18/2012 2:31:38 AM PDT by Christie at the beach (I like Newt and would love to see political dead bodies on the floor.)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Absolutely correct! I suspect many people who have heard nothing but horrible things about Conservatism will tune in to watch the ruckus of the GOP Convention.

Perhaps for the first time, many will hear incredibly inspiring oratory of men and women who love their country and wish to save it from Obamunism.

5 posted on 03/18/2012 2:37:26 AM PDT by Jacquerie (No court will save us from ourselves.)
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To: Christie at the beach

“I think there is only one ticket that Can Stop the coronation of Romney.”

Palin/Christie at the beach 2012!

Christie at the beach/Palin?


6 posted on 03/18/2012 2:40:10 AM PDT by trappedincanuckistan (livefreeordietryin)
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To: Christie at the beach; trappedincanuckistan; Cringing Negativism Network

The GOP-e obviously isn’t concerned about how Romney’s numbers will not surge but rather (imho) begin to soften as this moves forward. He’ll be the weak GOP-e pick that never should have been.

If the Party Establishment continues shoving Mitt down the Right’s gagging throat (now numbering over 50%) how can the rank and file possibly believe “leadership” wants to beat Obama in the general?

How will they keep the House and take the Senate if the base is dismissed and insulted at every turn?

They have NOT secured the base.

They believe that the base will have nowhere to go and that Obama getting another 8 years will put a gun to our heads.


7 posted on 03/18/2012 2:42:52 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Bring it on! I think it absolutely will have more people tune in.


8 posted on 03/18/2012 2:43:20 AM PDT by Explorer89 (And now, let the wild rumpus start!!)
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To: trappedincanuckistan

I am praying Palin, Newt and the Tea Party will break bad
at Tampa. Sure would love to see it. I wish that we had Newt/Palin now so the energy would be back. take care...


9 posted on 03/18/2012 2:45:48 AM PDT by Christie at the beach (I like Newt and would love to see political dead bodies on the floor.)
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To: Christie at the beach

Well since Newt has ZERO chance, I guess we’re screwed. A brokered convention isn’t going to pick the guy who won two out of 50 states (or is it 57)


10 posted on 03/18/2012 3:10:50 AM PDT by NavVet ("You Lie!")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Good thoughts, CW. A friend of mine in Washington said to me- the party thinks that we will have no other choice but to support him. Ann Coulter was speaking to a group here in my town saying that the base would come along in the fear of 4 more of years of Obama. And, Dick Morris said that what republicans in which they will loose; by the democrats crossing over, that would give Mitt his numbers to push him over. From your points, I see a political opening; to take the advantage. It's our time to go for change. To get our party and ideas back so we conservatives can set America's agenda for a stronger future. People have to realize that we are fighting for a traditional America. That's why I want Newt up standing beside of Obama at the debates. Newt can explain being a exceptional citizen and how you get there versus having a view of radicalism to ones life by blaming all who you disagree with and setting unjust unlawful policies to punish those very groups.

I just don't see people getting out in the streets to protest (not right now) for bold changes in how our government works. Overall people are busy, polite and in their comfort zones. Now, the time has come during convention for the delegates to stand up not for one person-for America's future. There will be insider republicans fighting hard and the independent conservatives will be standing their ground as well... be interesting and a good learning experience...I hope it explodes ( solving problems without political correctness-putting the country first) because good things don't come easy. I hope Newt and Palin come out of it-just no more team insiders.

I do think the GOP will begin
doing some under handled things now with these proportional delegates and changing rules to help Mitt. I just can't see them not letting him have this nomination. They would much prefer to save appearance than do what is the best for the people. It will be interesting to see this unfold.

11 posted on 03/18/2012 3:34:25 AM PDT by Christie at the beach (I like Newt and would love to see political dead bodies on the floor.)
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To: NavVet

A brokered convention is going to hand it to Romney.


12 posted on 03/18/2012 3:40:43 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: NavVet
It is not about winning states any longer with this corrupt game that is taken place now. There is so much fraud and the point at convention is to have the BEST qualified person to take the helm of America. Newt will give his case through experience. It is like what Palin has said, the media has played this whole shell game. What you are seeing now, it's not going to matter. If Romney gets the delegates, it's his..If Romney wasn't a jerk, a liberal and a lair, Newt would probably get out to endorse him since he loves his country more than winning. Newt says he thinks that Rick cannot set bold plans into action. Newt thinks Romney will go along with the country club republicans and no changes. He is our best chance to either get changes or begin the conservation for conservatism that no other can explain in such detail. Imo.
13 posted on 03/18/2012 3:45:42 AM PDT by Christie at the beach (I like Newt and would love to see political dead bodies on the floor.)
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To: Christie at the beach
One thing to all-I don't know what is going to happen. I know the party reads these kinds of forums to see what the the consensus is.

So many people think Romney is going to be the nominee, he could begin to win more so people can get it over with. I do know there is a desire for Bold changes-we have to wait and see what bubbles up/politeness to allow Mitt to have this or a fury to change the party w/a new person or maybe someone who is not even running.. one thing we can agree on; the GOP has problems.

14 posted on 03/18/2012 3:57:13 AM PDT by Christie at the beach (I like Newt and would love to see political dead bodies on the floor.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
as Romney struggles to win the hearts of conservative voters

This phraseology makes it sound like he has a chance to win the conservative vote. He'll never win mine. If he gets the nomination, I'll vote down ticket but I will not vote for Romney.

15 posted on 03/18/2012 3:59:09 AM PDT by MulberryDraw (Newt: "The high price of gas is the deliberate strategy of the left.")
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To: Christie at the beach
.................Newt will give his case through experience. It is like what Palin has said, the media has played this whole shell game. What you are seeing now, it's not going to matter. If Romney gets the delegates, it's his..If Romney wasn't a jerk, a liberal and a lair, Newt would probably get out to endorse him since he loves his country more than winning. Newt says he thinks that Rick cannot set bold plans into action. Newt thinks Romney will go along with the country club republicans and no changes. He is our best chance to either get changes or begin the conservation for conservatism that no other can explain in such detail. Imo.

Over 50% of the GOP are already leaning this way or in that camp. The Establishment has shown us that they are totally unable to confront the Left or embrace conservatism. Look what happened to the class of 2010? The battle lines are being drawn and I do believe Americans that rallied in 2010 for Sarah Palin conservatism will move toward a strong message.

Newt and Sarah do have conservatism in their bones.

I wrote this on another thread:

Over the last week I've had the opportunity to watch "Game Change" and "The Undefeated."

It was interesting to note striking similarities in how Gingrich and Palin were portrayed once they threatened the Establishment.

They're "crazy," "egotistic" and "power hungry." But prior to being labeled thus by their own party, they were "heroes" of reform and limited government. (Probably more due to their fund-raising draw than their conservative message)

Both had a barrage of ethics violations (that were later dismissed) aimed at them to force them to "quit." Which they both did in the end to allow their party to govern.

Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich are both feared by the Establishment. They are recognized as effective leaders, who will offer true conservative change.

16 posted on 03/18/2012 4:05:34 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Divided GOP may have to throw away the convention script

--------------------------

Newt/Palin

Then we 'throw away' the jackwagon named Obama!

Photobucket

  From Kenya only lies emit
  Our POTUS may not be legit
  He's all for one-party rule
  And the media thinks that's cool
  So the real birth certificate he'll never remit

Countdown until Jackwagon leaves Office: 308 days as of March 18, 2012.

17 posted on 03/18/2012 4:05:53 AM PDT by BobP (The piss-stream media - Never to be watched again in my house)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Exactly....If the Republican Candidate is selected (or inevitable) early, such as the last cycle, then Republican issues are no longer covered by the media. The Democrats had the PR advantage by the long competition between Clinton and Obama. This time, a long competition AND drama at the convention will be in the headlines. The Democrat primaries and conventions will be a snoozer... everyone will turn to ESPN instead.
18 posted on 03/18/2012 4:12:07 AM PDT by mason-dixon (As Mason said to Dixon, you have to draw the line somewhere.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Something to ponder.......knowing the viciousness of the state run media and the communist regime in place there is no one person to set thier alynski tactics on with any definition. Seems like the conservative wing is forcing the GOP to the convention floor giving the people more of a hand in this while using an an Alynsiky tactic on the media and the regime limiting the amount of time they have to our candidate Conservative coup?


19 posted on 03/18/2012 4:12:37 AM PDT by ronnie raygun (B B)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

=> Both had a barrage of ethics violations (that were later dismissed) aimed at them to force them to “quit.” Which they both did in the end to allow their party to govern.

Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich are both feared by the Establishment. They are recognized as effective leaders, who will offer true conservative change.

My hubby said the very same thing. I really feel deeply those 2 can do it. Palin’s record proves it and Newt’s as well. Palin is a heck of a smart woman. Newt is a genius. The liberals would not be able to handle nor stop them. each could help one another. Be a dream come true.. Americans have to realize that we will never get our power back with people such as Romney.


20 posted on 03/18/2012 4:16:21 AM PDT by Christie at the beach (I like Newt and would love to see political dead bodies on the floor.)
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