[AustinBill]

Good analysis, however consider that if somehow Trump falls shy of 1237 it isn't going to be by much. Let's say he's as much as 100 delegates short going into the convention. Does anyone believe the man who wrote The Art of the Deal would not be able to rustle up 100 "uncommitted" delegates to put him over the top on the first ballot? One can almost imagine Trump relishing the prospect of stealing things right under the RNC's noses.

Cruz is going to be hundreds short of 1237 no matter what, so there's little chance he can assemble a first-ballot coalition, especially since he's been so demonstrably unsuccessful in working with his Senate colleagues to date.

I still think Trump will arrive in Cleveland with the required majority to avoid any drama, but something to think about. Cruz is letting himself be used by the RNC under the mistaken assumption that they'll reward him when in fact he'll be tossed aside as easily as used dishwater by the GOPe. All he's really doing at this point is cutting himself out of any consideration for a role in the incoming Trump administration.

[xzins]

I know that in the horse trading that went on at the Ford Reagan convention in 1976 there was some serious remuneration that took place.

Trump has 10 billion remunerees on his side.