Posted on 01/24/2008 11:19:30 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
This is a weird article. I was never one who believed that politicians were - on the whole - smart enough to pull off something like this. I never thought the Democrats would pull Hillary in as the Party's savior in 2004. And I'm skeptical of what Steven Stark writes in the above-linked piece.
What do you guys think? Is this author on to something, or is he certifiable?
If McCain loses in Florida, the Republicans may well be headed to a deadlocked race and convention. And history teaches us that the likeliest candidate to emerge in that scenario is someone like Warren G. Harding: the prototypical, less-than-stellar candidate to which conventions turn when the going gets rough.
This year's Harding? Believe it or not (are you sitting down?), despite the fact that he's withdrawn from the race, is Fred Thompson.
Go for brokered. Rush today said that he might be a position for the first time of not being able to endorse the Republican nominee. Pretty rough stuff, but I know how he feels.
I think that after so many votes, delegates are freed up, IIRC.
Nope, and I was a dedicated FredHead. His dropping out makes him damaged goods for the general election. Couple that with the Cameron story that this was always a Veep run and you can be sure that Fred will not be the chosen candidate.
Some people talk as though a “brokered” convention means we hit the reset button and pick someone from out of the blue.
Actually it would mean that those who arrive at the convention with the most delegates would try to make deals to swing more delegates their way to make a majority.
In other words, a “brokered” convention would most likely result in one of the RINO front-runners being nominated after some haggling and deal-making (perhaps with one of the other RINO front-runners being the running mate) ... not some fresh, sparkling conservative statesman being drafted.
The only way someone other than one of the front-runners would be drafted would be if the convention were hopelessly deadlocked after several ballots ... and even then it would probably be some GOP establishment guy, not likely anyone that would make Freepers happy.
Exactly. In the case of a brokered convention, it likely would come down to McCain and Romney.
Given the friendship McCain and Thompson have (despite political differences), I can see a scenario where McCain would pick up Fred to balance out the ticket and appease the conservative base, therefore getting the extra delegates needed.
And there you have it... McCain/Thompson ‘08
“Pull out” is a relative term; they still “belong” to the candidate if the candidate was properly on the ballot. (Some states differ.)
THIS IS WHY WE STILL VOTE FOR FRED.
Draft him.
I believe that if the first vote does not get the required amount of delegates, then all of the delegates are free to support any candidate. They are released from their pledges. It is not after multiple votes.
We have an all volunteer military. That should include the commander-in-chief.
A convention has 3 rounds of voting I believe. Of course we never had a nominee not get enough votes in the first round since 1948. (Democrats in 1952).
After 1 round if noone has the required amount to get the nomination (1,191 I believe for the GOP), then a number of things can happen so a candidate can pick up enough. Mostly a number of deals try to be made.
Thompson doesnt have enough delegates to be a factor. If Romney goes in with 800 delegates and Huckabee has 400...Romney could offer the VP to Huckabee and Huckabee then pledges his delegates to Romney and you have your ticket (Romney/Huckabee).
After 3 rounds, if no one still has enough, then the delegates are unpledged and anything can happen.
Also keep in mind that a candidate from a brokered convention has never gone on to win the general election. There just isn’t enough time to make up the lost momentum.
They drafted George Washington. That worked out OK.
Fred Thompson is no George Washington.
I think you are mistaken. Wasn't President Warren Harding the result of a brokered convention? I think President Rutheford Hayes also came out of such a deal.
Yes, he’s taller and has his teeth.
So for all Florida Fred HeadsVOTE RUDY
However, Washington was president and Fred will never be.
Probably true. Hillary will be president.
Well perhaps before, during, or after the Civil War it may have happened. But I mean that was a different political atmosphere back then. A lot of strange things happened. Today if the Democrat has their nominee after Super Tuesday, they will start their national campaign and we wont even have a nominee yet. Thats going to be devastating.
As for Florida...remember it’s winner take all. Whoever is #1 gets all 57 delegates (perhaps 114 if the convention decides to seat all of Florida’s delegates).
#2 gets zero delegates. That’s why Huckabee is pulling out of Florida. He has little chance of finishing first.
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