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What Is A Brokered Convention? (Vanity)

Posted on 02/03/2008 10:36:28 AM PST by proudofthesouth

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I've heard the term mentioned here on FR and I'm just trying to learn about it. I know that FReepers can give me a good education on the subject. Thanks!
1 posted on 02/03/2008 10:36:30 AM PST by proudofthesouth
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To: proudofthesouth

Before primaries political bosses controlled state delegations at nominating conventions. When a party could not decide on a candidate after several ballots, the bosses would meet in “smoke-filled” rooms and “broker” a choice.

A little simplistic, but you get the idea.


2 posted on 02/03/2008 10:38:50 AM PST by kjo
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To: proudofthesouth

It’s when none of the candidates get the majority of the delegates.


3 posted on 02/03/2008 10:40:12 AM PST by Always Right (Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?)
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To: proudofthesouth

What is a brokered convention?

A fantasy.

It will never happen. About the time people start to figure out that the guy they don’t like is inevitable, they start talking about a brokered convention.

Not. Gonna. Happen.


4 posted on 02/03/2008 10:42:08 AM PST by gridlock (Proud Romney Supporter since January 20, 2008)
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To: proudofthesouth

It basically means a convention in which no candidate has a majority of the delegates. In such a scenario (it has been a long time since this has happened), a “Dark Horse” compromise candidate may emerge - someone no one ever expected and who may not have been running in the first place. Is this a good thing? It is if you don’t like anyone who is running right now...


5 posted on 02/03/2008 10:42:48 AM PST by bshomoic
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To: proudofthesouth

well, they vote several ballots and no one gets a certain majority.....it may be more than just 50.1%

then they essentially negotiate delegates to reach a concensus

it’s a zoo i’d reckon

shame they can’t duel anymore


6 posted on 02/03/2008 10:42:48 AM PST by wardaddy (Political Correctness is to Western Culture what the Aids virus is to the cake community)
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To: proudofthesouth
Brokered Convention
7 posted on 02/03/2008 10:44:46 AM PST by big'ol_freeper (REAGAN: "..party..must represent certain fundamental beliefs [not] compromised..[for] expediency")
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To: proudofthesouth
If no candidate gets a majority on the first two ballots, the delegates are then allowed to vote for any candidate--or for anyone at all for that matter.

The party leaders can meet in smoke-filled rooms but the delegates still choose.

8 posted on 02/03/2008 10:45:09 AM PST by Cruising Speed
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To: proudofthesouth

Merrill Lynch sells all the candidates to foreign investors and the election is cancelled. The proceeds are used to pay down the national debt.


9 posted on 02/03/2008 10:45:56 AM PST by proxy_user
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To: proudofthesouth

NIRVANA!! THAT’S WHAT A BROKERED CONVENTION WOULD BE FOR ROMNEYITES!!


10 posted on 02/03/2008 10:46:31 AM PST by levotb
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To: proudofthesouth
Basically a brokered convention is where no candidate has the majority of delegates needed to secure the nomination. The nominee is than selected in smoky backrooms where deals are made and favors are promised. In recent times, the primary system has been pretty good at selecting nominees before the convention rendering a brokered convention unnecessary.

However, this has been an unusual year in that each party has two distinct front-runners and it is becoming likely that one if not both conventions this summer will be brokered.

As to whether this is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. For the GOP, if a brokered convention means that McCain will not be the nominee, than it is definitely a good thing. For the Democrats, the Clintons are nasty enough to emerge from any brokered convention the victors because they will stoop to any level and make any deal necessary to ensure that they emerge with the nomination.

11 posted on 02/03/2008 10:47:13 AM PST by SamAdams76 (I am 6 days away from outliving Nicolette Larson (Mitt is It))
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To: proudofthesouth
A brokered convention is when no single candidate has enough votes to win the nomination. After several ballots, the state party leaders get together and begin negotiating to pull something together that a majority of delegates will accept.

It is caused by not enough delegates being won in the primaries to win nomination by any candidate.

Is it good? well, if it led to a strong conservative candidate I would say it is a good thing. OTOH, if it fractures the conservative vote and leads to a portion of the conservatives going to a McCain for example, giving him the nomination...it would not be a good thing IMHO.

Either of those two options will be on the table in a brokered convention...and maybe more.

12 posted on 02/03/2008 10:47:37 AM PST by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: bshomoic

Yeh, bshomoic, but then it could be...GADS!! It could end up being HALEY BARBOUR!!!! Man, I would split a gut...


13 posted on 02/03/2008 10:47:56 AM PST by levotb
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To: gridlock

I assume with the candidates left its possible no one gets a majority even with multiple ballots. Is there no rule that forces the lowest delegate vote getter off subsequent ballots which then pretty much assures a majority eventually? That would make it a two person race at some point.


14 posted on 02/03/2008 10:49:33 AM PST by xp38
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To: SamAdams76

Right, SamAdams, but it wouldn’t necessarily mean it would be Romney, either. In fact, it probably wouldn’t be EITHER man, pissing off a lot of voters from both camps...


15 posted on 02/03/2008 10:49:41 AM PST by levotb
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To: proudofthesouth

Oh, and a brokered convention is far less likely to occur with the GOP than with the Dims because the GOP has so many “winner take all” states... A candidate can win 35% of the vote yet get ALL of the state’s delegates. With proportional, he only gets 35% of the delegates...


16 posted on 02/03/2008 10:50:10 AM PST by bshomoic
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To: gridlock

What a brokered convention would tell us is exactly who and what the party elites REALLY want to foist on the voters. That’s the exact reason they don’t want to allow a brokered convention to ever take place.

They want to always be able to point and say, “The voters choose him/her. If you want to have a different nominee, then vote for your candidate in the primaries. It’s too late now. Ha, ha, ha.”

(They don’t actually say ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ loud enough for anyone outside the realm of the elites to hear.)

This is exactly why WE want a brokered convention, so we can blame the ones whose fault it really is, the elites. This election cycle, anyone who doesn’t want a brokered convention is either one of the elites, or an elitist enabler. (Or an elitist wannabe. Or an idiot. Wait, I repeated myself.)


17 posted on 02/03/2008 10:50:44 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: proudofthesouth

It’s like electing a new Pope.


18 posted on 02/03/2008 10:51:33 AM PST by shaft29
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To: SamAdams76

Hey, SamAdams—

We COULD end up with...SENATOR LIEBERMAN!!


19 posted on 02/03/2008 10:52:02 AM PST by levotb
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To: proudofthesouth
Remember that delegates of candidates that have dropped out can vote as they please--just because Guliani endorsed McCain that doesn't mean his delegates (I think he has only a few) have to vote for McCain.

And don't forget about the superdelegates--I think 10% or 20% come directly from the party leadership.

20 posted on 02/03/2008 10:54:17 AM PST by Cruising Speed
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