Posted on 03/20/2016 5:46:54 PM PDT by VitacoreVision
As the candidates for the Republican nod in the presidential race become fewer (down from 17 to 3 as we write), and the voters don’t seem to have made a clear choice, the possibility of a brokered convention has emerged.
A “brokered” convention occurs when no candidate wins enough delegates in the primary/caucus contests to assure nomination on the first ballot. The decision then passes to convention delegates, something that hasn’t happened at a Democrat or Republican convention over the past 50+ years. When it does occur, the possibility exists that all primary/caucus results can legitimately be ignored by the delegates.
Labeling this eventuality a “brokered” convention is an interesting word choice. The term developed because the eventual choice of the party shifted to “power brokers,” the obvious, or not so obvious, party leaders. This convention type invites bargaining or horse-trading, and it would likely also result in bribery, threats, and other examples of behind-the-scenes skulduggery.
Looking back, we find that Republicans failed to nominate their candidate on the first ballot in 1948. Thomas Dewey, Robert Taft, and Harold Stassen failed to gain victory on the first ballot. Dewey’s numbers rose during the second ballot after persuasive forces began to flex their muscles. Taft and Stassen then withdrew and Dewey became the party’s unanimous choice on the third ballot. He lost to Harry Truman.
At the Democrat Convention in 1924, exhausted delegates finally selected John Davis on the 103rd ballot. Without doubt, the “brokers” made bargains, issued threats, and handed out bribes to hand Davis the victory. He lost to Calvin Coolidge.
Current commentators claim that television coverage of the proceedings pretty much guarantees that there won’t be any brokered conventions. I don’t agree. Today’s power brokers, who should be known as “The Establishment,” have gained control of both major parties. For many years, both Democrat and Republican candidates have either been members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) or surrounded by members who were their “advisers.” Founded in 1921, the CFR’s leaders have always favored big government and eventual world government.
A short article in the March 4th New York Times tells of the CFR’s influence. It notes that Donald Trump had a “private briefing” with CFR President Richard Haass in mid-2015. It quotes Trump saying, “I respect Richard Haass ... I have a few people that I really like and respect.” It also told of similar Haass briefings already for Republicans Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, John Kasich, and Jeb Bush. The Democrats who trooped to the CFR for their Haass briefing include Jim Webb and Hillary Clinton.
Among current GOP candidates, the Times article didn’t mention Ted Cruz. But it turns out that his wife held membership in the CFR until 2011. While holding that dubious credential, she worked with the late Dr. Robert Pastor in a CFR project designed to have the United States, Canada, and Mexico become a single nation.
So, will the Republicans end up with Trump? Or Cruz? Or Rubio? Or Kasich? You can bet the power brokers at the CFR aren’t terribly concerned because each will be influenced by the CFR. In like manner, they aren’t a bit concerned about the choice of Mrs. Clinton by the Democrats.
So where does an American turn? The Constitution states very clearly that the House of Representatives has the power of the purse and can put a stop to much of what is driving this country away from its roots. The CFR doesn’t control the House the way it controls who will be President. So, for those who care, the way to rescue our country from power brokers at the CFR and like-minded organizations is to elect uncorrupted individuals to the House. And if anyone reading this brief column wants to learn more about the CFR, read “The Shadows of Power.”
John F. McManus is president emeritus of The John Birch Society.
Nah. Trump is going to get the delegates he needs to win on the first vote. All this speculation is just to push clicks/subscriptions.
I agree.
I agree.
If Kasich would step away from delusions of grandeur there would be no need for this speculation. I think Trump may make the numbers anyway. Then the long-knives will become real evident.
After Trump becomes the nominee, we’ll see some real fireworks from the liberal looney left...
Trump should pray for one because then he can put on display his awesome negotiating skills. After months of pissing on all others in in the party it will be amazing to watch him use his skills to secure the nomination. This will unite the party and show us he does have the skills to make Mexico pay for the wall and China to change its trade practices.
Go Trump...show them your magical skills of negotiating and art of the deal.
If the left acts like I believe they will, Trump should win in a landslide...Washington will go berserk...No one but the real, common, everyday Americans will be happy....
Trump would go 3rd party before giving up the nomination.
Most likely no.
Which includes the rino goper uniparty leadership establishment.
You got it. I seldom bother going to links anymore. Most everything has been repeated 185 times. But every pundit and media hack has an opinion and wants in on Trump and history in the making.
Exactly...That’s what I consider Washington these days...The UNIPARTY...
Uh...no.
Well Trump has given them an arsenal of ammunition to do just that. Millions will be spent showing all of the crazy things he has said. The Dimocrats will have an easy task to smear him.
And he wont have any ammunition against Hillary????
Interesting that the author of this piece makes no effort to explain where the Establishment would get 600 - 700 or more delegates to flip from Trump/Cruz to the GOP-E, and that just to get an Establishment candidate in front of the convention.
There are no longer brokers. Almost all delegates are publicly elected.
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