REPUBLICAN LEADERS ...RNC AND FOX NEWS ARE PLANNING A BROKERED OR CONTESTED CONVENTION ELECTION 2016NEWS AND UPDATES...etc etc

[DE]

The RNC is preparing a brokered convention...to not allow Marco Rubio to win...They will bring in an establishment candidate to give it to that candidate...What can be done  about that..We know it will be Jeb or Rubio..They can do this  because of the ways that they have structured the riles...this is incredible.. the pick at a brokered convention never wins..they said FDR was the last to ever win a brokered convention.What they are really doing is saying they had rather elect Hillary than have Trump win............I AM TOO DISGUSTED FOR WORDS

UPDATE:

Cleveland Cliffhanger? Prospects of a Deadlocked GOP Convention

By J. Robert Smith

The big winner in Iowa’s Republican caucuses on Monday night might not have been Ted Cruz.  It may have been a nominating process that fails to yield a clear winner.  A clear winner being a candidate who goes to Cleveland this summer with the presidential nomination in hand.    

At the end of Monday night, which count really mattered?  Delegates acquired.  As of this writing, Cruz has bagged eight delegates, Trump and Rubio, seven each, with four other delegates going to also-rans. 

Raw vote totals are what most folk tend to watch and weigh.  But in 2016, it pays to more closely follow the candidates’ delegate totals.  Thanks to the Republican National Committee (RNC), caucuses and primaries held prior to mid-March mandate proportional distribution of delegates based on candidates’ vote totals in given contests.  Most early caucuses and primaries impose threshold minimums to win delegates (say, Alabama, with a 20% threshold). 

Prior to Mid-March, 25 States, along with DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico, will hold proportional contests.  That accounts for 1,022 bound delegates (“bound” being delegates committed to a candidate for the first vote).  45% of the bound delegates will be picked proportionally or in “hybrid” formats, which include triggering provisions for larger delegate yields for candidates who meet higher vote percentage thresholds.  There are WTA (winner-take-all) thresholds, but those will be quite difficult to achieve.          

Starting with Super Tuesday, March 15, most of the remaining states have opted to hold winner-take-all contests, though a handful will continue to make proportional distributions.  From mid-March forward, 1,238 bound delegates will be chosen (Colorado’s delegates declare at convention). 

The number of delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination is 1,237.  There are a number of unbound (3 per state) and unpledged delegates.  The unpledged delegates are mostly establishment picks who would factor in at a deadlocked convention.  

Short of a breakout by one the major contenders (Trump, Cruz, and Rubio), it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where the proportional phase of the nominating process yields tightly packed delegate counts among the three.  Complicating matters is if new life is breathed into the Carson, Kasich, or Christe campaigns (as improbable as that appears).

But, say you, won’t the nomination fight be resolved with Super Tuesday and the subsequent contests? 

That could happen, but consider this prospect.  Cruz, Rubio, and Trump take roughly a third each of the delegates in the proportional phase.  For illustration, say, 340 delegates per man.  That means in the winner-take-all phase, one of the principals would need to capture 897 of the available 1,238 bound delegates to win.  That’s about 73% of the total or three out of every four delegates. Possible, but how likely?  This assumes, too, that the principals are competitive with one another, affording each the chance to pick off states.

Cruz, Trump, and Rubio have the resources to stay the course.  Trump is self-funding.  Cruz’s fundraising operation is already solid and benefits all the more from his Iowa win.  Rubio’s stronger than anticipated finish in Iowa boosts his fundraising.  And as Rubio consolidates establishment voters -- as he began doing in Iowa -- and lesser establishment candidates drop out, expect a significant upswing in his campaign’s financial fortunes.  

Writes Michael Snyder at “Before It’s News”: 

[I]f no candidate is able to secure enough delegates, that means that we would end up with a “brokered convention”. The mechanics of a brokered convention can get quite complicated, but on a practical level what that would essentially mean is that the party establishment would get to hand select the nominee. And in case you are wondering, that would not be Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. 

                               

Snyder’s assessment is flawed in a couple of respects (though not his conclusion about the candidates). 

“Deadlocked” versus a “brokered” convention, the more accurate designation is “deadlocked.”  A brokered convention suggests that party bosses call the shots nearly exclusively.  The party boss era in American politics is long past.

Though unpledged delegates -- who are likely establishment recruits -- will play a critical role at a deadlocked convention, it’s important to remember that bound delegates are only committed to their candidates on the first ballot. 

Thereafter, they’re unbound.  Candidates’ and, perhaps, dark horses’ (yes, a draft is possible) primary focus for vote gathering will be among all those plentiful unbound state delegates.  If the convention deadlocks, it’s going to be the Wild West, with plenty of wheeling and dealing, barroom brawls, shoot-outs, shenanigans, and backroom deals.  But all that will occur across delegations and not just among the establishment few.

Snyder’s guess that the nominee won’t be named “Cruz” or “Trump” should a deadlock occur is reasonable.  Deadlocked conventions -- if past brokered conventions are any guide -- tend to nominee candidates who at least appear more centrist or moderate.  At a deadlocked 2016 Cleveland affair, the buzz word may be “electable.”  Right now, Marco Rubio seems to fit the bill.  As Snyder pointed out in his article, that’s not an endorsement; it’s merely an observation.

If the Republican field narrows to two principal candidates, then the chances for a deadlocked convention melt away.  But if, as anticipated, Cruz, Trump, and Rubio (and possibly one or two others) remain in the race, then a deadlocked convention moves from “maybe” to “probable” with each passing primary, caucus, and state convention.  The Republican presidential nominee who emerges will have done so after the fight of his political life – and ours.  

The big winner in Iowa’s Republican caucuses on Monday night might not have been Ted Cruz.  It may have been a nominating process that fails to yield a clear winner.  A clear winner being a candidate who goes to Cleveland this summer with the presidential nomination in hand.    

At the end of Monday night, which count really mattered?  Delegates acquired.  As of this writing, Cruz has bagged eight delegates, Trump and Rubio, seven each, with four other delegates going to also-rans. 

Raw vote totals are what most folk tend to watch and weigh.  But in 2016, it pays to more closely follow the candidates’ delegate totals.  Thanks to the Republican National Committee (RNC), caucuses and primaries held prior to mid-March mandate proportional distribution of delegates based on candidates’ vote totals in given contests.  Most early caucuses and primaries impose threshold minimums to win delegates (say, Alabama, with a 20% threshold). 

Prior to Mid-March, 25 States, along with DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico, will hold proportional contests.  That accounts for 1,022 bound delegates (“bound” being delegates committed to a candidate for the first vote).  45% of the bound delegates will be picked proportionally or in “hybrid” formats, which include triggering provisions for larger delegate yields for candidates who meet higher vote percentage thresholds.  There are WTA (winner-take-all) thresholds, but those will be quite difficult to achieve.          

Starting with Super Tuesday, March 15, most of the remaining states have opted to hold winner-take-all contests, though a handful will continue to make proportional distributions.  From mid-March forward, 1,238 bound delegates will be chosen (Colorado’s delegates declare at convention). 

The number of delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination is 1,237.  There are a number of unbound (3 per state) and unpledged delegates.  The unpledged delegates are mostly establishment picks who would factor in at a deadlocked convention.  

Short of a breakout by one the major contenders (Trump, Cruz, and Rubio), it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where the proportional phase of the nominating process yields tightly packed delegate counts among the three.  Complicating matters is if new life is breathed into the Carson, Kasich, or Christe campaigns (as improbable as that appears).

But, say you, won’t the nomination fight be resolved with Super Tuesday and the subsequent contests? 

That could happen, but consider this prospect.  Cruz, Rubio, and Trump take roughly a third each of the delegates in the proportional phase.  For illustration, say, 340 delegates per man.  That means in the winner-take-all phase, one of the principals would need to capture 897 of the available 1,238 bound delegates to win.  That’s about 73% of the total or three out of every four delegates. Possible, but how likely?  This assumes, too, that the principals are competitive with one another, affording each the chance to pick off states.

Cruz, Trump, and Rubio have the resources to stay the course.  Trump is self-funding.  Cruz’s fundraising operation is already solid and benefits all the more from his Iowa win.  Rubio’s stronger than anticipated finish in Iowa boosts his fundraising.  And as Rubio consolidates establishment voters -- as he began doing in Iowa -- and lesser establishment candidates drop out, expect a significant upswing in his campaign’s financial fortunes.  

Writes Michael Snyder at “Before It’s News”: 

[I]f no candidate is able to secure enough delegates, that means that we would end up with a “brokered convention”. The mechanics of a brokered convention can get quite complicated, but on a practical level what that would essentially mean is that the party establishment would get to hand select the nominee. And in case you are wondering, that would not be Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. 

                               

Snyder’s assessment is flawed in a couple of respects (though not his conclusion about the candidates). 

“Deadlocked” versus a “brokered” convention, the more accurate designation is “deadlocked.”  A brokered convention suggests that party bosses call the shots nearly exclusively.  The party boss era in American politics is long past.

Though unpledged delegates -- who are likely establishment recruits -- will play a critical role at a deadlocked convention, it’s important to remember that bound delegates are only committed to their candidates on the first ballot. 

Thereafter, they’re unbound.  Candidates’ and, perhaps, dark horses’ (yes, a draft is possible) primary focus for vote gathering will be among all those plentiful unbound state delegates.  If the convention deadlocks, it’s going to be the Wild West, with plenty of wheeling and dealing, barroom brawls, shoot-outs, shenanigans, and backroom deals.  But all that will occur across delegations and not just among the establishment few.

Snyder’s guess that the nominee won’t be named “Cruz” or “Trump” should a deadlock occur is reasonable.  Deadlocked conventions -- if past brokered conventions are any guide -- tend to nominee candidates who at least appear more centrist or moderate.  At a deadlocked 2016 Cleveland affair, the buzz word may be “electable.”  Right now, Marco Rubio seems to fit the bill.  As Snyder pointed out in his article, that’s not an endorsement; it’s merely an observation.

If the Republican field narrows to two principal candidates, then the chances for a deadlocked convention melt away.  But if, as anticipated, Cruz, Trump, and Rubio (and possibly one or two others) remain in the race, then a deadlocked convention moves from “maybe” to “probable” with each passing primary, caucus, and state convention.  The Republican presidential nominee who emerges will have done so after the fight of his political life – and ours.  

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/02/cleveland_cliffhang...
Follow us: @AmericanThinker on Twitter | AmericanThinker on Facebook

[DE]

KEV...Blades posted that video...not me.......

[kevin kiernan]

MY BAD, please except my humble apology. I know you will because you are a sweet person. Blades you are a bad boy again. Blades you and I go back and forth a lot. This is bad posting and you know it so with out getting into another one of our back and forth`s. Just think to yourself about this. I have faith that you will realize that I am right.I am surprised that you made a mistake like this and I know we can all make mistake`s .I am just trying to keep it pure here.

[DE]

You are right KEV...I am sweet..LOL..You are a god friend and I do not throw away friends for making a mistake..Not a problem....

[BLADES]

dearest kevin I cant help but see how you changed your whole response when you found out it was me....dbl standards maybe....sorry if trumps words are so offensive you have to attack me....those were his own words....now I at no time ever believe him so this is no exception but he seemed to be considering it...or was this a comedy skit on SNL

oh and as far as the back and fourths go....you dont do a back and I cant do a fourth...

[kevin kiernan]

Thank you for your advise.

[BLADES]

some advice is not always  good ...best to make your own decision and live with the results 

[kevin kiernan]

Once again thanks for the advise, and also thanks for being a team player.

[Dmitri Veans]

Trump has floated so many potential VP's just to get press, hes a smart man. When he gives serious answers to the press about who would be his VP he has the same answer, "It is to early to make that call, I like a lot of the people running against me, but I wont make that call until I see how things shack out in the primaries."

Read between the lines = The number two will be my VP of choice

[kevin kiernan]

That is how I read what Trump does. He spoke nice and said things about Oprah because the Oprah brand is very,very well known and revered by many. Most all politicians play up to any one with a huge following.

[jack ludwig]

I don't think Trump has any plans to pick the runner-up to him in the primaries. If he wins the republican nomination, his plan will be to pick someone who has a large following in the independent group. He knows he will have most of the republican voters and those that don't support him he won't waste his time on. He knows the greatest amount of potential voters is in the independent voter group so he needs someone who will compliment him in getting as many of those votes as possible. When the general election campaign begins, Trumps rhetoric will be completely different. His primary focus will be on the independent vote.

[DE]

new poll of New Hampshire Republicans finds Donald Trump still leading the crowded field, but by only 1 point.

by Mike Flynn10 Dec 2015, 9:49 PM PST70

NYT Poll: Support for Gun Regulations Tanks After Jihad Murders

The New York Times buries the big, post-San Bernardino news about the public’s support for gun-control — it is dropping fast.

by Neil Munro10 Dec 2015, 9:37 PM PST0

Abdul-Jabbar: Trump Doing Islamic State’s Work for Them

Former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared on the Thursday broadcast of “The Last Word” on MSNBC to talk about his TIME column where he listed what GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump has in common ISIS. According to Abdul-Jabbar, Trump is not

by Trent Baker10 Dec 2015, 8:39 PM PST3,379

Donald Trump Soars in New CBS/NYT Poll Amid Terrorist Threat

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is soaring in the latest polls as Americans express concerns about the next leader’s ability to fight the global Islamic terrorist threat.

by Patrick Howley10 Dec 2015, 8:17 PM PST85

Breitbart News Daily: Sen Ted Cruz; DHS Whistleblower

On the December 11, Breitbart News Daily show, on Sirius XM Patriot channel 125 from 6AM to 9AM EST, host and Breitbart News Executive Chairman Stephen K. Bannon will interview a number of guests and talk about the most important current events including the global war with radical Islam, the 2016 presidential race, and much more.

by Breitbart News10 Dec 2015, 6:17 PM PST242

Washington Post: Gun Laws Would Not Have Prevented Recent Mass Shoo...

The Washington Post’s fact checker took a look at recent mass shootings and concluded there is no evidence that stronger gun laws would have prevented any of them.

by John Sexton10 Dec 2015, 5:52 PM PST34

EXCLUSIVE — Bob Vander Plaats: Ted Cruz Has ‘Infrastructure’ to Win...

The Family Leader’s CEO Bob Vander Plaats spoke one on one with Breitbart News after he endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for president, saying Cruz has the resources and infrastructure to win the GOP nomination, unite conservatives, and select a Vice President with characteristics that buy into his vision and agenda for the country.

by Alex Swoyer10 Dec 2015, 5:41 PM PST69

Exclusive — Cruz: Benghazi Attack Was ‘Direct Result’ of Rubio’s Su...

GREENVILLE, South Carolina — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News here in his campaign office on Monday, escalated his battle with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on the 2016 campaign trail to a whole new degree: Now, Cruz is laying out why Rubio is responsible for the terrorist attack in Benghazi.

by Matthew Boyle10 Dec 2015, 3:50 PM PST2,772

GOP Leaders Prepare for Possible Deadlocked Convention

More than 20 Republican Party leaders met privately on Monday night with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus to prepare for a brokered convention, according to the Washington Post.

by Alex Swoyer10 Dec 2015, 3:09 PM PST2,359

WaPo’s Costa: GOP Establishment Preparing for a Brokered Convention...

Thursday on MSNBC’s “MTP Daily,” The Washington Post’s Bob Costa reported the so-called Republican Party establishment is now officially preparing for a brokered convention. Costa said, “They met Monday night at the Source restaurant a few steps away from here

by Pam Key10 Dec 2015, 3:02 PM PST527

Why Trump Will Win

International businessman, entrepreneur, builder and reality TV star Donald J. Trump once again displayed his uncanny and unprecedented ability to both dominate the national dialogue and roil the political waters with his most recent proposal to temporarily halt Muslim immigration. Not surprisingly the mainstream media and the political establishment demonstrated their willingness to do anything necessary to smear Trump, distort his proposals and derail his candidacy.

by Roger Stone10 Dec 2015, 3:01 PM PST1,881

Polls Show Americans Aren’t Afraid, They Want a President Who Will ...

The media has spilled gallons of ink diagnosing the national mood and how it explains the rise and rise of Donald Trump. The consensus view is that Trump is capitalizing on American’s fears (and their bigotry) to stoke his support. But what if that diagnosis is wrong? What if Americans aren’t afraid, but angry?

by John Sexton10 Dec 2015, 2:15 PM PST442

Mike Lee Drops the Hammer on Marco Rubio: Argument He’s Making Agai...

During a tele town hall on Wednesday evening, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) dropped the hammer on Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)—essentially accusing his colleague of lying in criticisms of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

by Matthew Boyle10 Dec 2015, 2:04 PM PST648

Republican Establishment Will Eventually Settle Behind Trump

The establishment seems unwilling to throw over any of its candidates in favor of someone like Sen. Ted Cruz, because they disagree with regard to policy and approach with Cruz. But then they complain that Donald Trump isn’t conservative enough.

by Ben Shapiro10 Dec 2015, 1:14 PM PST1,393

http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/

[jack ludwig]

I remember the last presidential election cycle when the Tea Party leaders were discussing having a brokered convention if Romney didn't get enough delegates going into the convention. I said back then it is not going to happen, Romney will get the nomination. The same is true here, if Trump has the lead going into the convention, he will get the nomination. The vote count would have to be razor thin between two candidates before a broker convention can even have a chance. I don't see this primary being any different than most. By the end of supper Tuesday, we will know who the nominee will be.