Why are Republican Presidential candidates afraid of a brokered convention?

[TrogL]

What is a brokered convection?

[brooklynite]

1. A brokered convention is the result of no candidate having a required majority of delegates...

...in which case, the Party leadership generally tries to arrange a consensus candidate.

They're afraid of it, because it send a message of chaos and disorganization, and allows the Party to be criticized for "interfering" in the public process (even though the public process didn't result in a nominee).

Bottom line, the candidate selected is considered damaged goods.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. It will happen.

They sold us George Bush and Dick Cheney. Count on it,the have own the Microphone.

[Renew Deal]

3. They are afraid of everything

[jwirr]

4. I think it is because it will pit establishment against tea party

Rs. And if the establishment win it may fracture their party even more.

We have a similar situation developing in our party. If Hillary uses the establishment - especially the DNC and the super-delegates to override the wishes of the people we are not going to be any more pleased than the tea party.

In an election year when the people are upset and revolting it is not a good idea to play fast and loose with the process.

[Codeine]

6. We do not have a similar situation in our party.

Clinton will win an overwhelming majority of delegates and take the nomination handily. There will be no need for a brokered convention.

[NurseJackie]

7. Not going to happen. The primaries will decide our nominee.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. Post #1 explains things rather well

I think the fear comes down to splitting the party even more than it is. Whoever wins the nomination will be seen as illegitimate by one wing of their party.

It may be that they will need to give into the Tea Party crazies because if they don't they could split off and then the (R)s are completely screwed.

Of course, if they do give into the Tea Party crazies then they alienate any moderate swing voters and are again completely screwed.


You can see why they are afraid of it.

[NurseJackie]

9. My (optimistic) view is that the entire GOP machine will be broken and dysfunctional for ....

... least a generation. If Trump wins, we win. If Cruz wins, we win. With a brokered convention (no matter who the nominee) we win. If Trump runs third-party, we win.

[Attorney in Texas]

8. Because no one like a nominee chosen by party insiders

[Samantha]

10. They are afraid those who have been polling high can be shut out by someone not even running

The candidate chosen by the "party leaders" can come from outside the ring but has quietly gathered enough votes to construct a win on the first ballot. Those who have been campaigning will threaten to make a third-party run, which some will say would throw the election to the Dems.

I can't imagine what someone like Trump or Cruz would do under these circumstances. I am pretty sure it would not be pretty. That might suggest the "party leaders" would try to get a majority to support Jeb Bush, who has been campaigning (although very poorly) to take the nomination, and I do mean "take." That is what the Bush crowd does.... They would try to rationalize that Jeb Bush would appeal to mainstream Republicans, can stretch his positions to attract some farther right, and can easily raise the money.

But most importantly, Jeb Bush has some experience in "engineering" the results of an election in unorthodox ways should that be necessary for the (cough) win.

Sam