Delegate Strategy Question

[winston_blade]

Does RP have to win the popular vote, whether it be in a caucus or primary, in five different states, or does he have to have the majority of delegates in five of the states at the convention regardless of who actually won the state? This has confused me quite a bit.

 

[affa]

"the plurality of delegates", which can be interpreted many ways.

 

[LatinsforPaul]

"the plurality of delegates", which can be interpreted many ways.

My money is on Dr. Paul to have "the pluralty of delegates" in the following states...

Alaska
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesotta
Montana
Nevada
North Dakota
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Virginia
Washington

 

[brendan.orourke]

I still don't understand how all this delegate shit works.

 

[mmadness]

Check delegates thread at top of Grassroots Central (or quick link in my sig).

 

[Paul Or Nothing II]

I think the original question is like -
Let's say we "win" 5+ states by delegate-count but don't win any state by popular-vote & yet amass highest total number of delegates (1144+) - What then?

 

[mmadness]

I think the original question is like -
Let's say we "win" 5+ states by delegate-count but don't win any state by popular-vote & yet amass highest total number of delegates (1144+) - What then?

We win. Unless some of those delegates are pledged to another candidate, in which case they can become unpledged and vote for RP in later voting rounds at the RNC.

 

[robertwerden]

What many people, including other candidates and media talking heads dont realize is, the votes dont matter. Ron Paul could come in dead last place and still get all the delegates. The only thing that matters is the Ron Paul supporters who stay after the vote is over, and get elected as a delegate to the convention. There is a process, and that includes getting elected at the county level, then the state level then the national level.
Most rank and file GOP voters don't stay after the vote to get elected. Ron is organizing the delegate elections very carefully, but it is up to us as voters to become delegates.
When the national convention happens in Tampa, Ron Paul supporters will be delegates for Mitt Romney, Newt and Rick. They will go to the national convention and if they are bound delegates, they will vote for who ever won the State. However if the final total of votes does not reach 1144 for 1 candidate, in most cases delegates are free to change their vote. That is why Ron Paul supporters are becoming delegates for other candidates.

 

[klamath]

If RP comes in dead last in popular votes and accepts the nomination on delegate deception the movement is dead. I will NOT vote for RP under those circumstances.

 

[mmadness]

Right. And especially in states where RP does not have a strong following, it's important to have a 2-pronged strategy. Overt delegates for RP, and covert delegates who are "anti-Obama", don't talk about RP, and who are for other candidates. Either way they should be well-dressed/prepared (Robert's Rules of Order).

 

[mmadness]

If RP comes in dead last in popular votes and accepts the nomination on delegate deception the movement is dead. I will NOT vote for RP under those circumstances.

So you would not have accepted George W. Bush and many other Presidents then? Because they lost the popular vote but won the electoral college, which is what counts.

We are a Republic, not a Democracy. The system is designed this way for a good reason, to prevent the establishment from thwarting the will of the people through money and mainstream media. I'd say our founding fathers were pretty smart.

It would also not be "deception", because we would be playing the game by the rules.

 

[teacherone]

What many people, including other candidates and media talking heads dont realize is, the votes dont matter. Ron Paul could come in dead last place and still get all the delegates. The only thing that matters is the Ron Paul supporters who stay after the vote is over, and get elected as a delegate to the convention. There is a process, and that includes getting elected at the county level, then the state level then the national level.
Most rank and file GOP voters don't stay after the vote to get elected. Ron is organizing the delegate elections very carefully, but it is up to us as voters to become delegates.
When the national convention happens in Tampa, Ron Paul supporters will be delegates for Mitt Romney, Newt and Rick. They will go to the national convention and if they are bound delegates, they will vote for who ever won the State. However if the final total of votes does not reach 1144 for 1 candidate, in most cases delegates are free to change their vote. That is why Ron Paul supporters are becoming delegates for other candidates.

sadly this fantasy failed to materialize last go around.

 

[mmadness]

sadly this fantasy failed to materialize last go around.

Last time I checked 2012 isn't 2008. We did get many our people to the RNC, either pledged or unpledged to RP. And there wasn't a brokered convention then. And after RP had suspended his campaign, which did have an effect.

 

[69360]

It simply is not possible to win the nomination without winning states despite some of the foolishness you might read.

The larger state primaries are all after April 1st and are winner take all with bound delegates.

At some point Gingrich and Santorum will drop out of the race and endorse Romney giving him all their delegates. There won't be a brokered convention because of this.

 

[Darthbrooklyn]

If RP comes in dead last in popular votes and accepts the nomination on delegate deception the movement is dead. I will NOT vote for RP under those circumstances.

Deception? Are you serious? Its playing by the rules and the other candidates are allowed to try to get convention delegates as well.. If they dont have the organization to do it, thats their problem..

 

[mmadness]

It simply is not possible to win the nomination without winning states despite some of the foolishness you might read.

The larger state primaries are all after April 1st and are winner take all with bound delegates.

At some point Gingrich and Santorum will drop out of the race and endorse Romney giving him all their delegates.

It is important to win states, but assuming that Gingrich or Santorum will drop out and endorse Romney is just guessing at this point. It could end up being a brokered convention.

If one candidate gets a majority of the delegates before then, then fair credit to them. But until then, we ain't seen nothing yet.

 

[newbitech]

So you would not have accepted George W. Bush and many other Presidents then? Because they lost the popular vote but won the electoral college, which is what counts.

We are a Republic, not a Democracy. The system is designed this way for a good reason, to prevent the establishment from thwarting the will of the people through money and mainstream media. I'd say our founding fathers were pretty smart.

It would also not be "deception", because we would be playing the game by the rules.

I think the problem is the confusion between popular and majority.

52% vs 48% - both are popular

40% vs 28% vs 20% vs 12% - 40% is popular 28% is not, 20% is not, 12% is not.

 

[newbitech]

Deception? Are you serious? Its playing by the rules and the other candidates are allowed to try to get convention delegates as well.. If they dont have the organization to do it, thats their problem..

lobbyist play by the rules. Crony capitalist play by the rules. You good with that?

 

[ross11988]

If RP comes in dead last in popular votes and accepts the nomination on delegate deception the movement is dead. I will NOT vote for RP under those circumstances.

That makes no sense and i hope that was a joke considering how long you've been a member. So your saying it's Ron Paul's fault that his supporters are smarter then most people and go out of their way to run as delegate because that's how the system works?

 

[jctii0]

lobbyist play by the rules. Crony capitalist play by the rules. You good with that?

Except that lobbyists bribe lawmakers with billions of dollars to change the rules to suit their needs.