Will Republican rules allow a White Knight or Mighty Mouse to save the day if there is a stalemate?

[Dennis S]

If Mitt doesn't catch fire, will the Real Republicans send in someone to fix things, like JEB or Huckabee or will their rules not allow it?

[Acer]

Too soon. The Real Republicans are waiting until 2016 when the economy is well underway so they can fund their next war.

[Pops]

Old time conventions were so much more interesting than these primary and caucus things. Good cigar filled backroom negotiating by the people who actually knew who could be elected in a general election.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

As I said before: The primaries are becoming a national embarrassment. States are competing to see who gets to be first in an attempt to hijack the process and get local fundraisers cushy jobs in the possible upcoming administration. Both parties are doing it. Hold primaries no more than two months before the National Conventions, and National no more than two months before the election. "Super Tuesday" should be in July. It no longer takes five weeks [for caucus delegates] to travel between St. Louis, MO. and Washington DC.

[$tevie]

Pops wrote:
Old time conventions were so much more interesting than these primary and caucus things. Good cigar filled backroom negotiating by the people who actually knew who could be elected in a general election.

Amen.

[michaelb]

I think they are stuck with their mess. I would be very surprised if they drafted someone else. That requires a level of agreement and coherent strategy that seems impossible right now for the repubs.

[cbelt3]

It's so UNFAIR !

When both parties hold primaries, the abuse gets spread out. You guys need to hold a primary and bring out YOUR nutjobs. The 2008 election year primary was FUN !

[$tevie]

I haven't given up on the idea of a brokered convention, I just can't figure out who they'd choose since the possible candidates who have a good chance to win the White House are supposedly not interested. Chris Christie, God only knows why, seems to be very popular. George Pataki has that whole abortion-and-gun-control problem which in my mind gives him a good chance to attract independent voters, but of course I'm not a Republican. I used to think Haley Barbour had a chance but those pardons have screwed him up, I guess. Can Jeb seriously have a chance? What exactly would make him desirable? Familiarity?

[Grace62]

If 3 candidates remain in the race through the spring, and none of them can rise above regional or factional strength (Romney: Mtn. West and NE, Santorum Mid-west, Gingrich South) then a 3-way split with no winner is possible.
It's very unlikely but still a remote possibility.
And if it happens it would not bode well for a Republican victory in November. Throwing those 3 out and picking a new guy in August is very risky. The person would not be vetted on the national stage and would not have the experience debating the other candidates or campaigning.
Not impossible, but I don't see it happening. It's hard to believe that both Santorum and Gingrich could pull together enough money to keep going that long, and Gingrich's campaign is kind of a mess.

As for who they would pick? My buddies at RedState (yes I have some and they are great) would love to see Paul Ryan, or Marco Rubio, or first choice Mitch Daniels. Jeb Bush doesn't come up that often, I think the Bush brand is still too toxic. Maybe 2016.

[$tevie]

I forgot about Mitch Daniels. DUHme. I think he'd work.