Trump amassing delegates who might not be loyal to him

[webfact]

Trump amassing delegates who might not be loyal to him
By THOMAS BEAUMONT and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Already behind the curve in organizing for the Republican convention, Donald Trump has missed crucial deadlines in a number of states to lock up delegates who would stay loyal beyond the first ballot.

Trump's shortcomings in this behind-the-scenes campaign, which hasn't played much of a role in selecting the GOP nominee in decades, could doom his presidential candidacy if he is unable to win the nomination in the initial voting at this summer's national convention in Cleveland.

After that first ballot, most delegates are no longer bound to support the winner of their state's party primary or caucuses — they're free agents who can support the candidate of their choosing.

Most of the actual delegates are elected at state and congressional district conventions run by party insiders, members of the Republican establishment that Trump has run against from the outset of his campaign.

And while Trump's team has had little contact with these loyal party activists, his chief rival for the Republican nomination, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, has been actively courting them for months.

Trump has spent the past two days hammering at his party's delegate selection process as "rigged," ''unfair" and "corrupt."

At a rally in Albany, New York, Monday night that drew thousands, Trump angrily denounced Saturday's final allocation of all of Colorado's delegates to Cruz as "dirty and disgusting."

Trump's team is only now starting to engage in the delegate selection process, the choosing of the actual people who will attend and vote at the convention. Republicans have already selected delegates in at least nine states. And in others, such as Virginia and Arizona, the deadline to apply to be a delegate has passed.

Indiana's primary, for example, won't take place until next month. But the deadline to become a national convention delegate was in mid-March.

"Are we concerned? Yes, definitely," said Tony Samuel, vice chairman of Trump's Indiana campaign.

The Cruz team feels the opposite.

"Even if (Trump) jumped into high gear, he can't do it," said Shak Hill, a Cruz campaign leader in Virginia. "That's where he's been shut out of the game."

Trump's delegates must vote for him on the first ballot at the convention. But if no one gets a majority, most of the delegates can then bolt if they choose.

Trump is the only candidate with a realistic path to the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination before the convention. But the path is narrow, and Cruz is working to block him.

Cruz has built an organization of volunteers who are working in state after state to get his supporters selected as delegates, even those who must vote for Trump at first.

Trump is just ramping up his operation, but in some states he's too late.

In Virginia — a state where Trump won the primary — he has missed the deadlines to assemble lists of potential delegates. Cruz, however, has delegate candidates in 10 of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.

The application deadline was last month.

Indiana's primary is May 3, but 27 of the state's 57 delegates — the actual people — have already been selected at congressional district caucuses. The deadline to register as a candidate for delegate was March 15.

In all, at least nine states have picked some or all of their delegates: Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Trump has won a total of 100 delegates in primaries and caucuses in these states. In most, however, the candidates had no formal role in selecting the people who will fill those slots.

To help manage the process, Trump's campaign hired a convention manager, Paul Manafort, last week. Manafort helped lead the fight against Ronald Reagan's challenge of then-President Gerald Ford at the 1976 Republican convention in Kansas City.

Manafort has accused Cruz's campaign of strong-arming would-be delegates. However, he said Trump was successful in selecting delegates in Michigan, and predicted the same in Nevada.

"In fact, we wiped him out," Manafort said in an NBC interview Sunday. "And we're going to see Ted Cruz get skunked in Nevada."

Former South Carolina Republican Chairman Katon Dawson, who has been publicly neutral in the race, said he's seen no difference in Trump's delegate strategy since Manafort's hire.

Said Dawson, a veteran national GOP strategist, "He's not a household name or miracle worker by any stretch."

Trump won all 50 of South Carolina's delegates. But in order to be a delegate at the national convention, you had to be a delegate at last year's state convention.

"The people that are going to fill those slots were already selected anyway," said Republican political consultant Tony Denny, who has been a delegate to three previous GOP national conventions.

Cruz has already done a lot of groundwork to get supporters selected as delegates in South Carolina.

"The delegate selection process is in their DNA," Denny said of Cruz's ground operation.
___

Ohlemacher reported from Washington. AP reporters Jonathan Lemire in Albany, New York, Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, and Brian Slodysko in Indianapolis contributed.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-04-13

[stevenl]

For once I agree with trump, it is rigged against him.

[shirtless]

There is no loyalty in politics

[CousinEddie]

For once I agree with trump, it is rigged against him.

The Republicans (at least the smart ones) realize they are on a suicide mission with Trump as their nominee.

Sure, there are a lot of crackpots out there but not enough to elect the Trumpmeister.

Sadly, I will miss him. He's fun to watch ... Like those failed NASA rocket launches are fun to watch.

[hawker9000]

What the RNC needs to consider is Trump's other bargaining chip here, and that's the threat of third-party candidacy. Even if he can't win the nomination on the first ballot because he simply doesn't have the majority number needed, and even if it's totally true that delegates are "free" after that first ballot to vote for anybody they want, if Trump isn't satisfied with the fairness of the process, he has a huge monkey wrench to throw into the works that the RNC will be powerless to stop. The RNC needs to work with him WRT the rules, or it shoots itself in the foot. But Trump also needs to understand that the process doesn't guarantee him anything if he can't take the nomination on the first ballot, and that's a huge possibility. They need each other.

Dems are in the same boat. Alienated Sanders supporters aren't going to magically morph into enthusiastic Hillary voters on Election Day.

[helpisgood]

What the RNC needs to consider is Trump's other bargaining chip here, and that's the threat of third-party candidacy. Even if he can't win the nomination on the first ballot because he simply doesn't have the majority number needed, and even if it's totally true that delegates are "free" after that first ballot to vote for anybody they want, if Trump isn't satisfied with the fairness of the process, he has a huge monkey wrench to throw into the works that the RNC will be powerless to stop. The RNC needs to work with him WRT the rules, or it shoots itself in the foot. But Trump also needs to understand that the process doesn't guarantee him anything if he can't take the nomination on the first ballot, and that's a huge possibility. They need each other.

Dems are in the same boat. Alienated Sanders supporters aren't going to magically morph into enthusiastic Hillary voters on Election Day.

I've never bothered to find out the exact details, but Trump may have a problem running as an independent candidate due to deadlines in certain states.

Otherwise, I agree that it would be important leverage for Trump.

[ggt]

The most interesting Presidential nomination process in my lifetime...the best is yet to come...both conventions are all set to produce gripping drama...

The winners will gleefully move toward the Presidency...the losers will cry foul and threaten to disrupt the Presidential elections...

Live theatre...Free!

[Hayduke]

It appears certain that the RNC will spare no cost in getting the DT person to go away. They're even pouring money to the major news networks to run non-stop 'info-mercials' on the myriad evils of Trumpism.

But even buying their way out of this one still leaves a huge problem. Unless they can pull a very large rabbit out of a very small hat, they're going to be stuck with the shape shifting TC creature as their nominee.

In a lot of ways he's more unpredictable and unsettling than DT. But he does rival the Dem queen bee for guile, opportunism, downright dishonesty and affinity for smoke and mirrors.

Aren't too many bright spots in this election and it's really shaping into a "Who do you hate least?" contest.

[Credo]

For someone who is the author of "The Art of the Deal", he hasn't learned the art of wheeling and dealing with politicians. Politics is about learning to make trade offs and do a bit of arm twisting. It's not about amassing an army of thugs and forcing yourself on the nation or the world.

[grumpyoldman]

Games not rigged or unfair if you do not know how to play the game.

Snooze you lose.

[SOTIRIOS]

...it was only a matter of time....

...'they' own the media machine....not Trump....

...impossible dream......

[boomerangutang]

What the RNC needs to consider is Trump's other bargaining chip here, and that's the threat of third-party candidacy.

As a third-party candidate, Trump won't get 15%. He'll only make a bigger fool of himself while hobbling the Republican candidate. For those reasons, I hope he does it!

Games not rigged or unfair if you do not know how to play the game.

Snooze you lose.

Trump has kept hammering about how he's an outsider. Well, he's an outsider on how to wheel and deal with delegates, so he's losing at that game. He's also an outsider re; what NATO is. And he's an outsider on how to get things done in Washington. Hint: it takes more than red-faced bluster to get legislation passed. The Democratic contenders are experienced at how to get things done in Washington and internationally (hint: you don't offend everyone). Trump is an apprentice who has to learn on the job. He's almost 70 years old and still hasn't formulated opinions regarding abortion. Too busy thinking about how to parlay his many billions into many more billions, and being vindictive toward people who aren't white Christians.

[atyclb]

whats the point of holding primaries if the delegates are not bound to honor the voters wishes?

[grumpyoldman]

whats the point of holding primaries if the delegates are not bound to honor the voters wishes?

They are bound. Bound to the point of the candidate reaching the minimum for nomination, bound through the first vote of a brokered convention.

[otherstuff1957]

whats the point of holding primaries if the delegates are not bound to honor the voters wishes?

The whole US presidential election system if fatally flawed. My vote as an individual is only counted at the state level. Americans do not vote directly for our president.

We are stuck with a system that was cobbled together as a compromise 200 years ago!

[Thaidream]

The prior poster is correct- there is no real direct election of a President and the rules to even run favor the wealthy and machine politicians. The only real candidate who could make a difference is Bernie Sanders. He abhors the current system and rails against the wealthy bankers and business people and their bought politicians who created one of the worst economic meltdowns in history and all of them were bailed out. Millions of Americans suffered during this crisis and are still suffering. The wealthy lost nothing and the people who caused it- instead of being jailed- are free to profit from a bailout funded by my tax dollars- and try to get richer off the backs of the American people. Unless Bernie Sanders became President much of the same will continue. The politicians and their wealthy backers will continue to steal from the American people until finally the poor and middle class are able to create the next American Revolution. The current situation is not sustainable. If you think Thailand was chaotic wait till the 'fun' starts in America.

[grumpyoldman]

The prior poster is correct- there is no real direct election of a President and the rules to even run favor the wealthy and machine politicians. The only real candidate who could make a difference is Bernie Sanders. He abhors the current system and rails against the wealthy bankers and business people and their bought politicians who created one of the worst economic meltdowns in history and all of them were bailed out. Millions of Americans suffered during this crisis and are still suffering. The wealthy lost nothing and the people who caused it- instead of being jailed- are free to profit from a bailout funded by my tax dollars- and try to get richer off the backs of the American people. Unless Bernie Sanders became President much of the same will continue. The politicians and their wealthy backers will continue to steal from the American people until finally the poor and middle class are able to create the next American Revolution. The current situation is not sustainable. If you think Thailand was chaotic wait till the 'fun' starts in America.

Your right-whingers will scream socialism mate. You know, a fear mongering "ism" that most people who throw it about can't even define.

Edited April 13, 2016 by grumpyoldman

[billd766]

For once I agree with trump, it is rigged against him.

As far as I can see the rules are the same for ALL the candidates and not just Trump and have been for a long time.

It looks as though Ted Cruz and his team have done their homework on securing delegates Trump and his team didn't bother.

Trump and his team seem to have failed the "make sure of your backup" test so they have no room to whine.

Is Ted Cruz whining about the rules? no, because he is a politician and has been down the road before.

[grumpyoldman]

Can't manage a campaign yet his backers will still say he is qualified to manage the U.S.

Ship O' Fools

[bassman]

whats the point of holding primaries if the delegates are not bound to honor the voters wishes?

The whole US presidential election system if fatally flawed. My vote as an individual is only counted at the state level. Americans do not vote directly for our president.

We are stuck with a system that was cobbled together as a compromise 200 years ago!

The US presidential system is just fine. It is done as it is suppose to be done and as agreed upon in the Continental Congress. Remember the United States of America consists of 50 states and each state has their say. It is a federal system and adds the final check and balance on the DC bunch. Could you imagine how difficult it would be to rig 50 states, but I guarantee that DC bunch would figure how to rig everything about an election if it wasn't for state rights. Naw, lot of history on how we are governed including the two senators from each state, fine the way it is.

[helpisgood]

whats the point of holding primaries if the delegates are not bound to honor the voters wishes?

The whole US presidential election system if fatally flawed. My vote as an individual is only counted at the state level. Americans do not vote directly for our president.

We are stuck with a system that was cobbled together as a compromise 200 years ago!

I agree a lot with your basic sentiments about the American electoral system. And, it is true that compromises were made during that Constitutional Convention (see, e.g. the infamous "3/5 rule").

However, I don't think the Founding Fathers are completely to blame. Yes, the USA has the Electoral College system instead of a direct vote for president. We can lay that more at the feet of the Founding Fathers and to those who made the modifications in 1804 (12th Amendment). With four presidential candidates losing elections despite winning the popular vote (the most recent in 2000), I think you can make an argument that this is not the ideal system. But, let's not get into that right now.

The OP is about how nominees win in the Republican Party, which has similar (but not exact) issues and problems found with the Democratic Party. This has nothing to do with the Founding Fathers. These party issues have developed outside the confines of the Constitution and after the Convention.

Members of both of these major parties have stated that they are entitled to their rules, however undemocratic they may appear to others, because they are a political party and not a branch of the government. However, I share your sentiments because I think the two major parties have gone out of their way to ensure that US politics, especially nationally, remains a two-party system. They have been the parties in power and have had the ability to make laws and rules creating obstacles for any independent candidate or for a major third party. From what I have read, they have been especially careful to not allow any third-party candidate appear in a presidential debate ever since Perot made their lives more complicated. So, to me, it appears that the two major parties have done their best to ensure that voters have their choices more limited than it would be if the USA was as democratic as it likes to appear.

PS, we can also add the Citizens United case as a further limit on the voice of the people, but that may be getting off topic too much.

Edited April 13, 2016 by helpisgood

[dunroaming]

Under standardly the republican party are trying to circle the wagons with Trump on the outside shooting in. To retain any credibility they have to distance themselves from him. Are they rigging it against him? Almost certainly yes they are but then again they are trying to prevent party meltdown. As I have said before if Trump and his massive ego decide to run as an independent that would split the vote and all will have egg on their faces.

No easy answer for the republicans here and although it is interesting to watch it is a sad reflection on just how split the USA is today.

[Jingthing]

Trump isn't nearly as good at "making deals" as he bloviates about.

Now he's a WHINER and a LOSER!

Watch him FLAME OUT.

Don't get me wrong.

I WANT him to be nominated.

That would be a HUUUUUUUGE gift to the democratic party.

But he won't be.

Edited April 13, 2016 by Jingthing

[stevenl]

For once I agree with trump, it is rigged against him.

As far as I can see the rules are the same for ALL the candidates and not just Trump and have been for a long time.

It looks as though Ted Cruz and his team have done their homework on securing delegates Trump and his team didn't bother.

Trump and his team seem to have failed the "make sure of your backup" test so they have no room to whine.

Is Ted Cruz whining about the rules? no, because he is a politician and has been down the road before.

Yes, favouring the in crowd, which is the case for both parties Edited April 13, 2016 by stevenl

[Ulic]

Just goes to show how much of a GOP insider Cruz actually is despite his claims of being

an outsider. One thing is for sure, he is slick and slippery. Machiavelli has nothing on Cruz.

[Jingthing]

Yeah, sure thing creepy Cruz is such an "insider" that almost all of his senate colleagues HATE his guts.

The establishment doesn't want Trump or Cruz, and for good reasons.

They are both HORROR shows for both the republican party (which I don't care about) and the NATION.

[stevenl]

Yeah, sure thing creepy Cruz is such an "insider" that almost all of his senate colleagues HATE his guts.

The establishment doesn't want Trump or Cruz, and for good reasons.

They are both HORROR shows for both the republican party (which I don't care about) and the NATION.

Establishment wants neither, but has chosen Cruz to prevent Trump.

[CousinEddie]

Trump Delegate Cries Foul.

"They took my delegate credentials because I support Trump!" "They replaced me!" "My name is not on the Delegate list and I was prevented from voting!"

https://youtu.be/MVc_hIKFmmE

National news, right wing radio and blogs are spreading this. It's gone viral!

[JHolmesJr]

Business asusual from the dirty tricks party.

[CousinEddie]

Trump Delegate Cries Foul.

"They took my delegate credentials because I support Trump!" "They replaced me!" "My name is not on the Delegate list and I was prevented from voting!"

https://youtu.be/MVc_hIKFmmE

National news, right wing radio and blogs are spreading this. It's gone viral!

Correction:

The guy claimed he was replaced as a delegate, because he supported Trump. He was not a state delegate. Never was. He thought he was...but he screwed up. LOL Then he stupidly went and made those angry videos and burned his republican party registration papers. LOL. FOX , Drudge and Right Wing "news' outlets went viral with this 100% false story.

Fact, Larry Lindsey erroneously claimed he’d been elected as a delegate to the state assembly from his precinct caucus, something that is not possible under the rules in Douglas County. “Since Mr. Lindsey did not attend the County District Assembly he was not elected to be a delegate to the State Assembly, nor could he have been, so there is no way that he would have been listed as a delegate to the State Convention when he tried to check in on Saturday morning,” Tanne Blackburn, chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party, explained.

Mr Lindsey now admits "he may have missed the meeting." LOL!