Rule 40

For John, BLUF:  The opportunity to do bad while thinking one is doing good is large.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Important to understanding how the game is going to be played between now and the Republican Convention it is valuable to understand the rules.  Here are the rules for the Republican Party.

Mr Jeff Berkowitz, writing at Delve In, part of The Medium, four days ago, gave us "The (Rule) 40 Horsemen of the GOP Apocalypse".  Well, the headline is a little convoluted, but the point is that Rule 40 is important and that an apocalyptic outcome could result from tinkering with it.

Here is Rule 40:

RULE NO. 40

Nominations

          (a) In making the nominations for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States and voting thereon, the roll of the states shall be called separately in each case; provided, however, that if there is only one candidate for nomination for Vice President of the United States who has demonstrated the support required by paragraph (b) of this rule, a motion to nominate for such office by acclamation shall be in order and no calling of the roll with respect to such office shall be required.

          (b) Each candidate for nomination for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall demonstrate the support of a majority of the delegates from each of eight (8) or more states, severally, prior to the presentation of the name of that candidate for nomination.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these rules or any rule of the House of Representatives, to demonstrate the support required of this paragraph a certificate evidencing the affirmative written support of the required number of permanently seated delegates from each of the eight (8) or more states shall have been submitted to the secretary of the convention not later than one (1) hour prior to the placing of the names of candidates for nomination pursuant to this rule and the established order of business.

          (c) The total time of the nominating speech and seconding speeches for any candidate for nomination for President of the United States or Vice President of the United States shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes.

          (d) When at the close of a roll call any candidate for nomination for President of the United States or Vice President of the United States has received a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the convention, the chairman of the convention shall announce the votes for each candidate whose name was presented in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this rule.  Before the convention adjourns sine die, the chairman of the convention shall declare the candidate nominated by the Republican Party for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States.

          (e) If no candidate shall have received such majority, the chairman of the convention shall direct the roll of the states be called again and shall repeat the calling of the roll until a candidate shall have received a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the convention.

The big point here is that some person, believing that the Party needs to be saved, might move to change Rule 40 in an attempt to exclude or frustrate Mr Donald Trump or Senator Ted Cruz.  To quote Mr Berkowitz:

But any attempt to change the rules between now and convention, would likely lead to the grassroots’ pent up frustration — which has been slowly defusing through primary and caucus voting — breaking into open civil warfare.

That is the point.  The grassroots is fed up, and if they think the system is being rigged, they will revolt.  That would likely lose the election, unless those grassroots are convinced that their revolt resulted in the Party Leadership doing the right thing.

Regards  —  Cliff