Michael Steele made headlines by suggesting no candidate will have enough delegates by the time of the Republican convention. This is comparative to the 1976 Ford and Reagan primary battles in which the three factions of the party were not united.
The factions are not united today but there are some lessons.
Ford won the nomination but was hobbled during the presidential campaign and lost. Just as Carter, four years later, was hobbled by a breakup in the Democratic Party. In order for the Republicans to not jeopardize their November campaign, the factions will need to unite. Otherwise the Republican brand will be hurt - costing the white house and both houses of congress.
Who wins under an open convention? The members of the Democratic Party.
The factions are not united today but there are some lessons.
Ford won the nomination but was hobbled during the presidential campaign and lost. Just as Carter, four years later, was hobbled by a breakup in the Democratic Party. In order for the Republicans to not jeopardize their November campaign, the factions will need to unite. Otherwise the Republican brand will be hurt - costing the white house and both houses of congress.
Who wins under an open convention? The members of the Democratic Party.
