Posted by
Jabra on Monday, February 11, 2008 7:32:30 PM
Maybe the following theory is fantasy but if it is true it would be political calculation at the highest levels. Romney fans should not give hope on him being the Republican candidate in 2008.
Here is how my theory goes. Romney knew that Huckabee would obstruct and prevent him from seriously competing against McCain. Huckabee will not win the nomination but he can hinder McCain from getting the magic number of delegates he needs to get the nomination. So, to save money and resources, Romney suspends his campaign with almost 300 delegates hoping that at convention he would be able to either play king maker or be king himself. This kind of situation is not new to our history and has happened before. Consider the following:
- Franklin Pierce, who was chosen as the Democratic nominee and later elected the 14th president in 1852
- Abraham Lincoln, was chosen as the Republican nominee and elected as the 16th president in 1860.
- Rutherford B. Hayes, elected the 19th president in 1876.
- James A. Garfield, elected the 20th president in 1880.
- Warren G. Harding, elected the 29th president after his surprise nomination.
- John W. Davis, the unsuccessful Democratic nominee in 1924.
- Wendell Willkie, the unsuccessful Republican nominee in 1940. (quoted from Wikipedia.com)
Eventhough this has not happened in 68 years I can easily see this year being the year of the Dark Horse. Given how much the base hates McCain, the unelectibility of Huckabee, Romney might end up being the Republican ticket in 2008 after all.