RNC’s Spicer dismisses idea of brokered convention, ‘magical’ candidate who can take nomination

{mosads}A brokered GOP convention would only result if no single candidate can accumulate a majority of delegates before the convention, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 27 in Tampa, Fla.

A USA Today/Gallup poll released Monday found that 66 percent of Republican and GOP-leaning independents surveyed are opposed to a brokered convention.

However, GOP voters have also indicated low levels of satisfaction with the Republican field. A GOP convention without a clear nominee could provide the opportunity for a last-minute candidate to be considered.

Spicer scoffed at the idea.

“Who is this magical person?” he said. “I think that there is satisfaction with the four candidates, they’re doing a great job out there, bringing the case to the people. There are a lot of folks who sit around, thinking ‘What if, what if?’ ” 

He pointed out that the names that have been repeatedly suggested as an alternative GOP candidate — including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.), former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — have all said they will not run.

Many Republicans — such as Christie and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — have dismissed the likeliness of a brokered convention, but others such as Sarah Palin have kept the idea alive. Palin told Fox News last week it was “absolutely” possible. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) also told CNN it was a possibility. 

Spicer pushed back on the idea that the Republican primary process has been extraordinarily long this year. 

“We have a total of 2,288 delegates at stake. Four states that actually award delegates have voted,” he said. Those states are the primary states New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada. Caucus states that have already voted officially award delegates later in the process, although unofficial delegates can be assigned based on results of the vote.

“A total of 113 delegates have been awarded,” Spicer continued. “We are in the first couple games of the series and people are trying to figure out the playoffs or the World Series or the Super Bowl.”