Quote:1.) Not all pluralities are created equal.  35 29 19 as a split is a lot different than 48% 29% 15%.  To use Kasichs example, an 86 on a test isn't automatically an A but in certain circumstances when grading on a curve you understand that the guy with an 86 deserves an A a lot more than the guy who scored a 4.

 

2.) The way that the current rules are structured you have to carry a majority of delegates in 8 states to be put into consideration for the nomination.  All votes for candidates not officially in consideration on the convention floor will be tabled.  At current that means that on the first ballot the only two candidates in consideration would be trump and cruz.  If the reporting numbers are Trump 1157 and Cruz 749 it will be hard to explain to people how Trump didn't win the nomination.  

 

3.) The rule cited above was written by the romney delegates at the last convention and theoretically subject to change.  Who will write the new rules?  The Trump/Cruz Delegates.  At current, there is no enumerated mechanism to introduce a candidate that didn't qualify for consideration even on subsequent ballots.  Even if there were, you're going to have a hard time convincing enough of the 80-85% of the delegates that will be loyal to either trump or cruz on the rules committee to provide a loophole for the establishment that hates them.  Both sides want it to be a two man race in which the odds would be even instead of having to deal with party shenanigans so i doubt that you see a rules change that benefits anyone outside of Trump and Cruz.