Gleason: contested convention?
This is a weird day: it's the second time we're mentioning the 1976 presidential race.
That was the last time the GOP had a contested convention (between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan), and Alex Roarty at National Journal just posted an interview with Pa GOP chair Rob Gleason saying it might happen again next year. (And it would make the state's April 24 primary relevant all of a sudden.)
The rollercoaster ride of a Republican presidential primary has left one prominent state GOP chairman suggesting the campaign might last until the party's national convention in late August.
"This could go to convention," said Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason, who mentioned the possibility unsolicited during an interview with National Journal. He said such a scenario would make his state, irrelevant to the Republican race because of its April primary, suddenly important because of its large number of delegates.
Gleason explained the race has been so tumultuous - the latest twist coming with Newt Gingrich's shocking surging to the top of the pack - that he questions whether any candidate will emerge as the party's firm choice.
"(Mitt Romney's) polls have been level, which has gotta be concerning to them," the chairman said. "Newt's up now -- who knows where he'll end up. Where do conservatives go?