4 way presidential race?

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

This is the ideal scenario, new guy.  It would be wild and fun and Sanders would certainly win. 

You're kidding, right?

No one would win a majority of EVs, the election would go to the House, and Cruz would win.

Also, I don't believe a brokered convention would choose Ted Cruz.  Buzz is that it would be Paul Ryan's nomination to refuse.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

If the election is thrown to the house, do they have to pick one of the nominees or can they pick Ryan/Romney/Safe Hands?

They have to vote for one of the top three EV recipients.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

-- Twelfth Amendment

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

If the House follows the procedure for selecting the President outlined in the 12th amendment then there would not be a constitutional crisis. There is no ambiguity in how that would play out; we have a historical example from 1824. Of course a 21st century Corrupt Bargain would be hugely unpopular; the popular backlash would certainly dwarf the combined strength of the Tea Party and Occupy movements.

For decades they said that the popular vote winner would never lose the electoral vote, and if they did, the popular outcry would be enormous and the electoral college would be thrown out.  2000 happened, and we still have the electoral college.