The Santorum and Gingrich campaigns admit their guys will likely not get a majority of delegates, but they can keep Mitt from getting 1144 too. Their assumption is that a contested convention will result in one of them being nominated.
So lets assume a likely scenario where Romney only has a plurality. Also that even if all the unpledged delegates swung to Romney, it wouldn't be enough for a majority. Something like this 1st ballot delegate breakdown....
Romney 47%
Santorum: 41%
Gingrich: 6%
Paul: 6%
So...who does the convention nominate in this kind of scenario?
...and how doe they do it? (cutting a deal? defections by opponents delegates?)
Paul releases his delegates to Romney. Team Romney does whatever it takes to make it happen (even if it means giving Rand Paul the veep slot)
This assumes the Paul delegates would do as told. The Paul delegates didn't go through the process to cut a deal to have Rand as VP. They went through the process to smoke dope in public, and host of other such "causes." If Romney doesn't come through for the dope-smokers then they might revolt.
R
3volution <==> Establishment