The Delegate Fight: 2012

[tpfkaw]

If the straw polls don't matter, why do candidates compete for them? They should just focus on getting their delegates elected at each step of the process, instead of courting voters. I believe that was how Barry Goldwater captured the 1964 Republican nomination.

That was pre-reform, though.  He actually had amassed a majority of delegates before the first primary was even held, as it turns out (though they were all unpledged).

[tpfkaw]

They won't do a roll-call vote, they'll have Romney "nominated by acclamation" and cut the audio from the floor.