Reality: Contested Convention in Cleveland

Cruz campaign has written off the states that Trumps populist campaign will dominate NY and Calif, but his Republican PACs will be trying to cut into losses.
Cruz has insider advantages to lobbying individual delegates that are uncommitted and Cruz campaign knows they lose the emotional appeal game so are active now in the hidden behind the scenes manipulation of delegates. This is how the dull Gerald Ford beat the more popular Ronald Reagan in 76. Ford lost to Carter. The popular candidate was equal in delegates, but not as organized in delegate wooing.

Republican insiders are clueless and by backing Cruz they are setting up for a loss to the democrats, and risk losing yet again.

Trump campaign is going to start focusing on abetting Cruz strategy and stop relying on strictly a populist campaign (anti immigrant, anti establishment). If they start playing Cruz's game, they will be farther ahead than Reagan in 76.

70% is too difficult to achieve and Cruz cannot pull off good numbers in delegate rich NY or California.

Cruz trying to laugh is the most irritating vexing freaky experience. He is like Richard Nixon: just follow the elephants tail with no opinion from the heart. He will be rejected in a national square off with Hillary, far more connected than Cruz who will disconnect with voters who have no Trump.

This is going to be a freak show. Cleveland is a cesspool city. Expect nothing but lame results from Ohio. They backed Kasich!
Cruz is now almost even money with Trump. Ugh.
CNN can hardly wait to announce Trumps demise in Cleveland--they've worked non stop and tirelessly for it.

CNN is LOVING the idea of a contested convention!

https://politicalwire.com/2016/04/05/koch-wants-ryan-to-prevail-at-convention/

I have seen those reports as well so far Ryan is getting settled down with his 9-3 job as house speaker. I am not sure he would want to give up his family time to run this country.....

Without Trump and the new energy he is bringing the Republicans have no chance. To win the white house what hing defeat from the jaws of victory I think the GOP can pull it off and lose by a landslide in the fall.

Im not sure why anyone in their right mind would want the job. Gridlock--relentless criticism from opponents--age really fast--no privacy at all--a chance to influence the country, but it goes centrist on most issues--you have to delegate authority and release control...the job sucks. 

It's your thread but I see Trump although thrown 40 years ahead like Reagan. He was a tried and true democrat. Who abandoned the party and became a Republican. Even after Nixon's scrape with trying to find out what the Democrat were up to driven from office Reagan still stayed with the Republican party. Ford won in 76 and was crushed by another ddixie feat. But Carter was destroy by Iran hostage deal and the helicopter crash sealed him to defeat a four year term the Dems never thought they loose the white house again till Reagan ran in 1980 campaign. Ford was done. He was a different Republican his wife constant in touch with escentric Wiccan prophetesses. But Reagan was of metal. Trump might take this line Republican establishments hate him as they did Reagan in 1976 but after four years of ice queen and Wiccan rule she employs ( no offense sisters) they will be warm and fuzzy over Trump especially if he is cheated and goes graciously  to accept the nominee who gts crushed in the general I know it's hard to fathom to the now generation but waiting has its rewards.

Thus 1976= 2016 and 1980= 2020 only who play the role off a madman in who shot Baker 2021 ....time will tell....

Trump can get Kasich's Michigan and Ohio delegates (and he is expected to finish second in NY and Penn), about 200 delegates if he promises Kasich delegates that he will be the VO--totally legal.
He will get Carson's handful, as he is slated for surgeon General or Attorney General. Done deal. If Donald is a negotiator, it will show at this open convention.