Super Tuesday II: In Wake of Florida Loss, Marco Rubio Suspends Campaign

Big loss in Florida.

However, Rubio delivered a graceful speech, and acknowledged, for example, the frustration of people concerned about illegal immigration and the loss of employment being called "racist" for their legitimate complaints.

Kasich currently has a small lead in early Ohio counting.

In Missouri, Ted Cruz is slightly ahead in early counting.

In Illinois, Trump is somewhat ahead of Cruz.

Illinois has an interesting voting system. Only fifteen of its 69 delegates are awarded based on the statewide tallies.

All other delegates are awarded three per congressional district -- 18 districts, 54 delegates to be awarded in this phase of the voting.

Here's the tricky part: In each congressional district, a voter has to note just vote for the statewide race, but for each of the named delegates representing a particular candidate. So, if you're in Illinois 18th, if you wanted to vote for Ted Cruz, you'd vote for him once in the statewide contest, then you'd vote for...

MIKE FLYNN (TED CRUZ)

... and two other delegates representing Ted Cruz. (Yes, Mike Flynn is a Cruz delegate in Illinois' 18th, where he ran for Congress unsuccessfully last year.)

The thing with this voting is that you have to be alerted to the fact that you're just not voting for Trump (or Cruz, etc.) but then three times more for each of his delegates.

And then three times more for alternate delegates, in case any delegates drop out or die before the convention. (Thanks to a commenter for mentioning that.)

Ted Cruz has a great get-out-the-vote and voter contact organization. We can expect his voters to be educated about this twist.

Donald Trump does not have much of an operation. Will his voters know they have to vote for him four different times? Many will, but if there's any kind of undervote (voters voting for the topline candidate, but then not voting for the down-ballot delegates), Ted Cruz could walk out of Illinois with a loss in voters -- and a win in actual delegates.

Something to keep your eye on.

Update: Incredibly, there's a report that Mitch McConnell -- earning every inch of his nickname Bitch McConnell -- is demanding Ted Cruz apologize to him before he'll consider throwing his weight behind him.

Real statesman patriot, huh?

GFY.

posted by Ace at 06:29 PM

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