How influential will alternate delegates be at the RNC? Plurality makers?

[devil21]

Ive seen all the talk about exact delegate totals and plurality of 5 states but havent seen much about how the alternates figure into this. The bottom line seems to me that no one can really know how many states RP will have at the convention since elected delegates don't always show up and alternates are seated in their places. If RP owns the alternate slots then THAT could be the key to taking over the convention. Anybody know alternate RP numbers? We can demonstrate at least 4 states on elected delegates alone, with others in question. Alternates being seated can have an even bigger impact and guarantee the 5 state minimum AND probably more, especially in states that Romney didn't sweep. It's worth analyzing.

Something to think about. Should we be very motivated to turn out alternates? How influential will they be? Maybe more than being considered if establishment delegates don't show up.

[devil21]

bump

I expected some discussion on this topic since it gets mostly ignored in favor of the elected national delegate conversation. Alternates could very well make or break our 5 state total. If Paul delegates don't show up, then an establishment alternates could be seated and mess up the states we've already won and the 5 state total goes out the window. Or establishment delegates may not show and Paul alternates could take their places and bolster the 5 state total. Turning out alternates will probably be more important than we're talking about. Alternates are even less likely to show up, considering the costs involved and no guarantee of floor action, but the establishment could fund their alternates to make sure they show up.