I know this is Flame, but I’m starting this thread here not to make any political points, but to poll you guys on some of the nuts and bolts of the American political process, and those of you who come here may have the knowledge I seek.

It’s pretty clear that large segments of the Republican Party are unhappy with their leading candidate, and that those they may prefer are canceling each other out. GOP leaders would be the first to concede thay may wind up nominating a candidate they might not prefer. The Conservative press and organizations, such as the Texas Evangelicals who just endorsed Santorum, are actively seeking an alternative to Romney.

My question is, will the delegate-gathering process now underway in these Republican primaries eventually and inevitably lead to a candidate? Is it possible that there will be a deadlock that will have to be resolved at the National Convention by multiple ballots and backroom horse-trading? I know this has happened in the past, but I wanted to know if the system has been reformed so that a brokered solution is not possible, or at least, not likely.

I really do not know enough about the primary system and nominating process of either party to be able to answer that question. My question is, will there be a point where someone simply has enough delegates to get the nomination, or will it be possible for no single candidate to have the required votes and that further negotiations will be needed to choose a candidate?