Delegate Math

The GOP seems to still have issues with Mitt Romney and conservatives continue splitting votes between Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, but despite the lackluster performance by Romney, the math remains in his favor for an uncontested convention. He's going to be the nominee despite the protestations by Santorum and others.

Here's how it breaks down.

There are 2,286 delegates at stake and it takes 1,144 to win the nomination. Thus far, Romney has won 455 and Santorum has won 199 to Gingrich's 117. Ron Paul has won 64. That means that 1557 delegates remain to be divided up. Even if Rick Santorum wins 60% of the remaining delegates, he'd fall short by 11 (11.2) to capture the nomination. He'd only manage 1,133.2 if he wins 60%. He hasn't done that well in the popular vote overall, and he would have to do so much better than he has to date that it's inconceivable.

The math is even worse for Gingrich. He'd have to win more than 66% of the delegates remaining.

Not going to happen. Neither has any chance based on prior performance, and with Southern states splitting votes between Gingrich and Santorum, all Romney has to do is stay the course and he wins by default.