With the possibility of a brokered convention looming, Republican candidates are trying to secure every delegate possible.  In addition to the 2,212 delegates that will be selected through the Primary Election and caucus processes, 168 automatic delegates to the GOP convention are being courted by the Republican candidates. (the nominee needs 1191 delegates to secure the nomination)

These 168 automatic delegates are the members of the Republican National Committee which include the Chair, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman from the 50 states as well as from the District of Columbia, America Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Making up 14% of the total number of delegates that a candidate needs to secure the nomination, campaigns are scrambling to entice these delegates to support their campaign for president. 

For example, Ron Carey, Chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, recently announced his support of Mike Huckabee for president.  This is a double whammy for the Huckabee camp as they secure Carey’s support and Carey will undoubtedly use his clout as party chair to work behind the scenes to deliver more delegates for Huckabee at the Minnesota caucus on February 5^th. 

While many state party by-laws preclude the Chair, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman from publicly endorsing and supporting a presidential candidate, campaigns are working hard - likely making promises - to lock up these automatic delegates early.