Especially because of the desire to foster party unity in the months leading up to Election Day , it is considered possible if not probable that any " brokering " that may be required for a future presidential convention will take place in the weeks and months leading up to the convention , once it becomes clear that no candidate will likely secure a majority of delegates without an agreement with one or more rivals . Such an agreement would likely commit the frontrunner to make some form of concession ( s ) in return , such as selecting the former rival as his/her vice presidential nominee . That was the case prior to the 1980 Republican National Convention . California Governor Ronald Reagan won the presidential nomination and chose George H. W. Bush as his vice presidential nominee despite former President Gerald Ford being the frontrunner for the slot
1980 Republican National Convention
1980 Republican National Convention
Brokered convention