On the surface it looked like a two-two tie. Only it wasn’t. In the Republican four Saturday primaries Donald Trump and Ted Cruz each won two States. However, Trump picked up 49 delegates while Cruz was gaining 67 delegates. Here’s what is most interesting. The margin of the victories. In winning Kansas, Cruz clobbered Trump 48% to 23% with a record turn out of voters. In the Cruz win in Maine, it was Cruz 46% to Trump’s 32%. with another huge turn out. While in Louisiana Trump won with 41% while Cruz finished with 38%. And, in Kentucky Trump won with 36% while Cruz came in with 31.6%. A lousy Thursday debate and former GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s attack Trump speech with support from another GOP nominee John McCain seemed to show some Trump vulnerability for the first time. One of these days Trump just might study the issues.
Sen. Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in Nebraska and Kansas while Mrs. Clinton won Louisiana. It doesn’t mean much except it keep Sander’s continuing with more funds sure to keep on coming.
Marco Rubio was not even close in any of the four Saturday Primaries. For the time being Rubio is “dead in the water.” Making matters worse for Rubio, Cruz is opening ten offices in Florida in order to keep Rubio from winning his must win home State. Cruz making the effort to gain a two man race. Ohio Gov. John Kasich has a better chance of winning his home State than Rubio. Michigan has their primary Tuesday where one poll has Kasich closing in on Trump. Other polls don’t agree. if Kasich wins Ohio and is close in Michigan Tuesday, the greater the chances of a brokered convention.
Let’s get a few things out of the way right now. Some pundits believe the Republican Party will launch a 3rd Party candidate to oppose Trump if he continues his dominance. Forgetaboutit. “Pie in the Sky” stuff. Also, liberal journalists and Democrat’s love to keep repeating the Republican Party is so fractured it may collapse. Nonsense. Once they decide on a candidate to oppose Hillary (assuming she is not in court…update on this later in this post) ,trust me, the thought of Hillary Clinton becoming the President is an anathema. Nothing would put the Party back together faster than that horrendous thought. Only a denial by the Republican Party establishment of the true deserving winner of the primaries would cause a revolt. A huge revolt and a major walk out by many delegates. Even though the Party, run by the establishment, can change the rules at anytime. It is very unlikely knowing the consequences. If there is no clear winner from the primaries, only then might major change occur. That’s where Kasich or Rubio could reenter the picture. Should Trump and Cruz battle it out, Trump has the greater upside. He’s more likely to beat Hillary. As primaries continue in more northern States such as New York, Michigan and throw in California, Trump is likely to regain his footing. But, Cruz and a mammoth onslaught of anti Trump commercials in Florida MIGHT make Florida interesting. However, Trump has a huge lead in the Sunshine State that, at times, seems like his home State.
As for the Hillary Clinton’s email scandal. Many believe it will amount to nothing. Perhaps her two aides will take the fall. However, the Justice Dept. granted immunity to the State Dept. staffer. Bryan Pagliano, who set up the home email server for Hillary. Keep this in mind. Pagliano took the 5th amendment originally. This indicates he knew he had criminal exposure. So the cloud over Hillary Clinton remains. And granting immunity to a low level accomplice is the way to working the case up to higher levels. It is strictly guess work as to what will happen in the final disposition of the matter.
And guess what? More debates coming up. Monday night on the Fox News channel, Bret Baier hosts a town hall meeting with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Next they debate Wednesday night on CNN. One more time, yes, the Republican’s will battle it out in a debate Thursday night also on CNN. The last debate on Fox News drew huge ratings. Interest in all of this chaotic jockeying is at an all time high. Turn out for Republican primaries are breaking records. Democrat’s show little enthusiasm.
Does anyone remember in the film Apocalypse Now with the renegade Colonel (Robert Duvall) leading his helicopter contingency into Viet Nam battle with his hands on hips (besides saying he loved the smell of napalm in the morning) saying, “Some day this war will end…some day this war will end.” I think of that now as this wacky all time once in a life time Presidential battle continues with more twists and turns to come…..some day this election will end…..some day this election will end.
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