Billionaire Donald Trump declared himself the presumptive Republican nominee after huge victories in all five contests Tuesday. It is a presumptuous label but one he might grow into sooner than expected if he can pull off more primaries like the latest round.
Super Tuesday was very good to the presidential front-runner. Trump swept all five East Coast races; On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took four, leaving Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders only with Rhode Island.
The Republican billionaire’s strong performance yielded a rich delegate bounty that improved his odds of clinching the nomination during the 10 GOP races left on the calendar — crucially avoiding a struggle for a majority at a contested July convention.
But while their hope may be fading, there’s still a chance for Republican presidential rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich if they can stop Trump from accumulating enough delegates.
Clinton, in contrast, has broken well into the clear. With her wins Tuesday in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, she is 90 percent of the way toward clinching the Democratic nomination. Trump, who won the same states plus Rhode Island, is about 77 percent of the way.
The Pennsylvania race was an enigma wrapped in the mystery of the GOP contest. Most of the GOP delegates — 54 — were directly elected by voters, with their names listed on the ballot but no information about which candidate they support and no obligation for them to have to line up with one of them. Trump won 17 delegates allocated to the statewide winner of the popular vote.
Where the rest will go is not known, and that could be big news if Trump gets within range of a majority during the primaries but stays short of it.
After Tuesday, a new alliance will make its debut as John Kasich steps back in the May 3 Indiana primary to let Ted Cruz soak up the anti-Trump vote. In return, Cruz will essentially let Kasich have at Trump in New Mexico and Oregon later in the calendar. It’s a late-in-the-game compact to crystallize anti-Trump sentiment instead of having the voters who don’t like him split between two other choices.
It’s unclear how far each partner in the arrangement will go to clear the path for the other. They are both pulling back on campaign events in the states they are supposedly ceding to the other. But Kasich said people in Indiana who like him ought to vote for him anyway.
Overall, Trump beefed up his delegate numbers at least to 950, with 1,237 the magic number to clinch, so he needs as many as 287 in remaining contests. Cruz had at least 560 delegates; Kasich, 153.
In short, Trump has a distinct path to winning the nomination before July — though there still remains some room for missteps.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
The good news for Trump fans is that he is assuredly the Republican candidate this year. Now come the hard part. Cruz, Rubio were political lightweights. Bush had his brother’s baggage. But now Trump is up against the Clintons. Trump is going to have to really pay attention to Manafort and all of the political advisors that he’s hired. This is no longer against ‘Little Rubio.’ He has never faced what he’ll face now. These folks are 100 times as nasty as the Mafia. Good luck, Trump. Fight hard-fight smart.
Trump is A WORLD CLASS BUSINESSMAN. HE COMPETES EVERY DAY WITH UNETHICAL POLITICIANS AND UNION BOSSES.
Hillary and Bill have per WHEN IN POWER. Trump will kick her ass.
I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR CRUZE, ” OBVIOUSLY HE HAS SOME ESTABLISHMENT INCOURAGE ING HIS BEHAVIOR
Give it up Bush, Mc Caine, Rove,Gramm , Mark Tiesan on Fox. WHAT THE HELL DOES HE KNOW ? I guess they will all be look in for jobs soon !!!! Traitors to our future.
I think that Cruz and the other one do not care what the American people want. Typical politicians they are just like little spoiled kids who are not getting their own way.and don’t know when to quit I say vote them out of office they just want the government to be the same old government greasy aren’t they.
Yes. Had tv on Fox News today as I did some housework. Heard Cruz’s voice. To hear him speak is really irritating. He has hit a new low. Attacks Trump on a personal level and political level. To hear him, if you didn’t know better you would think he has been crowned. His statements are incorrect and ludicrous. Who died and gave him the keys??? I think Fox gave him a little too much time on the air today. I guess sympathy airtime. He was bragging “y’all be there this afternoon at 4pm. I got a big announcement. Many reporters were asking questions faster than time to answer but he would only hint it had something to do with Indiana. Reporters guessing it’s a VP choice. Cruz has one last shot if that to win Indiana. Might help him. I doubt it. But I am hoping Trump gets that state.
Also, what a gates foreign policy speech today. He looked and sounded like a president.
You are so right, Arthur Hartsock. I’m from Arkansas and I know how corrupt the Clinton’s are. Those two are the most corrupt people on this planet, and there is nothing that woman won’t do to get her way. It was hard enough for me to accept the fact that Bill was elected once, much less twice. But then he wasn’t called “Slick Willy” for nothing. Everything just slid off his back like water on a duck, and apparently he has taught his wife the same tactics, because she is even worse than Bill. There is no rock she won’t crawl under to pay off people to do her dirty work and take bribes to get the money she needs to stay in power. She is worse than the mob ever thought of being. All I can say is God help us if she buys her way into the White House (which she is very capable of doing). And that is the only way she will become President – if she buys her way in by “fixing” the voting process in November. And I guarantee you, she knows how to get that done.
I agree Arthur. Hillary has never played by the rules. It is shocking to me to realize just how corrupt our government is. David Petraeus, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency is in prison for leaking secret information and Hillary has done 1000 times as much, but has yet to be indicted. Is Loretta Lynch a complete fraud or just drity up to her elbows? Just how corrupt is she? Hillary is running for our highest office while being investigated for treason. If the rule of law is broken in the US we can not expect a fair election.
Cruz is no lightweight. He actually stood up to the GOP establishment in the Senate more than once, so they do NOT favor him. I consider that a good thing. Rubio is a lightweight, good guy, but a lightweight. He stayed in long enough to really mess with Sen. Cruz. Now it’s catch-up time for Cruz. My parting question… How many Ca Republicans want to vote for Trump…..?
Not many! Cruz is no more than as anchor baby! He’s not qualify to be president of this beloved country! He need to stop before it’s too late! Trump will crucify him for not being born in America! Trump2016!
How sadly uninformed! Google 1831 Chester Arthur!
A lot .
I was in the Cruz Camp, but with all his whining and backroom negotiations (he’s beginning to sound like Hillary the Hun – Shrile and obnoxious) so l I have decided to vote Trump.
Trump has my vote. I believe in the ladder not the rope. I believe America is on the brink. We need a leader not a politician. Not a political maneuvering robot like all of the people running except Trump who is outside the Government elite. Go Trump. Close the border.
Great! Welcome to trumps home!
Trump is the only non-establishment, non professional lifelong politician in the race. If we (the citizens of this country) want positive change, Trump is the only choice. I’m anxious to see Trump debate pie face one on one. Trump will leave no stone unturned. That includes the e-mail scandal that Obama has conveniently shoved under the rug and of course the Clinton Foundation and it’s shady dealings.
4 years of pie face will ultimately destroy this country….and keep us on the wrong track that Obama has put us on.
The government is a business and we need a successful businessman to head it, not a self serving, corrupt politician, who’s only dog in the game is what they can steal from the citizens.
With Trump at the helm, every ‘Obama appointee’ had better be looking over their shoulder and wondering just how long their ‘gravy train’ will last. Not long in my view.
Go Trump.
Hillary stated recently:
“OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HAS TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY, NOT EMBARRASS IT.”
After ‘Slick Willy” she sure is not ready to be President. Vote Trump!!!!!!!! or else?????
Donald Trump seems to be doing well in a system that he is whining about. At this point it will be next to impossible for him to be denied the Republican nomination. I’m not happy about that, but I’m also able to face reality.
Daryl Davis, I agree with you. I’d like to make a prediction of the future events that will come to pass. When Trump is nominated and he defeats Hillary the Hun, the GOP will jump on board and say Trump is the best thing since sliced bread. The GOP party are a bunch of weasels just LIKE the Democrats. When it becomes apparent that Trump is the People’s President they will think and say, see we liked Trump all along and presented him to the people. they will try to steal the show. Trump will in effect recreate the Republican part. A change who’s time has been necessary for a long time. The Democrat will never be able to save America. they only know one thing, “give away most of the tax payers money and keep the rest for themselves.” The Democrats have been the give away to all party for decades and where has it gotten us? Our Social Security has been plundered by politicians. It’s OUR money. Not theirs. Go Trump 2016, the People’s choice.
Cruz has a “big” announcement.
If it’s Carly as his VP pick – no big deal. She is so Whiney and nasty, exactly like her BFF Cruz. No one cares – and besides, I think cruz is counting chickens Him picking a vp is a bit soon-especially with HIS numbers.
If it’s the governor of Indiana endorsing him- just dirty politics as usual. And hopefully the people of Indiana won’t fall for that stunt.
Lyin Ted will lie, cheat and steal.
Trump is OUR ONLY CHANCE to
MAKE AMERICA GREAT ..AGAIN!!!!!!
Justin W. What you fail to realize is Trump is not winning in a system he is whining about. He is explaining that the election process is fixed and crooked. How did Obama get elected twice as he is the worst president this country has ever had. Trump is doing well because of the PEOPLE voting for him, NOT because of the “system”. The GOP is doing every thing they can to stop him. The party is afraid of Trump cause he will call out the crooks and eliminate the graft that has been going on in Washington for a long long time..
Who wants “slicky” well spoken ( trained how to speak in public for fame), well greased politician. I want raw, never been used knife to cut. People think unpredictable is bad but if you think about, it’s better in may ways. You don’t show your card when you play poker. This is the method Trump will use in favor of American people. Especially in foreign policy. He will not do anything to harm American people. He wants to win for American people. Give him a chance. We have tried different party/ people. And we are here today.
AND MAYBE TRUMP WILL PUT BACK THE COMMANDMENTS BACKIN THE SCHOOLS & COURTS EVEN IF THEY KEEP ONE
OF THEM MAYBE GOD WILL COME BACK ON AMERICA,S SIDE .HE MADE HER GREAT IN THE BEGINING BECAUSE OF HIS
PROMISE TO ABRAHAM..HE RAISES UP RULERS & PUTS THEM DOWN FOR HIS PURPOSES SO BACK OFF FROM
BECOMING A SODOM & GOMOROUGH & YOU WILL BE GREAT AGAIN.DON,T BE POLITICAL CORRECT FOR MUSLIMS E.G. WHO HAS MURDERDED 270.000,000 OYER THE CENTURIES..
WJC coined the phrase PC. Which is democratic party code for Political Corruption. Their PC goes back to at least the Duke of Duval in Texas where some controversy over a ballot box launched LBJ’s career as a politician he rode all the way to the WH before VN burned him. And FDR supposedly packed the SC to get the New Deal legal. This has grown to a raw deal for taxpayers. Corruption in politics is like a fast growing cancer in our bodies.
I am a Texan born and bred for six generations, but LBJ was never considered a good president by me. He was a buffoon and a leach. If not for Ladybird’s money and ranches, he would be a nobody today!
OBAMA’S LEGACY TOUR IS A QUICK RUN THROUGH EGYPT WITH CNN, THE VICTORY MEMORIAL IN LIBYA, IRAQ, BENGHAZI,BALTIMORE, FERGUSON , THE CHICAGO SOUTHSIDE GRAVE YARDS AND THE OBAMA TUNNEL THAT BEGINS IN MEXICO AND COMES OUT IN A GARAGE IN SAN DIEGO. NOT TO MENTION THE IRANIAN NAVAL MUSEUM DISPLAY OF TWO NAVY BOATS CAPTURED BY AN IRANIAN FISHERMAN. THE MOMBASA KENYA HOSPITAL MATERNITY WARD. DON’T FORGET HIS PALACE IN DUBAI. THE PRESS FORGOT ABOUT IT. DON’T FORGET HIS SMALL BUSINESS MONUMENT TO THE AMERICANS WHO DID NOT BUILD THAT BUSINESS. HOW ABOUT THE GAY PRIDE PARADE AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD? JUST DON’T TELL ISIS. LESS WE FORGET THE TWO BILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS SQUANDERED ON NO SHOVEL READY JOBS AS ROBERT REICH TOLD CONGRESS, BE SURE NONE OF THIS MONEY GOES TO WHITE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. THE MONEY ALL GONE. CAN YOU USE A GOOD WIND FAN TO KILL EAGLES?
TRUMP IS THE ONLY CHANCE THE PEOPLE HAVE.
SPIRIT OF AMERICA PARTY.
Can’t believe how media persons say Donald has no idea about foreign policy. He has more contact with countries then any politition. Not only that but these dumb media people don’t have the IQ he has. The best then you can have going for you when your making deals is to be underestimated.
sign me up for your news letter
How could anybody like Bill & Hillary Clinton ?
Wow! Both he and his demon wife are as corrupt as they come!
Some of this I knew about but,
I had no idea of the depth and the scope of their corruption!!
Now we know why they are trying to stop Trump so bad!
He will bring out all their corruption.
This video should be put on TV and pass it on all over the U.S.A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDbCwFm1Cmo