For the first time in American history a woman has clinched a major party nomination for president. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party after a series of state victories, including the all-important California primary. Her delegate count is now 2,755, compared to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ count of 1,852. It takes 2,383 delegates to gain the party nomination, a goal impossible for Sanders to reach. Now, Clinton will face Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the general election.
Trump recently made statements regarding U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel over his Mexican heritage accusing the judge of being unable to preside impartially over a case involving Trump University. Trump stated that because Curiel, who was born in Indiana, is of Mexican descent and Trump has proposed “building a wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border, he cannot properly do his job. Curiel is also a member of the Black Greek fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi. These comments caused a backlash that accused Trump of overt racism. Now Trump is stating that his comments were misconstrued. The gaffes by Trump will play well for Clinton and her voter base as Trump has also made comments about women, calling them “pigs” and mocking the disabled.
Trump has received huge support among Republican voters in primary states with many stating that he has reinvigorated the GOP. However, just as many are stating that Trump has hurt the establishment. Republicans fear losing the White House along with key congressional and senate seats. His victories in states with a strong Republican base does not guarantee that he will win the White House. The same pattern and changing demographics of voters launched President Obama to victory for two terms as President and the voting bloc seems just as solid.
The big issue among many political pundits is “What will be the role of Bernie Sanders?” Sanders was able to establish a solid political voice and votes to cause the Clinton campaign headaches. The concerns of these voters still have to be addressed by Clinton if she wants their support. Despite his loss and inability to secure the nomination, Sanders has still vowed to stay in the race into the Democratic convention scheduled in Philadelphia to assure that the voice of his supporters is heard.
