They immediately went to work on mapping out a strategy aimed at shoring up the delegate count, realizing that even with the votes likely, the enthusiasm and money flowing into Sanders’ coffers meant he would likely be around for a while—and they were right, perhaps not realizing he would carry his delegates all the way to the convention floor next month, trying to get super delegates to vote for him.
According to newsmax, his staff has been cut in half since Clinton clinched the delegate count, letting go the logistics and field staff members although one current campaign official said some may work in his Senate office, others may return to work at the convention in Philadelphia.
Sanders’ appeal to the young voter, fired up about ending politics as usual, and may not have voted recently, is mirrored in Donald Trump’s appeal to a similar constituency who were also tired of politics-as-usual, felt they had been ignored and may not have voted recently either.
When Cruz dropped out in May, Clinton began operating two campaigns—one for the primary, the other the general election, but Sanders proved difficult, as he came close to winning in the Iowa primary despite arriving late, and he surprised her in Michigan March 8, winning by one-and-a-half points.
At the beginning of May when Trump clinched the delegate count in Indiana for the Republican nomination, Clinton did not want to be dismissive of Sanders, but needed to begin her politics-as-usual campaign against the unconventional style of Trump.
One staff concern was that Trump, having clinched the needed delegates, would become more presidential and change his style, as his chief strategist, Paul Manafort had assured members of the Republican National Committee.
But those fears were allayed when Trump, the night his delegate count hit the magic number, said, “Frankly, if Hillary Clinton were a man, I don’t think she’d get five percent of the vote. The only thing she’s got going is the woman’s card. And the beautiful thing is, women don’t like her. Look how well I did with women tonight.”
Clinton shot back with her often-used line: “If fighting for women’s health care and paid family leave and equal pay is playing the woman card, then deal me in.”
But Clinton cannot count on Trump continuing to stub his toe. He is very tough, and her campaign has to assure that Trump will not take votes away from her.
As Karen Tumulty tells MHProNews, “Clinton has already made history by locking up the nomination. And she has shown that she can learn from her own mistakes. Now comes the biggest chance of all, and this time, there will be no margin for error.”
Meanwhile, CNN news anchor Jake Tapper led a panel discussion Tuesday, June 7 in which he alleges reporters are treating Clinton with kid gloves on the eve of her capturing the Democratic nomination, while Donald Trump gets the tougher questions. Trump supporter Kayleigh McEnany said reporters were throwing softballs at Clinton. The Washington Free Beacon reports one third of reporters’ question dealt with her making history, and one even said, “People just come up to you and they get tears in their eyes. Do you feel the weight of what this means for people.” Boo-Hoo.
Tapper, noting the media claims that they are fair, says, Would the argument of reporters not be stronger if these ridiculously sycophantic questions that were asked of Hillary Clinton yesterday …would not that argument be stronger?” Tapper asked.
Newt Gingrich says Trump can beat Clinton if he remains focused and disciplined, “He’s going to be very formidable, and he’s going to beat Hillary very badly this fall.” Appearing on Fox News Channel’s Hannity, Gingrich said his speech Tuesday night was very presidential. “It was thoughtful. It’s what people want from a president,” and it is “a very big step in the right direction.”
Gingrich has been named as a possible running mate for Trump, although he has criticized him in the past, including his calling the judge in the Trump University case unfair.
“She will not recover if she’s caught up in a big-issue election with a disciplined Donald Trump. They won’t be in the same league,” says Gingrich.
MHProNews notes that Trump promises to end Dodd-Frank, which gave birth to the CFPB and its choke-hold on free speech (the so-called MLO rule). CFPB regulations has driven out lending on the least expensive manufactured housing. Clinton promises to keep Dodd-Frank, and will resist changes such as HR 650/S 682. For a related report on Richard Cordray and pending industry legislative efforts, click here. Both candidates are promising major speeches and policy positions in the days ahead. ##
(Photo credit: dc.about-the White House, Washington, D. C.)
