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U.S. NEWSThursday 25 February 2016
Trump momentum growing ahead of Super Tuesday Obama warns high
court credibility at
STEVEN R. HURST Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, accompanied by Rev. Pat Robertson, waves stake in justice row
Associated Press as he arrives for an appearance at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., Wednesday, Feb. 24,
WASHINGTON (AP) — Don- 2016. MARY CLARE JALONICK
ald Trump’s campaign for JOSH LEDERMAN
the Republican presiden- (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Associated Press
tial nomination is building WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi-
a momentum that may leading in preference polls, Trump has 81 delegates so Trump and Cruz in particu- dent Barack Obama ac-
sweep away challenges Trump predicted he’ll soon far, and Cruz and Rubio lar have found strong sup- cused Senate Republicans
by Florida Sen. Marco Ru- be able to claim the nomi- have 17 apiece. port among such voters. on Wednesday of putting
bio and Texas Sen. Ted nation. “It’s going to be an Rubio and Cruz are battling Entrance polls in Nevada the Supreme Court’s cred-
Cruz, with his crushing win amazing two months,” he to emerge as the clear al- captured the sentiment ibility at risk if they keep
in the Nevada caucuses told a raucous crowd at ternative to Trump. Lagging propelling Trump’s insur- their vow to not consider or
marking a third straight vic- a Las Vegas casino. “We behind in the Republican gent campaign: Six in 10 vote on his nominee to re-
tory in state contests. might not even need the race are Ohio Gov. John caucus goers said they place the late Justice An-
Rubio captured second two months, folks, to be Kasich and retired neuro- were angry with the way tonin Scalia. He promised
place with fewer than honest.” surgeon Ben Carson. the government is working, to nominate a candidate
2,000 more votes than Cruz A candidate must have The race for the nomina- and Trump got about half anyway in the next few
as final vote totals were re- 1,237 state delegates to tion in both major politi- of them. weeks. “I’m going to do
ported Wednesday morn- win the Republican nomi- cal parties has produced After winning in New my job,” Obama said.
ing. nation at the National candidates who reflect a Hampshire, South Carolina Obama acknowledged
Trump, the billionaire New Convention this summer. deepening anger among and Nevada, Trump has that Republicans are un-
York businessman, now Trump won 14 delegates in American voters with the momentum heading into der “enormous pressure
can claim victories in the Nevada. Rubio won seven, gridlock during much of March 1, or Super Tuesday. from their base” to oppose
West, the South and North- and Ted got six. Overall, the Obama administration. q his nominee. But he said if
east — a testament to his they defy the Constitution
broad appeal among vot- by snubbing his nominee,
ers frustrated with the politi- the ability of any future
cal establishment. His rivals president to pick judges
are running out of time will further erode.
to stop him. On Wednes- “At that point, not only are
day, Trump won his first you going to see more and
endorsements from sitting more vacancies and the
members of Congress, with court system break down,
Reps. Duncan Hunter of but the credibility of the
California and Chris Collins Court begins to diminish
of New York announcing because it’s viewed simply
they are backing him for as an extension of our poli-
the Republican presiden- tics,” Obama said after a
tial nomination. White House meeting with
“We’re winning, winning, Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
winning the country,” Filling the vacancy left by
Trump declared Tuesday. Scalia’s unexpected death
“Soon, the country is going on Feb. 13 is crucial be-
to start winning, winning, cause the Supreme Court
winning.” now has a 4-4 ideological
Listing the upcoming pri- split between justices who
mary states where he’s are usually conservative
and its liberal wing. The
For some Republicans, grudging acceptance of Trump battle has invigorated both
sides’ interest groups and
JULIE PACE of skeptical Republican complex mix of emotions off against Clinton in voters who focus on abor-
AP White House voters across the United Trump evokes within his tion, immigration and other
Correspondent States coming to terms own party. November, the 42-year-old issues before the court.
MIDLOTHIAN, Virginia (AP) with the prospect that Among those who don’t Senate Republicans want
— Sheila Covert is worried Trump, a candidate whose plan to vote for Trump in will cast his ballot for the to wait on a Supreme
about Donald Trump. The appeal they simply can’t the primary, there’s shock, Court pick until Obama
loyal Republican voter understand, may become confusion and anxiousness Republican nominee. leaves office in January.
from Virginia calls the their party’s best chance over his candidacy. But Majority Leader Mitch Mc-
businessman “bombastic” for retaking the White there’s also a grudging “Hillary Clinton, I don’t trust Connell on Tuesday said
and says there’s “just no House. acceptance of the his 54-member Republican
substance” in his campaign The real estate mogul has billionaire’s political staying her,” Glunt said. caucus was united against
rhetoric. three commanding primary power and a feeling that taking any step in the Sen-
But if Trump does become victories in a row, including despite his many flaws, Democratic officials are ate’s “advise and con-
the Republican presidential Tuesday in Nevada, and he’d be better than sent” process. The Judicia-
nominee? enters next week’s Super another four years with betting that Trump’s ry Committee won’t hold
“Well, I’d definitely vote for Tuesday elections in a a Democrat in the White confirmation hearings, he
him,” said the 81-year-old strong position. House, particularly if that over-the-top rhetoric, said. The committee and
Covert. After a pause, she Interviews with about two Democrat is Hillary Clinton. the full Senate will not vote.
added, “But I hope and dozen frequent Republican “He says things you cannot particularly about women Obama and his team are
pray it doesn’t come to voters in Virginia, one of imagine a president hoping to select a well-
that.” several states with a primary saying,” said Michael and immigrants, will turn regarded candidate Re-
Covert is part of a legion next week, reveal the Glunt. But if Trump faces publicans would be hard-
off independents and pressed to oppose.q
some Republicans in
battleground states like
Virginia. Some anxious
Republican leaders share
that concern, contributing
to the rush of lawmakers
and other party officials
rallying around Florida
Sen. Marco Rubio as an
alternative.q
