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U.S. NEWSTuesday 15 March 2016
2016 race barrels toward potentially decisive primary day
JULIE PACE Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sings during service at Mount Zion Fellowship of Tuesday’s contests with
KATHLEEN RONAYNE Church in Highland Hills, Ohio, Sunday, March 13, 2016. decisive wins in several
Associated Press states and further pads her
HANOVERTON, Ohio (AP) — (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) delegate lead, it would
The tumultuous presidential be difficult for Sanders to
primary season barreled to- hoped their home-state key state in determining ahead to the general elec- catch her because all the
ward a potentially decisive primaries —winner-take-all whether Trump puts himself tion but continues to face Democratic nominating
day for both Republicans contests with 165 delegates on a path to winning the persistent competition from contests allot delegates
and Democrats that could at stake — would give them nomination by the end of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sand- proportionally.
transform Donald Trump a boost, while a loss could the primary season on July ers. While Clinton maintains Tuesday’s contests come
and Hillary Clinton from end their candidacies. Polls 7 or the race continues on a commanding lead in the at a remarkable moment
front-runners to likely nomi- show that Kasich seems to an uncertain path, possi- delegate count, Sanders in the presidential race for
nees. have a better chance at bly resulting in a contested breathed new life into his Republicans. Animosity to-
The biggest prizes are Flor- defeating Trump in Ohio convention. campaign with a surprising ward Trump has risen to the
ida and Ohio, states with than Rubio does in Florida. Among Democrats, Clinton victory last week in Michi- point where he can rarely
a long history of making or That makes Ohio likely the has been itching to look gan. If Clinton comes out get through an event with-
breaking White House aspi- out being interrupted by
rations. Missouri, Illinois, and protesters. The front-runner
North Carolina also offer a is also under scrutiny for
crucial cache of delegates appearing to encourage
to the parties’ national his supporters to physically
nominating conventions confront those protesters,
that could help Trump and deepening divisions within
Clinton pull further away the Republican Party.
from their rivals. In a lightly veiled jab at
Trump holds a comfortable Trump, Republican House
lead in the Republican del- Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis-
egate count and could consin said candidates
put himself well on his way “need to take responsibility
to securing the nomina- for the environment at their
tion if he sweeps Tuesday’s events.”
contests. He would cross Even with the new contro-
an important threshold by versy, Trump was already
collecting more than 50 eying the general elec-
percent of the delegates tion when he appeared at
awarded so far. campaign stop Monday in
Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Tampa, Florida, where he
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was joined by former Alas-
ka Gov. Sarah Palin.
“If we win Florida and we
win Ohio, we can go and
attack Hillary,” Trump said.
Heading into Tuesday, the
billionaire businessman is
locked in a tight contest in
Ohio with Kasich. Seeking
a final boost in his home
state, Kasich spent Mon-
day campaigning along-
side Mitt Romney, the 2012
Republican nominee and
a fierce critic of Trump.
“This is the guy Ohio has
to vote for, and America’s
counting on you,” Romney
told the crowd at a Kasich
event in North Canton.
While Romney has not en-
dorsed Kasich, he’s said
he’ll do whatever is need-
ed to help all of Trump’s
rivals.
Florida Sen. Rubio also
hopes to block Trump in
a do-or-die primary in his
home state, though poll-
ing suggests he’s slipping
further behind. The senator
tried to stay upbeat Mon-
day, perhaps his final full
day of campaigning in the
2016 race.q
