Campaign Commentary: Will Trump be the Republican nominee?
April 6, 2016
Over the past several weeks Republican, presidential candidates such as Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Ben Carson have begun dropping out of the race. Through and through, the one candidate that has consistently and boldly made sexist, racist and xenophobic statements has just become stronger.
That candidate is Donald Trump.
Trump is faring well across the United States, gaining support and winning presidential primaries in 20 states so far.
On Super Tuesday, when 11 states across the country cast their votes in presidential primary elections, Republicans in Massachusetts came out in support of Trump.
Many voters were surprised that Trump won in Massachusetts, given that it is a traditionally liberal state. Even so, Trump had less than half as many votes as Democratic hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders, who came in second to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This shows that in the general election, the Democratic nominee, regardless of whether it is Clinton or Sanders, will easily defeat the Republican nominee if it is Trump.
Either way, the elephant in the room is whether Trump will be that nominee.
According to The New York Times, Trump has earned 736 delegates so far of the 1,237 necessary to win the nomination.
While Trump is winning in voters’ hearts, less can be said about the hearts and minds of both Democratic and Republican representatives. Since Trump started his campaign last June, many politicians have doubted his ability to “Make America Great Again.”
Democrats have spoken out against Trump’s insults regarding minorities and the handicapped, and Republicans have tried to preserve the integrity of the Republican Party.
The Washington Post reported that Paul Ryan, Republican from Wisconsin and Speaker of the House, said, “If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games.” Ryan also reportedly called Trump out for his “bigotry” and “prey[ing] on people’s prejudices.”
Of course, primary elections have only just started. But with Trump gaining a lead so early on, it is unclear if he can be stopped. He does not seem phased by those who disagree with his policies or his attitudes.
Not only politicians have spoken out against Trump, but influential companies have begun questioning him. The New York Times recently reported that large corporations such as Google, Apple, and Walmart are reconsidering the role they will play at the Republican National Convention this July in Ohio if Trump is the nominee.
A nominee must be chosen to represent the Republican party on the ballot. Either the nominee will be Trump, another candidate who is running, or there will be a brokered convention and Republican National Committee will be forced to come up with another candidate.
Some have speculated that if there is in fact a brokered convention, Ryan will be selected as the nominee for the Republican party.
Only time will tell if Trump’s momentum will change between now and July.