No matter whose polls or numbers you consult, Hillary Clinton has outdistanced her opponent thus far in the race to be the Democratic presidential nominee. The cautionary note in the lead merely indicates the differing count of delegates Clinton has amassed over Sen. Bernie Sanders. The count varies from CNN, MSNBC, Reuters and AP. So, take your choice and Clinton has the edge, and that edge was never closer than her victory Tuesday in the Kentucky primary. Later, Sanders, as expected, won handily in Oregon.
None of these counts brings any dramatic change to the race, although the operative word here may be “drama,” given the chaos that erupted the other day at the Nevada Convention.
When first reported, the disturbance there bore the earmarks of something occurring at a Trump rally. Participants were angrily dissatisfied with the way the convention—and the party leaders—were conducting the delegate count.
Several speakers at the convention, including Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, were shouted down by protesters, even while chairs were being thrown.
The Sanders’ campaign has been chastised and blamed for the outbreak, and Sanders has said, “I do not condone such behavior.” But that apparently was not enough from some party leaders.
If such upheavals are not checked, it could be a harbinger for the convention in July in Philadelphia. Sanders, despite Clinton’s insurmountable lead, has promised to take his campaign all the way to the convention. He has promised to fight “until the last ballot is cast.” That may occur June 7, when California and New Jersey hold their primaries.
“We’re always stronger united” was Clinton’s response to the recent primaries from her home in Chappaqua, N.Y. And the unity she referred to becomes increasingly important as she prepares to take on the Trump machine.
What is manifestly clear from the polls is that Clinton cannot win the race to the White House without a unified party. Sanders has promised to support Clinton if he loses, but it remains to be seen how enthusiastic he will be.
Clinton has to be concerned when victories she achieved by wide margins in 2008 against Barack Obama are now razor-thin against Sanders.
That concern could be ameliorated by June if Sanders releases his delegates and plays a forceful role in getting Clinton the presidency.