If the Democratic primaries were like the Republican winner-take-all in delegates, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ victory in Wisconsin Tuesday would be of greater consequence. But as they say, if the bullfrog had wings…
Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton by anywhere from eight to 14 points, depending on the source, totaling 567, 858 votes or 56.5 percent of the vote. Clinton clocked in at 434,168 votes or 43.2 percent, according to one report.
The tally of delegates was a lot closer, with Sanders getting 47 and Clinton gathering 36, and this count did very little to close the overall count in delegates, with Clinton at 1,778 and Sanders at 1,058, again depending on the source.
Whatever the final count on delegates, Clinton has a decisive lead, and Sanders would have to get more than 50 percent of the delegates that remain, including big wins in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California and New York.
And New York is clearly the crown jewel in the states that remain. Sanders is banking on the momentum to upset Clinton in what is presumably her home court.
In his victory speech before an enthusiastic crowd in Laramie, Wyo. Sanders invoked one of his favorite words, momentum. “Momentum is starting this campaign 11 months ago and the media determining that we were a ‘fringe’ candidacy. Do not tell Secretary Clinton—she’s getting a little nervous,” he said. “But I believe we’ve got an excellent chance to win New York and a lot of delegates in that state.”
Should he take New York on April 19, that would be a major setback and a possible game changer. But before the primary here, there’s a debate scheduled April 14 and there’s a good chance they will go after each other like never before.
If New York turns out to be another one of the close races with neither candidate walking away with an ample number of delegates, then it’s on to California in June for the next huge, or “yuge,” primary.
Sanders has given Clinton several interesting talking points in the upcoming debate with his stance on the NRA, ignorance of MetroCards and his position on Israel. Clinton may choose to avoid these issues and stay on message, which is about tearing down barriers, not building walls like Donald Trump.
Trump took a licking in Wisconsin with Sen. Ted Cruz momentarily toppling him, though like Sanders, the primaries in the Northeast may not be as easy as things in the Midwest.
But in this season of upsets, best you wait until the last minute or second to make your bet. Sanders may have a buzzer beater in his repertoire!