Live Blog: The Last of the Presidential Primaries
Are you voting in one of today’s six primaries? (via Flickr)
12:08 p.m. PST: Welcome to another Truthdig Primary Day Live Blog! Today is the last (minus Washington, D.C.) of the presidential primaries—and there are some big states up for grabs. Most eyes are on New Jersey and California due to their large delegate counts, but voters in New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota are also heading to the polls today. Republican Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee for his party, and Democrats Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are still competing. Here’s where things stand as these six primaries unfold:
The big news of Tuesday’s primaries seems to have happened Monday, when The Associated Press reported that Clinton clinched the nomination. However, many Bernie supporters would like to remind everyone that superdelegates don’t actually pledge support for their nominee until the Democratic National Convention next month.
It’s also worth mentioning that while many mainstream media outlets (like NBC) were quick to second the AP’s story, other publications had deeper analysis—for example, Glenn Greenwald’s piece “Perfect End to Democratic Primary: Anonymous Super-Delegates Declare Winner Through Media.” Greenwald writes, “[F]or a party run by insiders and funded by corporate interests, it’s only fitting that their nomination process ends with such an ignominious, awkward and undemocratic sputter.”
And, while many liberal voters are probably heading into the polls today feeling a bit disheartened since the AP’s report, it’s also worth noting that the Clinton campaign is still trying to woo voters in today’s primaries. “Clinton is likely to pass the magic number of 2,383 delegates soon after the polls close in New Jersey,” CNN writes, but “California’s primary may serve as a litmus test of the party’s interest in Sanders’ liberal policies.”
We’re flattered, @AP, but we've got primaries to win. CA, MT, NM, ND, NJ, SD, vote tomorrow! https://t.co/8t3GpZqc1U
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 7, 2016
Speaking of superdelegates, President Barack Obama—who has officially remained neutral in the Democratic nomination process—is “eager to endorse Clinton,” says NBC News. White House aides added that an endorsement “could come as early as this week.”
Donald Trump has been making headlines for (you guessed it) more racially-charged comments. Last week, Trump accused a judge of being biased against him due to his “Mexican heritage,” and he elaborated this position to include judges with a Muslim background as well. At a California campaign rally last week, Trump called out a black man in the crowd by announcing, “Look at my African-American over here! Look at him. Are you the greatest? You know what I’m talking about, OK?” The Washington Post writes that these racist incidents are causing concern among many within the GOP.
Finally, it’s worth keeping your eyes on Truthdig’s Facebook page. At 6 p.m. PST today, right here in the Los Angeles Truthdig offices, we will be sitting down with Green Party presumptive presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein—and our discussion will be streaming live on Facebook.
The earliest polls close at 5 p.m. PST, and California polls close at 8 p.m. PST—but check back here throughout the day for important updates on the primaries.
Related Entries
- June 7, 2016 Nina Turner: ‘We’re Going All the Way to the Convention’ (Video)
- June 7, 2016 The Racial Divide Between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump
Source: http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/live_blog_the_last_of_the_presidential_primaries_20160607/
