Washington: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton registered convincing victories on Tuesday inching one step close towards a monumental duel for the White House in November.
Trump displayed his political strength with a clean sweep of races in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Clinton recorded huge wins in Maryland and Pennsylvania and also emerged victorious in Delaware and Connecticut. Rival Bernie Sanders won only in Rhode Island.
With the latest wins, the billionaire businessman move significantly closer to the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the nomination outright and avoid a contested Republican convention. Rivals Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are however set to launch steps aimed at stopping Trump from becoming the GOP nominee. “This to me was our biggest night,” Trump said in his victory speech. “I consider myself the presumptive nominee.”
On the other hand, Clinton’s big wins will boost her campaign’s argument that Sanders must now stop targeting Clinton.
“With your help, we are going to come back to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention with the most votes and the most pledged delegates,” Clinton declared. “And we will unify our party to win this election and build an America where we can all rise together, an America where we lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.”
Clinton hinted at the potential general election clash with Trump that could center on women voters. “The other day, Mr. Trump accused me, of playing the, quote, woman card,” she said. “Well, if fighting for women’s health care and paid family leave and equal pay is playing the woman card, then deal me in.”
Trump struck back during his victory speech. “I think the only card she has is the women’s card,” Trump said. “She has got nothing else going. Frankly, if Hillary Clinton were a man, I don’t think she would get 5% of the vote. And the beautiful thing is women don’t like her, ok?”