Trump knocks Cruz out of race; Sanders beats Clinton in Indiana
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke during a primary night news conference on Tuesday in New York.
INDIANAPOLIS >> In a stunning triumph for a political outsider, Donald Trump all but clinched the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday with a resounding victory in Indiana that knocked rival Ted Cruz out of the race and cleared Trump’s path to a likely November face-off with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.
Trump still needs about 200 delegates to formally secure the nomination, but Cruz’s decision to end his campaign removed his last major obstacle.
“Ted Cruz — I don’t know if he likes me or he doesn’t like me — but he is one hell of a competitor,” Trump said of his last fierce competitor whom he had dubbed “lyin’ Ted.” Trump, in a victory speech that was much lower-key than usual, promised victory in November, vowing anew to put “America first.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders eked out a victory over Clinton in Indiana, but the outcome will not slow the former secretary of state’s march to the Democratic nomination. Heading into Tuesday’s voting, Clinton had 92 percent of the delegates she needs.
“I know that the Clinton campaign thinks this campaign is over. They’re wrong,” Sanders said defiantly in an interview Tuesday night. But Clinton already has turned her attention to the general election.
She and Trump now plunge into a six- month battle for the presidency, with the future of America’s immigration laws, health care system and military posture around the world at stake. While Clinton heads into the general election with significant advantages with minority voters and women, Democrats have vowed to not underestimate Trump as his Republican rivals did for too long.
Previewing Clinton’s general election message, top adviser John Podesta said Trump was “simply too big of a risk” to be president.
For months, Republican leaders considered him a fringe candidate and banked on voters shifting toward more traditional contenders. But Trump tapped into Republicans’ deep anger with party leaders and outlasted more than a dozen experienced political rivals.
Party Chairman Reince Priebus declared the race over, saying on Twitter that Trump would be the GOP’ s presumptive nominee.
“We all need to unite and focus on defeating @HillaryClinton,” he wrote.
Indeed, Trump’s first challenge will be uniting a Republican Party that has been roiled by his candidacy. While some GOP leaders have warmed to the real estate mogul, others have promised to never vote for him and see him as a threat to their party’s very existence.
Even before the Indiana results were finalized, some conservative leaders were planning a Wednesday meeting to assess the viability of launching a third party candidacy to compete with him in the fall.
One outside group trying to stop Trump suggested it would shift its attention to helping Republicans in other races. Rory Cooper, a senior adviser to the Never Trump super PAC, said the group will help protect “Republican incumbents and down-ballot candidates by distinguishing their values and principles from that of Trump and protecting them from a wave election.”
Indiana was viewed as the last gasp for Cruz, the fiery Texas conservative. He campaigned aggressively in the state, securing the support of Indiana’s governor and announcing businesswoman Carly Fiorina as his running mate.
Cruz had clung to the hope that he could keep Trump from reaching the 1,237 delegates needed for the nomination and push the race to a rare contested convention.
“I’ve said I would continue on as long as there was a viable path to victory; tonight I’m sorry to say it appears that path has been foreclosed,” Cruz told a somber crowd in Indianapolis.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich is now the only other Republican left in the race. But Kasich has won just one primary — his home state — and trails Trump by nearly 900 delegates.
Kasich pledged to stay in the race, with his campaign manager saying the governor would continue to “offer the voters a clear choice for our country.”
Only about half of Indiana’s Republican primary voters said they were excited or optimistic about any of their remaining candidates becoming president, according to exit polls. Still, most said they probably would support whoever won for the GOP.
Clinton, too, needs to win over Sanders’ enthusiastic supporters. The Vermont senator has cultivated a deeply loyal following, in particular among young people, a group Democrats count on in the general election.
Though Sanders claimed momentum, he has conceded his strategy hinges on persuading superdelegates to back him over the former secretary of state. Superdelegates are Democratic Party insiders who can support the candidate of their choice, regardless of how their states vote. And they favor Clinton by a nearly 18-1 margin.
Exit polls showed about 7 in 10 Indiana Democrats said they’d be excited or at least optimistic about either a Clinton or Sanders presidency. Most said they would support either in November.
The exit polls were conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and television networks.
With Sanders’ narrow victory Tuesday, he picked up at least 42 of Indiana’s 83 delegates. Clinton now has 2,201 delegates to Sanders’ 1,399. That includes pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses, as well as superdelegates.
Trump now has at least 1,041 delegates. Cruz exits the race with 565, while Kasich has 152.
81 responses to “Trump knocks Cruz out of race; Sanders beats Clinton in Indiana”
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The GOP will come out stronger after this primary, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Trump has really challenged the GOP establishment with his bombastic style, while Cruz is the reliable Constitutional Conservative that is also anti establishment. Hilliary must be defeated for the sake of the future of America and one of these candidates will do the job as America coalesces around the GOP for a better future.
You do understand that Trump has virtually no policies that actually align with the GOP platform right?
Hillary is more of a Republican than Trump is. Which amusingly explains why the Republican Hawk, International and free trade factions are all moving towards her.
And Cruz is hardly a reliable constitutionalist. Both of them are at their core, self serving opportunists. But then again, so is Hillary.
IMO, Hillary will abuse the Office of the President for monetary gain and (hopefully) be impeached. Trump will have no idea what to do when he gets there and will flounder from crisis to crisis in a way that will make us all wish Obama was back. Cruz sees the Presidency as a means of a power grab that will make Obama’s Imperial Presidency look like a girl scout summer camp.
Sanders is honest, but his plans are unworkable.
Again, as always, Vote Johnson.
As Hillary would say, “What difference does it make?” Trump knows exactly what to do and will have great advisers. Since no one is voting Johnson or Ron Paul must be Trump is next best choice.
God help us all. We get to choose between Hillary and Donald. Sad to say, this country is in for a very rough ride. I believe it will be even worse then 8 years of Georgie and Barrack.
Trump has no idea what to do and his advisors are total jokes.
Right now, short of Johnson, a fifth Bush-Obama hybrid term doesn’t look so bad.
The Donald needs to think hard about his vp choice. I think Nikki Haley, governor of NC would be ideal. She’s smart, a woman, of Indian descent, photogenic, new but held in high esteem by the GOP. All the attributes needed to counter tired ole Hillary.
Help us K. K. Kaumanua, you’re our only hope…….
And republican Charles Koch, when asked whether Hillary would be better than any of the republican candidates left in the race, answered “It’s possible.” And sometimes republican Michael Bloomberg also thinks Hillary is the best of the remaining candidates.
And winners Bobby Knight and Lou Holtz back Trump. Trump 2016
Both men are pathetic. Republican Party has reached a new low. Yes, I will be voting for Hillary. I have to accept her weaknesses. I have to vote for her just to protect myself and my mom from destitution and endless war for Israeli and Saudi interests.
You do realize Hilary voted to authorize Bush to wage war against Iraq don’t you?
Lets not forget about Benghazi how all those people were tortured and slaughte4red because she refused to send in help that could have stopped it or all of her secret emails and everything else she has covered up i dont see the point in even listening to her talk you have no idea whats the truth and whats a lie yet everyone still wants to change the world and vote for a woman on the simple fact that shes a woman im all for equality equality is awesome but this issue isnt about equality its about what is right and hillary for president isnt right i think she is better off doing at least 4 years in prison
Yes, and she has apologized. Bush’s faulty intelligence fooled her many other Senators. Very sad…the war brought nothing but horror and misery to America and the Mid East. We are all paying the price now.
But Hillary is going to get us into the next war with her weak foreign policies.
Her illegal basement ‘server’ incident is a blatant disregard for protocol and protection of national secrets.
When polled by the US citizens an overwhelming majority (60%) says she’s untrustworthy. A Liar.
Apparently, you are standing on your head… Hillary is the WAR-MONGER and directly tied to The-Military-Industrial-Complex. Maybe just limit your remarks to the fact that she will continue to promise ongoing unproductive WELFARE (for you and your Mother) and the pretenses of Feminism…
Isn’t that what I said ?
“Hillary is going to get us into the next war with her weak foreign policies.”
Weak foreign policies equate to war. Strong foreign policies lead to peace.
all the candidates are hon. Cruz was calling for all out war everywhere in the world. He believed in the End Times, etc. He is a very dangerous man. I prefer Trump to Cruz. I prefer Kasich though. But, 55% of the voters are women and we have a higher intelligence. We cannot vote for a man who has insulted indigenous native Americans, women, Latinos, Blacks, etc. I know Hillary is badly flawed and is far too Hawkish. But, our survival may be at stake here…
“yobo” My comment was directed and in response to “allie”‘s comment–NOT YOURS.
allie, could you explain Hilary’s stance with coal workers? I kinda missed her point.
Have you listened to “any” of Trump’s speeches? Not to be ignorant but what speech was it where Trump said he wants war in the middle east? I kinda missed that too.
Trump will find you and your mother jobs.
“allie” allegedly has a job–selling “lupchong pizza’s”…
he’s not selling lup chong, he’s packing lup chong
You cannot stop the Trump revolution> We need it to save the country.
Thank God Cruz finally gave in thought that lolo ws going to go down with the ship all the way to the end. Now still get one more lolo, Kasich in the race.
And Benghazi, these weak countries need to find a way of taking care of themselves. A lot of people complain that we spend to much time outside when we should be taking care of our own.
Trump will be the best president since Theodore Rossevelt. Take on the politically “correct” establishment that has sold out America. No more alimenting and fighting for wealthy Europeans. No more wars fighting for others. Bringing back factory jobs and fighting against the scourge of immigration. Blacks should flock to his banner too since he will provide them the jobs instead of giving it to third world immigrants.
My son gave me a Trump hat and from the dozen or so ball caps I own—it’s the only one with a label–MADE IN THE USA—along with an American flag–enough said!!!
>>> citing a report first published by the National Enquirer
Well, that explains a lot. That says where Trump get his conspiracy theories. The scary thing is, he believes them!
Ted Cruz has realized that all is lost for him. Karma? Retribution? He’s lashing out his frustrations realizing that this is the end. What goes around, comes around, eh Ted? Who started calling his own Republican Senate leader a “liar”? Then buttering up to the Donald until Trump finally shook him off. Now it seems most are abandoning him in favor of Trump and Ted can’t handle it. Let’s hope this is the last we’ll hear of Cruz.
Yes, in the end he started ranting almost incoherently. Too bad.
Ted, this country has already ” plunged into the abyss “.
“You’re a big doo-doo.”
“No I’m not and you’re a bigger doo-doo.”
Let’s see… who is more presidential and fit to lead the world to a new day?
boys will be boys.
Trump doing rather well in Indiana today. TRUMP 2016
The reason Trump is doing so well is because he is not a politician. People are sick and tired of politicians.
But Trump is a pro-mini-nuke, pro all-the-guns-you-can-carry, pro torture-like-you-have-never-seen-before, anti-Muslin and Mexican, little creep who believe the conspiracy theories he reads in tabloids. He should not be president.
i didn’t say he should be president. i said that people are sick & tired of politicians. btw…there is nothing wrong with guns if you obtain them legally. the problem is that criminals do not get them legally. so by making stricter guns laws you only make it harder for the people who follow the rules. the one who do not follows the rules will still get them.
That’s why all the criminals in Australia ended up with guns after they enacted strict gin controls. OK wait, there was less gun crime, murders, suicides and other shootings.
“gun controls”
Criminals will still get the guns
Cruz..the babooze. Trump..the chump.
Trump..Mr President
sarge, I agree with you!
Trump doesn’t have any special interests groups in his back pocket. Hilary is full of special interest groups. Trump 2016!
Sarge22, I believe you may be correct on your post. Gotta get use to it, Trump..Mr. President.
YIKES! What’s that round-bulb on the end of Cruz’s nose? Must be the swelling from having his nose stuck-up up T. Boone Pickens’ “okole-puka”…
..and I want to see the ridiculous make-up on Fiorinas face now with doodoo. what a ridiculous pair Cruz and her.
Cruz QUITS!!
All aboard the TRUMP TRAIN !
Can’t wait for Trump to dismantle Clinton in the debates, she must be shivering in her shoes, hahaha……
Lol. Dismantle? Lol.
I guess this means Carly will not be VP either! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
After headlines last week :Cruz taps Fiorina” she must feel used and abused.
3way on the bus?
Time to go Cruz
I have wasted my vote on this guy Cruz, Trump will triumph.
Who is the Green Party candidate?…..better vote for Green rather than the lesser of the two evils (Trump vs Hillary).
voting green is the same as not voting at all.
The Green Party candidate is Jill Stein–the only sane person left in the race.
Wow! We have choice other than Trump and Hillary? Way to go!!
HALLELUJAH!!
“Make America Great Again”
Trump will bomb the Middle East til it is a sea of glass.
we don’t need their oil and Israel can immigrate to the USA.
Send our Homeless with a voucher of $1,000 each to India to free up space for those who want to come to the USA.
Just what the Dems wanted, GOP nominee with higher unfavorable ratings than Hil! Should be fun, Trump can continue with the National Enquirer conspiracy theories while HIL doges the “my husband is not a creep” questions.
Somebody please explain. Kasich needs to win in 8 states under current GOP rules to be considered. Am I missing something?
They can rewrite the rules to suit their needs prior to the convention.
Nothing the establishment has tried so far has worked and has only made Trump stronger. Can’t wait for him to go after Crooked Hillary and her spouse. Jungle Rules, let’s get it on. Trump 2016
LesPark, it was the 2012 Romney Rule. Kasich cannot make 8 states in 2016 to conform to the Rule. At this time of the GOP primary, there may be wild Rules presented, but with the vast majority of Trump and Cruz Delegates, those presentations will get no where. It will be Donald Trump as the GOP Presidential Candidate. And, almost assured that the United States will have a GOP President residing in the White House.
Oh there will be a Republican president. She will just be masquerading as a Democrat.
If you want a Democrat, Vote Trump. If you want a Republican, vote Hillary.
The only way it can get any worse for the GOP is if Trump selects Sarah Palin as his running mate!
Game over, the Dems win!
No I don’t think Bernie can make it. Trump 2016
Exactly…
The everyday Joe’s dissatisfaction with our government is paving the way for a win the likes of which were unseen since Germany 1933. Sanders has great ideas, all of them impossible to accomplish in the eight years he has by law in the presidency. Trump is growing in strength despite what every news outlet is saying.
We are doomed.
trump is a joke. his nomination only shows how desperate the repubs are, nominating someone who is immature, arrogant and does not know anything about dealing politically with other leaders of the world. the repubs have lost their way, trying for something that is not there, just a mirage and a phony.
You are giving Aiea a bad name. The jokes on you. Millions of folks disagree. Trump 2016
The Trump Revolution can save America from decaying further. America first.
time to become a doomsday prepper
We already are.
If Trump picked a Black female as his vp……..Trump will triumph in 2016.
He’d lose every goob vote south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Let’s see, Donald builds luxurious five star expensive accommodations, Hillary steals money in a clever way in order to pay to stay in them.
There had to be a winner and a loser. They fought a spirited fight. In the end the two combatants have to meet in the middle and shake hands. They call that good sportsmanship. It’s a game they decided to play. Politics is a dirty business not for the faint hearted.