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Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing - June 8, 2016
From Ballotpedia
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Wednesday's Leading Stories
- Hillary Clinton won four of the six Democratic primaries on Tuesday night, securing a majority of pledged delegates and making her the first woman to claim the presidential nomination of a major party in the United States. (Ballotpedia, The New York Times, Politico)
- California: Clinton (56 percent) defeated Sanders (43.1 percent);
- Montana: Sanders (51 percent) defeated Clinton (44.6 percent);
- New Jersey: Clinton (63.3 percent) defeated Sanders (36.7 percent);
- New Mexico: Clinton (51.5 percent) defeated Sanders (48.5 percent);
- North Dakota: Sanders (64.2 percent) defeated Clinton (25.6 percent);
- South Dakota: Clinton (51 percent) defeated Sanders (49 percent).
- On Tuesday, Republicans continued to condemn Donald Trump’s assertion that federal judge Gonzalo Curiel was biased in overseeing a lawsuit against Trump University because of his Mexican heritage.
- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, “This is the most un-American thing from a politician since Joe McCarthy.” He continued, "If anybody was looking for an off-ramp, this is probably it. There'll come a time when the love of country will trump hatred of Hillary." (The New York Times)
- U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced on Tuesday that he was retracting his support for Trump given his "past attacks on Hispanics, women and the disabled like me." Kirk said in a statement, “It is absolutely essential that we are guided by a commander-in-chief with a responsible and proper temperament, discretion and judgment. Our president must be fit to command the most powerful military the world has ever seen, including an arsenal of thousands of nuclear weapons. After much consideration, I have concluded that Donald Trump has not demonstrated the temperament necessary to assume the greatest office in the world." (The Chicago Tribune)
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, “My advice to our nominee is to start talking about the issues that the American people care about, and to start doing it now.” He continued, “In addition to that, it's time to quit attacking various people that you competed with or various minority groups in the country and get on message." (Reuters)
- David Johnson (R), who has served in the Iowa Legislature for nearly two decades, suspended his Republican Party membership on Tuesday to protest "the racist remarks and judicial jihad" of Trump. "I will not stand silent if the party of Lincoln and the end of slavery buckles under the racial bias of a bigot," Johnson said. (The Des Moines Register)
- Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) released this statement on Tuesday afternoon: “I support the Republican Party and will continue to help elect strong Republican leaders in Nevada but at this time I cannot say I will definitely vote for Mr. Trump.” (The Las Vegas Review-Journal)
- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), however, defended Trump, saying that he was “not a racist” and “allegations that he is are absolutely contrary to every experience that I’ve had with him over the last 14 years.” He added that it bothered him that Hillary Clinton was “taking this kind of high and mighty position of hers when Secretary Clinton’s had a lot to say over the course of her career as well regarding vast right-wing conspiracies that turned out not to exist in impugning the integrity of lots of other people.” (Politico)
- Trump released a statement on Tuesday to say that his comments about Curiel had been “misconstrued.” He continued, “I am friends with and employ thousands of people of Mexican and Hispanic descent. The American justice system relies on fair and impartial judges. All judges should be held to that standard. I do not feel that one’s heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial.” After discussing the numerous Trump University students who were satisfied by the program, Trump concluded, “I do not intend to comment on this matter any further.” (The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump for President)
Polls
- Morning Consult released a general election poll on Tuesday finding that Gary Johnson received 10 percent to Hillary Clinton’s 37 percent and Donald Trump’s 35 percent when he was identified as an independent candidate. When Johnson was described as a Libertarian, he retained 10 percent support, but Trump narrowly topped Clinton, 37 percent to 36 percent. The pollsters also found that 72 percent of Johnson’s supporters said they primarily backed him because they did not like either Clinton or Trump. (Morning Consult)
- In a general election poll of Florida voters released by Public Policy Polling on Tuesday, Trump had a slight edge over Clinton, 45 percent to 44 percent. When third-party candidates were added to the mix, Trump still led, 41 percent to 40 percent. Johnson and Jill Stein registered 4 percent and 2 percent, respectively. (Public Policy Polling)
Democrats
- President Barack Obama called both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Tuesday night, congratulating them for “running inspiring campaigns that have energized Democrats, brought a new generation of Americans into the political process, and shined a spotlight on important policy ideas aimed at making sure our economy and our politics work for everybody, not just those with wealth and power,” according to a statement released by the White House. Obama is expected to meet with Sanders at the White House on Thursday. (Talking Points Memo)
Hillary Clinton
- The Clinton campaign released a three-minute video, “History Made,” on Tuesday to introduce Clinton as the presumptive Democratic nominee and celebrate the historic nature of her win. It features a clip of Clinton saying, “Let’s learn from the wisdom of every mother and father who teaches their daughters there is no limit on how big she can dream and how much she can achieve." (The Hill)
- Clinton also delivered a speech to her supporters in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday night, claiming the Democratic nomination and seeking party unity. (Vox)
- On commonality with Bernie Sanders: “This has been a hard fought, deeply felt campaign. But whether you supported me or senator Sanders or one of the Republicans, we all need to keep working toward a better, stronger America. Now I know it never feels good to put your heart into a cause or a candidate you believe in and to come up short. I know that feeling well. But as we look ahead, let's remember all that United States is. … We believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better division, empowerment is better than resentment and bridges are better than walls.”
- On Donald Trump: “When Donald Trump says a distinguished judge born in Indiana can't do his job because of his Mexican heritage or he mocks a reporter with disabilities or calls women pigs, it goes against everything we stand for. Because we want an America where everyone is treated with respect and where their work is valued. Donald Trump attacked the press for asking tough questions, denigrated Muslims and immigrants. He wants to win by stoking fear and rubbing salt in wounds. And reminding us daily just how great he is.”
- On the influence of her mother: “We're stronger when every family and every community knows they're not on their own. Because we are in this together. It really does take a village to raise a child. And to build a stronger future for us all. I learned this a long time ago from the biggest influence in my life, my mother. She was the rock until the day I was born until she left us. She overcame a childhood marked by abandonment and mistreatment and somehow managed not to become bitter or broken. My mother believed that life is about serving others. And she taught me never to back down from a bully which it turns out was pretty good advice.”
- Attorneys for Bryan Pagliano, the State Department employee who set up Clinton’s private email server, said on Tuesday that Pagliano had been granted limited immunity in the Justice Department investigation. The agreement does not apply to civil cases. (The Washington Post)
Bernie Sanders
- Speaking at a rally in Santa Monica, California, on Tuesday night, Bernie Sanders said that he intended to continue competing in the Democratic primary. He told supporters, “We are going to fight hard. We are going to fight hard to win the primary in Washington D.C. And then we take our fight for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!” (ABC News)
- Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver criticized the media for reporting on Monday night that Hillary Clinton had secured enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination before Tuesday's primaries. He said, "Let those people vote and decide before the media tells them that the race is over. What's the point of suppressing voter turnout in six states across the country to have a quick news hit that could easily have been done tonight?" Weaver also noted that the District of Columbia would be voting next week. (Politico)
- Sanders said in a statement on Tuesday that he was endorsing Eric Kingson in his congressional race in New York “because he led the fight to protect Social Security.” (Syracuse.com)
- The New York Times reported on Tuesday night that the Sanders campaign was laying off at least half of its staff, including both advance and field staff members. Sanders is expected to return to his home state of Vermont on Wednesday and travel to Washington, D.C., on Thursday. (The New York Times)
Republicans
- House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) met with Claudia Ruiz Massieu, the Mexican secretary of foreign relations, a few hours after condemning Donald Trump’s comments about federal judge Gonzalo Curiel as being the “textbook definition of racist.” Commenting on the attention given to Trump’s statements, Ruiz said, "The relationship between Mexico and the United States is stronger, bigger, more important than a specific moment.” (The Hill)
- U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), the only member of Congress endorsed by Donald Trump, lost her seat to U.S. Rep. George Holding (R-N.C.) on Tuesday night. Both Ellmers and Holding were incumbents competing for the same seat after redistricting in their state. (The Huffington Post)
Donald Trump
- As expected, Donald Trump was the victor in all five Republican primaries on Tuesday night, winning by a margin of 50 points or more in California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. He also delivered a victory speech using prepared remarks, which is unusual for the candidate. (Politico, Vox)
- On accepting the responsibility of the nomination: “I understand the responsibility of carrying the mantle and I will never, ever let you down. Too much work, too many people, blood, sweat, and tears. Never going to let you down. I will make you proud of your party and our movement. That's what it is, a movement.”
- On appealing to all voters: “To those who voted for someone else, in either party, I'll work hard to earn your support. And I will work very hard to earn that support. To all of those Bernie Sanders voters who have been left out in the cold by a rigged system of superdelegates, we welcome you with open arms.”
- On Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy: “Hillary Clinton turned the State Department into her private hedge fund. The Russians, the Saudis, the Chinese, all gave money to bill and Hillary and got favorable treatment in return. It's a sad day in America when foreign governments with deep pockets have more influence in our own country than our great citizens.”
- On urban policy: “We're going to rebuild our inner cities, which are absolutely a shame and so sad. We're going to take care of our African-American people that have been mistreated for so long. We're going to make you and your family safe, secure, and prosperous. Prosperous again. Together, we will put the American people first again.”
Third Party Candidates
- The Green Party failed to timely submit a slate of electors in Arizona by June 1. The party will have to seek a court order if wants its nominee to appear on the general election ballot in November. Green Party spokesman Scott McLarty said, "The national party does offer some kinds of help to the various state parties. But it's really the responsibility of the state party themselves to launch ballot access efforts and get their party's ballot status and major-party status in their respective states as well as name their electors. (The Arizona Daily Star)
Jill Stein (Green Party)
- Jill Stein said in a statement on Monday that she supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. “The United States has encouraged the worst tendencies of the Israeli government as it pursues policies of occupation, apartheid, assassination, illegal settlements, demolitions, blockades, building of nuclear bombs, indefinite detention, collective punishment, and defiance of international law. Therefore, the Stein campaign calls for ending military and economic support for the Israeli government while it is committing war crimes and defying international law,” Stein said. (Haaretz)
- Stein tweeted Bernie Sanders on Tuesday night, encouraging him to work with her if he leaves the Democratic race. She wrote, “@BernieSanders my offer to collaborate still stands. We are ready to talk anytime. The revolution must continue. #PrimaryDay.” (Bustle)
Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party)
- In an interview with The Daily Caller on Tuesday, Gary Johnson discussed several domestic policy issues. (The Daily Caller)
- On abortion: “I don’t even want to enter into the argument. I want to give women choice in dealing with that issue, period. Unbelievably difficult decision. I’m going to make it for a woman? Government’s going to make it for a woman? I don’t want to play a part in that role.”
- On legalizing heroin, cocaine, and meth: “I’m not advocating that. But I do think that [in] legalizing marijuana…we as a country are going to take a quantum leap when it comes to understanding drugs and drug abuse.”
- On the North Carolina transgender bathroom bill: “I’ll tell you, if I would’ve been the governor of North Carolina, when this bill came through, I would’ve vetoed it. It’s just much to do about nothing.”
- On potential Supreme Court nominees: “I don’t have names for anybody. I mean, looking at Supreme Court nominees, it would be looking at someone who would view the Constitution from its original intent, and no specific litmus tests, just good people.”
See also
- Presidential election, 2016
- Presidential candidates, 2016
- Presidential debates (2015-2016)
- Important dates in the 2016 presidential race
- Polls and Straw polls
- 2016 presidential candidate ratings and scorecards
