This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/02/dispatches-from-super-tuesday-trump-clinton-sanders-cruz-rubio
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Super Tuesday with the candidates: anticipation, defiance and arrogance | Super Tuesday with the candidates: anticipation, defiance and arrogance |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Hillary Clinton: ‘Madam President’ basks in triumphs | Hillary Clinton: ‘Madam President’ basks in triumphs |
| A confident but hoarse Hillary Clinton took the stage in Miami to chants of “Madam President”, after a series of Super Tuesday victories that put her several steps further down the path to earning the title. | A confident but hoarse Hillary Clinton took the stage in Miami to chants of “Madam President”, after a series of Super Tuesday victories that put her several steps further down the path to earning the title. |
| Related: Trump marches toward nomination as Clinton sweeps south on Super Tuesday | Related: Trump marches toward nomination as Clinton sweeps south on Super Tuesday |
| “What a super Tuesday!” she declared, wearing a big smile. The crowd, who came to celebrate in the spacious studio in downtown Miami believing they were watching the next Democratic nominee, erupted in thunderous applause. | “What a super Tuesday!” she declared, wearing a big smile. The crowd, who came to celebrate in the spacious studio in downtown Miami believing they were watching the next Democratic nominee, erupted in thunderous applause. |
| While Clinton and Donald Trump celebrated resounding victories in states across the US, the pair offered starkly contrasting visions of America. | While Clinton and Donald Trump celebrated resounding victories in states across the US, the pair offered starkly contrasting visions of America. |
| “I think what we need in America today is more love and kindness,” Clinton said. “Because you know what? It works. Instead of building walls, we’re going to break down barriers.” | “I think what we need in America today is more love and kindness,” Clinton said. “Because you know what? It works. Instead of building walls, we’re going to break down barriers.” |
| Clinton congratulated her opponent, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, on a “strong showing” but her speech looked past him, to the candidate leading the Republican party field. | Clinton congratulated her opponent, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, on a “strong showing” but her speech looked past him, to the candidate leading the Republican party field. |
| “We’ve got a lot of work to do. But work is not make America great again,” Clinton said, referencing Trump’s campaign slogan. “America never stopped being great. We have to make America whole again.” The crowd burst into a chant of “U-S-A!” | “We’ve got a lot of work to do. But work is not make America great again,” Clinton said, referencing Trump’s campaign slogan. “America never stopped being great. We have to make America whole again.” The crowd burst into a chant of “U-S-A!” |
| The chant is often heard at Trump rallies in reaction to the most contentious parts of his speech – or, in one instance, after he ejected a protester from his rally, demanding: “Are you from Mexico?” | The chant is often heard at Trump rallies in reaction to the most contentious parts of his speech – or, in one instance, after he ejected a protester from his rally, demanding: “Are you from Mexico?” |
| At Clinton’s rally, Latinos, immigrants and Spanish-speakers were among those chanting with full force. | At Clinton’s rally, Latinos, immigrants and Spanish-speakers were among those chanting with full force. |
| “Together we can break down barriers for hard-working immigrants everywhere,” she said, repeating a phrase that has become the core message of her campaign. She weaved the phrase several times into her brief remarks, promising to fight for all Americans. | “Together we can break down barriers for hard-working immigrants everywhere,” she said, repeating a phrase that has become the core message of her campaign. She weaved the phrase several times into her brief remarks, promising to fight for all Americans. |
| “This country belongs to all of us,” Clinton declared, not just to those who “look one way, worship one way or even think one way”. | “This country belongs to all of us,” Clinton declared, not just to those who “look one way, worship one way or even think one way”. |
| Clinton spoke from a podium encircled by supporters waving signs and posters. She was occasionally interrupted by shouts of “I love you!” and “Hillary!” | Clinton spoke from a podium encircled by supporters waving signs and posters. She was occasionally interrupted by shouts of “I love you!” and “Hillary!” |
| That Clinton chose to hold her victory party in Miami, a state that does not vote for two more weeks, was a sign of confidence going into Super Tuesday, where she and her team expected the big win. | That Clinton chose to hold her victory party in Miami, a state that does not vote for two more weeks, was a sign of confidence going into Super Tuesday, where she and her team expected the big win. |
| Before Clinton took the stage on Tuesday, a young man from her campaign addressed the crowd in English and Spanish. | Before Clinton took the stage on Tuesday, a young man from her campaign addressed the crowd in English and Spanish. |
| Pop artist Hector Prado, an immigrant from Colombia, brought a large multicolor canvas painting of Clinton that he hoped to offer the former secretary of state. | Pop artist Hector Prado, an immigrant from Colombia, brought a large multicolor canvas painting of Clinton that he hoped to offer the former secretary of state. |
| Prado, who said he plans to vote for Clinton in Florida’s primary on 15 March, said he moved to the US when Bill Clinton was president and was able to follow his dreams of becoming an artist and a businessman. Now he believes its his duty to work to mobilize voters and elect a presidential candidate who will protect immigrants, especially with Trump projected to win the Republican nomination. | Prado, who said he plans to vote for Clinton in Florida’s primary on 15 March, said he moved to the US when Bill Clinton was president and was able to follow his dreams of becoming an artist and a businessman. Now he believes its his duty to work to mobilize voters and elect a presidential candidate who will protect immigrants, especially with Trump projected to win the Republican nomination. |
| “This country opened the door for me, it was amazing,” Prado said, holding his painting. “I found the American Dream here and I want to return the favor.” | “This country opened the door for me, it was amazing,” Prado said, holding his painting. “I found the American Dream here and I want to return the favor.” |
| Bernie Sanders: hugs and hope as ‘bubble’ set to burst | Bernie Sanders: hugs and hope as ‘bubble’ set to burst |
| A hall packed with the most passionate Bernie Sanders supporters in the country ran the full gamut of emotions on Tuesday night. | A hall packed with the most passionate Bernie Sanders supporters in the country ran the full gamut of emotions on Tuesday night. |
| Some disappointment was obvious from the moment the devastating early results from the south began trickling in, but few of the 4,000 people at his campaign rally outside Burlington, Vermont, were surprised. | Some disappointment was obvious from the moment the devastating early results from the south began trickling in, but few of the 4,000 people at his campaign rally outside Burlington, Vermont, were surprised. |
| Even here, in the heart of the “Bernie bubble”, many supporters paused when asked if they thought their senator could actually win the nomination. Some said yes, but seemed unconvinced. Others said his candidacy is as much about rousing the American people as winning the White House. | Even here, in the heart of the “Bernie bubble”, many supporters paused when asked if they thought their senator could actually win the nomination. Some said yes, but seemed unconvinced. Others said his candidacy is as much about rousing the American people as winning the White House. |
| “Even if he loses the nomination, he awakened a whole generation of the electorate,” said Matthew Scheffler, 24. “You get someone like Bernie only once in a lifetime, once in a century,” he added. “Before this I used to see politics as a joke … With Bernie, for the first time, I’ve become politically engaged.” | “Even if he loses the nomination, he awakened a whole generation of the electorate,” said Matthew Scheffler, 24. “You get someone like Bernie only once in a lifetime, once in a century,” he added. “Before this I used to see politics as a joke … With Bernie, for the first time, I’ve become politically engaged.” |
| Long before better news came by way of wins for Sanders in Colorado, Oklahoma and Minnesota, there was undoubted pride in what he had already achieved. | Long before better news came by way of wins for Sanders in Colorado, Oklahoma and Minnesota, there was undoubted pride in what he had already achieved. |
| They sang This Land Is Your Land together on stage. Sanders toured the room, receiving more hugs, pats on the back and unmistakeable affection than many politicians see in a lifetime. | They sang This Land Is Your Land together on stage. Sanders toured the room, receiving more hugs, pats on the back and unmistakeable affection than many politicians see in a lifetime. |
| Most were willing to see him go on, whatever voters in the rest of the country might say. | Most were willing to see him go on, whatever voters in the rest of the country might say. |
| Related: The cold, hard truth: it's game over, Bernie | Richard Wolffe | Related: The cold, hard truth: it's game over, Bernie | Richard Wolffe |
| Jerry Lasky, 68, from Essex, said he had donated money to Sanders but did not think he would win the nomination. “I’ll continue to contribute money, even if he isn’t going to win. I think this voice needs to be heard,” Lasky said. “Hillary has no passion and no message,” he added. | Jerry Lasky, 68, from Essex, said he had donated money to Sanders but did not think he would win the nomination. “I’ll continue to contribute money, even if he isn’t going to win. I think this voice needs to be heard,” Lasky said. “Hillary has no passion and no message,” he added. |
| Announcing his win in Vermont, Sanders reminded his supporters that primary elections were not “winner takes all” and that he would be able to pick up delegates even in states that the media marked as Hillary victories. “By the end of tonight, we are going to win many hundreds of delegates,” he promised. | Announcing his win in Vermont, Sanders reminded his supporters that primary elections were not “winner takes all” and that he would be able to pick up delegates even in states that the media marked as Hillary victories. “By the end of tonight, we are going to win many hundreds of delegates,” he promised. |
| His supporters in the crowd echoed this reasoning. “I still think Bernie and Hillary have an equal chance of winning because of that,” Hallie Berston-Gold, 24, said. “Even though he’s not winning Virginia or Georgia, he’s still gaining delegates. | His supporters in the crowd echoed this reasoning. “I still think Bernie and Hillary have an equal chance of winning because of that,” Hallie Berston-Gold, 24, said. “Even though he’s not winning Virginia or Georgia, he’s still gaining delegates. |
| “It’s not over till it’s over,” Berston-Gold added. “I have yet to meet a candidate for president, other than Bernie, who pretty much stands for everything I stand for. It’s pretty incredible.” | “It’s not over till it’s over,” Berston-Gold added. “I have yet to meet a candidate for president, other than Bernie, who pretty much stands for everything I stand for. It’s pretty incredible.” |
| Donald Trump: a study in contrast | Donald Trump: a study in contrast |
| Something like a coronation took place on Tuesday night behind a gold-framed podium displaying a “Make America Great Again” sign, against a backdrop of 10 American flags crowned with golden eagles, in a ballroom dripping with gold leaf and decorated with three crystal chandeliers and four white cherubs. Twitter buzzed with comparisons with Louis XIV, Citizen Kane and African dictators. Nothing could have shouted louder that the unlikely choice of middle America’s struggling white working class is a billionaire plutocrat from the Big Apple. | Something like a coronation took place on Tuesday night behind a gold-framed podium displaying a “Make America Great Again” sign, against a backdrop of 10 American flags crowned with golden eagles, in a ballroom dripping with gold leaf and decorated with three crystal chandeliers and four white cherubs. Twitter buzzed with comparisons with Louis XIV, Citizen Kane and African dictators. Nothing could have shouted louder that the unlikely choice of middle America’s struggling white working class is a billionaire plutocrat from the Big Apple. |
| Donald Trump, who took a giant leap toward securing the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday, did not throw a victory party or rally but invited a select group of friends plus the media to his luxury Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Surly security guards with military haircuts made clear the general public were not welcome to see the arch populist. | Donald Trump, who took a giant leap toward securing the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday, did not throw a victory party or rally but invited a select group of friends plus the media to his luxury Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Surly security guards with military haircuts made clear the general public were not welcome to see the arch populist. |
| “I feel awfully good,” Trump beamed. Few would accuse him of hiding his light under a bushel all these years, but he gave himself a pat on the back anyway. “It takes great courage to run for president. This is something I’ve never done before.” | “I feel awfully good,” Trump beamed. Few would accuse him of hiding his light under a bushel all these years, but he gave himself a pat on the back anyway. “It takes great courage to run for president. This is something I’ve never done before.” |
| After winning most of the states on offer, he did not quite claim to be the presumptive nominee but wasted little time on rivals Ted Cruz or “very nasty” Marco Rubio as the contours of a likely contest with Hillary Clinton began to emerge. Trump sought to portray her as an establishment candidate who had already had her turn in government and failed. | After winning most of the states on offer, he did not quite claim to be the presumptive nominee but wasted little time on rivals Ted Cruz or “very nasty” Marco Rubio as the contours of a likely contest with Hillary Clinton began to emerge. Trump sought to portray her as an establishment candidate who had already had her turn in government and failed. |
| Related: Super Tuesday results: track the votes live, state by state | Related: Super Tuesday results: track the votes live, state by state |
| “People in middle-income groups are making less money today than they made 12 years ago,” he said with New Jersey governor and high-profile backer Chris Christie at his side. “In a speech she just said they’re making less money. Well, she’s been there with Obama for a long period of time. Why hasn’t she done anything about it? Practically everything that she was complaining about, she’s picked up what I said. The difference is she’s been there for a long period of time. Why haven’t they done anything about it? | “People in middle-income groups are making less money today than they made 12 years ago,” he said with New Jersey governor and high-profile backer Chris Christie at his side. “In a speech she just said they’re making less money. Well, she’s been there with Obama for a long period of time. Why hasn’t she done anything about it? Practically everything that she was complaining about, she’s picked up what I said. The difference is she’s been there for a long period of time. Why haven’t they done anything about it? |
| “Then you look at her record as secretary of state. It’s abysmal. You look at what’s going in Syria. It’s a disaster.” | “Then you look at her record as secretary of state. It’s abysmal. You look at what’s going in Syria. It’s a disaster.” |
| Nodding to the controversy over Clinton’s private email server, Trump claimed: “What she did is a criminal act ... If she’s allowed to run, honestly, it will be a sad day for this country because what she did was wrong and other people have done far less than her and they’ve paid a very big price.” | Nodding to the controversy over Clinton’s private email server, Trump claimed: “What she did is a criminal act ... If she’s allowed to run, honestly, it will be a sad day for this country because what she did was wrong and other people have done far less than her and they’ve paid a very big price.” |
| Journalists questioned the tycoon over whether he could unite the troubled Republican party behind him. “I am a unifier,” he claimed, although he added: “I know people will find that a little hard to believe.” | Journalists questioned the tycoon over whether he could unite the troubled Republican party behind him. “I am a unifier,” he claimed, although he added: “I know people will find that a little hard to believe.” |
| But he insisted that he has “millions and millions” of people behind him in what has become a movement rather than a mere campaign. “The Republicans have tremendous energy. The Democrats don’t. They don’t have any energy. Their numbers are down; our numbers are through the roof.” | But he insisted that he has “millions and millions” of people behind him in what has become a movement rather than a mere campaign. “The Republicans have tremendous energy. The Democrats don’t. They don’t have any energy. Their numbers are down; our numbers are through the roof.” |
| He promised to be “great” for African Americans, Latinos and women’s health issues too. | He promised to be “great” for African Americans, Latinos and women’s health issues too. |
| That Trump chose the home state of rival Rubio was probably an intentional two-fingered salute. The 114-room Mar-a-Lago, adapted from “Hispano-Moresque style” and set in 20 acres with ocean views, opened in 1927 after three boatloads of Dorian stone were brought from Genoa, Italy, for its construction, which also incorporated 36,000 old Spanish tiles, some dating back to the 15th century. Trump bought it in 1985 and turned it into an exclusive club with a beauty salon, spa, swimming pool and tennis courts. | |
| Its gaudy symbolism on this defining night for a candidate who has spoken of his “greed”, and his desire to “take, take, take” for America will not be lost on his supporters and detractors alike. It was not man-of-the-people stuff – and that perhaps is the point. | Its gaudy symbolism on this defining night for a candidate who has spoken of his “greed”, and his desire to “take, take, take” for America will not be lost on his supporters and detractors alike. It was not man-of-the-people stuff – and that perhaps is the point. |
| Marco Rubio: finally a sliver of sunshine | Marco Rubio: finally a sliver of sunshine |
| Thousands streamed into an equestrian center in a suburb of Miami as Marco Rubio returned on Super Tuesday to his hometown, from where he launched a presidential campaign now clinging for its life just under a year later. | Thousands streamed into an equestrian center in a suburb of Miami as Marco Rubio returned on Super Tuesday to his hometown, from where he launched a presidential campaign now clinging for its life just under a year later. |
| The Florida senator, often dubbed the future of the Republican party, turned in a dismal showing in the most decisive day of the election to date, racking up a single win as 11 states took to the polls. Even worse, Rubio appeared shy of meeting the threshold in certain states that only award delegates to candidates who break 20% of the vote. | The Florida senator, often dubbed the future of the Republican party, turned in a dismal showing in the most decisive day of the election to date, racking up a single win as 11 states took to the polls. Even worse, Rubio appeared shy of meeting the threshold in certain states that only award delegates to candidates who break 20% of the vote. |
| Rubio struck a defiant tone before his hometown crowd while declaring it would be up to Florida to shift the direction of the race. His supporters cheered his every word and erupted when the senator broke into a few lines of Spanish. | Rubio struck a defiant tone before his hometown crowd while declaring it would be up to Florida to shift the direction of the race. His supporters cheered his every word and erupted when the senator broke into a few lines of Spanish. |
| “Two weeks from tonight, right here in Florida, we are going to send a message loud and clear,” Rubio said. “We are going to send a message that the party of Lincoln and Reagan, and the presidency of the United States, will never be held by a con artist. | “Two weeks from tonight, right here in Florida, we are going to send a message loud and clear,” Rubio said. “We are going to send a message that the party of Lincoln and Reagan, and the presidency of the United States, will never be held by a con artist. |
| “Two weeks [from] tonight you will send a message to the nation and the world that America’s greatest days are yet to come.” | “Two weeks [from] tonight you will send a message to the nation and the world that America’s greatest days are yet to come.” |
| Rubio, who has taken an aggressive tack against Trump in recent days, also reiterated his biting criticism of the Republican frontrunner. Except here in Miami, the senator made it personal – indicating there was no other city or state that better understood the essence of the American Dream because the majority immigrant community had lived it. | Rubio, who has taken an aggressive tack against Trump in recent days, also reiterated his biting criticism of the Republican frontrunner. Except here in Miami, the senator made it personal – indicating there was no other city or state that better understood the essence of the American Dream because the majority immigrant community had lived it. |
| “Do not give in to the fear. Do not give in to the sham artists and con artists who try to take advantage of your suffering,” Rubio said. | “Do not give in to the fear. Do not give in to the sham artists and con artists who try to take advantage of your suffering,” Rubio said. |
| “What’s at stake is not just the future of America but also the future of the conservative movement.” | “What’s at stake is not just the future of America but also the future of the conservative movement.” |
| Trump’s sweeping victories notwithstanding, Rubio insisted his attacks on the reality TV star were paying dividends. | Trump’s sweeping victories notwithstanding, Rubio insisted his attacks on the reality TV star were paying dividends. |
| “We are saying in state after state … his numbers coming down, our numbers going up,” Rubio said. | “We are saying in state after state … his numbers coming down, our numbers going up,” Rubio said. |
| Florida tells a different tale, showing a massive lead for Trump in publicly available polling. Rubio’s aides remain bullish about their prospects, citing internal numbers that have the senator inching up on his opponent. | Florida tells a different tale, showing a massive lead for Trump in publicly available polling. Rubio’s aides remain bullish about their prospects, citing internal numbers that have the senator inching up on his opponent. |
| Voters such as Benny Millares are hoping to give Rubio the boost that could save his campaign, or at least ensure he holds on through a potential brokered convention. | Voters such as Benny Millares are hoping to give Rubio the boost that could save his campaign, or at least ensure he holds on through a potential brokered convention. |
| “He tells our story. His parents came from Cuba – his father was a a bartender, his mother was a maid,” said Millares, who arrived in Miami from the island nation at the age of five. “He’s lived our story.” | “He tells our story. His parents came from Cuba – his father was a a bartender, his mother was a maid,” said Millares, who arrived in Miami from the island nation at the age of five. “He’s lived our story.” |
| Trump, he said, was someone who had excelled by using “smart marketing” to tap into deep-rooted frustration with Washington. | Trump, he said, was someone who had excelled by using “smart marketing” to tap into deep-rooted frustration with Washington. |
| “It’s a revolt,” Millares said. | “It’s a revolt,” Millares said. |
| Rubio, concluding his speech, implored voters to see through the con while vowing to remain in the race and do whatever it might take to stop Trump. | Rubio, concluding his speech, implored voters to see through the con while vowing to remain in the race and do whatever it might take to stop Trump. |
| “This is a community of underdogs. This is a state of underdogs. This is a country of underdogs,” he said. “But we will win.” | “This is a community of underdogs. This is a state of underdogs. This is a country of underdogs,” he said. “But we will win.” |
| Ted Cruz: in the shadow of the ‘bloviating buffoon billionaire’ | Ted Cruz: in the shadow of the ‘bloviating buffoon billionaire’ |
| Ted Cruz won two more states on Super Tuesday – but he was still overshadowed by Donald Trump. | Ted Cruz won two more states on Super Tuesday – but he was still overshadowed by Donald Trump. |
| After the Texas senator notched up wins in his home state of Texas and neighboring Oklahoma, Cruz was forced to wait to declare victory because his Republican rival was still talking on television. | After the Texas senator notched up wins in his home state of Texas and neighboring Oklahoma, Cruz was forced to wait to declare victory because his Republican rival was still talking on television. |
| Cruz had gathered with friends and supporters at the Red Neck Country Club in suburban Houston, a honky-tonk and bar where Willie Nelson is scheduled to appear in less than two weeks. But with Trump’s press conference going on and on, a Cruz ally had to take the stage to apologize for the delay, saying: “In the infinite wisdom of Fox News and CNN, they are continuing with the bloviating buffoon billionaire.” Eventually Trump finished in Palm Beach, Florida, and Cruz finally took the stage in Houston. | Cruz had gathered with friends and supporters at the Red Neck Country Club in suburban Houston, a honky-tonk and bar where Willie Nelson is scheduled to appear in less than two weeks. But with Trump’s press conference going on and on, a Cruz ally had to take the stage to apologize for the delay, saying: “In the infinite wisdom of Fox News and CNN, they are continuing with the bloviating buffoon billionaire.” Eventually Trump finished in Palm Beach, Florida, and Cruz finally took the stage in Houston. |
| He used the opportunity to target Trump and call on fellow Republicans to rally behind him. With Minnesota, where Rubio ultimately won, at that point still not called, he proclaimed: “Our campaign is the only campaign that has beaten that can beat and will beat Donald Trump.” | He used the opportunity to target Trump and call on fellow Republicans to rally behind him. With Minnesota, where Rubio ultimately won, at that point still not called, he proclaimed: “Our campaign is the only campaign that has beaten that can beat and will beat Donald Trump.” |
| He then asked fellow conservatives “to prayerfully consider coming together” behind his candidacy as he slammed Trump. | He then asked fellow conservatives “to prayerfully consider coming together” behind his candidacy as he slammed Trump. |
| Cruz argued: “America shouldn’t have a president whose words would you make you embarrassed if your children repeated it.” | Cruz argued: “America shouldn’t have a president whose words would you make you embarrassed if your children repeated it.” |
| However, Trump’s near sweep of the south also raised questions about Cruz’s viability. The Texas senator had long staked his campaign on accumulating a significant number of delegates on Super Tuesday. While Cruz won at least 150 delegates, significantly more than Rubio, he still finished well behind Trump in the total delegate count. | However, Trump’s near sweep of the south also raised questions about Cruz’s viability. The Texas senator had long staked his campaign on accumulating a significant number of delegates on Super Tuesday. While Cruz won at least 150 delegates, significantly more than Rubio, he still finished well behind Trump in the total delegate count. |
| Cruz had spent significant time and campaign resources in the deep south in hopes of using the culturally conservative states voting on 1 March as a springboard to the nomination. However, with the New York billionaire besting him in all but Texas and Oklahoma, it’s unclear whether the ardent social conservative can fare any better in more culturally liberal states still on the calendar. Then again, it’s unclear anyone can do well against Trump at this point. | Cruz had spent significant time and campaign resources in the deep south in hopes of using the culturally conservative states voting on 1 March as a springboard to the nomination. However, with the New York billionaire besting him in all but Texas and Oklahoma, it’s unclear whether the ardent social conservative can fare any better in more culturally liberal states still on the calendar. Then again, it’s unclear anyone can do well against Trump at this point. |