The Democrats are ready for a Thursday night showdown on CNN - a critical meeting just days before the New York primary. Hillary Clinton is ahead by double digits in the polls, but other numbers are on Bernie Sanders’ side. About 27,000 people showed up to hear the Vermont senator speak at his rally in Manhattan Wednesday night. Considering he has won eight of the last nine contests, Sanders clearly has all the momentum. With a strong debate performance, can Sanders improve in the polls? As for the Republicans, chatter has turned to potential running mates.
Republican Primary
Donald Trump: In a surprising radio interview, Trump did not rule out “Lyin’ Ted” as a running mate. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski will not be charged after grabbing former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields at a campaign event. There is not sufficient evidence to convict him, Lewandowski's defense argued.
In addition to losing the votes of two of his own children, Trump can not count on his lawyer's vote in New York because he is a registered Democrat. Those few votes, however, may not matter if the polls are any indication.
Ted Cruz: Cruz is sampling all the best Buffalo foods Thursday during his tour of upstate New York. On Wednesday night, he and his family partook in a CNN town hall event, where he said he would be a “fool” to not consider Marco Rubio as a potential VP pick. A new Cruz-sanctioned radio ad in New York pushes back against New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for suggesting Cruz isn’t welcome in the Big Apple.
John Kasich: Kasich delivered a speech Tuesday at the Women’s National Republican Club in Manhattan, where he offered “Two Paths” for the presidency, insisting he will not stoop to his opponents’ level. His “maturity and pragmatism” has earned him the endorsement of The New York Daily News.
Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton: The Clinton campaign’s recent gaffes have hurt her image within the African-American community. MSNBC, for instance, noted that the Clintons can’t keep waffling on the 1994 crime bill. She tried to overcome her disconnect with the black community during her speech at Al Sharpton's National Action Network convention on Wednesday.
The former secretary of state is still trying to run from her controversial emails. A new American Crossroads PAC is targeting the former secretary of state for her “Richard Nixon problem,” comparing her email scandal to Watergate. Her campaign is suing Arizona for its lack of polling stations in the March 22 primary, which kept voters standing in line for hours.
Bernie Sanders: Before he spoke to 27,000 supporters in New York’s Washington Square Park Wednesday night, Sanders joined Verizon workers on their strike demanding the company move forward the new contract negotiation process.
Like Clinton, he too addressed the National Action Network in New York. During that speech, he accused the GOP of trying to bring back the “Jim Crow days.”
In other news, Sanders is trying to distance himself from a surrogate who told voters that we need to stop electing "corporate Democratic whores," an off-hand remark about Clinton's ties to big corporations. He remains convinced that a large turnout on Tuesday in New York will result in a victory for his campaign.
Delegate Count
Primary/Debate schedule
Thursday - Democratic debate on CNN
No primaries scheduled this week
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