The plotline in the Saturday edition of the 2016 presidential contest was the establishment. In Nevada, Democrats listened to their leaders and lined up behind Hillary Clinton. Bernie Sanders' message of "political revolution" was well-received, but didn't dominate.
Note this important paragraph from the New York Times, on the role that Las Vegas played in Clinton's victory:
The Culinary Workers Union, which represents 57,000 members, many of whom are Latino, declined to endorse a candidate. But on Thursday, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who also remained neutral, said in an interview he had spoken to D. Taylor, the head of the union's parent group, to make sure its members could have paid time off to participate in the caucuses, a move that operatives in the state believed helped tip the race in Mrs. Clinton's favor. She overwhelmingly defeated Mr. Sanders in the caucuses that were held at six major Las Vegas casinos, including Harrah's, the Wynn and New York-New York, which heavily draw working-class minority voters.
Then consider that Clinton now has the backing of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most established of the Democratic establishment in South Carolina. Which bodes well for her next Saturday.
Now contemplate the Republicans who voted Saturday. Donald Trump, the candidate who put the 9/11 attacks on the shoulders of President George W. Bush, the candidate who picked a fight with the leader of the Catholic Church, the candidate who was the focus of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's ire – this was the candidate who won the South Carolina primary on Saturday night.
'Twas Donald Trump who ended the Jeb Bush candidacy tonight, as well as the Bush political lineage.
Marco Rubio, Haley's candidate, is in a life-and-death struggle for second or third place. John Kasich is a distant finisher.
According to exit/entrance polls, Trump ranked first among evangelicals. He won the military vote. He was the choice of “moderate” and “somewhat conservative” Republicans.
Saturday’s bottom line: In Nevada, Democrats are willing to be led. In South Carolina, a member of the Republican establishment couldn’t be elected dogcatcher tonight.
The GOP is where Bernie Sanders’ political revolution is really happening.
MORE INSIDER POSTS
About the Author
