Winning four-of-six primaries on June 7, 68-year-old former Secretary of State and Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Rodham celebrated her historic win at Brooklyn’s Navy Yard as the first woman to win a major party nomination. Calling her achievement an “historic win for women,” Hillary gave a free X-ray into her strategy moving forward, capturing the women’s vote, whether Democrats, Republican or independents. If she succeeds in siphoning off women voters from GOP presumptive nominee real estate tycoon Donald Trump, she’s going to make Trump’s job that much harder. Hillary used her victory speech to brand Trump as a misogynist, racist and egomaniac. Trump’s challenge is to not let Hillary’s attacks go unpunished, like he did when he didn’t respond to her “national security” speech June 3 in San Diego. Hillary spent much of the speech ripping Trump.
Giving Hillary an open invite to accuse Trump of racism, Trump criticized U.S. Circuit Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel June 3 for showing unmistakable bias because of his Mexican heritage. Playing up the race card, Hillary cleverly turned Trump’s concerns about impartiality at the Trump University trial into proof of his bigotry and racism. Hillary wasn’t the only one jumping all over Trump, with Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz,), Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and others denouncing Trump’s words as racist. Hillary pounced on the chance to go after Trump. “He’s trying to demean and defame a federal judge who was a very accomplished prosecutor,” said Hillary, using Trump’s public remarks to her advantage. It’s now Trump’s turn to clarify and respond to Hillary’s attacks.
Having a lock on the minority vote, Hillary needs to appeal to independent white voters to seal the deal in November. Trump’s got an uphill battle in key battleground states with strong minority populations, something Clinton already wrapped up. When Hillary considers a VP, she doesn’t need a woman or minority to cement her lock on minority voters. Picking a moderate white male running mate would give her a better shot at chipping into Trump’s lead with white blue collar voters. Trump, on the other hand, would benefit from a minority pick but only if it didn’t look like pandering. With Hillary dispatching Bernie winning the California primary be 13%, it’s now Hillary v. Trump in the general election. Making the best use of her victory party in Brooklyn, Hillary hammered Trump on all the familiar themes, especially his controversial remarks about Judge Curiel.
Telling voters that Trump lacks the temperament to be president, Hillary follows the same themes used by Trump’s Republicans GOP rivals, like Jeb, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), all saying Trump was unhinged, not fit for president. Yet, time after time, voters rejected the criticism and voted for Trump. “This is dangerous nonsense that undermines the rule of law, that makes him appear to be someone who has no respect for fellow Americans,” said Hillary, referring to his remarks about Judge Curiel. “And I think it is yet more evidence why this man is dangerous and divisive and disqualified from being president,” Hillary told MSNBC’s liberal host Rachel Madow. Trump plans a major speech on Monday responding to Hillary’s attacks and making a case why she shouldn’t be president. Trump will focus more on financial, foreign policy and trust issues.
Trump’s fellow Republicans joined Hillary in ripping Trump for his comments about Judge Curiel. Trump did nothing other than question his impartiality in light of Trump’s ongoing comments about building a border wall, highlighting crimes committed by illegal Mexican immigrants. “I don’t care if the judge is Mexican or not,” clarified Trump. “I’m going to do great with the Mexican people because I provide jobs. So I don’t care about Mexican. But we’re being treated very unfairly,” referring to Hillary, the media and fellow Republicans piling on. Fox News Bill O’Reilly agreed with Trump that Judge Curiel should recuse himself. “Not because he did anything wrong—he didn’t—but to eliminate any doubt as to the motivation in court rulings,” said O’Reilly, coming to Trump’s defense. Getting denounced by Hillary is one thing. But watching Trump’s former rivals pile on is beyond the pale.
When Trump delivers his speech on the Clintons Monday, he needs to go after substantive issues that affect Hillary’s judgment as president. Dredging up old controversies, about the Clintons’ past business dealings or Bill’s peccadilloes, won’t get much traction. Focusing on her State Department emailing or alleged improprieties at the Clinton Foundation would get more traction. Explaining why Hillary supports toppling Mideast dictators, including backing the Saudi-funded proxy war against Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, should raise more eyebrows than dredging up the old “Whitewater” scandal. Bill’s 20-year affair with 56-year-old socialite Julie Tauber McMahon and the Clinton Foundation’s $2 million payout to her should also spark interest. If Trump succeeds in informing the public about the millions taken by the Clinton Foundation from Saudi Arabia and Arab Gulf Stakes, it should speak volumes.
