FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 09, 2016

On to November: Trump vs. Clinton presidential race appears virtually certain now

Presidential primary season dramas are done on the Republican side, and should be over soon in the other party as well. Donald Trump is the last person standing among 17 Republican candidates. A decisive win in Indiana last week drove his last two rivals, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio from the race. "We all need to unite and focus on defeating Hillary Clinton," the Republican Party chairman tweets. Clinton is widely seen as Trump's opponent, although she hasn't yet clinched the Democratic nomination also sought by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Sanders won his side's Indiana delegate-selection vote, but Clinton – a former secretary of state and presidential spouse – has a large lead in delegates needed for nomination this July. So she's sharpening her focus on the Republican. Her headquarters has staff is turning from a primary campaign to a general election strategy. A day after the Indiana vote, it released a tough anti-Trump commercial and tweeted sharply about him. "A Donald Trump nomination is dividing his own party," her press secretary says. "That creates the opportunity to call for coming together and uniting the country that could resonate with a larger audience than just Democrats and independents. I do think it could have appeal with Republicans too."

Facing a race against the country's first female major party nominee, Trump must overcome disapproval ratings as high as 70 percent among women, a majority of voters in presidential elections. "Clinton begins this six-month race more favored than any other candidate in modern history," says a leading British newspaper, The Independent. In addition to the historic status of her candidacy, this campaign is notable for another reason: Trump will be the first major party nominee since 1952 who never was elected to public office. (That last was Dwight Eisenhower, a five-star general and World War II commander.)

Bernie Sanders says: "I understand that Secretary Clinton thinks that this campaign is over. I've got some bad news for her. . . . We feel great about . . . gaining the momentum we need to take us to the finish line." – Indiana primary victory remarks

Journalist says: “The combined might of the Republican Party’s best and brightest . . . proved, in the end, helpless against Trump’s unorthodox, muscular appeal to the party’s voting base.” – Molly Ball, The Atlantic magazine

Republican chairman says: "Look, I get it. There is work to do." -- Reince Priebus on “CBS This Morning"

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.