Image via Chicago Tribune
In a turn of events that shocked no one, Donald J. Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders won their respective New Hampshire primaries last night. In the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary, RealClearPolitics reported that Donald Trump held a decisive lead of 17 percentage points among GOP primary voters, similar to Bernie Sanders’ advantage of 13 percentage points for Democrat primary voters. With virtually all the votes in, RCP reported that Trump trumped over the unexpected runner up, Governor John Kasich, by a “huge” 20% gap, beating him 35.3% to 15.8%. Additionally, Sen. Sanders crushed Clinton with a equally large gap of 22%, beating her 60.4% to 38%.
Sen. Cruz, Gov. Bush, and Sen. Rubio placed 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively. Dr. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina placed lower in the results, though each are still campaigning as hard as ever.
Late last night Governor Christie announced he would return home to “take a deep breath” and reassess his campaign for the GOP nomination. Today, Christie decided to withdraw from the race after losing to the other GOP establishment candidates, Gov. Bush, Gov. Kasich, and Sen. Rubio.
With all of that out of the way, here is where it gets interesting.
Near the NH-Canada border lies a small town of just 12 people that has accurately predicted the GOP nominee with 100% accuracy since 1968. Dixville Notch, with just 10 registered voters, selected Gov. Kasich as their GOP nominee for 2016. Now, there is no way to tell whether or not their prediction will hold true for this election, especially because it has been such a volatile one, but it is thought provoking. What would the general election look like with Gov. Kasich as the GOP nominee?
Up until his showing in New Hampshire, John Kasich was not seen as a likely nominee, polling at only about 4% maximum. However, his middle-of-the-road rhetoric and policies, as well as his political experience serving as governor may make him the best candidate to campaign against Bernie Sanders’ socialist policies, or (heaven forbid) Hillary Clinton’s quest for power.
With the race quickly evolving into a competition of who has the most extreme policies, it might be beneficial for the country to have a moderate as the GOP nominee, one who can reign in the craziness of this election cycle. In the fall, Dr. Ben Carson seemed to be that voice, fighting for the American people and their values, but after the mass media (on both sides of the spectrum) rejected his viability as the GOP nominee, his presidential aspirations seem less likely.
The common sense solutions of candidates like Dr. Ben Carson, Gov. Bush, and of course Gov. Kasich have so far been drowned out by name-calling, insults, and asinine policy proposals such as banning all muslims from entering the country or building a massive 1,933 mile long wall along our southern border. This may change as undecided voters wake up from the fear-mongering of these extreme candidates, however only time will tell.
The next two primaries will take place in Nevada and South Carolina, and the results will sure to be interesting whichever way things turn out. If the voters of Dixville Notch are any indication of how this race may end up, we may still have a GOP nominee that has the experience and cooperative nature to do well as our next President. Hopefully other Republicans across America will consider these characteristics when they vote or caucus this spring.
Update: Carly Fiorina announced yesterday, 2/10, that she is suspending her presidential campaign.
