Republican candidacy Trumped

SBS World News Radio: Donald Trump has been given a clear run to the Republican presidential nomination with his last rival dropping out of the race.

Republican candidacy TrumpedRepublican candidacy Trumped

Donald Trump Source: AAP

The day after Ted Cruz ended his campaign, Ohio Governor John Kasich has joined the Texas Senator on the sidelines.

The remaining man has divided opinion like few have before him as the presumptive candidate.

Across the United States, Americans are facing a new reality - a flamboyant billionnaire and one-time reality TV star is set be the conservative Grand Old Party's presidential candidate.

In his home town, New York, the Post newspaper shows a picture of Donald Trump with the headline, "Can You Believe It? The Nominee", while its tabloid rival, the Daily News, featured the Republicans' trademark elephant lying in a coffin.

On the streets of the Big Apple, the prospect of President Trump attracted characteristically divided opinions.

Resident Joan Kavagnolo was surprised by his political success but says she's starting to come around to his way of thinking.

"The man is a little over the top but his basic ideas without all the screaming, the yelling, finger-pointing, and name-calling are good: keep industry in America. It goes overseas and then they sell it back to us at inflated prices the only one making money are the corporations."

Others, like Mike De Pew, aren't so charitable: "It's not good. I see a debacle ensuing and its come way too close. It's not a joke any more. Everyone just needs to put this to rest. We cannot elect a reality TV star to be president."

Steve Wilson questions Donald Trump's reputed popularity in his hometown.

"Well I think it's pretty funny that one pretty awful guy drops out and an even worse guy takes the lead. I think that most of us - it is interesting Trump lost Manhattan and I think that's interesting to think about for the New York primary - I don't think Donald Trump is loved in Manhattan and it's kind of a scary thought that he's going to be the nominee of this party."

His nomination now look almost certain after his last rival, John Kasich - who had been running a distant third to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz - pulled out of the race.

"You see, I have always said that the Lord has a purpose for me as he has for everyone and as I suspend my campaign today I have renewed faith, deeper faith, that the Lord will show me the way forward and fulfil the purpose of my life. Thank you and God bless."

That leaves Donald Trump as the last Republican standing.

His likely opponent in November, Democrat Hillary Clinton, greeted the news by describing the billionnaire businessman as a risky "loose cannon" and unfit for the presidency.

The fallout from Mr Trump's ascendency and his big-talking foreign policies is being felt across the globe.

Only this week, he described China as committing economic rape on the US.

Asked to respond to the Trump candidacy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said it was an internal matter for the US, but ...

"What needs to be pointed out is that the essence of the China-US trade and business cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win, and accords with the interests of both sides. We hope people in all fields in the US can rationally and objectively view this relationship."

While the rise of Donald Trump has shaken the Republican Party to the core, he now faces an uphill task to take the next step into the White House.

Election analyst James Thurber, from American University, Washington DC, believes while Trump could get close to his Democrat rival in nine key battleground states, it will be hard for him to win the overall race.

"He's alienated non-whites in America and that's key to elections in Colorado with Hispanics, in Florida with Hispanics and Virginia with Hispanics and African Americans. He has to talk about a big tent the way (former president Ronald) Reagan did and bring people in, now I think it's going to be very hard for him to reach out and bring in Democrats. But he's truly an outsider. He is unique in the sense that he doesn't really use standard campaign tactics at all, he can't be controlled."

 

 


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4 min read

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By Gareth Boreham


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