March 1, 2016 was Super Tuesday for the 2016 presidential election—an important day for the primaries. This matters because in many election years the winners of Super Tuesday went on to become that party’s nominee. If that pattern repeats itself this year, the race will be between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The two candidates are surrounded by controversy, but both are doing well in the polls.
On Super Tuesday, Trump received the most votes followed by Cruz and Rubio for the Republicans. On the Democratic side, Clinton took a victory over Sanders.
While the Democrats had a great debate a few days ago, the Republicans’ campaign hit a new low. During the debate, Trump was applauded for boasting about the size of his “hands” in defending himself from a comment by Rubio.
The fact that Trump’s comment received applause, and the fact that this was even mentioned disturbed many people, but he is still way ahead in the polls. Jeb Bush criticized Trump’s opinions and said, “I don’t want to be associated with what he is spewing out these days.”
Texas Governor Rick Perry went so far to attack Trump on social media, commenting that “his remarks are far from reality.” Perry has also called Trump a “cancer on conservatism” according to CBS News. Trump retaliated by saying that Perry wouldn’t pass an IQ test and therefore should not be allowed to debate. Cruz commended Trump and said that he respects him.
As these controversies come up, many students at SLV have been thinking about who they would like to see in office next year. Luke Moore, a sophomore, said that if he were able to vote he would probably vote for Hillary Clinton, but he is still mostly undecided. Lucy Archibald, also a sophomore, said she agrees and would not vote for Cruz.
The Democrats had a debate on March 6 in Flint Michigan, where one of the main topics was the water crisis in the city. Clinton and Sanders have been neck and neck for a long time. The party has had questions about Sanders’s electability due to his views that some call radical.
During the debate, both Clinton and Sanders promised a mother that in their first 100 days of office they would begin a program to end lead poisoning in Flint and other cities. They even went so far as to come up with plans to phase out lead in pipes, manufacturing and paints.
By Sean Dashiell
The Claw 