Well that’s it: Hillary Clinton has claimed the Democratic Nomination, and unless the Republican Party has an as-yet unseen trick up their sleeve, she’ll be going up against Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential race.
Her campaign chairman John Podesta appeared on CNN to say that she had effectively sealed the nomination: “Tonight we go over the top against any measure, with pledged delegates with superdelegates, with the popular vote. She will be the nominee of the Democratic party.”
“I want to congratulate Senator Sanders for the extraordinary campaign he has run,” she said. “He has spent his long career in public service fighting for progressive causes… and let there be no mistake. Senator Sanders, his campaign and the vigorous debate that we had… have been very good for the Democratic party and for America.”
“Whether you supported me in this primary, or Senator Sanders, we all need to keep working toward that better, fairer, stronger America.”
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 8, 2016
There are reports that Sanders will be laying off staffers imminently.
Clinton also called for unity, which in this election is pretty much the definiton of ‘whatever is the opposite of what Donald Trump says’.
“When Donald Trump says a distinguished judge born in Indiana can’t do his job because of his Mexican heritage, or he mocks a reporter with disabilities, or calls women pigs, it goes against everything we stand for,” she said, calling him “temperamentally unfit to be president.”
“When he says, ‘let’s make America great again’, that’s a code for ‘let’s take America backwards’, to a time of unequal opportunity and prosperity only for some.”
Fair enough.
Being, y’know, the first female nominee is a big fkn deal, whether or not you wanted her to get there.
Democratic presidential nominees, pictured:
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— Scott Bixby (@scottbix) June 8, 2016
She spoke about her late mother, who was born the same day Congress was passing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, allowing women the right to vote.
“There are still ceilings to break for women and for all of us, but don’t let anyone tell you that barriers can’t break in America.”
To every little girl who dreams big: Yes, you can be anything you want—even president. Tonight is for you. -H pic.twitter.com/jq7fKlfwGV
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 8, 2016
The votes are still being counted, but Clinton is reported to win New Jersey, while Sanders is reported to win North Dakota. California, the biggest prize, is not yet declared.
Just got a note from @BernieSanders camp he is planning a rally in DC Thurs… Don’t expect a concession speech tonight @abcnews
— Stephanie March (@steph_march) June 8, 2016
This thing is still unfolding.
Photo: Twitter / @HillaryClinton.
