Hillary Clinton now has the necessary delegates to claim the Democratic presidential nomination. The Associated Press said so Monday, based on weekend primaries in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and on superdelegates who had decided to back her since the last time they were canvassed.
But there is more here than the AP’s tally and Clinton’s support among the party establishment. With Tuesday’s primaries in California, New Jersey and four other states, Clinton finally amassed a majority of pledged delegates — the ones awarded based on the actual outcome of elections. What’s more, when all of the votes are counted, her popular vote advantage over Bernie Sanders (3 million votes going into Tuesday) will likely give her a double-digit victory.
I have been very quiet about the Democrats during the primary process. I saw no point in beating up one over the other. I knew that is where I was going to vote, once Trump established his dominance. Why have to eat your words. Now it’s time for Bernie to just go away.
The historical significance of yesterday is not lost on me. My grandmother was 31 years old before she could vote. When I graduated from high school and college, I don’t think I even thought it was possible for a woman to secure the nomination of either party. I remember when Geraldine Ferraro was selected as a running mate for Walter Mondale. Her claim to fame was “Tits and Fritz.” That’s pretty much where the country stood at its knuckle dragging state in the 80’s.
Good for Hillary. She has done what no other woman has been able to do. She secured the nomination of her party. The rest is up to her.
In the words of Neil Young: Long May You Run!
