Clinton, Trump Look To Widen Gap After NY Primary
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — New Yorkers are heading to the polls in that state's crucial presidential primary.
Front runners Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are counting on big wins in the 'Big Apple' to help them widen the gaps between them and their opponents.
Trump is favored to win most of the 95 Republican delegates. It's been almost a month since he won a primary but with a New York victory in sight, he's starting to talk like a presumptive nominee.
"We're going to do it on the first ballot, we're gonna get to that big 1,237," Trump told a crowd of supporters. "No New Yorker can vote for Ted Cruz, no New Yorker can vote for Kasich."
Trump tried to use a home field advantage and celebrate 9/11 heroism to influence support, but came up short with a verbal slip.
"I was down there, and I watched our police and our firemen, down at 7/11, down at the World Trade Center right after it came down," he said.
He also suggested that he had a personal hand in cleaning up after the attacks.
"Everyone who helped clear the rubble, and I was there, and I watched and I helped a little bit. But I want to tell you, those people were amazing," said Trump.
The real estate billionaire expects to do well in five states voting next week and he's well positioned to win a solid share of the 172 delegates awarded, or influenced, by the primary outcomes.
While in the lead, the Trump campaign continues criticize the delegate process as an "inside" game and the system of winning delegates is "corrupt."
Despite Trump's bravado John Kasich, who may win a handful of delegates if he comes in second, said Trump's complaints about GOP rules proves he has doubts.
Tuesday morning former President Bill Clinton cast his ballot for his wife in Chappaqua.
"Voting here is sort of the capstone of every election in fact from the time she ran for the Senate. This community has been very good to us, we know our neighbors as you see. It's just wonderful, it's a beautiful day its a great way to end a great campaign here," said Clinton.
After casting her ballot, Hillary Clinton said it was great to be back in New York and campaign in the state she was senator for 8 years.
"It feels great and I am so excited about both campaigning here in New York, voting here in New York and I love New York," she said. This has been a joy during the last two weeks to be here all over the state and I hope everybody gets out to vote. I had a great time going around the city in the last couple of days just seeing a lot of old friends, meeting new people. I just urge everybody please come out and vote before 9 p.m. tonight. That would be terrific, thank you all very much."
Clinton and rival Bernie Sanders are fighting for 247 Democratic delegates.
