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Michigan primary live: Trump wins as Clinton and Sanders deadlocked Michigan primary live: Trump wins as Clinton and Sanders deadlocked
(35 minutes later)
3.34am GMT
03:34
A round of cheers rang out at R.U.B BBQ Pub in Detroit when CNN projected Hillary Clinton had won Mississippi.
Supporters at her watch party in Detroit wore Clinton stickers and munched politely on a spread of coconut shrimp and wings.
The Mississippi win was a step forward, but it was also expected - and the night’s real prize was still Michigan, where polls hadn’t yet closed.
William Armstrong, an AFT Union member from White Lake, Michigan, spent the day knocking on doors to encourage Michiganders to support Clinton.
Armstrong said he has nothing against her opponent, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, and appreciates many of his policies but believes Clinton is the candidate who can actually deliver for progressives.
“I think she fits the moment,” he said. “She’s the one who can win it - not only the general election, which she can win, but her agenda. She can win as a president.”
Armstrong was joined at the watch party by fellow volunteer Motoo Unno, a teacher from Japan, who has come to the US to campaign for Clinton - and learn a bit more about US politics.“In Japan canvassing is prohibited,” Unno said. “They think canvassing is a bribe.” So naturally Unno has taken great pleasure going door to door to canvass for Clinton.“It’s such a good feeling,” he said, “when someone comes to the door and talks to you.”
3.18am GMT
03:18
“It all comes down to Florida,” Marco Rubio bravely tweets. He’s lucky it doesn’t all come down to Michigan, where he’s in a distant fourth place tonight despite outspending his rivals, or to Mississippi, where he’s in a distant fourth place.
In one week it all comes down to Florida. Where it all began. #FLPrimaryhttps://t.co/GzYS0liPVO
3.15am GMT
03:15
Bernie Sanders is outperforming expectations in Michigan tonight and it comes as he’s facing the biggest test of his campaign, writes Guardian US columnist Lucia Graves.
After all, if Sander’s message about workers’ rights and class warfare can’t resonate in Michigan, a state still reeling from job loss in the manufacturing industry, he’s is in serious trouble.
But as the polls roll in, it’s looking increasingly like it is resonating. Sanders has focused on trade in Michigan, hoping the issue would be a silver bullet of sorts for him, in going after Clinton. And it may be that he was right to choose that emphasis. The impacts of Nafta are still being felt here, and though the former secretary of state’s position on trade is currently more-or-less the same as Sanders (both are against the TPP and take issue with elements of NAFTA), she was – as Sanders has been at great pains to point out – late to the party on trade.
Clinton has performed well in Michigan too, shining a spotlight on issues like the water crisis in Flint to make sure they get the national attention they deserve. But she’s facing a real challenge from Sanders here.
In many ways, Tuesday’s election can be read as a precursor for the March 15th vote, which features important contests in Florida and Ohio. Sanders’ strong performance in Michigan signals Clinton may face a serious challenge from him in Ohio. And if Sanders can keep it up, he may keep Clinton from moving toward March 15 like she’s running in a general.
Updated
at 3.18am GMT
3.10am GMT
03:10
No matter who you like on the Democratic side – both either or neither – this is a dramatic race in Michigan. Follow county-by-county results right here.
Instead of Wolf Blitzer jumping up & down every time Sanders or Clinton moves up or down in Mich, why not just wait for the count to finish?
Wet blanket.
Updated
at 3.12am GMT
3.05am GMT
03:05
Hillary Clinton has just finished speaking in Cleveland. Preempted on television by Trump. Significant? Portentous? We’re listening to a recording. Very stump-y so far. Very non-Trump-y.
Meanwhile in Michigan:
A bunch of Detroit just reported in and now Clinton up 22 in Wayne... and closes statewide to within 1.6 points...
Still more than half the precincts out in the county of Wayne... So should be exciting as more comes in.
Updated
at 3.05am GMT
3.02am GMT3.02am GMT
03:0203:02
Kasich wishes for secondKasich wishes for second
The Ohio governor is calling the night loong before it’s through. The Ohio governor is calling the night in Michigan loong before it’s through.
Kasich refers to “the three of us” competing in the remaining GOP primaries. i.e., writing off Marco.Kasich refers to “the three of us” competing in the remaining GOP primaries. i.e., writing off Marco.
Life stream: Live stream:
Kasich, likely looking at Wayne County: "In all likelihood, we're going to finish in second place."Kasich, likely looking at Wayne County: "In all likelihood, we're going to finish in second place."
Mmm...wouldn't be too sure about that given what's out. https://t.co/Om3tKJ73bsMmm...wouldn't be too sure about that given what's out. https://t.co/Om3tKJ73bs
Mmm...wouldn't be too sure about that given what's out. https://t.co/Om3tKJ73bsMmm...wouldn't be too sure about that given what's out. https://t.co/Om3tKJ73bs
Seems like Kasich is giving a victory speech now. He still has not won anywhere.Seems like Kasich is giving a victory speech now. He still has not won anywhere.
Updated
at 3.24am GMT
2.58am GMT2.58am GMT
02:5802:58
We heard this too.We heard this too.
The big story tonight: Trump is really trying to make peace with the GOP Establishment.The big story tonight: Trump is really trying to make peace with the GOP Establishment.
Toward the end of his news conference (which is finally over) Trump said he thought two of his most vocal critics, Senator Lindsey Graham and 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, were probably nice guys and he could probably get along with them.Toward the end of his news conference (which is finally over) Trump said he thought two of his most vocal critics, Senator Lindsey Graham and 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, were probably nice guys and he could probably get along with them.
2.48am GMT2.48am GMT
02:4802:48
And Trump speaks and speaks, almost an hour in now, taking questions, musing on his general election prospects, calling for party unity, guaranteeing a win... as Clinton trails Sanders in Michigan.And Trump speaks and speaks, almost an hour in now, taking questions, musing on his general election prospects, calling for party unity, guaranteeing a win... as Clinton trails Sanders in Michigan.
2.44am GMT2.44am GMT
02:4402:44
Everybody’s trying to figure out what is going on in Michigan, with Sanders’ apparent unexpected strength in Wayne County, which is Detroit and environs.Everybody’s trying to figure out what is going on in Michigan, with Sanders’ apparent unexpected strength in Wayne County, which is Detroit and environs.
FiveThirtyEight’s Harry Enten wonders if the initial numbers don’t include Detroit:FiveThirtyEight’s Harry Enten wonders if the initial numbers don’t include Detroit:
I’m looking on the Wayne County clerk’s website to try to get an idea of where the vote is being reported from in Wayne County. It seems, at least as of earlier this hour, that Detroit was at 0 percent. The nearly uniformly white areas of Grosse Pointe Shores and Plymouth were at 100 percent. In other words, the percentages coming out of Wayne County right now don’t really reflect how black areas are voting.I’m looking on the Wayne County clerk’s website to try to get an idea of where the vote is being reported from in Wayne County. It seems, at least as of earlier this hour, that Detroit was at 0 percent. The nearly uniformly white areas of Grosse Pointe Shores and Plymouth were at 100 percent. In other words, the percentages coming out of Wayne County right now don’t really reflect how black areas are voting.
And yet:And yet:
Still a lot of Wayne and Genesee out, but fact is Sanders is doing better than we'd expect with votes already in there. (1/?)Still a lot of Wayne and Genesee out, but fact is Sanders is doing better than we'd expect with votes already in there. (1/?)
And indeed as more of Wayne and Genesee report, Sanders is actually gaining in those counties as his overall lead stretches to 5 points.And indeed as more of Wayne and Genesee report, Sanders is actually gaining in those counties as his overall lead stretches to 5 points.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.45am GMTat 2.45am GMT
2.41am GMT2.41am GMT
02:4102:41
Trump takes on a political ad of the last week hitting him for his potty mouth. “I can be more presidential than anybody,” he says.Trump takes on a political ad of the last week hitting him for his potty mouth. “I can be more presidential than anybody,” he says.
“People are sick and tired of being politically correct. And I actually thing that ad was good for me.“People are sick and tired of being politically correct. And I actually thing that ad was good for me.
I watched that ad, and I said, you know that ad shows a certain degree of anger... we’re not going to take it any more from countries ripping us off like we’re a bunch of babies. Very very stupid babies.I watched that ad, and I said, you know that ad shows a certain degree of anger... we’re not going to take it any more from countries ripping us off like we’re a bunch of babies. Very very stupid babies.
2.39am GMT2.39am GMT
02:3902:39
Trump: “I like to close things out.”Trump: “I like to close things out.”
I really want to close things out. I have not even focused on Hillary yet. Hillary’s going to be very easy to beat. She’s a flawed candidate, she’s a very flawed candidate.”I really want to close things out. I have not even focused on Hillary yet. Hillary’s going to be very easy to beat. She’s a flawed candidate, she’s a very flawed candidate.”
Then Trump questions Rubio’s strategy tack of the last two weeks, in which the Florida senator began going after Trump in Trumpian terms.Then Trump questions Rubio’s strategy tack of the last two weeks, in which the Florida senator began going after Trump in Trumpian terms.
“He would have been better off keeping the original pitter-patter going. But this didn’t work.”“He would have been better off keeping the original pitter-patter going. But this didn’t work.”
Some analysts agree:Some analysts agree:
Whoever told Rubio to mock Donald Trump by being Trump is the worstWhoever told Rubio to mock Donald Trump by being Trump is the worst
Completely. Blew up his image, message. https://t.co/DRlYNv9dpRCompletely. Blew up his image, message. https://t.co/DRlYNv9dpR
Trump is bragging about his wealth versus the other candidates:Trump is bragging about his wealth versus the other candidates:
I have much more money than all of them put together times 20.I have much more money than all of them put together times 20.
2.32am GMT2.32am GMT
02:3202:32
32% of the returns are in in the Democratic race in Michigan.32% of the returns are in in the Democratic race in Michigan.
Sanders is ahead of Clinton 51.1%-47.0%.Sanders is ahead of Clinton 51.1%-47.0%.
Our results page is here.Our results page is here.
2.28am GMT2.28am GMT
02:2802:28
Sanders looks stronger with black voters in MichiganSanders looks stronger with black voters in Michigan
Interesting in Michigan – as districts with higher proportions of African American voters report results – Bernie Sanders appears to be performing better with the demographic versus Clinton than usual:Interesting in Michigan – as districts with higher proportions of African American voters report results – Bernie Sanders appears to be performing better with the demographic versus Clinton than usual:
Sanders doing significantly better with black voters in Mich than elsewhere...WhiteSanders 59%Clinton 39%BlackClinton 64%Sanders 32%Sanders doing significantly better with black voters in Mich than elsewhere...WhiteSanders 59%Clinton 39%BlackClinton 64%Sanders 32%
If Clinton's only winning black voters by 30 points, there's no reason to assume she overtakes Sanders with a huge margin in Detroit.If Clinton's only winning black voters by 30 points, there's no reason to assume she overtakes Sanders with a huge margin in Detroit.
Here’s how Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight sees it:Here’s how Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight sees it:
If Sanders winds up winning in Michigan, in fact, it will count as among the greatest polling errors in primary history.If Sanders winds up winning in Michigan, in fact, it will count as among the greatest polling errors in primary history.
2.24am GMT2.24am GMT
02:2402:24
Trump now refers to the steaks. It appears they are there to prove they still exist. “We have Trump steaks here,” he says. Then he says “we have Trump magazines here.” He explains he sold Trump airlines but made a good deal.Trump now refers to the steaks. It appears they are there to prove they still exist. “We have Trump steaks here,” he says. Then he says “we have Trump magazines here.” He explains he sold Trump airlines but made a good deal.
“Trump University, we’re holding it. When I win the lawsuit... we’re putting on hold. If I become president, that means Ivanka, Don, Eric and my people will start it up...”“Trump University, we’re holding it. When I win the lawsuit... we’re putting on hold. If I become president, that means Ivanka, Don, Eric and my people will start it up...”
He says you never settle lawsuits because then you get sued too much.He says you never settle lawsuits because then you get sued too much.
2.20am GMT
02:20
Trump is talking like a nominee. He talks about holding the Republican senate majority. Party insiders have predicted down-ticket disaster if he is the Republican nominee.
Trump says turnout is way up and that he is expanding the party.
He says “Ted’s gonna have a hard time” in the north and northeast, while “we’re gonna do great.”
Who has cause to doubt him?
Meanwhile, another chapter in the fall of Rubio is being written tonight:
Just a few weeks ago, Rubio was getting between 17% and 20% of the vote in the MI GOP primary. Wow.
2.16am GMT
02:16
Mona Chalabi
Michigan is a big win for Trump, writes Guardian US data editor Mona Chalabi:
And it’s not just because the state offered up 59 delegates, proportionately awarded – it’s also because of who the individuals were who voted there. Michigan’s voting population is pretty similar to the national numbers in terms of age, income and education. That could be good for Trump as candidates begin to think about shifting their rhetoric towards being the best chance for their party to win the general election.
Michigan is also meaningful because it brings Trump closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to get the nomination - before tonight, the New York businessman had 384.
However there’s also reason for Trump supporters to temper their enthusiasm at the Michigan results - Trump was pretty likely to have won there.
Polling averages ahead of tonight’s results showed the candidate with 37% of support, ahead of Ohio governor John Kasich in second place on 25%. For Trump to really secure his long-term victory, he needs to make sure that his wins tonight translate into support in the states voting next Tuesday which will be more important in terms of delegates. That could be all about messaging - something which so far, the Trump campaign has proven adept at doing.
2.16am GMT
02:16
Trump wins Michigan
The Associated Press calls Michigan for Trump. And now it appears to be a tightening race for second. Can Kasich stave off Cruz?
Trump has won MI, but Kasich margin over Cruz for 2nd narrowing. Now down to 6.1%: https://t.co/wqH2Y98jn1
Updated
at 2.21am GMT
2.14am GMT
02:14
Trump holds victory news conference
Trump is talking now in Jupiter. He says so many horrible things were said about him in one week. But the public knew they were lies.
He thanks the people of Michigan and Mississippi.
Then he starts bragging about how the Trump golf club where he is was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Then Trump points out former Yankee Paul O’Neill in the crowd.
Nicklaus, O’Neill-- who’s next?
2.14am GMT
02:14
Lucia Graves
Say goodbye to the notion that Donald Trump is fading – early in the evening the Donald is already the projected winner in Mississippi. It’s a state that common sense dictates should belong to Cruz, whose worked hard to court religious conservatives and win over the south. But that strategy didn’t work for him on Super Tuesday, and now, apparently, it’s deja vu all over again.
It’s a sour pill to swallow for the Texas senator who was buoyed by the results of Saturday’s elections when it was he and not Trump who took home the lion’s share of delegates (Cruz won easily in Maine and Kansas, finishing close behind Trump in Louisiana and Kentucky.) Yet a second-place finish in Mississippi would by no means be devastating for Cruz. Sure he wants to have a good night Tuesday, and this was a state where many thought he might shine, but Cruz isn’t so far behind Trump when it comes to delegate math and he’ll be fine no matter what happens tonight.
Perhaps a Trump victory is worse news for a Republican establishment that made unprecedented efforts to blunt Trump’s momentum this week; and surely it’s cold comfort for a class of pundits that’s long predicted the billionaire mogul’s political demise.
And then there’s this simple logic: if Cruz is going to overtake Trump, he has to start winning at some point and not just doing well. He just lost his best chance to do that tonight.
2.10am GMT
02:10
Could Trump cross 50% statewide in Mississippi? With 8.7% of returns in, Trump has 49.7% of the vote. Full returns here – with maps, and animated candidates riding scissors lifts!
Key question in MS: could it be the first state to give any GOP candidate a majority?
2.08am GMT
02:08
We’re watching for Trump to appear any moment now at his news conference in Jupiter, Florida – and would invite you to watch along below.
It looks like it’s shaping up to be a big, happy night for Trump after all.
2.06am GMT
02:06
In Michigan, according to exit polling and results in thus far, Donald Trump appears to have chalked up a big win among men – which then disappears among women, who desert him for Ted Cruz, Ben Jacobs points out:
Holy gender gap in Michigan for Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/VRAJPNC3Lm
1.57am GMT
01:57
Here’s a robocall Arnold Schwarzenegger recorded for John Kasich for dissemination in Hawaii.
Schwarzenegger calls Kasich an “action hero” and at the end gratifies fans of his own onscreen action work.
“Mahalo. Get to the caucus!”
1.55am GMT
01:55
Michigan polls set to close
We’ve had some early results out of Michigan – but all polling stations are preparing to close at 9pm ET, and we expect further results soon after.
The Democratic race appears to be more competitive than the 20-point spread in Hillary Clinton’s advantage that you read about in the polling averages. With the big caveat that key populous, urban and suburban counties expected to support Clinton have yet to fully report... the race is neck-and-neck.
As usual get all your results right here:
Related: Live election results: track the votes in Michigan, Mississippi, Idaho and Hawaii