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Election live: Trump and Clinton look to hold off rivals in crucial primaries Election live: Trump and Clinton look to hold off rivals in crucial primaries
(35 minutes later)
6.21pm GMT
18:21
Megan Carpentier
Ohio governor John Kasich has spent the last week making two basic pitches to voters in his home state, as he fights for the future of his presidential campaign ahead of Tuesday’s make-or-break primary in Ohio, reports the Guardian’s Megan Carpentier.
His first pitch – much like Hillary Clinton’s, actually – is that he has experience in getting things done in Washington (from his eight terms in Congress and his five terms atop the House budget committee) and as the leader of an executive branch (his one-and-a-half terms as governor of the swing state of Ohio). His policies aren’t theoretical solutions; his efficacy won’t be based on how well Congress takes to being coerced (which is never well).
His second pitch is that, unlike his opponents, he’s a decent human being.
Related: John Kasich's last stand: Republican hopes 'high road' leads to Ohio victory
6.13pm GMT
18:13
Edward Helmore
Vox Pop: The pro-Hillary Miami matron
Name: Rose McVeighAge: 58Location: Miami Beach, FloridaVoted for: Hillary Clinton
“The biggest problem in this country is income inequality and the top one percent. We haven’t had a significant wage increase in fifteen years. I would like to vote for Bernie Sanders but I don’t think this country is ready for a candidate like that. Hillary and Bernie share a lot the values I believe in - human rights, women’s rights, religious tolerance. The polar opposite of Donald Trump.”
“I don’t have a problem with Hillary being in the top one percent - this country is based on capitalism. Shes done an incredible work helping civil rights and healthcare, even though they’re not where they need to be. She’s highly qualified, the one who can bring us together, and she’s been fighting her entire life to be right where she is today. She deserves it.”
Updated
at 6.23pm GMT
5.59pm GMT
17:59
What to expect in Florida
Mona Chalabi
Primaries: Republican and Democratic presidential primaries
Delegates: 99 Republican delegates, 246 Democratic delegates
Things to watch out for: For Republicans, this is the most important state to vote on 15 March. If Senator Rubio were going to win big anywhere, it probably would be here, in his home state. However, polling averages show that Donald Trump has consistently been in first place for voters since September and is leading by 19 points in this winner-takes-all state. Clinton, too, has had a clear lead in Florida for months – so far this month, polls have suggested she is 30 points ahead of Sanders. Remember though, unlike the Republican race, the exact vote share matters for Democrats since this affects how delegates are distributed. Sanders doesn’t need to win Florida, he needs only to erode Clinton’s lead here and collect around 100 of the pledged delegates that are available.
Demographics: Of the 15.9 million Floridians who are of voting age, 12 million are currently registered to vote. The electorate is slightly older and more likely to be Hispanic than the national voting profile. A poll from Monmouth earlier this month found that 35% of Republicans don’t approve of the way that Rubio is handling his job as senator and just 7% were undecided about who they would vote for.
5.45pm GMT5.45pm GMT
17:4517:45
The first sneak peek of Hillary Clinton’s appearance on Comedy Central’s Broad City has been released online:The first sneak peek of Hillary Clinton’s appearance on Comedy Central’s Broad City has been released online:
The takeaway: Clinton can blink with both eyes!The takeaway: Clinton can blink with both eyes!
5.31pm GMT5.31pm GMT
17:3117:31
Megan CarpentierMegan Carpentier
Vox Pop: The Ohio State student supporting Bernie SandersVox Pop: The Ohio State student supporting Bernie Sanders
Name: Ryan AntoneAge: 22Location: Columbus, OhioOccupation: Ohio State University studentVoted for: Bernie Sanders“My biggest issue right now is how this college system is structured, not to be a cliche. We take out all these loans because we think that this major will pay off in the future, but I’m already just bogged down in debt. Maybe Bernie won’t achieve full tuition-free college, but that’s not why I voted for him. I love Bernie because he has that sense that we can do more, we don’t have to settle. I think Hillary Clinton would be a great candidate but she’s said, ‘I’m the one who can get things done.’ Well, I don’t like the system as it is. Why can’t we try?”Name: Ryan AntoneAge: 22Location: Columbus, OhioOccupation: Ohio State University studentVoted for: Bernie Sanders“My biggest issue right now is how this college system is structured, not to be a cliche. We take out all these loans because we think that this major will pay off in the future, but I’m already just bogged down in debt. Maybe Bernie won’t achieve full tuition-free college, but that’s not why I voted for him. I love Bernie because he has that sense that we can do more, we don’t have to settle. I think Hillary Clinton would be a great candidate but she’s said, ‘I’m the one who can get things done.’ Well, I don’t like the system as it is. Why can’t we try?”
Open contributions: Which election issue matters most to you?
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.32pm GMT at 6.11pm GMT
5.22pm GMT5.22pm GMT
17:2217:22
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich cast his vote in the state primary on Tuesday, confirming to the gathered press afterward that he had selected his own name on the ballot.Republican presidential candidate John Kasich cast his vote in the state primary on Tuesday, confirming to the gathered press afterward that he had selected his own name on the ballot.
He told reporters that he wasn’t going to let frontrunner Donald Trump “ruin” his day, and went on to comment on the way the reality star has been running his campaign, saying he hoped someone would “pull [him] aside” if he ever got “out of control” in the same way.He told reporters that he wasn’t going to let frontrunner Donald Trump “ruin” his day, and went on to comment on the way the reality star has been running his campaign, saying he hoped someone would “pull [him] aside” if he ever got “out of control” in the same way.
5.08pm GMT5.08pm GMT
17:0817:08
Megan CarpentierMegan Carpentier
The Guardian’s Megan Carpentier is having a hard time finding polling places in Ohio...The Guardian’s Megan Carpentier is having a hard time finding polling places in Ohio...
Can you spot the sign labeling this an Ohio primary voting location near OSU campus? pic.twitter.com/kVOWvbFJrQCan you spot the sign labeling this an Ohio primary voting location near OSU campus? pic.twitter.com/kVOWvbFJrQ
The polling place at Ohio State University’s Newman Center - a Catholic community center on campus - was quiet during lunch hour, as just a handful of students trickled in to cast their ballots.The polling place at Ohio State University’s Newman Center - a Catholic community center on campus - was quiet during lunch hour, as just a handful of students trickled in to cast their ballots.
“It’s student break,” a poll worker explained. “But we got a lot of notification of early voters” when they received the rolls.“It’s student break,” a poll worker explained. “But we got a lot of notification of early voters” when they received the rolls.
The polling place on the western-most corner of OSU’s enormous Columbus, Ohio campus wasn’t easy to find, though: The entrance is on a side street, through a door at the end of the parking lot with only a letter-sized piece of paper reading “VOTING HERE” affixed to the window.The polling place on the western-most corner of OSU’s enormous Columbus, Ohio campus wasn’t easy to find, though: The entrance is on a side street, through a door at the end of the parking lot with only a letter-sized piece of paper reading “VOTING HERE” affixed to the window.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.30pm GMTat 5.30pm GMT
4.43pm GMT4.43pm GMT
16:4316:43
In the midwest, Sanders and Clinton are peddling very different visions of America, report the Guardian’s Dan Roberts and Lauren Gambino. In a fight for blue-collar votes, Clinton hails Obama’s legacy, but her rival condemns a “rigged economy” that rewards the rich.In the midwest, Sanders and Clinton are peddling very different visions of America, report the Guardian’s Dan Roberts and Lauren Gambino. In a fight for blue-collar votes, Clinton hails Obama’s legacy, but her rival condemns a “rigged economy” that rewards the rich.
Despite spending days crisscrossing the same midwest battlegrounds in search of votes that could decide the Democratic primary once and for all, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton enter Tuesday’s rustbelt showdown with two very different visions of the region’s economic fortunes.Despite spending days crisscrossing the same midwest battlegrounds in search of votes that could decide the Democratic primary once and for all, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton enter Tuesday’s rustbelt showdown with two very different visions of the region’s economic fortunes.
In keeping with a “glass half full” view of America, the former secretary of state is keen to stress the progress made under the current administration, particularly in reducing unemployment since the financial crisis.In keeping with a “glass half full” view of America, the former secretary of state is keen to stress the progress made under the current administration, particularly in reducing unemployment since the financial crisis.
“I don’t think President Obama gets the credit he deserves for getting us back,” she told a union hall in Illinois on Monday.“I don’t think President Obama gets the credit he deserves for getting us back,” she told a union hall in Illinois on Monday.
Sanders, meanwhile, has doubled down on his thesis that Americans are still labouring under a “rigged economy”, telling a rival crowd in Ohio that the country is literally “falling apart” due to crumbling infrastructure and a corrupt campaign finance system.Sanders, meanwhile, has doubled down on his thesis that Americans are still labouring under a “rigged economy”, telling a rival crowd in Ohio that the country is literally “falling apart” due to crumbling infrastructure and a corrupt campaign finance system.
Related: In the midwest, Sanders and Clinton peddle very different visions of AmericaRelated: In the midwest, Sanders and Clinton peddle very different visions of America
4.14pm GMT4.14pm GMT
16:1416:14
Donald Trump’s surge to frontrunner status in the Republican presidential race has caused angst and divisions among the donor network led by the billionaire Koch brothers, some of whom pushed to launch a sustained anti-Trump drive and were rebuffed, reports the Guardian’s Peter Stone:Donald Trump’s surge to frontrunner status in the Republican presidential race has caused angst and divisions among the donor network led by the billionaire Koch brothers, some of whom pushed to launch a sustained anti-Trump drive and were rebuffed, reports the Guardian’s Peter Stone:
“I’m extremely disappointed about the Koch network being off the playing field,” Randy Kendrick, a leading Koch donor from Arizona, told the Guardian about the absence of anti-Trump efforts. “This country does not believe in rule by strongmen or cult personality figures.”“I’m extremely disappointed about the Koch network being off the playing field,” Randy Kendrick, a leading Koch donor from Arizona, told the Guardian about the absence of anti-Trump efforts. “This country does not believe in rule by strongmen or cult personality figures.”
After pushing for a Koch network blitz against Trump, the conservative network’s top political operative, Marc Short, left last month to advise the Rubio campaign and consult for several Senate and gubernatorial candidates, some of whom are likely to get Koch network backing too, say two GOP sources.After pushing for a Koch network blitz against Trump, the conservative network’s top political operative, Marc Short, left last month to advise the Rubio campaign and consult for several Senate and gubernatorial candidates, some of whom are likely to get Koch network backing too, say two GOP sources.
While the Koch network’s leadership opted not to attack Trump – due to divisions over alternative candidates, fears an attack would backfire and wariness about getting involved in the election at the primary stage – some of its individual donors have plowed over $4m into the anti-Trump Super Pac Our Principles, including the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs; hedge fund mogul Paul Singer; Randy Kendrick, whose husband Ken is an Arizona Diamondbacks co-owner; and billionaire Stan Hubbard.While the Koch network’s leadership opted not to attack Trump – due to divisions over alternative candidates, fears an attack would backfire and wariness about getting involved in the election at the primary stage – some of its individual donors have plowed over $4m into the anti-Trump Super Pac Our Principles, including the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs; hedge fund mogul Paul Singer; Randy Kendrick, whose husband Ken is an Arizona Diamondbacks co-owner; and billionaire Stan Hubbard.
Related: Division among Koch donors over failure to stop Donald TrumpRelated: Division among Koch donors over failure to stop Donald Trump
3.58pm GMT3.58pm GMT
15:5815:58
Next in Campaign 2016: A contested convention?Next in Campaign 2016: A contested convention?
If Donald Trump wins both Ohio and Florida, he would have a stranglehold on the nomination – but any other outcome leaves open the possibility of a contested convention, report the Guardian’s David Smith, Megan Carpentier and Ben Jacobs:If Donald Trump wins both Ohio and Florida, he would have a stranglehold on the nomination – but any other outcome leaves open the possibility of a contested convention, report the Guardian’s David Smith, Megan Carpentier and Ben Jacobs:
Republicans go to the polls in five states today facing a stark choice between Donald Trump and a protracted race that could descend into chaos and, some fear, potential violence.Republicans go to the polls in five states today facing a stark choice between Donald Trump and a protracted race that could descend into chaos and, some fear, potential violence.
On a critical day for the party’s future, Trump could virtually lock up the nomination if he wins the delegate-rich states of Florida and Ohio, probably eliminating rivals Marco Rubio and John Kasich in the process.On a critical day for the party’s future, Trump could virtually lock up the nomination if he wins the delegate-rich states of Florida and Ohio, probably eliminating rivals Marco Rubio and John Kasich in the process.
But if the New York billionaire falls short, he could face an uphill struggle in the remaining primaries to clinch the 1,237 delegates needed for an outright win, raising the spectre of a contested Republican convention in July. Even if Trump goes to the convention with the most delegates, the Republican establishment could mount a rearguard action to snatch the nomination from him.But if the New York billionaire falls short, he could face an uphill struggle in the remaining primaries to clinch the 1,237 delegates needed for an outright win, raising the spectre of a contested Republican convention in July. Even if Trump goes to the convention with the most delegates, the Republican establishment could mount a rearguard action to snatch the nomination from him.
Related: Republicans in Ohio and Florida face stark choice: Trump or the unknownRelated: Republicans in Ohio and Florida face stark choice: Trump or the unknown
3.41pm GMT3.41pm GMT
15:4115:41
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
One-in-four Americans would consider leaving the United States if billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump were elected president, according to a poll from Morning Consult/Vox poll released today.One-in-four Americans would consider leaving the United States if billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump were elected president, according to a poll from Morning Consult/Vox poll released today.
Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed said that they would likely consider leaving (fleeing?) the US if Trump were elected, while 65% said that they would remain. Of those who said that they would be open to leaving, more than half said they are “very likely” to consider moving. There’s a predictable party-line split among those willing to explore moving to Canada: 49 percent of self-described liberals said they’d consider leaving the US if Trump were elected, while only 12% of conservatives said so.Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed said that they would likely consider leaving (fleeing?) the US if Trump were elected, while 65% said that they would remain. Of those who said that they would be open to leaving, more than half said they are “very likely” to consider moving. There’s a predictable party-line split among those willing to explore moving to Canada: 49 percent of self-described liberals said they’d consider leaving the US if Trump were elected, while only 12% of conservatives said so.
Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, seems open to the idea of welcoming would-be citizens from Canada’s southern neighbor. At a Huffington Post town hall, Trudeau floated the possibility of an island off Canada’s Atlantic coast as a potential home for American expatriates.Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, seems open to the idea of welcoming would-be citizens from Canada’s southern neighbor. At a Huffington Post town hall, Trudeau floated the possibility of an island off Canada’s Atlantic coast as a potential home for American expatriates.
“The fact is Cape Breton is lovely, all times of the year,” Trudeau said. “If people do want to make choices that perhaps suit their lifestyles better, Canada’s always welcoming!”“The fact is Cape Breton is lovely, all times of the year,” Trudeau said. “If people do want to make choices that perhaps suit their lifestyles better, Canada’s always welcoming!”
3.24pm GMT
15:24
Dan Roberts
Brief, though not-earth shattering, quotes on Vermont senator Bernie Sanders’ election prospects:
Bernie Sanders arrived for breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s, a Chicago institution ten minutes drive from his hotel. A few shouts of recognition punctuated his arrival - “way to go Bernie”, “looking tired Bernie” - but otherwise he made as low-key an entrance as anyone can make into a diner with a half dozen cameras and a security detail.
In keeping with tradition, he briefly shook a few hands but did not get into prolonged conversation with anyone except table companions Chuy García and his wife Evelyn, before tucking into what looked like an omelette.
Donna More, who is running for Cook County state attorney, was conveniently eating at a nearby table and came over to say hi but was enlisted into taking a photo with the restaurant’s owner. One supporter, Yvonne Oby, got a hug. Several more got selfies.
Asked by your pooler how he was feeling about tonight, Sanders said “I’ll tell you in a few hours”.
Is he worried about former secretary of state Hillary Clinton piling on the delegates, even if he wins the Midwest?
“I think that if there is a large voter turnout, we are going to do just great here in Illinois, in Missouri, Ohio, and hopefully North Carolina and Florida. In the states that are coming down the pike, we have great opportunities to win many of them, so we are feeling really good.”
Updated
at 3.28pm GMT
3.01pm GMT
15:01
Scott Bixby
Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump, is lambasting Ohio governor John Kasich’s chances at seizing the Republican presidential nomination.
Mathematically it is statistically impossible for Kasich to get to 1237 - he would need 112% of the remaining delegates to be the nominee!
The younger Trump, a graduate of Georgetown University with a degree in finance, might want to check his math. There are 1,401 available delegates remaining in the Republican presidential primary, and Kasich already has 63 delegates to his name, which means that Kasich would have to win 83% of the remaining delegates to claim the party’s nomination.
That is by no means easy, but also by no means “statistically impossible.”
2.54pm GMT
14:54
Spotted in Ohio:
Some things are better left un-tattooed. pic.twitter.com/kJ3MyoY1tG
2.44pm GMT
14:44
Dan Roberts
Donald Trump briefly faced the threat of criminal charges on Monday night, as efforts grew across the political spectrum to check his increasingly violent rise on the eve of key US primary elections, reports the Guardian’s Dan Roberts.
Police in North Carolina were reportedly investigating whether the Republican frontrunner should be prosecuted for incitement after an African American protester was hit in the face as he was escorted out of a rally in Fayetteville last week.
Trump has previously said he would like to punch protesters “in the face”himself, expressing nostalgia for a time when those causing disruption would be “carried out on a stretcher”. In common with other recent incidents, he offered to pay the legal fees of the assailant involved on Thursday.
A Cumberland county sheriff spokesman said late on Monday that they would not charge Trump over the incident.
Related: Donald Trump briefly threatened with criminal charges over punch at rally
2.37pm GMT
14:37
Ohio governor John Kasich hast cast his vote in the Buckeye State’s Republican primary. Any guesses who he pulled the lever for?
John Kasich casts his vote for himself for president in the #OhioPrimary. pic.twitter.com/ONHatOcFh9
2.29pm GMT
14:29
Scott Bixby
The latest ad against billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump uses the often-vulgar candidate’s own words against him.
The ad, created by Our Principles PAC, a super pac attempting to prevent Trump’s ascendance to the Republican presidential nomination by any means necessary, features women reading Trump’s most bombastic and offensive quotations aloud.
“Bimbo,” “dog,” “fat pig,” the litany of insults begins.
“Women: You have to treat ‘em like shit,” one woman quotes.
“You know, it really doesn’t matter what they write, as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass,” says another.
“I like kids! I mean, I won’t do anything to take care of them - I’ll supply funds, and she’ll take care of the kids,” another says.
“She had the height; she had the beauty. She was crazy, but these are minor details,” one woman quotes, as a chyron explains that Trump was talking about the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
“If you believe America deserves better, vote against Donald Trump,” the ad says at its conclusion.
2.10pm GMT
14:10
Anonymous declares "total war" on Donald Trump, again
Samuel Gibbs
The hacking collective Anonymous has vowed once again to “dismantle” Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and to “expose what he doesn’t want the public to know”.
The group announced its re-engagement of “OpTrump” through its traditional propaganda video, aiming to take down one of Trump’s property websites for Chicago on 1 April.
Anonymous said: “We have been watching you for a long time and what we’ve seen is deeply disturbing. You don’t stand for anything but your personal greed and power.
“This is a call to arms. Shut down his websites, research and expose what he doesn’t want the public to know. We need you to dismantle his campaign and sabotage his brand.”
Anonymous last declared war on Trump at the end of 2015 in response to Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US. At the time the group took down the website of New York’s Trump Tower using a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) that overwhelms a site’s servers using bogus traffic.
Whether this renewed effort by Anonymous will have a greater impact on Trump and his campaign for the US presidential elections is unclear. But the collective is urging everyone to support their campaign saying “you do not need to know how to hack to support this operation”.
“This is a declaration of total war. OperationTrump engaged.”
Trump has been the target of several hacking groups, allegedly leaking personal information, voicemail messages and attacking his various sites, all of which have had little effect on his popularity.
1.54pm GMT
13:54
Scott Bixby
What time is the
Super Bowl
primary over?
Here’s a handy timeline for when we’re anticipating polls to close in Super-er Tuesday tonight:
1.39pm GMT
13:39
A bombshell report from Politico paints a more-than-unflattering portrait of Corey Lewandowski, campaign manager for Donald Trump and accused assailant in a criminal complaint filed by a female campaign journalist.
I guess these just magically appeared on me @CLewandowski_ @realDonaldTrump. So weird. pic.twitter.com/oD8c4D7tw3
According to more than 20 sources, Lewandowski has faced complaints ranging from physical aggression with other reporters to being “sexually suggestive” with female journalists. One anecdote: When he was working with the Koch Bros.-funded Americans for Prosperity super PAC, Lewandowski reportedly berated a female employee in public, using a very particular word for the female anatomy.
Lewandowski has been accused by Michelle Fields, a now-former reporter for the conservative Breitbart News, of aggressively pulling her from proximity to the candidate, to the point where she says he left bruises on her arms. Fields’ account has been backed up by another reporter at the scene, audio of the exchange and even video. Trump continues to stand by his campaign manager, even though opponents Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have declared that they would have fired their campaign managers for similar behavior.
12.45pm GMT
12:45
15 March: Super-er Tuesday
Scott Bixby
Beware the Ides of March
Two weeks after the so-called Super Tuesday primaries proved to be a lot less decisive in determining the presidential nominee for either of the major political parties, the day we have dubbed Super-er Tuesday is finally here. Today marks the beginning of the crucial winner-takes-all primaries for the Republican candidates, wherein in the delegate-rich states of Florida and Ohio will allocate their delegates not proportionally, but entirely to the winner of a plurality of the state’s vote. (Not every Republican primary that occurs today or hereafter will be winner-takes-all, however – there will also be primary contests today in Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and the Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth in the Pacific Ocean.)
Let’s take a look at these contests:
We’ll be offering minute-by-minute coverage of Super-er Tuesday, as well as last-minute pivots by campaigns to get out the vote. Stay tuned!
Updated
at 1.59pm GMT