Sanders stuns Clinton in Michigan

DEMOCRATS TRUMP GOP: HILLARY CLINTON rolled in Mississippi. DONALD TRUMP plowed forward in Michigan and Mississippi, then held court as only he can.

But the biggest plot line on Significant Tuesday came late: BERNIE SANDERS’ massive upset in Michigan, which the Associated Press called just after 11:30 p.m. EST. The win ran against a raft of polls showing Clinton with a significant lead in Michigan and provided a timely boost of momentum after Sanders’ campaign appeared to be stalling.


The win gives Sanders a boost in delegates (the two will split the state’s pledged delegates). Another Sanders bright spot: exit polls suggest he took 30 percent of the African-American vote, his best showing yet (http://bit.ly/1QFINHp). Before anyone Berns up with excitement: He did lose Mississippi by 60-plus points, with Clinton absolutely dominating Sanders among African-Americans there.

See all the results here: http://politi.co/1Ux5fUP

As POLITICO’s Gabriel Debenedetti reports a Sanders victory was significant, with both candidates gunning for a Midwestern beachhead: “Neither Clinton nor Sanders were in Michigan Tuesday night, but their absence (didn’t) imply indifference. Both candidates have campaigned hard in the state — Sanders for the chance to gain ground on the former secretary of state, and Clinton to close the door on his candidacy with a win in a competitive, delegate-rich state.” http://politi.co/1nvjCLK

On the Republican side, DONALD TRUMP saw off a trio of Republicans in Michigan and Mississippi before talking to reporters and supporters in Florida. Trump was in a triumphant mood, as POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi reports the victories came with a trove of delegates — and a call for unity from Trump. “It’s just something very special,” the Manhattan billionaire said in his victory speech. “I hope that the Republicans will embrace it. http://politi.co/1TJNPVZ. In a uniquely Trump display of bravado, he also rolled out a slew of Trump-branded products, POLITICO’s Kyle D. Cheney explains how that fit in to the night. http://politi.co/21Y2RMk

Any Republican hopes for a Trump slump were relegated to a long wait for what would be, at best, cold comfort — as Idaho and Hawaii results aren’t coming until much later in the night.

Can we interest you in some Blast steaks? Blast wine? How about some vintage 2016 Blast? Here. You. Go. Henry C. Jackson (@henrycjjackson) is here to guide you through Significant Tuesday. Send your tips, complaints, and hottest hot takes to: [email protected].

TRAIL MIX: In tonight’s campaign news, upsets, product pitches and more. HILLARY CLINTON rolls in Mississippi, but BERNIE SANDERS stuns in Michigan. DONALD TRUMP pitches steaks, wine, water and, you know, party unity during a post-election press conference. JOHN KASICH and TED CRUZ battle on. MARCO RUBIO holds out for Florida but faces a zero sum night.

DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING: POLITICO’s Manuela Tobias reports HILLARY CLINTON rolled to an expected big victory in Mississippi, a race called as polls closed. http://politi.co/21XY7Xc Clinton spoke in Cleveland after her victory and made no mention of much-closer Michigan, hitting some stump speech staples, including a shot at DONALD TRUMP. CSPAN caught it here: http://bit.ly/21kqsRC (And, sure. Here’s an Aerosmith music video: http://bit.ly/1w713eN)

BLAST NOTES: Clinton also gave her speech DURING Trump’s prolix speech/press conference. That’s a piece of timing that virtually guaranteed it would not be carried by cable or networks.

MIGHT AS WELL TRUMP: POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney reports DONALD TRUMP was full of kind words for Congressional Republicans during his post-election speech/press conference. He name checked Paul Ryan and offered general praise. “We have some terrific people,” Trump said. “It’s very, very important if we’re going to be effective, it’s very, very important.” http://politi.co/1p6HUgf (And sure. Here’s a video of Van Halen’s music video: http://bit.ly/1lmWFn7)

LIKE WILSON PHILLIPS: MARCO RUBIO is just trying to hold on for one more day. POLITICO’s Marc Caputo looks at MARCO RUBIO’s last ditch effort to salvage Florida. “As his opponents began racking up fresh wins in contests throughout the country, the Florida senator has retrenched to his roots. Rubio is campaigning more in Spanish, especially in his home county of Miami-Dade, which has 274,000 Hispanic Republicans.” http://politi.co/1QFDo3c (And, sure. Here’s a link to Wilson Phillips’ music video: http://bit.ly/1hWEeEt)

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE: Not a great night for MARCO RUBIO. In the night’s two most prominent contests he was on track for a dubious distinction — missing the threshold for at-large delegates in both Michigan and Mississippi. (And, sure. Here’s a link to the Police’s music video: http://bit.ly/1kw25jk)

DAILY NUMBER

89. That’s the percentage of African-American voters who went for HILLARY CLINTON in Mississippi, per exit polls — a key to her victory in the state. http://politi.co/1RzcC8V

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