Daily Deacon

Clinton takes North Carolina

By Chris Caswell, Annabel Love, Bennett Brownlow, Brandon Liu, Karlee Spirit, Merritt Enright

Hillary Clinton is one step closer to the Democratic nomination as she beat opponent Bernie Sanders in North Carolina, Florida and Ohio early on tonight with incomplete results. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., CNN projected Clinton to win North Carolina’s delegates.

With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton had 54.7 percent, and Sanders had 40.7 percent of the vote.

“Because of all of you and our supporters across the country, our campaign has earned more votes than any other candidate – Democrat or Republican,” Clinton said in a victory speech at 9 p.m.

Looking towards the general election, Clinton made several jabs at Republican front-runner, Donald Trump.

Though Sanders votes came up short, he still mobilized considerable support with about 40 percent of the Democratic vote.

“Peoples’ hearts are with Sanders, but some figured that he can’t win so they will side with Hillary,” said Allan Louden, chair of the Communication Department.

Sanders’ campaign was highly visible outside The Arts Council Theatre, a Winston-Salem polling place.

“As a first-year law school student, I already have about $100,000 of debt that is going to weigh down on me for at least, what, 10 years?” said Sanders volunteer Andrew Jacobson. “Bernie is just catching a bad rap, because he’s slightly more progressive than the norm.”

Sanders has done well capturing the youth vote. Many around Wake Forest’s campus were disappointed in his loss.

“Bernie has a way of grabbing attention — I was super apathetic and desensitized to politics before hearing Bernie’s speeches,” said freshman Grace Kim. “I feel like Bernie really addressed many of my concerns, and he is super inspiring.”

About fifteen people – ten students and five adults – watched the results in the Pro Humanitate house.

Many were not surprised to see Clinton win.

“If she wasn’t, something would be very wrong,” said junior Ryan Wolfe, a John Kasich supporter.

A group of both Republicans and Democrats also watched the results of the election in Kirby Hall.

Junior Connor Rubin, from Michigan, was excited to see North Carolina’s Democratic results. He raised his arms and the air and cheered when CNN called the election for Clinton.

“I think she’s pragmatic. I think she’s tough, and I think she has the right ideas to move the country forward,” said Rubin. “It’s important to have more than just pie-in-the-sky ideas — it’s important to have an actual actionable plan.”

Clinton’s campaign has hit close to home for Demon Deacons. Former President Bill Clinton visited Wake Forest to campaign for his wife on Sunday.

“I’ve always been pretty “Hillary,” but after hearing Bill speak the other day and explain that she was basically going to continue Bill and Obama’s agendas, I was sold,” said Wake Forest junior and Democratic voter Khaki Wade.

The event, sponsored by the university’s “Wake the Vote” program, was open to the public, however, most of the event’s attendees were college-aged.

About 200-300 people attended the event, but many more were turned away, because the venue filled up quickly. The line started at the main entrance of the School of Law and wrapped around the building, almost to the University Blvd. entrance to campus.

“Would it be a good thing to have the first woman president?” asked Bill Clinton. “Yes, it would. But the real reason you ought to be for her is, especially those of you who are younger, who have more tomorrows than yesterdays, is that she is the single best change-maker I have ever had anything to do with.”

Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio also took to the polls Tuesday. Hillary Clinton went into today’s primary with 768 delegates, leading Sanders by 214 (excluding superdelegates).

The feasibility of Sanders’ proposals remain a central issue in the race; Clinton has often asserted that they are simply not affordable or sustainable. Sanders has often attacked Clinton for following President Obama too closely in hers.

A number of Sanders supporters watched the results come in from Hoot’s Roller Bar & Beer Co. Campaign volunteer, Danny Timpona bought other supporters a round of tequila shots after North Carolina’s Democratic primary was called.

“Even if we don’t get North Carolina, I will still vote,” said Sanders volunteer Amelia Spurlock from Winston-Salem. “I will not lay down and die. I will not be one of those people who doesn’t vote if their candidate doesn’t get elected.”