What Went Down In The New York Primaries

Does trying to classify Trump’s ideology ever get old? Not for me! I was most struck by reading a chapter in John Gerring’s book, “Party Ideologies in America, 1828-1996,” about the Republicans before 1928, which he identifies as a “nationalist” period – trade protection as a move to bolster business and protect American industry. This was the party of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt – projecting national strength was tied up with a very specific view of masculinity. Aversion to “social disorder” was also a defining characteristic. This bygone form of nationalism was the best description I’ve seen of Trump. And yet, as we just saw in his victory address, this is still a candidacy with strong populist notes. He’s made a talking point of the idea that a legitimate party nominee should be one who wins the most votes – or at least some votes. Trump’s packed arenas contain much of the white-hot language that old-school Republicans worried about. At least until Theodore Roosevelt, also a New Yorker, left the party to appeal directly to voters on his own.

Cruz is doing very well in Orthodox Jewish communities (Borough Park, South Williamsburg, and Crown Heights). But because these neighborhoods are in three separate congressional districts, it’s possible Cruz could still wind up with ZERO delegates out of New York.