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Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton just took a walloping in Wisconsin

The results serve notice that the Democrat and Republican nominations for president are far from done deals.

pjimage PA PA

TEXAS SENATOR TED Cruz scored a commanding victory over Donald Trump in Wisconsin’s presidential primary last night, putting the Republican frontrunner on notice that his march to the nomination is not a done deal.

Meanwhile the Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton also crashed to defeat against upstart Senator Bernie Sanders. He has now won six of the last seven Democratic contests and can bolster his claim to be a viable alternative standard-bearer to the former secretary of state.

But the Wisconsin results are almost certainly more damaging for Trump, the brash billionaire who stormed to the fore last year but has suffered campaign trail setbacks in recent weeks with a series of controversial comments about abortion, NATO and nuclear weapons.

Cruz’s capturing of most of Wisconsin’s 42 Republican delegates now makes it far less likely that Trump will win the 1,237 delegates necessary to secure the nomination outright.

This raises the prospect of a contested convention in July when the delegates meet to choose the party nominee for the November presidential election.

GOP 2016 Cruz Cruz celebrates with his wife Heidi AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

“Turning point”

“Tonight is a turning point. It is a rallying cry,” Cruz told cheering supporters in Milwaukee after he received a hug from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, one of several former 2016 presidential candidates who have endorsed Cruz.

It is a call from the hardworking men and women of Wisconsin to the people of America. We have a choice, a real choice.

Cruz and the anti-Trump movement had eyed Wisconsin, birthplace of the Republican Party, as a crucial firewall against the real estate tycoon’s march to become the GOP flag bearer. The Texas senator’s win in Wisconsin could well alter the trajectory of the Republican race.

“Trump needs every delegate to get to 1,237, and tonight was a significant setback,” veteran election analyst Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia told AFP.

“It’s not impossible for Trump to still get there, but the likelihood is that Trump will be a few dozen delegates short of a majority,” he added, meaning the likelihood of a contested convention has increased substantially.

Last night’s results cement Cruz’s status as the leading anti-Trump candidate, with Ohio Governor John Kasich far back in the nomination battle.

DEM 2016 Sanders Bernie Sanders celebrates his latest victory in Laramie, Wyoming Brennan Linsley Brennan Linsley

But Cruz kept his victory speech positive, highlighting his policy platforms and turning his attention toward a possible general election face-off with Clinton.

“Hillary, get ready. Here we come,” he said.

Cruz also predicted he could earn the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination.

That goal will be extremely difficult to reach; experts have projected Cruz would need to win 90 percent or more of remaining delegates to reach the magic number.

US networks called the race for Cruz and Sanders within half an hour of polls closing in the Midwestern state that borders Canada.

With three-quarters of precincts reporting, Cruz was ahead with 49% of the vote compared to 34% for billionaire Trump. Kasich was a distant third at 14%.

On the Democratic side, Vermont Senator Sanders led with 56% to 44% over Clinton.

DEM 2016 Clinton Hillary Clinton taking a selfie with supporters yesterday Julie Jacobson Julie Jacobson

“This campaign is giving energy and enthusiasm to millions of Americans,” Sanders told supporters in Wyoming, which holds a Democratic vote on Saturday.

Sanders said his momentum gives him an “excellent chance” to win California, Oregon and other states.

“We have a path toward victory, a path toward the White House,” he declared.

But Clinton, the one-time first lady who is aiming to become the nation’s first female commander in chief, has the delegate maths in her favour and can look forward with some confidence to the upcoming races.

She leads Sanders by double digits in New York, her adopted home state which votes on 19 April, and Pennsylvania, which casts ballots a week later.

Trump also leads handily in his home state of New York and in Pennsylvania.

Trump’s sour grapes

His campaign for months had appeared immune to criticism or self-implosion. Yet the brash billionaire went into yesterday’s vote having suffered a brutal week on the campaign trail, including comments expected to hurt him with women voters.

After the Wisconsin vote his team defiantly lashed out at Cruz, saying the senator had “the entire party apparatus behind him.”

“Ted Cruz is a puppet – he is a Trojan horse being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump,” said the campaign in a statement reported by MSNBC.

Trump had 740 delegates heading into Tuesday. Cruz had 474 and Kasich 145, according to CNN.

If none reaches the magic number of 1,237 before the Republican primary races wrap up on 7 June, the nominee could be decided at a contested convention where, after the first ballot, delegates will be free to vote according to personal preference instead of being bound by the primary results.

Clinton had secured 1,742 delegates prior to Tuesday – including 483 so-called “super-delegates” who are not bound by primary results – while Sanders has 1,051 total, according to a CNN tally.

A candidate needs 2,383 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.

© – AFP, 2016

Read: Never mind the Brexit – the Dutch go to the polls today in another EU referendum

Read: Iceland’s prime minister resigns in wake of Panama Papers controversy

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    Mute Clodagh Carroll
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:15 AM

    Bye and thanks for the many laughs on here, Capt. Adebayo, you legend!!

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    Mute Lloyd Christmas
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:54 PM

    He must have gotten himself a girlfriend and she’s off barking orders

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:22 AM

    Apparently Capt Adebayo Flynn has run into a bit of bother, some people aren’t happy with his decision http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO12Ba5PwMA

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    Mute Suzanne Ní Dhúil
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:41 AM

    Hilarious!!

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    Mute Jodi Steel
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:44 PM

    That’s brilliant!

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    Mute Dreana O'Gorman
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:45 PM

    Love it! :)

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    Mute Patricia Mc Cann
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    Oct 5th 2013, 3:32 PM

    Ha ha. He will be missed.

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    Mute Deirdre Mac Mahon
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:17 AM

    ADEBAAAAAAAAAYOOOOOOO
    *sniff*
    well the Capt finally got me to open that twitter account.
    long life and prosper, Capt

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    Mute Nelly
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:24 AM

    The capt had the ladies wrapped around his finger

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    Mute Niall H
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:47 AM

    He’s some character. Pity there arent more like him on here. Its all cranky b******s now :)

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    Mute Abi Dennis
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:11 PM

    I’m far more upset about Adebayo leaving than i should be…its worse than when Robbie left Take That!

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    Mute Abbi Cranky
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:32 AM

    Oh Captain, my captain?

    (Standing on chair, fist over heart, sigh)

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:19 PM

    Captain for president , let’s vote him in ….

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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:41 AM

    Didn’t know the Captain had quit. Very funny guy and genuinely insightful.

    Good luck, Captain!

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    Mute Tigerisinthezoo
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:21 PM

    After all the love from the women Adebayo is likely to come back in a new twitter life as Commander Adebayo Flynn!

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    Mute Michelle Mc Loughney
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:05 PM

    Say it ain’t so captain. Say it ain’t so:( sobs.

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    Mute TheHassetthoff
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:15 PM

    So long Captain, your posts are always top quality and good craic! Call back soon!

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    Mute Little Jim
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:24 PM

    He’s not calling back, ever.
    He’s just too strong.
    *denial, tears, anger, acceptance, pride*

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    Mute Padraig Stapleton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:53 PM

    Farewell Adebayo, you legend! A great aul character…

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    Mute Marguerite Hoiby
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:28 PM

    Why has he left?

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 3:08 PM

    So long Capt and your legacy will remain.
    Lelsie, lets ratchet it up a gear.

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    Mute Dave!
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    Oct 5th 2013, 4:27 PM

    You did good captain, consider yourself promoted to commandant.

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    Mute Tommy Hornblower
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:46 PM

    I guess it’s up to Leslie Alan Rock to shepard the flock now…

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    Mute Beep Beep
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:54 PM

    Oh god not Lesley Alan Moron, nobody wants his input

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 3:10 PM

    I disagree with you.
    I find Leslie’s posts quite good (and God knows I have had a few run in’s and don’t always agree)

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:29 PM

    Thank you michael. ..onwards and side wards I shall lead you

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:37 PM

    Let’s Rock Leslie ;-). Take no prisoners.

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    Mute Dwickedchicken
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    Oct 5th 2013, 10:50 PM

    Personally I thought “capt” was an ass hole. :)

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    Mute Shane Hickey
    Favourite Shane Hickey
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    Oct 11th 2013, 11:43 AM

    how do you quit an online forum? Surely it’s accessible from anywhere in the world (and on ISS)?

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