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Five reasons why Clinton might crush Trump

Sure, polls are tightening. Sure, Donald Trump is competitive through much of the industrial Midwest. But, as John Ibbitson writes, a Democratic blowout - and a subsequent undoing of the entire Republican party - is very possible. Here's why

John Ibbitson

This article was published more than 7 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

In November, come election day, it’s likely that Hillary Clinton could not just win, but win HUUUUUUGE. It might be at least as huge as Barack Obama’s win over John McCain in 2008 and maybe as huge as Bill Clinton’s whupping of Bob Dole in 1996.

Herewith, five reasons why Hillary Clinton could crush Donald Trump:

1. The Dallas Morning News may be a leading indicator.


We've all heard about

#nevertrump

, the movement among conservatives to prevent the erratic New York businessman from getting his hands on the nuclear codes. This could grow. Last week, the Dallas Morning News

endorsed

Hillary Clinton, the first time that paper has plumped for a Democrat since 1940. Who else might join the

#ReluctantlyForHillary

bandwagon?

2. Speaking of Dallas…

New polls from the Washington Post and Survey Monkeey suggest usually Red states might turn Blue. Yes, Mr. Trump is competitive in Ohio, Pennsylvania and other Midwestern states. But Republicans are usually competitive there, even though they often lose in the end. Ms. Clinton is competitive in Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Mississippi. Yes, I said Mississippi. Who do you think is in better shape for a sweep?

3. Ground games matter.

PBS reports that the Democrats have 291 field offices open in battleground states. The Republicans have 88. In all-important Florida, the Republicans have opened one field office. One.

4. One of these candidates is more qualified than the other.

Believe it or not, there are people who vote based on the strengths of the candidates. Ms. Clinton was secretary of state, a senator, a first lady. Mr. Trump built some buildings and hosted a TV show. So…

5. One of these candidates is more flawed than the other.

Voters also look at the weaknesses of the candidates. The harshest criticism of Ms. Clinton is that she used a private server to read classified e-mails, further evidence that the Clintons flout the rules for their own ends. In contrast, here's how The Dallas Morning News describes Mr. Trump:

Yes, there are a lot of guys who lost their jobs on the line who are pissed. But the strengths and weaknesses of these two candidates are matters of fact. The strength and weaknesses of their campaign organizations are matters of fact. The commitment of progressives to Ms. Clinton and the queasiness of conservatives over Mr. Trump are matters of fact.