Facing hundreds of angry protesters in California, the liberal bastion that could decide the Republican nomination this time, Donald Trump made a strong pitch for unity on Friday, telling his party to close ranks and rally behind him if it wanted Hillary Clinton defeated in the November race.
The divisive front-runner had to clamber over a concrete barrier, walk a good distance escorted by Secret Service agents and make a back-door entry at a Burlingame hotel that was the venue of a State Republican Convention.
“That was not the easiest entrance I’ve ever made…Oh boy, felt like I was crossing the border actually,” he said to peals of laughter even as protesters kept themselves busy outside, chanting slogans, burning his effigy and throwing eggs at
the police.
It was the second day of protests to greet Trump in California. On Thursday, 20 people had been arrested after a protest turned violent and clashed with police in Costa Mesa. California, the most populous State with 172 Republican delegates up for grabs, will be the last to hold its primary on June 7 along with four other States. The five States, between them account for 303 delegates and may well decide whether Trump wins the nomination outright or the issue is left to be settled at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.
Trump himself is increasingly gung ho on the prospect of sealing the nomination soon enough by crossing the magic figure of 1,237 delegates in the remaining 10 State primaries. According to an Associated Press tally, Trump has bagged 996 delegates, with both his rivals trailing far behind -- Senator Ted Cruz with 572 delegates and Ohio Governor John Kasich a mere 153.
The New York billionaire told the California Republicans that Cruz has been mathematically eliminated from the race. His only hope is that something goes terribly wrong, in which case he can resort to backroom manipulation and bribery, Trump charged. He also mocked Cruz for naming a vice-presidential running mate without having a path to the nomination.
Even while calling for Republican unity and solidarity to defeat Clinton, who is set to become the Democratic nominee, Trump in the same breath claimed he could anyway win the November race even if the party remains a divided house over his candidacy.
“Could I win without itIJ I think so, to be honest, I think so,” he said, conceding that several high-profile Republicans such as Jeb Bush may not come round to support him. “I think I will win even if we’re not together… It’s not going to have any impact. But most of the party has to come together,” he said.