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        Super Tuesday Voting Hints at Possible General Election Results

   by Katherine Gypson

   Voters across at least 11 states are going to the polls to help decide
   their parties' nominations in the 2016 presidential campaign, providing
   a clearer picture of the battle Donald Trump may trigger in the
   Republican Party and possibly hinting as to how he might fare in a
   general election.

   Trump heads into Super Tuesday, the campaign's single biggest day of
   voting, with three straight wins, a 4-1 delegate lead, and endorsements
   from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and several members of
   Congress.

   Analysts say his showing in so-called "purple states," battleground
   states between Democrats and Republicans that can swing presidential
   elections, will be the most detailed test of his strength as a
   candidate.

   Watching Massachusetts

   One of those states will be Massachusetts, where a strong showing for
   Trump could be a key test of his appeal with working-class conservative
   Democrats willing to cross over and vote Republican on economic issues,
   Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said.

   ''"If he did really poorly there, that's an indicator of what the
   general election could look like," Bonjean said.

   Marco Rubio, the freshman Florida senator looking to unite the
   Republican establishment around his candidacy, adopted Trump's strategy
   of personal attacks in recent days, mocking the front-runner's
   appearance and demeanor.

   Rubio, who has yet to win a nominating contest, must show well against
   his other opponent, Ted Cruz, to stay in the contest until March 15.

   "Marco Rubio has been campaigning quite a bit in Virginia in the past
   few days, so he might think he has a shot there," Bonjean said.

   Battleground state

   Virginia, a key battleground state in past presidential elections,
   allows residents to vote in either party's presidential primary,
   leaving the field wide open for independent-minded voters.

   Meanwhile, Cruz has staked his data-focused campaign on winning
   delegates in his home state of Texas.

   Cruz likes to remind voters he beat Trump in the Iowa caucus.

   ''But the Texas senator has lost momentum since that win a month ago,
   slowed by accusations his campaign plays dirty tricks on other
   candidates and an unexpectedly poor showing among evangelical voters in
   South Carolina.

   "People are coalescing behind Rubio," said Democratic pollster Margie
   Omero.

   Cruz's home state is the big prize in Super Tuesday voting, awarding
   155 delegates, the highest number of any contest.

   His campaign strategy focuses on winning delegates district by
   district, rather than a statewide win.

   If Cruz wins or polls close to Trump in Texas, the result could be a
   protracted battle for control of the Republican Party.

   Bonjean thinks Trump's expected strong Super Tuesday showing will
   result in a number of additional establishment conservatives coming out
   to support him, triggering questions about who controls the Republican
   Party.

   Geographic advantage

   Hillary Clinton heads into the Super Tuesday vote following a
   resounding victory in the South Carolina primary last Saturday.

   ''Clinton's 47 percentage-point win over Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders
   helped calm doubts about her candidacy after close contests in early
   voting states.

   "Whatever happens today will come out with an advantage for Clinton,"
   Omero said.

   Clinton holds strong leads among Latino- and African-Americans,
   populations that make up a large portion of the voters in Southern
   states voting on Super Tuesday.

   In recent days, the Sanders campaign focused on states with smaller
   delegate numbers, but friendlier demographics.

   Liberal populations

   If Sanders can perform well in states with white liberal populations
   such as Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota and his home state of
   Vermont, then he could prevent Clinton from amassing an insurmountable
   delegate total and keep going with primary voting well into June.

   Sanders' strategy depends in large measure on generating voter
   enthusiasm, particularly among younger voters who have appeared
   resistant to Clinton.

   ''After voting Tuesday in Burlington, Sanders told reporters if voter
   turnout is high, "we are going to do well. If not, we're probably going
   to be struggling.''

   Clinton appeared confident campaigning in the days before Super
   Tuesday.

   She ignored her opponent, Sanders, pivoting to a potential general
   election battle with Trump.

   The Republican front-runner also appeared to be looking ahead to
   November.

   Trump said Tuesday, "I can tell you the one person Hillary Clinton
   doesn't want to run against is me.''

   Not the final word

   Omero said the Super Tuesday results should not be the final word on a
   Trump general election run.

   "Republican elder statesmen can be more forceful and more clear," she
   said.

   "Have Republican women come out and say the way he speaks is
   unacceptable. There can be a third-party run by other candidates to try
   and siphon votes away from Trump," Omero added. "There should be no
   stone left unturned, rather than throw up our hands and say, 'Oh well.'
   "
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/super-tuesday-voting-hints-at-possible-general-election-results/3215042.html