Trump gains momentum, catching up to Clinton in the polls

This time last year, the prospect of Donald Trump inserting himself in the Republican primaries was funny. Now, the reality of a potential President Trump lingers as polls show the possibility of a nailbiter between he and Hillary Clinton.

During the primaries, Trump seized the Republican Party in a way no one expected, and separating himself from those who are prominent within the electorate on issues such as immigration and abortion. Because of his radical and outlandish fervor, many Democrats feel that with Trump as the Republican nominee, it will be an advantage for the Democratic Party as a whole, however not as big of an advantage as first thought.

According to Jay Carson, the former press secretary for Clinton’s 2008 campaign, and now the producer for the Netflix series House of Cards, Trump is not someone to brush off as a “joke candidate” anymore.

“I hear far too many of my liberal friends calling him a ‘joke’ and acting like the general election is in the bag which is nuts because he’s dangerous and has a path to victory,” Carson posted on his Instagram account.

Earlier in May, Trump became the presumed Republican nominee after the Indiana primary. As for the Democratic Party, though Sen. Bernie Sanders is still fighting to the end, many have concluded that Clinton will be the likely Democratic nominee.

Polls from earlier in the month demonstrated Clinton leading Trump by 13 points. However, as Trump begins to pick up more and more steam with endorsements by other Republicans, some polls have since shown Trump to be leading Clinton 45 percent to 42 percent, whereas others show Clinton to be leading by six points.

When the general election finally rolls around in November, the two presumed nominees will become the most unpopular candidates the United States has seen in years, according to CNN. Because of this, trying to sway undecided voters either left or right will become more challenging than ever.

A CBS/New York Times poll showed an unfavorable rating mark of 55 percent, and Clinton with an unfavorable rating mark of 52 percent. The disdain of voters permeating the election climate makes it hard for analysts to pinpoint what exactly will be the presidential outcome, come November.

If Clinton is able to increase turnout from Latino, African American, women and young voters, her chances will increase significantly. However, if Trump is able to create some form of unity between the Republican Party, it could be grounds for a very close election.

As both presumed nominees go back and forth between who is more qualified and who is less “crooked,” undecided voters will continue to hesitantly consider which candidate might be the lesser of two evils.

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