JT Taylor: Is Clinton Gaining Momentum... Behind The Rise Of Donald Trump

02/29/16 03:30PM EST

Below is a brief excerpt from Potomac Research Group Chief Political Strategist JT Taylor's Morning Bullets sent to institutional clients each morning.

SC SPRINGBOARD

JT Taylor: Is Clinton Gaining Momentum... Behind The Rise Of Donald Trump - hillary clinton

Hillary Clinton trounced Bernie Sanders in Saturday's primary, winning by nearly 48 points, and sweeping the African-American vote by a 5:1 margin. Her campaign made an all-out attempt to run up the score, deploying her family across the state days after Sanders packed up and left. 

Clinton bet that the added momentum will help her in states with a large African-American population -- and that the opportunity costs of not spending time last week in, say, Colorado or Minnesota will be minimal. She can't afford any risk of looking like she's taking any votes, especially African-Americans' for granted -- especially given that she needs to shore up perceptions of her authenticity and that their support is so vital for her candidacy.

Bottom line: Her decision to remain in SC throughout last week was both a defensive move and a show of strength. 

IT'S ALIIIIVE!

JT Taylor: Is Clinton Gaining Momentum... Behind The Rise Of Donald Trump - its alive

We wrote months ago that Trump's rise was due in large part to the establishment media and their refusal to hold his feet to the fire -- and we dubbed him the media's Trumpkenstein. Here's what we wrote:

 

"For most of this election season, Donald Trump has represented high ratings and big get interviews for media outlets. The Republican debates have been some of the highest-rated programs on cable networks as a result of Trump's participation. Instead of regular programming, CNN and other cable news stations provide free air time to Trump and cover his speeches [and ubiquitous dial-ins] live. Yes, he said crazy things, but it was 'good television' and ratings."

Ahem. So we find it incredibly ironic that that same establishment media is now implying that the Republican establishment is responsible for Trump's rise, and faulting them for not intervening to thwart his candidacy.

C'mon. Plenty of blame to go around on this one... 

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