Republican contests in Ohio and Florida tighten, Democrats’ debate turns fiery

By Dave Andrusko

Republicans are facing off tonight in Miami in a debate sponsored by CNN. In five days, the four contenders will square off on a day that includes pivotal primaries in Florida and Ohio.

Tonight will be the Republicans’ twelfth debate.

While there are some tiny disagreements about the exact numbers, according to ABC News, Mr. Trump is ahead with 457 delegates. Sen. Cruz has 359. Sen. Rubio is third with 151. Gov. Kasich has won 54 delegates.

Winning their home states of Florida and Ohio next Tuesday is crucial for both Sen. Rubio and Gov. Kasich.

The latest Fox News poll has Kasich ahead of Trump in Ohio, 34% to 29%.

Trump’s advantage over Sen. Rubio among likely voters in Florida is down to 7 points, according to a Washington Post-Univision News poll: 38%-31%.

Last night Democrats held their last debate before the March 15 primaries.

Democratic Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (Vt.) trails former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by 650 delegates (1,221 to 571). But showing the impact of Sanders’ upset victory Tuesday in Michigan, last night’s debate was fiery, tense, and combative.

Since the issues they addressed last night are not ours as single-issue pro-lifer voters, it is enough to say two things.

First, that Clinton’s and Sanders’s remarks gave Washington Post Fact Checkers Glen Kessler and Michelle Ye Hee Lee plenty to plow through. Second, as many have pointed out, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos surprisingly asked a couple of tough questions, including, “If you get indicted would you going to drop out?”

Clinton’s response? “Oh, for goodness — that’s not going to happen. I’m not even answering that question.”