Webb: The race to 270

The presidential election officially began on March 23, 2015, when Texas Sen. Ted Cruz announced his bid for the White House. Where were you that day? I remember my initial reaction, a simple question: Why are we starting this early? 

The ensuing battle on the Republican side — with 17 candidates — was contentious at best and brutal at times. In the end, Donald Trump prevailed — the people in the Republican base chose his populist, pro-American message over a political class that had in so many ways disappointed the party faithful.

{mosads}On the Democrats’ side, there was never really a contest, as we now know from leaked emails. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the crown princess of the Democratic Party, and the actions of Democratic National Committee officials like Debbie Wasserman Schultz and a revitalized redux of Clinton-era 1990s power players had already made the decision for their party. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) generated a lot of enthusiasm, especially with millennials and the leftover hippies of the 1960s, but he never had a chance. In truth, it is likely that if he were the Democrats’ nominee it would have been a landslide victory for any Republican — America is not ready for socialism at his level.

So here we are, less than two weeks from the day the majority of Americans will decide who will lead this country and in what direction. Early voting is an unknown factor, but the right and the left will both claim early victory to help drive the perception of momentum in their favor. For her part, Clinton has made the pivot to down-ballot races because in politics, perception can become reality for many voters. Trump continues his assault on a rigged system, with polling and the mainstream media. 

The majority of polling gives Clinton a current advantage of 5 to 6 points nationally. In battleground states the race is much closer. 

The path to victory for Clinton based on conventional Electoral College mapping may appear easier, but the race to 270 isn’t over. Historically, in the last two weeks the presidential race tightens significantly. Many have written Trump’s political obituary multiple times since he announced his bid. I’m not one of them. I support Donald Trump and that is my partisan choice but does not make me incapable of independent analysis.

So what will it take to bring the Republicans home Nov. 8? Trump must speak to Republicans about the process — if those in the Senate and the House of Representatives pass bills, they have a better chance of a President Trump signing them into law over a President Clinton. The coequal branches of government argument works, but only if the presidency and the Congress work together. 

There also needs to be a ground game to address the concerns of elected officials who have entered the Never Trump camp. There are key areas of concern for senators and congressmen, and Trump should send his senior advisers in those areas to speak to them directly and assuage them. For example, if a senator’s focus is national security, send a couple of generals. If the focus for an elected official is the economy, send economic advisers to talk about how Trump will work with them.

Trump has to push aside the noise coming from the media regarding allegations from women and multiple attacks from a Clinton support structure and reach out beyond his base. Target Clinton, John Podesta and Democrats on the content of the email leaks, not the source. Target the hypocrisy of Democrats who think it’s OK to steal Trump’s tax returns and give them to The New York Times but want to deflect from the hacked emails.

Neither Trump nor Clinton will solve all the problems that face this country, but it is necessary to change the direction. Clinton is not a change candidate. Trump broke the emergency glass on many of the failures of the political class. Out of this chaos and with the right team of advisers, a Trump presidency is the only potential to put the American ship of state on a better course.

The fundamental choice is yours, America. Where will you be?

Webb is host of “The David Webb Show” on SiriusXM Patriot 125, a Fox News contributor and has appeared frequently on television as a commentator. Webb co-founded TeaParty365 in New York City. His column appears twice a month in The Hill.