"The Sunday Political Brunch" -- March 27, 2016

Dr. Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a nationally-known political analyst based on the East Coast, and a regular contributor to KGO Radio 810-Am in San Francisco.

(Charleston, West Virginia) – It’s Easter Weekend, and there were perhaps hopes of a kinder, gentler campaign for awhile, but that isn’t likely to happen. There is a lull in the primary campaign, but it will be short-lived in what has become the nastiest of political seasons. I’d like to say that campaign 2016 has “laid an egg” (pardon the pun), and, maybe it has - given the season. Let’s “brunch” on that this week:

“Trump Stump” -- It started when someone – a political action committee, or opposing operative - posted a picture of Donald Trump’s wife Melania in a nearly-nude pose from years ago when she was a model. It spread like wildfire on social media and Trump blamed Cruz for the photo going public. Trump threatened to "spill the beans" about Cruz's wife, Heidi, but no real details about that emerged, other than gossip in the National Enquirer.

“Cruz Responds: - “Our spouses and our children are off-bounds,” Cruz told reporters while campaigning in Wisconsin. “It is not acceptable for a big, loud New York bully to attack my wife. It is not acceptable for him to make insults, to send nasty tweets.” Then Cruz said, “Donald, you’re a sniveling coward. Leave Heidi the hell alone.”

“First Time?” – People act as if attacks on political spouses have never happened before, but they have. Many Democrats did not like Nancy Reagan in 1980 and 1984; and many Republicans did not like Hillary Clinton in 1992 and 1996. They both received harsh criticism, and aren’t the only spouses who have been attacked. But, it was always from surrogates, advocacy groups, or members of the opposing party. 2016 is unique in that this is the first time that I can recall where candidates heaved direct attacks on an opponent’s spouse. Wow!

“Delegate Count: Republican” -- To win the nomination, a Republican candidate must earn 1,237 delegates. As of today here is the count: Trump 739; Cruz 465; and, Kasich 143. Of the remaining delegates, Trump needs to win 55 percent of them to win the nomination; Cruz would need to win 80 percent of them; and, Kasich would need to win 120 percent of remaining delegates, which of course is impossible. There exists the possibility no one will reach 1,237 before the July convention in Cleveland.

“Delegate Count: Democrats” – To win the nomination, a Democratic candidate must earn 2,125 delegates. As of today here is the count: Clinton 1,712; and, Sanders 1,004. Sanders closed the gap with decisive wins in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington State. Hillary Clinton needs to win only 35 percent of remaining delegates to secure the nomination. Bernie Sanders needs to win over 50 percent in each remaining state to be the nominee.

“Next Stop” – The next big event on the campaign trail is Tuesday April 5 in Wisconsin, where 96 Democratic delegates and 42 Republican delegates are up for grabs.

Have a great Easter weekend, and please leave your comments by clicking the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

© 2016, Mark Curtis Media, LLC.

Photo courtesy: cbs.com