Just a week ago, Hillary Clinton was ahead in eight out of nine states identified as “battleground” states in the US election.
ADVERTISEMENTJust a week ago, Hillary Clinton was ahead in eight out of nine states identified as “battleground” states in the US election. But the latest opinion poll averages taken by data aggregator Real Clear Politics put her ahead in just four, with Trump also ahead in four, and North Carolina tied.
To digest the latest forecasts in the US, Euronews’ Mark Davis spoke to our Washington correspondent Stefan Grobe.
Mark Davis, Euronews: ‘‘Stefan, what do you make of the latest surveys?’‘
Stefan Grobe, Euronews Washington correspondent: ‘‘Well, Mark let me put it this way. There are more signs of erosion, but her flood gates seem to be holding. There are cracks, but we are not seeing signs of Clinton crumbling on a map that still favours her overall. She was hit big time by the FBI announcement last Friday and now polls have generally stabilised for her. There are other polls that suggest that Trump is gaining ground in New Hampshire, Colorado and even in Virginia. Will that be enough? Well, we will know next Tuesday.’‘
Mark Davis, Euronews: ‘‘Now, a third candidate is looking to put the cat amongst the pigeons in the Mormon majority state of Utah. What’s going on out West?’‘
Stefan Grobe, Euronews Washington correspondent:
‘‘Normally the Mormon state is reliably Republican, actually it’s one of the most Republican states in the country. But here is this independent conservative candidate, who has emerged as a real threat to Trump. This guy Evan McMullin a Utah native, former CIA operative and investment banker is energizing the anti- Trump vote which is substantial in Utah. And if Trump loses Utah and its six electoral votes it will make his path to victory mathematically much more complicated.’‘
Mark Davis, Euronews: ‘‘People have been able to vote for days. But fewer African Americans have chosen to do so than in previous elections. Does that hurt the Democrats?’‘
Stefan Grobe, Euronews Washington correspondent:
‘‘Absolutely, this is something that worries Democrats a lot and President Obama just alluded to it during his latest campaign appearances. We know from early voting returns in Florida and North Carolina, states that are absolutely critical to a Clinton win next Tuesday, that African Americans have turned out much less than they did four and eight years ago. On the other hand, we are seeing much stronger mobilisitation among Latino voters, but that might not be enough if African Americans don’t turn out in massive numbers.’‘