Editorial: It’s Clinton Versus Trump

The last leg of the 2016 presidential election is bound to be constantly full of contrasts between two rivals who could not differ more in their proposals, experience and personality. Still, the road and the obstacles that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump must conquer individually are similar.

Only one more primary remains to be held before the selection of the presidential candidates is finalized, but Clinton and Trump already have the delegates needed to obtain the official nomination. Far from being a place for contention, as some have often speculated, the parties’ national conventions will now be crowning ceremonies for two rivals in a race that was unimaginable not too long ago.

A year ago, no one would have dared to say that Trump would be the presumptive Republican nominee to the White House. The mogul, who is blatantly inexperienced politically, left behind a long list of contenders through his populist, anti-globalization, anti-immigrant, chauvinistic message – and the insults he has directed toward his fellow runners. The New Yorker’s volatile character is a minefield for Republicans, as was most recenly illustrated by his criticism of Judge Gonzalo Curiel.

At the other end of the spectrum, the former Secretary of State and Senator has waited a long time to make history as the first woman to receive the presidential nomination from any of the two main political parties. Clinton has gained unique experience working in different areas of the government for many years and creating public policy. But Democrats fear the effects of the dark cloud looming over her due to her use of a personal server during her tenure at the State Department.

Although for different reasons, both candidates have a negative image even inside their own parties. In order to win in November, they are both also in desperate need of the support of the voters who favored their internal rivals during the primaries. Those followers will lend credibility to Trump’s campaign and inject passion into Hillary’s.

The candidacies of the two presumptive nominees still need to be made official at the conventions. Regadless, the two extreme options have been determined, and now all voters – even those most detached – need to pay serious attention.