Election questions abound

The Indiana dust has now settled, but there are still plenty of questions remaining as we continue through the strangest election cycle in recent memory:

Will Donald Trump really win the nomination? The billionaire is the presumptive nominee at this point, with 1,050-plus of the 1,237 delegates needed and 500-some delegates yet to be decided. Barring some odd behind-closed-doors shenanigans with the rules, it’s hard to believe Trump won’t be the GOP’s chosen one heading into November. Still, anything is possible in the world of politics, particularly when there’s a lot of party faithful who aren’t going to support the top of the ticket.

Will Cleveland be crowded? With Trump’s frontrunner position solidified, some big-name Republicans are announcing plans to skip this summer’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, John McCain and others reportedly won’t attend, and that list likely will lengthen as we get closer to July.

Protests? And, if they do, will that mean fewer potential protests? Trump’s supporters won’t have reason to get rowdy, as long as the business mogul gets the nomination. Trump’s opponents still have plenty of reason to be angry and could exercise their right to peaceably or not-so-peaceably assemble. But I would expect the overall crowds to be smaller.

OFFENSIVE ACTIONS

Can Trump keep saying offensive stuff without repercussions? On Cinco de Mayo, the frontrunner posted a picture of himself on social media eating a taco bowl and touting his love for Hispanics. In the not-too-distant past, that sort of stuff could cost a guy an election, but Trump, so far, has been able to say whatever he wants without hurting his campaign. Now that he’s the presumed nominee, will continued potentially offensive comments prompt more positive reaction from the electorate or will he cross the line one too many times?

Hillary or Donald? More than one Republican (and a few Democrats) have told me they plan to vote against the former secretary of state in November. If that means a vote for Trump, so be it. It’s an odd way to approach an election — hating one candidate so much that you’re willing to cast your ballot for someone you don’t really support either. I’ve heard from more people who really, really dislike Clinton compared with those who really, really dislike Trump.

Can Trump win? A year ago, few people thought Trump would be the Republican nominee for president. Now, there are a lot of polls and commentary forecasting a Clinton victory in November. I don’t think that’s a given. Again, it’s an odd election cycle — the strangest in my lifetime — and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Trump win the election.

Who will be in the No. 2 spot? Speculation will focus on Trump’s running mate. Much talk could focus on Gov. John Kasich, who exited the race with a short speech in Columbus that included no explanation of his departure or comments about his future plans.

“I have always said that the Lord has a purpose for me, as he does for everyone, and as I suspend my campaign today, I have renewed faith, deeper faith, that the Lord will show me the way forward and fulfill the purpose of my life,” he said.

Kasich has been blunt about his interest in being a running mate; he said repeatedly that there’s zero chance of that happening. But, again, it’s an odd election cycle. Anything could happen.

Marc Kovac is The Vindicator’s Statehouse correspondent. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.