Hillary Clinton is already busy fighting off Bernie Sanders in New York, where the Vermont senator wants to debate her. Now, the former Secretary of State’s first television advertisement in her home state takes dead aim on the man who could be her next political opponent: Donald Trump.
Clinton’s ad, which comes ahead of the April 19 Democratic primary in New York, does not feature Clinton mentioning Trump by name. But, the TV spot leaves little doubt as to whom she is referring, with one shot showing a sign outside a hotel the GOP frontrunner is opening soon in Washington, D.C. that says “Coming 2016: Trump”.
While narrating the ad, Clinton plays up the diversity of New York, where she served as a U.S. Senator from 2001 until 2009. After the camera shows Trump’s logo—along with footage from Trump’s rallies, including one incident where a Trump supporter punched a protester—Clinton says: “So, when some say we can solve America’s problems by building walls, banning people based on their religion, and turning against each other—well, this is New York. And, we know better.”
Watch the full ad, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmzc0hvB-oY
Clinton has frequently taken aim at the Trump campaign’s platform and tone since the real estate mogul and former reality TV star raced to the front of the Republican primary field. Clinton’s campaign regularly uses the slogan “Love trumps hate” as a sly reference to the popular criticism that Trump’s campaign promotes divisiveness.
Meanwhile, Clinton is also gearing up for a battle with her lone remaining Democratic challenger, as Bernie Sanders has challenged the former New York Senator to a debate on her home turf ahead of next month’s primary. Both Sanders and Clinton have agreed to two more debates during the primary season, though Sanders has expressed concerns that Clinton will avoid another debate.
The fact that Clinton’s latest ad focuses on Trump, rather than her current opponent, could be yet another sign that the Democratic frontrunner is looking ahead to the general election at a time when she has a significant lead in the party’s delegates count—including nearly all of the party’s “superdelegates.”
