• by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, April 20, 2016

Yesterday’s New York vote further crystallized both the Democratic and Republican nominating contests. Donald Trump succeeded in taking over 60% of the Republican primary vote; Hillary Clinton did better than recent polls had predicted, with a 57.9% share of the Democratic ballot.

For the GOP, the hopes of blocking a Trump nomination on the first ballot at the convention in Cleveland is now increasingly unlikely. Trump obtained the vast majority of delegates, winning all but three that went to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who won about 25% — with three delegates left to be allocated at the time of writing.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who many dreamed had a chance to block a Trump nomination, came in third with less than 15% of the vote.

Trump’s address last night hit on the less offensive points that have propelled him to the top of the Republican primary field: jobs, the economy and his anti-establishment approach. The front-runner even refrained from using the term “Lyin’ Ted,” instead respectfully referring to him “Senator Cruz.”

He derided the Republican delegate rules as worse than the situation in the Democratic race, briefly showing sympathy for Bernie Sanders and his dearth of superdelegates.

“It’s really nice to win the delegates with the votes,” Trump exclaimed, taking a shot at Ted Cruz and the Cruz campaign's success in winning delegates in states that don’t hold a primary or caucus. The Donald looked composed and calm, sensing the door closing on his opponents’ chances to contest his nomination, “We don’t have much of a race anymore.”

Hillary Clinton spoke last night with an air of gratitude in a speech preceded by big New York names: Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo. Gov. Cuomo spoke with electrifying excitement, pointing to the significance of Hillary’s win: “How loud has New York spoken so the nation can hear: Hillary Clinton the next president of the United States!”

Arriving on stage to Jay-Z’s ‘Empire State of Mind,’ Hillary Clinton looked comfortable and relieved. She spoke of her campaign’s successes across the nation, addressing fears that she has difficulties in less diverse and historically progressive states.

Significantly, near the beginning of her speech, Secretary Clinton spoke directly to supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders: “To all the people who supported Senator Sanders. I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us.” That, the DNC hopes, will be the belief that shines loudest as the nominating contest reaches the final stretch.

Clinton said of her campaign: “Victory is in sight,” a phrase perfectly applicable to Donald Trump as well, after last night’s results.