Owen Roberts
Staff Writer
On Sept. 15, presidential hopeful Donald Trump unveiled his newest policy initiative. He proposed a six-week maternity leave policy, promising that “our policy supports mothers who choose to stay at home, and honors and recognizes their incredible contributions.” Trump gave the speech in Pennsylvania, which is shaping up to be a key swing state in the upcoming election.
Trump however is doubtful about losing PA,."The only way they can beat [me], in my opinion, and I mean this 100 percent, is if in certain sections of the state they cheat." Trump told CNN.
At the end of September, Clinton leads Trump by two-and-a-half points in PA (a far cry from June, where she led him by only one percent), but most experts predict Trump will need to swing Pennsylvania to take the White House. It's possible, but Trump will have to convince voters in a state that has voted blue since 1992. One of his hardest hurdles will be swaying college-educated whites, with which he trails 11 points behind Clinton. Whites with a college degree generally lean conservative, especially so in 2012 when Romney raked in a 14 percent lead over obama among the demographic. Almost 40 percent of white Pennsylvanians have a bachelor's degree or higher. Trump also trails behind two candidates with teens and young adults, polling less than 20 percent among millennial voters.
Hillary could be doing better among working class whites, with which Trump leads overwhelmingly. Considering they make up around 40 percent of voters, they could be one of the easiest ways for Trump to win. Counties to watch include Mercer County and Bucks County, which include a strong mix of blue collar and white collar voters.
Pennsylvania remains at hot zone in the election, with unusual polling and both candidates and prominent supporters making frequent stops in the state. With an election and a senate race depending on Pennsylvania voters, both parties focus on the Keystone State in 2016.
