Watch CBS News

Keller @ Large: What The Primaries Told Us

BOSTON (CBS) - Well OK then!

After Tuesday night's primary routs for both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton both party nomination races are essentially over, barring an indictment, a miracle, or Trump mistakenly swallowing a jar of that insta-tan he uses.

So it seems as good a time as any to reflect on what message the two parties are sending with their choices.

For the Democrats, one clear message is that regardless of whatever disappointment they may feel with certain aspects of the Obama years, and despite the terrible toll it took on their political standing in Congress and in the states, they basically want more of the same. Secretary Clinton was part of the Obama administration, and explicitly campaigned as a continuation of it.

This guarantees that to some extent, the election in November will be a referendum on the last eight years. And while it's not exactly morning in America, I would caution cocky Republicans that most voters would probably say that they are better off now than they were eight years ago, amid unpopular wars and economic collapse.

For the Republicans, the message is we're mad as heck and we're not gonna take it anymore. But while that sentiment can sometimes get you nominated, it takes more than that to win the White House.

Trump's critics say he's got nothing to offer beyond channeling the anger, and it'll be up to him to prove them wrong.

A bit more than six months to go to election day.

Get the popcorn ready.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.