Trans-Atlantic Trend? Trump sees UK vote as validation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Britain's stunning vote to bolt from the European Union sent political tremors across the Atlantic Friday, fueling Donald Trump's confidence that frustrated U.S. voters will back similarly sweeping change and rattling Democrats who are banking on Americans ultimately choosing a more conventional leader in Hillary Clinton.

The referendum also centered on a single issue, while the presidential election can be as much a decision about personality and temperament as candidates' policies.

Fifty-two percent of British voters moved to withdraw from the 27-nation European bloc, despite dire warnings from Prime Minister David Cameron and other top officials about calamitous economic consequences.

Stock markets around the world plummeted after the outcome was announced, Cameron announced his resignation and the British pound dropped to its lowest level in 31 years on concerns that severing ties will undermine London's position as a global financial center.

In the U.S., Clinton cast the economic uncertainty as a reason America needs "calm, steady, experienced leadership" in the Oval Office — a knock on her often unpredictable and politically inexperienced Republican rival.

Other Democrats, openly anxious, warned that the party should not underestimate the willingness of angry American voters to choose a more uncertain path in November and side with Trump.