Amid a report that she has already effectively won the nomination, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton continued efforts Monday to lure California voters as the state’s primary election looms, while her foe — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders — stumped in the Bay Area.
Clinton began the day with a get-out-the-vote rally at La Fachada, Plaza Mexico, in Lynwood, where she continued to direct her political ire at presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump.
“We also believe that California represents the future, and it’s a bright future, a positive future,” she said. “I am tired of Donald Trump insulting Americans. I am tired of Donald Trump talking down America.
“I am confident and optimistic about our future, but we’re going to have to do some things — like elect the right person to be president of the United States,” she said.
The former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state also attended a get-out-the-vote rally at Leimert Park Village Plaza, then headed for a late-afternoon rally at Long Beach City College.
Tonight, Clinton will participate in a concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, with Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Andra Day, Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera among those scheduled to take the stage.
As of Monday, Clinton officially needed 23 delegates to clinch her party’s nomination — a number she could easily achieve with a win Tuesday in New Jersey, before California polls even close.
Late Monday, however, the Associated Press reported that based on its count of pledged delegates and a survey of superdelegates, Clinton already has commitments from the needed number of delegates to claim the nomination.
Sanders, however, is counting on a California win to keep his candidacy alive heading into next month’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
He said Monday his fate in California will likely hinge on voter turnout. If it’s high, he will win, Sanders said, but if it’s low, Clinton will likely take the state.
Sanders’ last-day campaign stop Monday will be an evening concert at San Francisco’s Crissy Field, featuring recording artist Dave Matthews heading a list of performers and speakers, including actors Danny Glover and Shailene Woodley.
Sanders surprised voters in Santa Monica on Sunday, where he showed up at the beach city’s famous pier to take carousel rides with his grandchildren and take photos with members of the public.
Sanders was also in the San Diego area on Sunday for an afternoon rally and concert at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley, headlined by comedian George Lopez.
In Northern California Monday, Sanders also took shots at Trump, saying the Republican’s campaign has been largely based on bigotry, and he again touted his grassroots support.
“The energy and the grassroots activism in this campaign is with us, not Hillary Clinton,” he said.
Trump made no Southern California appearances during the weekend or Monday even though he has said he could put staunchly Democratic California in play in the general election — a claim about which some GOP strategists have expressed doubt.
–City News Service